CHICAGO—The novel was turned down by 26 publishers before making it to print in 1962. Its author, Madeleine L’Engle, shared the story of how “A Wrinkle in Time” was rejected in a lecture at the Library of Congress in 1983.
The following year, the lecture was printed in a book in which L’Engle explained that publishers doubted that boys would read a book about a girl or that girls wouldn’t care about a story involving physics and time travel. Some of the editors added that children couldn’t possibly grasp heavy concepts like totalitarianism, the fourth and fifth dimensions, and cosmic evil.
Of course, the monumental popularity and success of the book proved the naysayer’s wrong, as it has sold over 10 million copies since its publication.
The classic was made into a Disney film in 2018. In 1990, James Sie had adapted it in 1990 for the Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, which is now presenting the play in a thrilling production. The Disney movie stripped away the book’s Christian and theological message and its anti-communist ideas. Lifeline’s stage production, though, is more faithful to the original.
(L–R) Sam Hook, Amanda Link, Rohan Link-Francisco, and Manali Sunkara in “A Wrinkle in Time.” (Josh Bernaski)Meg’s Adventure
The story begins with “It was a dark and stormy night,” as 13-year-old Meg Murry (Manali Sunkara) is awakened by a whirlwind of thunder, lightning, and rain slamming against the walls of her home. She can’t sleep out of worry for the family’s farmhouse and the strange disappearance of her renowned physicist father Alex Murray (Brian Tochterman), who vanished while working on a top-secret government project.
Meg, her gifted younger brother Charles Wallace (Rohan Link Francisco) and their high school friend Calvin O’Keefe (Sam Hook) travel through space to rescue Meg’s missing father. Three strange celestial beings— Mrs. Whatsit (Amanda Link), Mrs. Who (Cami Stuckert), and Mrs. Which (Jordan Gleaves)— reveal that Meg’s father is trapped on a distant planet. In their search, the children arrive on Camazotz, a dark Orwellian planet where everyone acts in sheepish conformity under the control of an inhuman, artificial brain.
L’Engle blends science and Christian theology in the fight between light and darkness, a cosmic struggle in which great warriors for good span all cultures and ages. The classic novel warns against mindless compliance and the fear of standing out against the crowd. One of the themes is that our uniqueness makes us individuals. Another theme focuses on the idea that love can be used to fight darkness and evil.
(L–R) Rohan Link-Francisco, Manali Sunkara, and Sam Hook in “A Wrinkle in Time.” (Josh Bernaski)A Fine Adaptation
Going from page to stage is not easy. It’s a challenge to translate a vast five-dimensional, cosmic science fiction narrative onto a physical theater space, but Lifeline succeeds with ingenious stagecraft.
Well directed by Heather Currie, the show moves at a fast pace with Lindsay Mummert’s circular set design that resembles portals opening into space. In addition, Sarah Riffle’s light design fills the intimate set with color, Joe Griffin’s sound design adds to an otherworldly atmosphere, and the creative costume design by Jazmin Aurora Medina is convincing as alien garb. Furthermore, Saskia Bakker’s puppets are a hoot of creativity, especially when they bring the family dog lovingly to life. Taken together, the staging makes the audience feel transported to another world.
The play strips away long passages of scientific exposition and focuses primarily on action, sharp dialogue, and visual storytelling, making it accessible for children 7 years and older. The show will also appeal to adults for its highly creative theatrics, as well as its message and drama.
Indeed, the surrender of free will to an omnipresent system and the dangers of blind obedience, bureaucracy, and group-think pressure will resonate in our contemporary times with adults. Most importantly, though, there’s a childlike wonder to this production that will appeal to all—to the young as well as to the young at heart.
‘A Wrinkle in Time’
Lifeline Theatre
6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago
Tickets: 773-761-4477 or LifelineTheatre.com
Runs: 2 hours (one intermission)
Closes: Oct. 18, 2026
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