‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Is a Knockout Evocation of an American Dream Gon…

Anish Jethmalani, from left, Joey Slotnick and Mitchell Fain star in “The Lehman Trilogy” by TimeLine Theatre at the Broadway Playhouse. (Credit: Liz Lauren)

The formidable drive of immigrants. The dramatic evolution of wealth-building in the United States from the pre-Civil War years on into the first decade of the 21st century. The differences between the North and the South. The impact of warfare in the background, and a recession in the foreground. The immense gains during the stock market’s boom times, and the stunning pain in its dramatically bad “bust times.” And of course money, money, money, and change, change, change.

All this and more is what drives “The Lehman Trilogy,” the fascinating chronicle of a monumental aspect of American history written by the Italian playwright Stefano Massini, and deftly adapted by the British writer Ben Power.

And now, in its Chicago premiere (a joint production by TimeLine Theatre and Broadway in Chicago) it is being ideally…