American Blues Theater set for its 21st production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
American Blues Theater will present its 21st annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, based on the film by Frank Capra. The show will be directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, with music direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! will run from November 23 - December 23, 2022 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street, Chicago.
Set in the small town of Bedford Falls, George Bailey is an everyman whose plans for escape and adventure have been put on hold due to family and civic obligations. He now finds himself in desperate times and only a miracle can save him from despair. For more than 20 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic It's a Wonderful Life. The play follows a 1940s radio broadcast tradition and is the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago!
Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside comments, "After performing in North Center, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, we're excited to bring our beloved production to another Chicago neighborhood - Wicker Park. We're grateful for our growing audiences and hope to create a new tradition for many Chicagoans."
The cast of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! includes Audrey Billings (Mary Bailey), Manny Buckley (Joseph), Dara Cameron (Violet), Yuchi Chiu (Harry), Brandon Dahlquist (George Bailey), Joe Dempsey (Clarence/Mr. Potter), Michael Mahler (Announcer / Pianist), and J.G. Smith. The understudies and Mackenzie Jones and Zack Shultz.
The creative team includes Gwendolyn Whiteside (director), Michael Mahler (music direction & jingle composer), Austin Cook (original score), Grant Sabin (scenic), Katy Peterson Viccellio (lights), Christopher J. Neville (costumes), Rick Sims (sound), Paul Deziel (projection design), Elyse Dolan (set dressing & props), Michael Trudeau (asst lighting design & technical director), Rachel West (master electrician), and Tina M. Jach (stage manager).
The American Blues Theater's 2023 production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago is expected to be performed at "Our First Home," a new theater designed by John Morris of Morris Architects Planners. The state-of-the-art venue will include two theaters (148-seat proscenium and 40-seat flexible studio); an inviting lobby with box office, bar, and concessions; gendered and gender -neutral restrooms; dressing rooms and green room; administrative offices; production spaces for scenery, props ,and costumes ;a small on site parking lot with ample street parking.
In the long tradition of honoring heroes during the run of It's a Wonderful Life, American Blues will honor a teacher at each performance with a "Teacher Tribute." Nominations are accepted at www.americanbluestheater.com. Selected recipients will receive complimentary tickets to a performance of It's a Wonderful Life and a live tribute during the show.
For a list of all Holiday Plays in Chicago, visit our Holiday Plays In Chicago page.