TimeLine Theatre Extends The Pitmen Painters Thru 12/18

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced a two-week extension of its hit Chicago premiere of The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall, inspired by a book by William Feaver, directed by Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones. Originally scheduled to close December 4, The Pitmen Painters will now run through December 18, 2011, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

While single tickets to remaining performances in the original run are virtually sold out, there is still limited availability over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (reminder: no show Thursday, 11/24; special added 4 pm show on 11/25). For the extension, the regular performance schedule remains Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets to newly added performances, on sale now, are $32 (Wednesday - Friday) or $42 (Saturday & Sunday). Student discount is $10 off the regular ticket price with valid ID. Discounted group rates for groups of 10 or more are available. To purchase tickets or for more information about The Pitmen Painters, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Heralded in London, on Broadway, and now in Chicago, The Pitmen Painters by the Tony Award-winning writer of Billy Elliot is based on a triumphant true story about a group of miners in 1930's Northern England who took an art appreciation class, started experimenting with painting and soon built an astonishing body of work that made them the unlikeliest of art world sensations. An arresting and hilarious salute to the power of individual expression and the collective spirit, The Pitmen Painters is a deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics.

In his original review, Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune awarded The Pitmen Painters 3 ½ stars, calling the show "smart, moving and strikingly thought-provoking" and correctly predicting "B.J. Jones' earnest, moving and unpretentious production will, I suspect, be a very big hit for this savvy and growing company." Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times hailed the production as "Highly Recommended ... receiving an altogether superlative U.S. regional premiere at TimeLine Theatre, where director BJ Jones and his spot-on cast sweep their powerful brushstrokes right across your heart."

The cast of The Pitmen Painters features Jordan Brown, Andrew Carter, William Dick, James Houton, Steven Pringle, Loretta Rezos, Amanda Schaar and Dan Waller. Note that starting December 3, the role of Robert Lyon (portrayed during the regular run by Andrew Carter) will be portrayed by Dennis Grimes. The production staff includes Timothy Mann (Scenic Design), Jacqueline Firkins (Costume Design), Charles Cooper (Lighting Design), Joshua Horvath (Sound Design), Mike Tutaj (Projections Design), Julia Eberhardt (Properties Design), Dina Spoerl (Lobby Design), Maren Robinson (Dramaturg) and Ana Espinosa (Stage Manager).

TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., is located near the corner of Wellington and Broadway, inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood. CTA El stops at Wellington (Brown/Purple lines) and Belmont (Red/Brown/Purple lines) are nearby. CTA busses #36-Broadway, #76-Diversey, #77-Belmont, #22-Clark and #8-Halsted stop nearby. The LAZ Parking Lot at 3012 N. Broadway is the closest parking and costs $6.25 for 3-5 hours. TimeLine also offers parking for $8 for up to 6 hours with validation at the Standard Parking garages at Broadway Center (2846 N. Broadway, at Surf) or the Century Mall (2836 N. Clark). There is also limited free and metered street parking and other paid parking lots nearby. Visit timelinetheatre.com for complete directions and parking information. There are two flights of stairs (18 steps) between the street and the theater space, with no elevator.