THEATRE REVIEW: "Emma" at the Lifeline Theatre (Chicago, IL)

     On the evening of May 24th, 2019, I saw the first preview performance of Phil Timberlake's stage adaptation "Emma," which was based on the book by Jane Austin.  I saw this stage play at the Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, IL.  The play officially opened on June 6th, 2019 and ran until July 14th of that year.  At the time, I still lived within walking distance from the Lifeline Theatre, bought my ticket on the day of the performance, and walked over there again to see the show when evening rolled around.  While it was great to be able to walk to a theatre from my apartment, I was yet again at a point where I needed to get my life together.  Unfortunately, this affected how I felt while watching the play, and I left during intermission. 








     The cast of this production of "Emma" included Peter Gertas (Mr. Elton, Frank Churchill, others), Jeri Marshall (Jane Fairfax, others), Madeline Pell (Harriet Smith, others), Emma Sipora Tyler (Emma Woodhouse), and Cory David Williamson (Mr. Knightley, others).  This stage play was directed by Elise Kauzlaric.  Sarah Lewis was the scenic designer.  The cast did a great job, but I don't think the actors changed costumes when they switched to another character they were playing.  I was sitting in the front row, so I had to hide my confusion and not wrinkle my nose or brow out of puzzlement.  








     The two shows I saw at the Lifeline Theatre ("Emma" and "The Man Who Was Thursday") were not eligible for a ticket lottery.  As far as I know, rush tickets were not an option either.  However, I saved a few dollars on the ticket price by seeing performances of both shows while they were still in previews.  Preview performances to both shows had cost $20, which was actually cheaper than a ticket lottery ticket.  Even so, I probably should have stayed for the entire performance of "Emma," just as I had for "The Man Who Was Thursday."  







     

     Not long after this production was mounted at Lifeline Theatre, a musical adaptation of "Emma" was presented at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier.  To this day I've never seen one of their productions.  Although it is possible I saw a Chicago Shakespeare Theatre production during a junior high school field trip.  The Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of "Emma" ran from January 28th through March 15th of 2020.  I regret not seeing that production, but then again, the pandemic was just getting into high gear, so to speak.  I probably would have left that production during intermission too.




Emma Sipora Tyler and Peter Gertas in "Emma."



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