Behind the ‘Line

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Art and History

** Note: A few spoilers ahead if you have not yet seen The Farnsworth Invention ** Philo T. Farnsworth examines an image dissector Frequently at TimeLine we grapple with the issues surrounding the intersection of art and history. The act of dramatizing some part of history is already an act of interpretation, and any two-hour play will not give a full historical representation of events. Some historians might argue that historians have to leave out ...
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Digging deeper

Often when I do post-show discussions, audience members ask me about books that will allow them to dig deeper into the historical events that inspire a play. For The Farnsworth Invention, this is particularly important since there are many vital differences between Aaron Sorkin’s play ...
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Share your thoughts

TimeLine’s Chicago premiere of The Farnsworth Invention starts performances this week! The professional reviewers will weigh in soon but we want to give you a chance to share your own review, comments or questions about the production below. Pictured (from left): Zach Kenney, Bridgette Pechman, ...
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My Step Into Time speech

On Friday night I had the honor of speaking to guests at our Step Into Time benefit. Here’s what I said: Most of you have been to our intimate space on Wellington Ave. and know that we normally can accommodate an audience of about 85 ...
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10 days left. 29 to go.

I know you are sitting there saying to yourself, “There are only 10 days until TimeLine’s annual Step Into Time benefit. I wonder what is going on over at 615 W. Wellington Ave.” For those who know me, it should be no surprise that today I’m talking ...
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Another beginning

“The Farnsworth Invention” by Aaron Sorkin Every few months, we get to start again. A new show. Another first rehearsal. A new group of people coming together at TimeLine to make new magic on stage. For The Farnsworth Invention, the group is really a crowd! This show has a lot of actors and a big design/production team. And on Monday, March 1, we got together for the first time to meet each other, hear about ...
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That maddening box

Monday night was the first rehearsal for Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention. Wow! There were 16 actors, the director, assistant director, dramaturg and 3 members of the stage management team on stage — the ‘Master Harold’ set.  There were more actors in the audience (our ...
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Can I have your vote?

This is a bit of a pleading blog post. But I need your help. As some of you may know, in 2006 I was on the TV show Check, Please! on WTTW Channel 11 – a restaurant review show where each week they have 3 ...
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Story of a jukebox

This is the story of the ‘Master Harold’ … and the Boys jukebox. For those of you who have seen the production, you know that the jukebox is a crucial prop — referenced throughout the script and integral to the moving ending of the play. ...
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NOT ENOUGH AIR in Boston!

One year ago, TimeLine was presenting the world premiere of Masha Obolenky’s Not Enough Air, about playwright Sophie Treadwell and her journey to write the landmark expressionist play Machinal. The process of presenting a brand-new play is always exhilarating, and Not Enough Air was no ...
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