Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...American Blues Theater and the longtime director Marty Higginbotham have this show down cold — or, more aptly, down warm. I hadn't seen their richly detailed and exceedingly clever production since the American Theater Company ensemble walked out en masse and reformed under their previous name — a state of affairs that has led to two competing productions of “It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play” staged annually at two different theaters that are barely a mile or so apart. (I'll get back to that other one next year, assuming I've not got my wings by then.)"
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...In the course of Frank Capra's classic 1946 movie--retold here as if it were being acted out live for a radio audience--Potter pushes George to the verge of financial ruin and suicide. It isn't hard to see how this parallels the current struggle between America's haves and its growing ranks of have-nots, which may be one reason why American Blues Theater doesn't emphasize that issue. Instead, Marty Higginbotham's production concentrates hard on delivering homespun charm. But in the end, delighted as I was with lovely performances and nostalgic touches, the lump in my throat was all about identifying with George."
Examiner - Highly Recommended
"...Higginbotham keeps the pace zinging, managing to make even the many product placements required by the show’s commercial underwriters pleasantly humurous. Nobody’ s credited with musical composition, but the snappy, sappy jingles (ably accompanied by pianist Austin Cook) for Schubas and CitiBank sound as if they could have been penned for the likes of the Andrews Sisters or Doris Day. Also indispensible is foley artist Shawn J. Goudie, whose audio wizardry is a show in and of itself. Watching him create the illusions of ice cracking, glass breaking, wind howling and all manner of other sounds is fascinating and funny."
Copley News Service - Recommended
"...Marty Higginbotham directed the first ABT production and he returns for 2010 and hopefully for many years in the future. He understands how to make the show work, especially for spectators with a large tolerance for touchy feely sentiment. Grant Sabin designed the set, Samantha Jones the period costumes, Katy Peterson the lighting, Higginbotham the sound, and Bobby Richards the projections, including the lyrics for the sing-along."
Gapers Block - Recommended
"...Admittedly, it takes a little bit of fighting to expel the performances of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed that naturally spring to mind with each and every line (that is, if you've seen Frank Copra's 1946 film about thirty times, as I have). ABT's actors remain true to the characterizations many of us are so familiar with from the film, yet make the characters their own--a difficult balance to achieve. The whimsical method of delivery, transporting viewers back to a 1940s radio show, and the characterizations communicated by each actor quickly sweep up the audience."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The folks at the American Blues Theater have been mounting their heartfelt and utterly charming production of It’s A Wonderful Life as a radio play for years – first at the former home at ATC and now in the upstairs space at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater. The American Blues Theater’s production of the Capra classic holiday show is the definitive production to see. Others may imitate and do worthy productions, but I believe that ABT’s has so much warmth, terrific production values and wholly invested acting – that exudes so much goodwill and sparkle that it is a “must see” holiday show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Directed by Marty Higgenbotham with Grant Sabin (Scenic design), Samantha Jones (Costumes), and Katy Peterson (Lights) behind the scenes, the over-all design of this production was nicely done. A familiar feel of Christmas cheer fills the air coming from the stage of course. The show comes complete with all aspects a regular radio studio would have. Everything from the “On Air” sign to a guy doing sound effects in the corner. But honestly if these actors were on a piece of torn carpet with the stench of garbage in the air, this show would still be worth seeing."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...For those of you who do not know the story where have you been?), “Its A Wonderful Life” based on the short story “The Greatest Gift” written by Philip Van Doren Stern”, the story is about a man who at the very onset of the play is about to take his own life. The head angel brings Clarence ( one of the many characters handled with great ability by John Mohrlein) in order to earn his wings is going to be sent to Earth to save him. To do this, he is allowed to review his past and watch him grow up. George Bailey is part of a warm family living in a small town. George’s father and uncle run a building and loan ( later to become savings and loans) in opposition to the bank owned and controlled by Mr. Potter ( Mohrlein takes this role to a very special level, almost Barrymore-like) who wants to control the entire town. We watch George save his brother’s life, take over the business when his dad dies, sacrificing his dreams , and try to help all the residents of his community, no matter the price he paid to do so. He also as a youngster, working in a pharmacy noticed an error in a prescription and saved the Pharmacist from killing someone and going to prison. The story is very heartwarming and lovely and we get to see the reality and meaning from the life of one person."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...All of this wonderful “Capra-corn” is presented in a seamless 90 minutes, with piano accompaniment by Austin Cook and ingenious Foley effects by Shawn J. Goudie. The nine-member ensemble deliver crowd noises, sound effects, songs and, above all, sincerity. The result is an authentic radio-days recreation that could pass for the real thing, but, even better, works perfectly as a play. It’s a wonderful show!"