8-1-08
Zorro Hits Another Theatre
The Mark of Zorro will be on the Theatre Building. For the first time since moving into their space 22 years ago, Lifeline Theatre is moving a grown-up show. Zorro opened in the 99-seat Lifeline space in Rogers Park on May 2, and was extended until July 20. But there was still ticket demand, so artistic director Dorothy Milne and managing director Frances Limoncelli started looking around for a new location.
“It’s hard to move a show,” says Milne. “By the time you figure out you have a hit, there’s usually nowhere to go.” There is only a handful of 150-200 seat houses, and they’re booked over a year in advance.
Luckily, Theatre Building Chicago had a cancellation in this fall, which gave a perfect opening for Zorro to make a Sept. 27 comeback.
“There was really a freakish stroke of luck,” says Milne. “We’re not doing it because this show is better than other shows, we’re doing it because the opportunities have arrived at the right time.”
Lifeline has had numerous kids shows move to Metropolis Performing Arts Center, but that was a contract from Metropolis. And their kids series production of Click, Clack Moo moved to the Lakeshore Theatre for six months in 2003.
Milne says she and Limoncelli dream of having a bigger space to play on—and seat audience members. But Lifeline is committed to staying in Rogers Park.
“The neighborhood is getting more attention and appreciation as an arts district,” says Milne. “People are getting more comfortable being here and feeling that it’s a hot spot, rather than a sketchy area on the north side.”
That hot spot will be host to the Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival on Aug. 23 and 24, which will showcase theatre, music, art, restaurants and other businesses that make up the increasingly hip Glenwood Arts District.