TimeLine Theatre’s Chicago Premiere of INANA, Michele Lowe’s Timely Tale of Middle Eastern Culture and Romance, The Next High-Profile Project for Acclaimed Broadway Director Kimberly Senior, Runs May 6 – July 26, 2015

CHICAGO, IL — As the world is shocked by news reports and video images of antiquities and literary treasures being destroyed in Mosul, Iraq, TimeLine Theatre Company announces the Chicago premiere of INANA by Michele Lowe, about an Iraqi museum curator desperately plotting to save his country’s cherished antiquities—including the only remaining statue of ancient mother goddess Inana—from destruction in advance of the U.S. invasion in 2003.

Against a background of international and personal intrigue, playwright Michele Lowe opens a window of hope and healing with her poignant and beautiful love story INANA, playing May 6 through July 26, 2015 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. Acclaimed Chicago and Broadway director and TimeLine Associate Artist Kimberly Senior stages this Chicago premiere. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at (773) 281-TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

The most prominent female deity in ancient Mesopotamia, Inana is metaphorically considered the ancient mother goddess and very soul of Iraq. So when the embattled country’s only remaining statue of Inana is threatened by war, theft, desecration and destruction, Yasin, chief of the Mosul Museum, flees to London with his young bride, Shali, and makes a life-altering deal to ensure the statue’s preservation.

“By introducing us to human and complex Iraqi characters … Michele Lowe’s play wants to smooth the border that separates our nations like a line of sand in the desert,” praised The Denver Post after INANA was commissioned and received its world premiere at Denver Center Theatre Company in 2009. “[It] allows us to consider our ‘enemy’ in new and more humane ways. To consider the infuriating plight of Middle Eastern women. To reflect on the unconscionable desecration of a country’s sacred heritage … All while escaping into an unlikely but eventually sweet romance.”

TimeLine’s Chicago premiere of INANA features a seven-person cast, including TimeLine Associate Artist Behzad Dabu, Anish Jethmalani, Demetrios Troy, Atra Asdou, Arya Daire, Frank Sawa and Michael Woods.

Production staff includes Collette Pollard (Scenic Design), Samantha Jones (Costume Design), Charles Cooper (Lighting Design), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design), Sarah Burnham (Properties Design), Maren Robinson (Dramaturgy) and Ari Clouse (Stage Management).

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE / EVENTS

PREVIEWS: Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m.; Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 13 at 8 p.m.

OPENINGS: Press Opening on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Opening Night on Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.

REGULAR RUN: 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., through July 26. Exceptions: There are two Tuesday performances, June 23 and June 30 at 7:30 p.m. No show Sunday, June 28. No 8 p.m. show Saturday, July 4.

DISCUSSION EVENTS:

Post-Show Discussions: A brief, informal post-show discussion hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and featuring the production dramaturg and members of the cast on Wednesday, May 20; Thursday, May 28; Sunday, May 31; Wednesday, June 10; Thursday, June 18; and Tuesday, June 30.

Pre-Show Discussions: Starting one hour before these performances, a 30-minute introductory conversation hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and the production dramaturg with members of the production team on Wednesday, June 4 and the 4 p.m. performance on Saturday, June 20.

Sunday Scholars Panel Discussion: A one-hour post-show discussion featuring experts on the themes and issues of the play on Sunday, June 7.

Company Member Discussion: A post-show discussion with the collaborative team of artists who choose TimeLine’s programming and guide the company’s mission on Sunday, July 12.

All discussions are free and open to the public. For further details about all planned discussions, visit timelinetheatre.com/inana/events.htm.

BUYING TICKETS

Ticket prices (inclusive of all fees) are $39 (Wednesday through Friday), $49 (Saturday) and $52 (Sunday). Preview tickets are $25. Student discount is $10 off the regular ticket price with valid ID. Special rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Advance purchase is recommended as performances may sell out. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (773) 281-TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

LOCATION / TRANSPORTATION / PARKING

INANA will take place at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. TimeLine Theatre is located near the corner of Wellington and Broadway, inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood. The location is served by multiple CTA trains and buses. TimeLine offers discounted parking at the Standard Parking garages at Broadway Center ($8 with validation; 2846 N. Broadway, at Surf) or the Century Mall ($9 with validation; 2836 N. Clark). There is also limited free and metered street parking.

ACCESSIBILITY

TimeLine Theatre is now accessible to people with disabilities with the addition in November 2013 of two wheelchair lifts that provide access from street level to the theatre space and to lower-level restrooms. Audience members using wheelchairs or others with special seating needs should contact the TimeLine Theatre Box Office in advance to confirm arrangements.