Theatre News Wire

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announced the casting for the revival of ensemble member John Hildreth's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's classic Cat's Cradle. Join the famed Hoenikker family on the Caribbean Island of San Lorenzo for a satirical tale of how "pure" scientific research, banana republic politics, and a fabricated, falsely-based organized religion bring about the end of the world. Cat's Cradle runs at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Rogers Park, from September 1 to October 22, 2023.

Cast members for the production include Shelby Bias, Patrick Blashill, Tony Bozzuto, Anthony Kayer, Vic Kuligoski, MarieAnge Louis-Jean, Jocelyn Maher, Mandy Walsh, and Johnard Washington. The creative team for Cat's Cradle includes ensemble member Aly Amidei (costumes), Lindsay Mummert (scenic), Saskia Bakker (props), Sarah Riffle (lights), and Stefanie Senior (sound).

Ensemble member Heather Currie (Dooby, Dooby Moo 2022, So, You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?) directs Hildreth's (Treasure Island, Watership Down) invigorating adaptation of one of Vonnegut's most beloved novels for a new generation.

Cat's Cradle at Lifeline Theatre

Join the famed Hoenikker family on the Caribbean Island of San Lorenzo for a satirical tale of how "pure" scientific research, banana republic politics, and an organized religion based on lies bring about the end of the world. You're invited to convert yourself, learn a new way to make love, and make a supreme gesture to God Almighty (if indeed, He is still with us) in this revival of ensemble member John Hildreth's playful adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's beloved novel.

Of Cat's Cradle's relevance today, Currie notes, "Science and technology will always move forward, but humans must consider the consequences of progress. Challenging the American ego is still at the forefront of our discussions today in 2023. Satire still helps us laugh when looking at the dark parts of being human. At the heart of this story is...who are we as humans, and how can we do better?"

The production follows Lifeline Theatre's mission of exploring, interpreting, and reimagining books and other literary works to create stories that move us beyond the margins of our own lives. Duncan shares, "The return of Cat's Cradle is an opportunity for us to revisit Vonnegut's story and explore its themes and relevance for a new generation."