American Blues Theater extends Hank Williams: Lost Highway
Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce additional performances and an extension of the first production in American Blues Theater's "Legends and Legacies" season, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed by Damon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matt Brumlow as "Hank Williams," at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
The additional performances are Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. The performance has also been extended one week with performances Wednesday, Oct. 9 - Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 Thursdays and Fridays and $39 Saturdays and Sundays. The extended performance week tickets are $39 for Wednesday-Friday and Saturday is $49. The performance schedule is Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There are post-show Town Hall discussions following Sunday performances until Oct. 6. Tickets are on sale now at 773.404.7336 or americanbluestheater.com.
Hank Williams: Lost Highway is the musical biography of one America's legendary singer-songwriters. The tribute chronicles Williams' rise from humble beginnings in Louisiana to his triumphs on the Grand Ole Opry stage and becoming one of the great innovators of American music to his self-destruction at the age of twenty-nine. Hank Williams: Lost Highway includes more than 20 Williams' classics, including "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Move It on Over," "Hey, Good Lookin'" and "Jambalaya." The production has been hailed as "A profound emotional journey...forceful, clear-eyed, moving, impressive!" by Rolling Stone and "The best example of a musician's bio put on stage that I've seen!" by The New York Post.
In addition to Brumlow as "Williams" the production features American Blues Ensemble members Laura Coover, "Audrey;" Jim Leaming, "Fred 'Pap';" Michael Mahler, "Jimmy" on electric guitar and Suzanne Petri, "Mama" with guest artists Dana Black, "Waitress;" John Crowley, "Tee Tot;" Greg Hirte, "Leon" on fiddle and Jon Foley, "Shag" on console steel" and Artistic Associate Austin Cook as "Hoss" on upright bass.
American Blues Theater's TOWN HALLS
American Blues Theater offers a free opportunity for audiences and fans of American Blues to learn more about the current presentation. All Town Halls are held immediately following that Sunday's 2:30 p.m. performance.
Sept. 15 - Performance stress with Dr. Michele Kerulis (Adler Professional School of Psychology)
Sept. 22 - "Hank Williams' Musical Influence" with Malcolm Ruhl (music director) and Chris Walz (Old Town School of Folk Music instructor)
Sept. 29 - Discussion with the live band, Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys
Oct. 6 - Meet the "HANK WILLIAMS: Lost Highway" company - Director Damon Kiely and full cast.