A drama about murder, media and the creation of a landmark American play

World Premiere
by Masha Obolensky
directed by Nick Bowling

Not Enough Air Reviews

"A fearsome feminist outcry now in a powerfully acted, drivingly directed world premiere ... Director Nick Bowling and his three sensational actresses have given the production a wonderfully hallucinatory quality." — Chicago Sun-Times

• Read the Chicago Sun-Times review

"The most exciting piece of theater I’ve ever seen in this city."
— Jonathan Rosenbaum

• Read the full post on Jonathan Rosenbaum's blog

"Nick Bowling's world premiere boasts impeccable performances and dazzling, ingenious design and staging."
— Chicago Reader

• Read the Chicago Reader review

"A fascinating look at Treadwell’s creative process ... The crackerjack ensemble masters the fast-paced staging and rapid-fire language." — Newcity Stage

• Read the Newcity Stage review

"Vivid, smart and wholly absorbing ... Masha Obolensky’s expressionistic true crime fable is a triumph of atmospheric storytelling and disquieting truths."
— Examiner.com

• Read the Examiner.com review

"A riveting TimeLine Theatre world premiere that enlarges two lives ... irrestible staging." — Chicago Free Press

• Read the Chicago Free Press review

"An elegantly evocative and stylistically sophisticated world premiere ... [it] is visually restrained yet lavish, dramatically deliberate yet suggestive, historically grounded yet conceptually constructed." — Chicago Stage Review

• Read the Chicago Stage Review review

"As played by Janet Ulrich Brooks, Treadwell ... emerges as a creature both steely and sensitive." — Windy City Times

• Read the Windy City Times review

Not Enough Air Interviews

• Read an interview with playwright Masha Obolensky
• Read the Time Out Chicago feature of TimeLine Company member
  Janet Ulrich Brooks, who plays Sophie Treadwell in Not Enough Air

Not Enough Air Video Previews

Watch video preview #1 (powered by The Stage Channel)

Watch video preview #2 (powered by The Stage Channel)

Not Enough Air Dramaturgy

• Read a biography of playwright Masha Obolensky
• Download the Study Guide (PDF)
• Download the historical lobby display (PDF)

About Not Enough Air

• Read more about the cast and production team
• Read the Not Enough Air news release (PDF)

This world premiere drama Not Enough Air follows famed journalist-turned-playwright Sophie Treadwell as she is drawn into the real-life tragedy of Ruth Snyder’s 1928 murder trial. Treadwell is haunted by Ruth’s story and finds herself compelled to bring it to the stage in the form of her landmark play Machinal, acclaimed as one of the highpoints of expressionist theater on an American stage. In this astonishing exploration of media sensationalism and ethics as well as interpretation and manipulation in the creative process, Obolensky illuminates the lives of two women who pushed against the limitations and expectations imposed upon them by society.

Artistic Director PJ Powers comments:
“We’ve been involved in the development of this remarkable new work over the last two years,” Powers said. “Masha has been a true collaborator, wrestling with big ideas, making changes and treating the process like a laboratory to experiment. We are honored to premiere her dynamic new play for Chicago audiences.”

About TimeLine Theatre

TimeLine Theatre Company is a Chicago theater company dedicated to presenting stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. TimeLine Theatre brings Chicago theater audiences provocative work that engages, educates, entertains and enlightens. Founded in 1997 and located in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood, TimeLine is the recipient of 37 Jeff Awards, which signify excellence in Chicago theatre. TimeLine Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre.