American Blues Theater announces its 23rd Annual Production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film and directed by Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! will run November 29-December 22, 2024. The press opening is Sunday, December 1 at 2:00pm.

Tickets are on sale at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.

George Bailey – the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty – has fallen onto desperate times. Only a miracle can save him from despair. Filled with original music and classic holiday carols, this warm "holiday favorite makes the bell ring every time." (Chicago Tribune)

For almost 25 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, making It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago! 

Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside comments, "Nearly a year ago, American Blues Theater welcomed audiences to its first permanent home with this holiday favorite. Since then, the venue has been alive with Misery, The Last Wide Open, The Reclamation of Madison Hemings and countless special events and programming. We have seen decades-long loyal stalwarts of American Blues, along with our new neighbors who have joined us for the first time. We look forward to sharing this year's production in our new home, in a neighborhood that has been so supportive and welcoming to us."

The 2023 creative team and cast is returning to this year's production, including Audrey Billings* (Mary Bailey), Manny Buckley* (Joseph), Dara Cameron* (Violet), Ian Paul Custer* (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), Elyse Dolan* (set dressing & props), and Michael Trudeau* (technical director & master electrician).

 *Denotes Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater

FRANK CAPRA (May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s and 1940s. Among his leading films are It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take It with You (1938), and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). During World War II, Capra served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and produced propaganda films. After World War II, Capra's career declined as his later films, such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946), performed poorly when they were first released. In ensuing decades, however, It's a Wonderful Life and other Capra films were revisited favorably by critics. Capra was nominated for six Academy Awards and won three. His films collectively garnered 53 Academy Award nominations between 1933 and 1961. He served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, worked alongside the Writers Guild of America, and was head of the Directors Guild of America. Frank Capra married twice and had four children. One of his sons, Frank Capra Jr., and grandson Frank Capra III have both made their careers in the film industry.

GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE (Executive Artistic Director/Director) is an Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and has served as Executive Artistic Director since 2010. In her tenure, she created the nationally-recognized Blue Ink Playwriting Award and new work development program, implemented community service into the company's mission, and adapted the arts education programs. She led American Blues through its reorganization in 2009, building the operational budget from zero to $1 million. She secured the company's first-ever operating reserve, endowment, and permanent home. Whiteside served on numerous panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and Board of Directors for Network of Ensemble Theaters and League of Chicago Theatres. She's a graduate of Northwestern University (BS), The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), and a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit management (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University). As a producer, she's received 16 Joseph Jefferson nominations or awards. As an actress, she's received 5 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Citations, and nominations; 2 After Dark Awards; and 1 Broadway World Chicago Award.

AUDREY BILLINGS (Mary Bailey) is an Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. Audrey was most recently seen as Emilie in the Jeff Award winning production of The Moors at A Red Orchid Theatre and Samantha in the American Blues' reading of 17 Minutes. Previous credits include: Christmas Eve in the long-running production of Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Antonia in Man of la Mancha, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. She has worked at the Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, Lookingglass Theatre Company and is a proud member of Actor's Equity. 

MANNY BUCKLEY (Joseph) is an Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. He is a Chicago based actor, director, and writer. Directing credits include Seven Guitars (City Lit Theater), Driving Miss Daisy, The Bad Seed (Jedlicka Performing Arts), Kingdom, an audio play (Broken Nose Theatre), Uhuru, Cane, Origin Story, Mother of Pearl and The Reapers On Woodbrook Avenue (Blue Ink Festival), multiple short plays in the Ripped: The Living Newspaper, #ENOUGH: Plays to End Gun Violence, and The One Minute Play Festival. Acting credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Court, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Next Theater, House Theatre, Shattered Globe Theater, Cincinnati Children's Theatre and Studio Theatre. Manny has numerous credits with American Blues Theater, including his critically-acclaimed, award-winning solo performance in Looking Over the President's Shoulder. Film credits: Proven Innocent, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, The US Navy, Northwestern University, and The Onion. He has received nominations for the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Helen Hayes Award and the 3Arts Award; he is the recipient of both a Black Theater Alliance Award and Black Excellence Award. Mr. Buckley was recently seen in American Blues Theater's sold-out production of Fences, The Reclamation of Madison Hemings, and annually in American Blues' annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

DARA CAMERON (Violet) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. Favorite credits include The Last Wide Open, It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, The Spitfire Grill (Jeff nomination) and Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues Theater); Old Jews Telling Jokes (Royal George and Off-Broadway); The Secret of My Success (Paramount Theatre); Elf, Hero (Jeff nomination), South Pacific, October Sky, Sister Act, City of Angels, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof (Marriott Theatre); Addams Family (Mercury Theater); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre at the Center), and Sunset Boulevard, Seussical, and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Drury Lane Theatre). She is a graduate of Northwestern University and a member of Actors' Equity.

IAN PAUL CUSTER (Harry) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and Chicago actor and musician. American Blues credits include: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award, Best Ensemble, Best Musical – Midsize), The Columnist, Little Shop of Horrors, and It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Nominations for Best Play/Musical of the Year).  Chicago credits:  Bad Jews (Theatre Wit/Royal George), 33 Variations (Jeff Award– Best Production, Midsize), and To Master the Art (TimeLine Theatre), Annie Bosh is Missing (Steppenwolf Theatre), High Holidays (Goodman Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera).  Ian has also had the pleasure of working with Porchlight Music Theatre, Marriott Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, MPAACT, Paramount and Court Theatre.  Regional credits: Hero: The Musical (Asolo Rep Theatre), Cymbeline (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Romeo and Juliet (Cardinal Stage), Peter Pan (360 Entertainment - London, England).  Television credits: Somebody Somewhere, APB, Empire, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD. Ian received his BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

BRANDON DAHLQUIST (George Bailey) is happy to return to Bedford Falls for his 8th season. He was nominated for Joseph Jefferson Award for performance (short run) of George Bailey. Chicago theatre credits include: Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre), Secret of My Success (Paramount Theatre), Miracle the Musical (Royal George), A Little Night Music, Arcadia, Oh Coward (Writers Theatre), Cabaret, Meet Me in St. Louis (Drury Lane), Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins (Porchlight). Broadway and Regional credits include: Bronx Bombers (Circle in the Square), As You Like It (Guthrie Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (Milwaukee Repertory), A Little Night Music, 1776 (A.C.T.), Shakespeare in Love, Rhinoceros, 1776 (Asolo Repertory), Dogfight, City of Angels (S.F. Playhouse), 12 Angry Men (Maltz Jupiter Theater), Sunday...George, Murder on the Nile, Lombardi (Peninsula Players). TV credits include: A League of Their Own (Amazon), The Chi (Showtime), Difficult People (Hulu), Chicago PD (NBC). Dahlquist is also a busy photographer and full-time dad. 

JOE DEMPSEY (Clarence/Mr. Potter) is an Affiliate of American Blues Theater where he has appeared in Scapin and Pledge of Allegiance. He also has acted at Lookingglass, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Northlight, Court, Chicago Shakespeare, Drury Lane Oak Brook, and Paramount and many other Chicago theatres as well as regionally at Milwaukee Rep, St Louis Rep, Centerstage (Baltimore), and City Theatre (Pittsburgh). TV work includes Somebody Somewhere, Chicago Fire, ER, and Early Edition and film work includes several indies you've never seen.

MICHAEL MAHLER (Music Director, Announcer/Pianist) is an Ensemble member of American Blues. Past Blues productions: The Last Wide Open, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award – Best Music Direction), Little Shop of Horrors, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, and Side Man. Other recent roles include The Baker in Into the Woods (Writers); Jim Hardy in Holiday Inn, and Jack Singer in Honeymoon in Vegas (Marriott Theatre). Michael co-wrote the songs for the Netflix movie My Little Pony: A New Generation and contributed additional lyrics to Cameron Mackintosh's most recent Broadway production of Miss Saigon. Other works as a composer/lyricist include The Secret of My Success, Miracle (Jeff Award – Best New Work), Diary of a Wimpy Kid, October Sky, The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Jeff Award – Best New Work), and Hero (Jeff Award – Best New Work). Michael is married to fellow Ensemble Member Dara Cameron and proud father to their son Ezra.

J.G. SMITH (Foley) is an Ensemble member of American Blues. She has performed with Blues in The Last Wide Open, It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, On Clover Road, Ripped, and virtual readings of The Thanksgiving Play, On the Greenbelt, and The Cratichits (in America). Theatre: I And You (Peninsula Players); Mother of the Maid (Northlight); Plantation! (Lookingglass); The Art of Sisters (Vision Productions); MARYSHELLEYSHOW (National Tour, Chicago Fringe, TheTankNYC); Peter and the Starcatcher (City Equity Theatre); Alice in Wonderland, As You Like It, King Lear, A Christmas Carol (Alabama Shakespeare); and Censored on Final Approach (The GYM at Judson). Film/TV credits include Jennifer Reeder's Knives and Skin, MTV's Short Comings, The Dancing Monkey, Dreaming Grand Avenue, Pry Me Open, and Dorm Therapy. Her original films and performance art have shown at New Orleans' Hell Yes Film Festival, Williamsburg Circus, Salonathon!, Undiscovered Countries: The Infinite Fest, and TransVisions' virtual SOFT PALETTE festival.

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: Audrey Billings* (Mary Bailey), Manny Buckley* (Joseph), Dara Cameron* (Violet), Ian Paul Custer* (Harry), Brandon Dahlquist (George Bailey), Joe Dempsey* (Clarence/Potter), Michael Mahler* (Announcer / Pianist), and J.G. Smith* (Foley).

Creative Team: Grant Sabin* (scenic), Katy Peterson Viccellio (lights), Christopher J. Neville* (costumes), Elyse Dolan* (set dressing & props), Michael Trudeau* (technical director & master electrician).

*Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater

Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024

Schedule:                    

Thursdays:     7:30pm (no show on Thanksgiving)   

Fridays:         7:30pm

Saturdays:     4:30pm & 7:30pm

Sundays:       2:00pm

The runtime is 90 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes before curtain for a fun interactive pre-show.

Location: American Blues Theater, 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Ticket prices: $30-$75, plus a $4.50 ticket fee

Six VIP tickets are available per performance for an added $15 per ticker order. VIP seating includes complimentary parking, leather chairs in a dedicated area, and bar service to your seats.

Box office: Buy online at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.

• 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.

• American Blues proudly partners with NAMI Chicago, USO, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Complimentary tickets are offered to CPS teachers, the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (IL chapter).

• The cast will be performing at the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.

• Santa is scheduled to visit American Blues Theater on December 22, 2024.

About American Blues Theater

Winner of the prestigious National Theatre Company Award from American Theatre Wing (Tony Awards). American Blues Theater is an Ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question: "What does it mean to be American?"

The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Ensemble theater in Chicago. As of 2024, the theater and artists received 238 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 44 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.