American Blues Theater will produce its 199h Annual Production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra’s film and directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! will run online November 12, 2019 – January 2, 2020
As the second longest holiday play in Chicago, the American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940s radio broadcast of holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life for 18 years. The incredible cast recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score and holiday carols. This year’s production will be presented live from the actors’ homes, complete with sets and costumes. The production will be live every night during the entire run.
Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside comments, “At American Blues, we miss so much of the experience of live theater, including its energy, social nature and ephemeral quality. This season, we will bring It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago entirely live for every scheduled performance. We will also be interactive, bringing our popular audiograms to audience members during every performance. This year has been filled with so much uncertainty, but the one thing audiences can count on is the holiday tradition of It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Fact Sheet It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
Title: It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
Adapted From: Frank Capra’s Film
Director: Gwendolyn Whiteside*
Music Director and jingle composer: Michael Mahler*
Score composer: Austin Cook*
Featuring: Brandon Dalquist (George Bailey), Audrey Billings (Mary Bailey), Dara Cameron* (Violet), Ian Paul Custer* (Harry), Shawn J. Goudie* (Foley), Manny Buckley* (Uncle Billy), Michael Mahler* (Announcer / Pianist), and John Mohrlein* (Clarence/Mr.Potter)
Creative Team: Grant Sabin* (Scenic Designer), Katy Peterson Viccellio (Lighting Designer), Christopher J. Neville* (Costume Designer), Rick Sims* (Sound Designer), Elyse Dolan* (Set Dressing / Props Designer), Paul Deziel* (Projections), Shandee Vaughan* (production & stage manager)
*Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater
Dates: November 12, 2019 – January 2, 2020
Schedule:
- Thursdays: 7:30pm (except Thanksgiving, November 26 and December 24)
- Fridays: 7:30pm (except November 27, December 25 and January 1)
- Saturdays: 4:30pm (except November 14) & 7:30pm
- Sundays: 2:30pm
Additional performances:
- November 25 at 7:30pm
- November 27 at 4:30pm
- December 6 at 3:00pm
- December 21 at 7:30pm
- December 30 at 7:30pm
- December 31 at 4:30pm
Location: VIRTUALLY—From our homes to yours
Ticket prices: $25-$75
Box Office: Buy online at www.AmericanBluesTheater.com or by calling 773.654.3103.
About American Blues
Winner of the American Theatre Wing’s prestigious National Theatre Company Award, American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization with an intimate environment that patrons, artists, and all Chicagoans call home. American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves.
The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Equity Ensemble theater in Chicago. The 30-member Ensemble has 600+ combined years of collaboration on stage. As of 2020, the theater and artists received 223 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 40 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.