Chicago Premiere
by Lee Hall — inspired by a book by William Feaver
directed by BJ Jones
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES FEATURE
Hedy Weiss talks to director BJ Jones about his personal connection to The Pitmen Painters story: "I told him I wanted to be an actor and was going back to school, and he gave me one of those classic blue-collar sidelong glances that said ‘Actor, oh sure,’ which was something I got all my life. Ironically enough, the Mobil factory is now closed, and I’m running a mid-sized theater company and directing a play about miners who become artists.”
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"B.J. Jones' earnest, moving and unpretentious production will, I suspect, be a very big hit for this savvy and growing company, where more and more Chicagoans have come, with reason, to trust the power, truth and integrity of the work."
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
“Highly Recommended ... receiving an altogether superlative U.S. regional premiere at TimeLine Theatre, where director BJ Jones and his spot-on cast sweep their powerful brushstrokes right across your heart.”
CHICAGO STAGE STYLE
“True to a terrific 15-year tradition of craftsmanship fired by conviction, TimeLine Theatre turns Hall’s script into dramatic gold. B.J. Jones’ unimprovable staging--the first professional U.S. production of a show that recently played Broadway--makes this slice of British history a complex look at how art transforms, connects and divides its advocates and audiences.”
CHICAGO CRITIC
“TimeLine Theatre scores another terrific Chicago premiere ... BJ Jones and his cast gave truthful performances that make the discussion of art fun.”
CHICAGOLAND THEATER
"The questions raised are all worth considering and the literacy of the often heated discussions makes “The Pitmen Painters” a very stimulating evening, even for viewers who don’t consider themselves art aficionados.”
CENTERSTAGE CHICAGO
“ ... ideas are discussed with humorous and thought-provoking results and while it isn’t new ground, in such an entertaining production audiences will forget that and simply enjoy the ride" ... in that sublime moment when Oliver suddenly realizes that painting offers him a feeling of achievement, we see how art can give meaning to our lives.”
CHICAGO THEATER BEAT
"Playwright Lee Hall tells an inspirational story of transformation. ... The talented ensemble captivates. ... Pitmen Painters is a soul-searching quest for anyone to uncover the talent within and then deal with it.”
EXAMINER
“Directed by BJ Jones, TimeLine Theatre’s staging of the piece is a triumph of fine directing and deftly etched performances over a script that loses most of its story-telling momentum in the second act.”
MAKE IT BETTER
“Directed by Northlight Artistic Director and Evanston resident BJ Jones, Dan Waller is magnificent in the starring role of miner-painter Oliver Kilbourn, and Jordan Brown and the handsome Andrew Carter also deliver standout performances.”
WINDY CITY TIMES
"Director B.J. Jones has assembled a cast of actors capable of projecting individualized conviction—whether that of sturdy Geordie colliers or effete city-dwellers—to forge unforgettable characters of depth far greater than the facile stereotypes of sentimental allegories.”
ON THE BLOGS
- WBEZ Onstage/Backstage - "The Pitmen Painters is a classic TimeLine show in the best sense--thoughtful, history-based and smart"
- Chicago Now/Show Me Chicago - “The entire Chicago package from the set, the direction, and the cast is outstanding. ... TimeLine Theatre Creates a Masterpiece.”
FROM THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE
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