Steadstyle Chicago
	November 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	When She Danced For many theater companies, having two consecutive hit shows in a season would be a wonderful experience.  After having successful runs with "History Boys" and "All My Sons," TimeLine Theatre Company has not stopped yet.  Their current production, "When She Danced," Martin Sherman's portrait of Isadora Duncan is a true masterpiece of art in theater.  Every little detail of this production is sparkling.  From the moment you walk into this intimate theater and see the set designed by Keith Pitts, you know you are in for something special.  It is 1923, Paris, the home of Isadora Duncan, known to most as "The mother of modern dance". Duncan was unique in her form of dance, her politics and her lifestyle.  She said that she listened to the music, felt it and then stepped to it.  Her dance was not typical and in fact, used no actual steps.  She danced with her heart and her emotions and Sherman's insight into what made Isadora Duncan herself is a story filled with comedy as well as sadness.  We learn of the lives she touched with her performance art and her great desire to teach young people to do with their hearts as she did, follow them in dance!  She was a revolutionist fighting for women's rights and free love was part of her way of life.  In 1923 the world was in turmoil and her finances as well.  In one scene she has to sell her table to pay for the dinner party she has hosted, but didn't care saying she preferred to drink her coffee without a table. Director Nick Bowling has put together a solid cast to bring this story to life.  His direction is as smooth as silk, each scene moving at a perfect pace to make us feel like the fly on the wall as Ms. Duncan attempts to get her desire, a school in Italy that will allow her to teach her style.  Playing the role of Isadora, Jennifer Engstrom proves just how strong an actress she is.  One cannot help but fall in love with the character she presents to us.  She is in fact Isadora Duncan.  Her current lover Sergei, the Russian poet is played with tremendous energy by Patrick Mulvey, who only speaks in Russian.  This is where I must tip my hat to Language and Dialect Coach Eva Breneman, who was also the assistant director, along with  Mechelle Moe.  Breneman worked miracles with this cast.  They speak French, Russian, Greek, Italian and a little Swedish in addition of course to English, and each actor appears to be authentic.  This is a monumental task and very well done. Ms. Duncan's maid/housekeeper is deftly played by Jeannie Affelder and her best friend/manager by Mary Williamson.  Both of these women do well with the comedy.  Janet Ulrich Brooks is wonderful as Miss Belzer, the translator brought in to make Isadora and Sergei's relationship easier.  Her character becomes an integral part of the story line and she adds the perfect touch from her first entrance.  Alejandro Cordoba takes on the role of pianist Alexandros Eliopolos, a youngster who was allegedly named for Ms. Duncan (his middle name is Duncan).  He plays a marvelous piano and also speaks many languages and so becomes her translator for the Italian she hopes to sway into building her a school in Italy, Luciano Zavani.  This is a marvelous character played by Mark Richard.  Luciano is more interested in Alexandros and as it turns out he is not what Isadora assumed him to be.  The other cast members, Jessica Steans-Gail and Daniel McEvilly play roles that are smaller but do add to the total picture painted by Sherman and Bowling.  I do not think a better cast could have been assembled for this production. The lighting by Seth E. Reinick is executed to perfection and the costumes by Bill Morey are so 1920's!  This show, being a period piece takes on a special challenge for the prop people.  Having to find things that fit that period is not an easy task but Julia Eberhardt and her crew managed to get it done and Josh Horvath's sound was the final touch.  TimeLine's mission is to present stories inspired by history that connect today's social and political issue.  They are good at what they do and are getting stronger with each production.  Their challenge is to continue to do the solid work they have been doing and each time they do another quality show, they raise the bar.  It appears they love the challenge.  Now the challenge is yours.  If you want to experience this masterpiece, you will need to get on the phone or online right away.  They claim they cannot extend this run, so it will close on December 20, 2009 at their home located at 615 Wellington Ave. in the Wellington Avenue United Church. Performances are Wednesdays (11/9 and 11/16 only) at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (except on Thanksgiving), Fridays at 8 p.m. (except on the 27th there will also be a 4 p.m. performance), Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.  The show runs about two hours with an intermission.  Tickets range from $25-$35 and are a bargain at this price.  In fact, there is probably not a better value in professional theater in Chicago than TimeLine.  To order your tickets call 773-281-8463 ext 24 or visit www.timelinetheatre.com.  Parking is a bit difficult in the area, so I suggest public transportation.  However, there is special parking available at Standard Parking, 2846 N. Broadway or at The Century Mall (2836 N. Clark Street) for $8 with validation so bring your ticket to the box office.  Do not wait to order tickets.  If you have to, change your schedule.  This is another award winning production by the bold TimeLine Company!   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.