BACKSTORY YOUR GUIDE TO TIMELINE PRODUCTIONS CHICAGO PREMIERE | BY LUCY PREBBLE YESTERDAY’S STORIES. TODAY’S TOPICS. From Artistic Director PJ Powers a message Dear Friends, Enron, a company with one I saw people clutching the of the greatest business free new biography of Steve Jobs. “Our continual search for Welcome to TimeLine’s 50th falls in our nation’s history. In airports, coffee shops, on production! the next pioneer surely will the subway—everywhere But those who fail to learn I must say, this milestone I turned, people were from history are doomed go on. Perhaps we’ll have is a bit astonishing. In probing and mourning the to repeat it, and Enron is a many ways, it seems like life of Apple’s visionary. trajectory that I assure you wider eyes about how or if just yesterday the six of And I couldn’t help but TimeLine has no intention of us who founded TimeLine think of Jeffrey Skilling and their moral compass factors following! Fifty shows, but were each pitching in $50 how, at one time during we’re just gettin’ started! to get the company started. raucous, gluttonous and his prime as Enron’s chief into the company’s bottom line. But since that auspicious And—ominous superstitions seductive world of money- executive officer, he and beginning in 1997, TimeLine aside—I couldn’t be happier making (and losing). his legions of supporters Or perhaps not, just as long as has grown exponentially, to have Enron as our 50th imagined that he would be The story of Enron is one they deliver whatever it is we thanks largely to passionate production or more excited revered in the way that Jobs you surely know and might supporters like you. Your to have it be our first under is. At Enron’s height, Skilling prefer to forget, but the want from them.” patronage, curiosity the direction of the über- possessed such astonishing appeal of Prebble’s script and desire to engage talented Rachel Rockwell. vision, chutzpah, hubris and is not merely to repeat the Skilling’s obituary will be Indeed. Well put. in provocative theater She has become one of the drive that those around him sensational news story or to markedly different from has inspired us to make most prolific, heralded and believed he would change It’s a question we’re always rail at the villains involved. that of Jobs, and some TimeLine a stronger and admired artists in Chicago’s the world—and the way that happy to discuss with The theatrical roller-coaster day people may probe more dynamic organization theater community, for business was done. you, and we’re glad you’re ride the play takes us on his biography for vastly with each passing day and good reason. here to be a part of that offers fodder for much He and the ever-shining different reasons. And our production. conversation about Enron. We’ve presented her with more conversation and gleam of the Enron logo continual search for the So, after a string of 14 Lucy Prebble’s epically introspection about what were so seductive. People next pioneer surely will go I thank you for believing in seasons operating in scaled play, which was a we asked ourselves during wanted to, needed to on. Perhaps we’ll have wider and supporting TimeLine the black, more than 50 sensation in London and the collapse of (fill-in-the- believe in the company’s eyes about how or if their through our first 49 stories, awards for our art and a swiftly extinguished blank-company) in recent promise—and this belief moral compass factors into and I look forward to talking management, and 49 plays misfire in New York. Such years—“How exactly could is what would make it all the company’s bottom line. with you about the 50th, that have furthered our are the challenges we relish that have happened!?” thrive, providing the life and Or perhaps not, just as long 100th and beyond… mission of exploring history, at TimeLine, and Rachel fortune of their dreams. About a week before we as they deliver whatever it is All the best, it is perhaps ironic—and and her design team have started rehearsals for Now, with the perspective we want from them. hopefully not a harbinger— created a sleek, stripped- Enron I was traveling, and it of time (and after the that we mark our 50th down arena in which you Over the next several seemed everywhere I went bottom fell out), we have a production with the story of will become engulfed in the months, we will hear a lot more cynical and skeptical of politicians talking about view. In many ways, deregulation. Enron reminds “It is perhaps ironic—and hopefully not a harbinger— Skilling’s foot soldiers at us why we need to keep Enron were right: He did asking questions. Ironically, that we mark our 50th production with the story of change the way business the Enron company motto Enron, a company with one of the greatest business was done. But for how long? was, “Ask why.” free falls in our nation’s history.” That’s a trickier question. Playwright, Production History and Players TIMELINE: Rise the play and fall of Enron 1985 Lucy Prebble “There is something human, something Production History July Houston Natural Gas, ucy Prebble is a personal, even emotional, about a financial nron debuted at the run by Kenneth Lay, merges British playwright and with Omaha-based natural L bubble. ... A marketplace is just a group EMinerva Theatre as gas company InterNorth, with screenwriter. She is the of people behaving, after all. Just like a part of England’s Chichester approximately 37,000 miles of creator of the television workplace, or a family.” – Lucy Prebble Festival. The production natural gas pipeline. series Secret Diary of a Call transferred to the Royal November Lay is named Girl, starring Billie Piper in Court Theatre and later to CEO of the new company, the title role. Secret Diary followed by the TMA Award the Noel Coward Theatre soon to be called Enron Corp. is now entering its fourth for Best New Play. in London’s West End. The (The company name is almost season on the Showtime Enteron, but abandoned right Enron, her second play, play was lauded throughout before the announcement network. Prebble won the won the TMA Award for England. The director, when it is discovered the term George Devine Award for Poster for the Broadway production Best New Play 2009 and was Rupert Goold, won the of Enron. also refers to the intestines.) Most Promising Playwright nominated for the Olivier Evening Standard Critics’ 1987 for her debut play, The Sugar Circle Award and an Olivier and Evening Standard The Players April Enron learns that Syndrome, in May 2004, Playwright Lucy Prebble. (Photo by Award for Best Director traders Louis Borget and Tom awards for Best Play. Bruce Glikas, Broadway.com) Kenneth Lay: Chief and Prebble was nominated Mastroeni, in the Valhalla, N.Y., executive officer (CEO). for the Olivier and Evening office, are trading beyond their Standard awards for Best Jeffrey Skilling: Chief limits and keeping two sets of books to make it appear the Special Events and Resources New Play. operating officer (COO) trading operation is making and for a time CEO. Enron opened on Broadway steady profits. Lay does not the conversation in April 2010 at the Andrew Fastow: Chief fire them; instead he increases their trading limits. Broadhurst Theatre to financial officer (CFO). October Borget and mixed reviews, and the Claudia Roe: A character TimeLine looks forward COMPANY MEMBER STUDY GUIDE Mastroeni trade badly and to engaging our audience DISCUSSION A study guide is available show closed after 22 inspired by Rebecca Mark, lose Enron $1 billion. Executive in conversations inspired Our Company Members at timelinetheatre.com. previews and 15 regular CEO of Enron International. Mike Muckleroy bluffs the by our productions. We shape the artistic vision performances. The play’s Arthur Andersen: Enron’s market and manages to reduce and choose programming BLOG AND MORE! regional U.S. debut was at the loss to $140 million, saving hope you will participate accounting firm. the company from bankruptcy. for TimeLine. On Sunday, Find behind-the-scenes Boston’s Zeitgeist Stage in the array of additional Ramsay & Hewitt: A law Lay says he is shocked at the Mar. 18, join them for a free insight and conversation on Company, in September resources and online com- firm inspired by Vinson & actions of the traders, who munities available: post-show discussion. our blog, Behind the ‘Line, of 2010. are fired. via timelinetheatre.com. Elkins, Enron’s law firm. SUNDAY SCHOLARS POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS October 19 Black Monday. The Dow Jones drops 508 After the show on Sunday, On Sundays, Jan. 29, points, 22.6 percent. Feb. 5 and 12 and Mar. 11; “Enron is the one to emulate” Mar. 4 is Sunday Scholars, 1988 Wednesdays, Feb 1 and 22 — Hillary Durgin, The Financial Times, December 8, 1999 a one-hour panel discussion Enron decides to shift its and Mar. 7; and Thursdays featuring experts talking “The powerful lesson from Enron for me is corporate strategy from about the play’s themes Feb. 9 and Mar. 1 and 15, For the latest, “like” us pursuing regulated pipelines and issues. Admission is moderated by a TimeLine on Facebook (TimeLine the power of self delusion and how people to unregulated energy trading. free. Visit timelinetheatre. Company member and Theatre Company) and rationalize and deceive themselves.” The gathering where this is featuring cast and produc- follow us on Twitter — Bethany McLean, Fortune magazine reporter and author of decided becomes known as com for panelists and more.