Timeline’s new theater complex is at 5035 N. Broadway in Uptown, in the stretch north of Lawrence and south of Foster Avenue. The Argyle stop on the CTA Red Line is a block away. It’s a $46 million project built within the shell of a historic storage warehouse that was built by the W.C. Reebie and Brother Company in the 1910s, and the big vertical sign is easily visible to anyone traveling past.
What’s the vibe?
Retro. Along with the 250-seat theater (there’s just one performance space, at least for now), there is a comfy lobby with a table for board games and club-like chairs for relaxing and conversation. There are aesthetic nods to the old warehouse, and the decor is not stuffy or overly embellished. But it’s a large and comfortable lobby with lots of ground-floor space. There is also an outdoor space, which the theater plans to activate for nice evenings.
How is the theater?
It’s a fully flexible black box with movable risers that can be positioned to allow for numerous staging options, from proscenium-like setups to thrust (as in the current show) to in-the-round. Unlike some theaters in town with configurations that are costly to change in terms of labor, this one appears to be relatively easy to remake on a show-by-show basis. It’s a notably spacious performance space, far more so than TimeLine’s old Lakeview home inside a Wellington Avenue church. And dressing rooms and office spaces are both on-site and impressive.
Is there food and drink?
The theater already has a well-staffed lobby bar with curated beverage choices and some cold food options, such as salads and sandwiches. Currently, the bar is open to the public two hours before and one hour after each show, to encourage patrons to stick around and talk about what they have seen. TimeLine says it hopes to expand that offering to non-show nights in the coming weeks and (although there is no full on-site kitchen) hopes to add hot food options and an espresso machine for a daytime clientele. Of course, the famed Argyle restaurant district is right at the theater’s doors, offering numerous options for pre-show or (given the presence of some late-night kitchens) post-show dining.
Is there parking?
Yes, there are two lots that validate theater parking for either $10 (the huge lot directly to the theater’s north) or $7. Some free street parking is located right across the street; metered parking is outside.
Is the theater accessible?
Yes, there is a convenient and spacious elevator from the lobby up to the theater which is entered on the second floor. Wheelchair access should be straightforward.
New TimeLine Theatre marquee illuminates Uptown, at the end of long search for a home
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic
cjones5@chicagotribune.com
