PRESS RELEASE				MEDIA CONTACT:   Robert Kauzlaric, Lifeline Theatre
Chicago, IL, June 9, 2009			773-761-4477 x704, rob@lifelinetheatre.com
Photos and interviews available on request

Rogers Park Theatres, “Chicago’s Answer to Off-Broadway”
Offer 2009-2010 Season Flex Pass
$50 to See Four Plays at Four Theatres; Dining Discounts at Local Eateries

What:  For the second year, four Rogers Park area theatres – Lifeline Theatre, Raven Theatre, the side project, and Theo Ubique - are combining to offer a flexible subscription pass to see a variety of productions throughout the season, running from August 15, 2009, to July 31, 2010, in Chicago’s Rogers Park area, dubbed “Chicago’s answer to off-Broadway” in a recent Chicago Sun-Times article.  The foursome garnered 11 non-Equity Jeff Awards this season alone, and wanted to share this commitment to excellence in this neighborhood with the community, by offering this discounted pass with up to 50% savings over regular single tickets.  The Flex Pass program was inaugurated in September 2008, and now includes Raven Theatre on the southern edge of Rogers Park.  

Where:  The $50, four-show pass - good for one adult or kids show, anytime during the season, from each of the four participating theaters (offer does not include participant shows in venues outside Rogers Park) - is available at each theatre’s box office, and at www.thesideproject.net/tickets.php.  The pass is business card-sized to be kept throughout the season, to be punched when used at each theatre, and displayed at each restaurant when a discount is requested.    

Who:  Participating theatres and 2009-2010 season offerings include (call or visit the Web sites for run dates and details):

Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-761-4477, info@lifelinetheatre.com, www.lifelinetheatre.com - MainStage shows "Treasure Island," "Mrs. Caliban," "Neverwhere," and KidSeries shows "Dooby Dooby Moo," "The Last of the Dragons," and "The Blue Shadow."

Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., 773-338-2177, info@raventheatre.com, www.raventheatre.com – “Death of a Salesman,” “Twelve Angry Men,” and “The Odd Couple.”

the side project, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., 773-973-2150, tickets@thesideproject.net, www.thesideproject.net – 2009/2010 season to be announced soon.

Theo Ubique at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-743-3355, freddyanz@gmail.com, www.theoubique.org - “The Taming of the Shrew,” and “Man of LaMancha.” 

Dining Discounts:  Rogers Park restaurants near these theatres are partnering to offer dining discounts to pass purchasers for the season through July 31, 2010. The Heartland Café (“good wholesome food for the mind and body”), 7000 N. Glenwood Ave., is offering a 15% discount to audiences with a flex pass; Gruppo di Amici (Roman style Italian food), 1508 W. Jarvis Ave., will extend 10% off to patrons (with flex pass); Ropa (Mediterranean-influenced contemporary American restaurant and wine bar), 1146 West Pratt Blvd., will extend 10% off to patrons (with flex pass); and the Morseland (“good eats, nice beats”), 1218 W. Morse Ave., will extend 10% off to patrons (with flex pass).  In addition, Charmers Café/Dagel & Beli [sic] (coffeehouse and bagels), 1500 W. Jarvis Ave., will offer $2 off one order with flex pass (one visit only-not season long).  Theo Ubique offers dinner and show packages at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave.

Glenwood Avenue Arts District, in the heart of Rogers Park, features numerous artist studios, music venues, theaters and restaurants and is fast becoming known as a vibrant and unique arts destination. On April 29, 2009, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “Maybe the time has come to dub Glenwood Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood as Chicago’s answer to off-Broadway. Certainly that’s the conclusion to be reached if you tally up the nominations for the Non-Equity Jeff Awards … Among the top nominees are two theaters who make their home on that narrow railroad street — Lifeline Theatre (which garnered a total of 14 nominations for its productions of ‘The Mark of Zorro,’ ‘Mariette in Ecstasy’ and ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’), and Theo Ubique Theatre Company (which received 13, for ‘Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night’ and ‘Evita’).” Chicago Magazine (October 2008) added, “For pure Chicago heart, soul and polished grit, the Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Rogers Park is our favorite new destination.”  The theatres in this area are also often picked to perform at the Chicago Park District’s Theater on the Lake, “best of the best” summer season. 	
# # #