Lifeline's Theatre's 2011-2012 Season

"Fool that I am, that I did not tear out my heart the day I resolved to avenge myself..."

Framed by a conspiracy of three terrible enemies, Edmond Dantès is torn from the woman he loves and wrongly imprisoned for fourteen years. After escaping captivity, he enters the upper reaches of Parisian society under a new name: the Count of Monte Cristo. With the aid of Albert de Morcerf, son of his former fiancée, the Count insinuates himself into the lives of his three tormentors and, one by one, seeks to use their own secrets to destroy them. A dark tale of intrigue and vengeance, in a world premiere adaptation.

Based on the 1844 classic by French novelist Alexandre Dumas (The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask).

"A man is ruled by appetite and remorse, and I swallowed what I could..."

During the 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad, Russian botanist Ilya is charged with protecting a cache of valuable seeds for future generations. As the weeks turn to months and food grows scarce, Ilya and his co-workers are torn between their lives’ work, the dictates of a brutal regime, and the harsh realities of survival in a time of war. Consumed by innumerable hungers and haunted by memories of happier days, Ilya must choose whether to preserve his life or protect his ideals. A powerful drama of deprivation and loss, in a world premiere adaptation.

Based on the 2003 debut novel by American author and journalist Elise Blackwell (The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish, An Unfinished Score).

"It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first..."

In the town of Meryton, reputation and marriage can secure — or destroy — a young woman’s happiness. Faced with the loss of their land and income, Elizabeth Bennet’s mother is desperate to secure husbands for her daughters at any cost. When Lizzy is introduced to Mr. Darcy at a local dance, tempers flare as her independent spirit clashes with his ingrained arrogance. Can the headstrong rivals overcome their pride and prejudice to repair the romantic entanglements which surround them and find lasting love? A world of memorable characters comes to life in this sparkling comedy of manners, freshly updated for its first appearance on the Lifeline stage in twenty years.

Based on the 1813 novel by Jane Austen (Emma, Sense and Sensibility), one of the most beloved books in English literature.

"Once upon a time, in a gloomy castle on a lonely hill, where there were thirteen clocks that wouldn’t go, there lived a cold, aggressive Duke, and his niece, the Princess Saralinda..."

On a faraway island, a wicked Duke has locked his niece in a high tower. When Prince Zorn of Zorna, in disguise as a wandering minstrel, learns of Saralinda’s fate, he vows to free her — even if it means traveling thrice around the moon or turning November into June. Join Zorn on an unforgettable adventure complete with swordplay and song, spies and monsters, mysterious wizards, and magic spells to be broken. A modern twist on classic fairy tales, filled with wit and humor, in a world premiere adaptation.

Based on the 1950 classic by beloved American writer and humorist James Thurber (Fables for Our Time, The Wonderful O).

"Leave a trail of breadcrumbs? Won’t the birds just eat them? That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard..."

Even though his dad is a frog and his mom claims to be a princess, Jack grew up in a house without fairy tales. So when he is thrust into a mysterious forest, threatened by bears and witches and trolls, he must find a way to survive on his own without any knowledge of the "rules" of traditional folktales. Travel with Jack on a madcap quest to rescue a trio of pigs, escape from some extremely gruff billy goats, and help his parents find their Happily Ever After, in a world premiere fractured fairy tale.

Based on popular fairy tales and nursery rhymes, from the Brothers Grimm and beyond.

"There is so much to learn about the fascinating little creatures known as naked mole rats. But, for this story, you only need to know three things: 1. They are a little bit rat. 2. They are a little bit mole. 3. They are all naked..."

Unlike other naked mole rats, young Wilbur loves to wear clothes. By daring to defy social tradition, Wilbur makes life miserable for himself and his best friend. When the teasing and bullying at school get out of control, the pups take their case before Grand-pah: the greatest, wisest, and most naked naked mole rat ever. Will Grand-pah crush Wilbur’s self-expression, or open the door of acceptance to a misunderstood outsider? A heartwarming lesson on tolerance, in a world premiere musical adaptation for the whole family.

Based on the 2009 book by New York Times bestselling author Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!).

Participants, scheduling and full pricing details for the 2011 Fillet of Solo Festival will be announced in April 2011.