Nick Bowling ~ + Director

Peter Morgan Playwright

Cast

Janet Ulrich Brooks * + Queen Elizabeth II

Matt DeCaro * Churchill, Wilson, Blair, Archbishop (Aug 16 - Nov 23)

David Lively * Equerry (Aug 16 - Nov 23)

Steve Pickering * Churchill, Wilson, Blair, Archbishop (Nov 24 - Dec 3)

Carmen Roman * Thatcher, Bobo, Secretary, Security Officer (Aug 16 - Oct 14)

Mark Ulrich * Major, Brown, Eden, Cameron, Detective

Wendi Weber * Thatcher, Bobo, Secretary, Security Officer (Oct 15 - Dec 3)

Sophie Ackerman Young Elizabeth

Audrey Edwards Young Elizabeth

Simon Hedger Equerry (Nov 24 - Dec 3)

Production Team

Helen Young Associate Director

Andrew Hansen ^ Composer and Sound Designer

Jared Bellot ^ Dramaturg

Raymond Hutchison Production Assistant
Julie Mack Lighting Designer
Brennan T. Jones Assistant Director
Jeffrey D. Kmiec # Scenic Designer
Theresa Ham Costume Designer
Amy Peter Properties Designer
Katie Cordts Wig Designer and Coordinator
Dina Spoerl Lobby Display Designer
Elise Kauzlaric Dialect Coach
Luci Kersting * Stage Manager

Understudies

Caron Buinis Queen Elizabeth II; Thatcher, Bobo, Secretary, Security Officer (Aug 16 - Nov 20)

Vince Kracht Equerry; Churchill, Wilson, Blair, Archbishop (Nov 24 - Dec 3)

James Sparling Major, Brown, Eden, Cameron, Detective

Sarafina Vecchio Queen Elizabeth II; Thatcher, Bobo, Secretary, Security Officer (Nov 24 - Dec 3)

Reviews

Chicago Tribune

August 28, 2017

★ ★ ★ “A smart, juicy and gossipy exploration of the queen’s complex relationship with decades of democratically elected heads of state. … Nick Bowling, who directs TimeLine Theatre’s simple but enjoyable Chicago premiere, has both a more intimate toolbox at his behest and a few fresh ideas, including a cheeky final sequence. I won’t spoil the surprise.”

—Chris Jones

Daily Herald

August 25, 2017

★ ★ ★ ½ “In poker, a royal flush beats all. For the theatrical equivalent, look to the cast of TimeLine Theatre’s impeccably executed production of The Audience … [an] affectionate, eloquent revival, astutely staged in-the-round … It makes us believe we know a woman raised to be unknowable.”

—Barbara Vitello

Chicago Theatre Review

August 27, 2017

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. “Sheer theatrical heaven … This accomplished, three-dimensional portrayal of Queen Elizabeth given by Janet Ulrich Brooks should place her in contention for Chicago’s own award for Best Actress in a Play. She is, in a word, incredible. … An evening of royal splendor.”

—Colin Douglas

Stage and Cinema

August 25, 2017

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. “Employing five of Chicago’s top thespians, Nick Bowling superbly conducts the dramatic orchestrations of Morgan’s The Audience. It’s a perfect choice for TimeLine … The bravura result is a feat of cunning contrasts, glorious gossip, intellectual imaginings, and pyrotechnical performances.”

—Lawrence Bommer

Newcity Stage

August 29, 2017

RECOMMENDED. “Peter Morgan’s script finds an unexpected, but satisfactory, marriage with director Nick Bowling’s intimate look at a leader who is known for her privacy. It is the delicate balance of presenting a sheltered, privileged royal yet a meticulous, empathetic civil servant that distinguishes [Janet Ulrich] Brooks’ portrayal of the Queen.”

—Danielle Levsky

Picture This Post

August 25, 2017

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. “TimeLine Theatre company brings history alive, as always…Janet Ulrich Brooks’ performance as this Queen Elizabeth II through the decades animates The Audience with both gravitas and sizzle. … If you too are the kind of theater junkie that will always get a thrill from watching super talented actors morph seamlessly into multiple characters you will also find much of that here too. … If you adore historical fiction or are a history buff, The Audience should likely be your top pick for a night out on the town.“

—Amy Munice

Around the Town Chicago

August 25, 2017

“Under the clever direction of Nick Bowling, this two-hour-fifteen minute [play] never seems to drag … The cast is superb! The acting is all Jeff-Award ‘worthy’ for sure.”

—Alan Bresloff

TheaterMania

August 25, 2017

” [Janet Ulrich] Brooks rises to the task with grace and skill, using precise variations in her voice and posture to move between decades … In the capable hands of its director and leading lady, The Audience offers an engrossing glimpse into the mind and heart of the world’s longest-reigning monarch.”

—Adelaide Lee

PerformInk

August 25, 2017

“An accomplished actor, Ulrich Brooks is indefatigably watchable … The ensemble joining Ulrich Brooks’ Queen could be considered Chicago acting royalty unto themselves.“

—Bec Willett

Chicago Theater Beat

August 29, 2017

★ ★ ★ “A fascinating must-see for fans of the British monarchy … Well-written and thoroughly researched, The Audience is a refreshing reminder that most leaders take their lot in life incredibly seriously and are forever called to serve their country.”

—Lauren Whalen

Windy City Times

August 30, 2017

“Director Nick Bowling embraces their commercial-savvy expedience to create a milieu allowing the formidable Janet Ulrich Brooks and the sturdy Matt DeCaro, Marc Ulrich and Carmen Roman to lend their personae a playful charm never spilling into caricature.”

—Mary Shen Barnidge

Buzz Center Stage

August 31, 2017

RECOMMENDED. “You don’t need to be an Anglophile to love The Audience. … [An] engaging stroll through history … Janet Ulrich Brooks is so seriously good here.”

—Bill Esler

The Hawk Chicago

August 30, 2017

RECOMMENDED. “Giving one of the best Chicago performances of 2017, Brooks somehow manages to physically and emotionally alter her portrayal for each time period expertly. … [She] offers up a performance worthy of a packed audience.”

—Emily Schmidt

Hyde Park Herald

September 13, 2017

“[A] stellar actress surrounded by a highly capable cast in a production that’s especially commendable for its intimacy.”

—Anne Spiselman

Chicago Onstage

November 16, 2017

★★★★ “Thoroughly marvelous … A Queen Elizabeth who is real and emotional and honest and, most of all, human.”

—Karen Topham

Arts and About

August 29, 2017

“Director Nick Bowling’s staging is masterful. … Janet Ulrich Brooks gives a commanding performance as Elizabeth. It is a performance not to be missed. … You, reader, should make a beeline for TimeLine to catch this totally satisfying drama while the Queen remains in residence.”

—Tom Mullaney

Features

Chicago Sun-Times

August 17, 2017

Mary Houlihan sits down with TimeLine Company Member and The Audience star Janet Ulrich Brooks in this Chicago Sun-Times feature on Janet’s unusual path to the stage, her rise in Chicago, and her “chameleon like” work to become England’s iconic ruler.

—Mary Houlihan

Read the full feature

AScene Chicago

September 24, 2017

Meet one of the young actresses that plays Young Elizabeth in TimeLine’s premiere of The Audience, Sophie Ackerman.

—Mia Park

Read the full feature

WDCB 90.9

August 29, 2017

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to actress Janet Ulrich Brooks about playing the Queen in TimeLine’s production of The Audience.

—Gary Zidek