American Blues Theater announces its 25th Anniversary 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 19 – December 27, 2026.
It's a Wonderful Life is a quarter-century Chicago tradition. With its first production in 2004, this marks the 25th anniversary of this original, holiday smash hit, making it the second longest-running holiday play in the entire city of Chicago. It is the longest running production of It's a Wonderful Life in the nation as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of Frank Capra's classic film.
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. Told as a radio play with original music and classic holiday carols, it's "the don't miss show of the season" (Chicago Tribune). The annual production will feature favorite American Blues actors. For 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! a Chicago tradition as the city's second-longest running holiday production!
"For 25 years, It's a Wonderful Life has been part of the holiday traditions of Chicago families, and it means so much to us that audiences continue to return year after year," said Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. "Some have followed us from theater to theater, and we've had the joy of watching generations of families experience Bedford Falls together. This anniversary is especially meaningful because, for the first time since our inaugural reading, every cast member is part of the American Blues ensemble. There's something wonderful about celebrating this milestone with the artists who have helped make this production what it is. We can't wait to welcome everyone to our Lincoln Avenue home to share in the music, laughter, and spirit of community that make this story so enduring."
Tickets are $34.50 - $119.50 (no hidden fees) are available at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.
The cast of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! includes Audrey Billings* (Mary Bailey & others), Manny Buckley* (Joseph & others), Dara Cameron* (Violet & others), Ian Paul Custer* (Clarence/Mr. Potter & others), Michael Mahler* (George Bailey), Zack Schultz* (Harry & others), J.G. Smith* (Foley & others) and Lauren Vogel* (musician & others). Molly Hernandez* is the understudy. This is the first year since the inaugural reading that every cast member is a company member.
The creative team includes Gwendolyn Whiteside* (director), Michael Mahler* (music direction & jingle composer), Austin Cook* (original score), Grant Sabin* (scenic), Katy Peterson Viccellio (lights), Lily Walls* (costumes), Elyse Dolan* (set dressing, projections & properties design), Michael Trudeau* (asst lighting design & technical director), and Richard Lundy* (production stage manager).
*Denotes ensemble member or artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater
During each performance, one person (any age) will be honored with a Hometown Hero tribute, which includes a short personal testimonial, a projected photo, a certificate, and two (2) complimentary tickets to the show. Nominations can be made at www.americanbluestheater.com for anyone who has shown remarkable courage in the face of challenge. Whether it's standing up for what's right, helping others in a time of need, or overcoming personal obstacles with determination, It's a Wonderful Life celebrates those who inspire us through their bravery.
A special "It's A Wonderful Party" will be held Saturday, December 5 at 6pm with a Variety Show at 7pm. Tickets are $75.00 (no hidden fees) and available at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.
About the Artists
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 a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater and has served as Executive Artistic Director since 2010. This marks her 12th anniversary directing It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, earning two Jeff Award nominations for Midsize Production and Short Run Production. Career highlights include creating the nationally recognized Blue Ink Playwriting Award, launching a new work development program, introducing arts education initiatives, and integrating community service into the company's mission. Operationally, she grew the annual budget from zero to $1.25 million, secured the company's first-ever operating reserve and endowment, and permanent home. Her service includes work on panels and boards for the National Endowment for the Arts, Network of Ensemble Theaters, and League of Chicago Theatres, as well as membership in the National Theatre Conference. Whiteside holds a Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University, an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BS from Northwestern University. Her work as a producer and director has earned 18 Jeff Awards and nominations. As an actor, she has received six Jeff Awards and nominations across Solo Performance, Principal, Supporting, and Ensemble categories, as well as two After Dark Awards, a Broadway World Chicago Award, recognition in Newcity's Players Hall of Fame, and selection as American Theatre's "Chicago Theatre Worker You Should Know."
MICHAEL MAHLER (Music Director, George) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater where he has appeared in many productions, including The Last Wide Open, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award – Music Direction), Little Shop of Horrors (Jeff nomination musical-midsize), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (Jeff Award musical midsize), Side Man, and 15 years of It's a Wonderful Life. He also music directed Always...Patsy Cline at Blues (Jeff nomination music direction and musical-midsize). Other recent roles include: The Irish and How They Got That Way (Porchlight), The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Northlight); Music Man (Marriott), and Into the Woods (Writers); Michael is a Jeff-award-winning composer / lyricist and music director, and proud husband to Dara Cameron and father to Ezra.
AUDREY BILLINGS (Mary & others) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater and thrilled to be returning to Bedford Falls for another year. She most recently appeared as Adele in Things With Friends (Jeff Award nomination for ensemble-play) and has also been seen in The Commons, Blue Ink Festival, and The Ripped Festival. Some favorite roles outside of Blues include: Emilie in A Red Orchid Theatre's production of The Moors, 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 graced the stages at the Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. Audrey is the managing director at A Red Orchid Theatre and bookkeeper for Visionary Eye Care Professionals.
MANNY BUCKLEY (Joseph & others) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater. He is a Chicago-based producer, director, actor, and writer. Manny last directed King Hedley II and August Wilson's Seven Guitars, which won the 2024 Non Equity Jeff Award for best production, at City Lit Theatre. Other directing credits include Driving Miss Daisy, The Bad Seed (Jedlicka Performing Arts), Kingdom, an audio play (Broken Nose Theatre); and The One Minute Play Festival. Additional acting credits outside of American Blues 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. Film credits: Proven Innocent, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, The US Navy, Northwestern University, and The Onion. Mr. Buckley 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.
DARA CAMERON (Violet & others) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater and is grateful to perform once again at her artistic home. Favorite credits include The Last Wide Open, The Spitfire Grill (Jeff nomination), and Little Shop of Horrors (Jeff nomination musical) at American Blues Theater; Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical, Sunset Boulevard (Drury Lane); 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); The Addams Family (Mercury Theater); and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre at the Center). She is a graduate of Northwestern University and a proud member of Actors' Equity. Dara is married to actor and composer Michael Mahler. When they're not singing in Bedford Falls together, they're busy embarrassing their way-cooler-than-them eight-year-old son, Ezra.
IAN PAUL CUSTER (Clarence / Mr. Potter & others) is a Chicago actor, musician, and a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater. American Blues credits include: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award, Best Ensemble, Best Musical – Midsize), The Columnist (Jeff Nomination production-midsize), Little Shop of Horrors, and It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Nominations for Best Play-midsize and ensemble). Chicago credits: safronia (Lyric Opera), Dial M for Murder (Drury Lane); Waitress, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Paramount Theatre); Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 (Writers Theatre); 33 Variations (Jeff Award– Best Production, Midsize), and To Master the Art (TimeLine Theatre), Annie Bosh is Missing (Steppenwolf Theatre), High Holidays (Goodman Theatre). Ian has also had the pleasure of working with Marriott Theatre, Theatre Wit, A Red Orchid Theatre, MPAACT, and Court Theatre. Regional credits: Hero: The Musical (Asolo Rep Theatre), Cymbeline (Notre Dame Shakespeare), 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.
ZACK SHULTZ (Harry & others) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater. Previous American Blues credits – fifth year with Its a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!; Come Back, Little Sheba (Jeff Award nomination for production-midsize). His other Chicago theatre work includes Four Loves Festival with Chicago Dramatists and you can see him regularly as a Wendella boat tour guide on the Chicago river! His film work includes the roll of Ernie in "Itchy Fingers" and Jerry in the short film "Holy Hell".
J.G. SMITH (Foley & others) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater. Credits with Blues include The Last Wide Open, On Clover Road (Jeff nomination production-midsize), Ripped Fest, and workshops of The Cratchits (in America), The Thanksgiving Play and On the Greenbelt. Other theatre: Inanimate (Theater Wit); 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: Argus (WarnerMedia), Knives and Skin (IFCMidnight), The Dancing Monkey, Dreaming Grand Avenue, and Stephen Cone's Pry Me Open. TV: Short Comings (MTV), The World's Astonishing News! (NTV), Dorm Therapy (YouTube), and several national commercials. J.G. is a member of Actors' Equity and repped by Paonessa Talent.
LAUREN VOGEL (Musician & others) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater, where she has been seen in Always...Patsy Cline; Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story; The AmBlues Jubilee; and The Best Damn Thing. She is a Jeff Award winning ensemblist, actor, and musician. She has performed previously at A Red Orchid Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Steppenwolf Garage, The Hypocrites, Feinstein's/54 Below, Trap Door Theatre, The Getty Villa, Chicago Children's Theatre, and more. TV/FILM: 99 Perfect Boyfriends, Chicago HR., and The Evilmoji. She has spent the past five years in LA writing, acting, and producing. She is represented by The Daniel Hoff Agency and AEFH.
MOLLY HERNANDEZ (Understudy) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater. Always...Patsy Cline* (American Blues Theater), Buddy Holly Story* (American Blues Theater); Berlin* (World Premiere Court Theatre); The Little Mermaid (Drury Lane); Revolution(s), Lucha Teotl*, American Mariachi*, Rust, A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Buddy Holly Story (Marriott Theatre); The Scorpions' Sting (Lyric Opera); Into the Woods* (Paramount Theatre); Alice Through the Lookingglass* (Lookingglass Theatre, PBS); Into the Woods (Writer's Theatre); Into the Breeches (Northlight Theatre); Masterclass (TimeLine Theatre); The Most Happy Fella (Theo Ubique). Television – Power: Book IV (STARZ); Chicago Med (NBC); Chicago PD (NBC); APB (FOX). Actors Gymnasium Circus Conservatory 2019, BA Spanish Loyola University Chicago 2018. Proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA. *Jeff Award & nominations
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*
*Ensemble member or artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater
Dates: November 19 – December 27, 2026
Opening: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 2:30pm
Schedule:
Monday: 7:00pm (Dec 14 only)
Wednesdays: 2:00pm (Dec 2 only); 7:00pm (Nov. 25 and Dec. 23 only)
Thursdays: 7:00pm (no show on Thanksgiving)
Fridays: 7:30pm (no show on Christmas)
Saturdays: 4:00pm (no shows on Nov, 21, Dec. 5 or Dec. 26) and 7:30pm (no Dec. 5)
Sundays: 2:30pm (no Dec 6)
The runtime is 90 minutes. Arrive 20 minutes before curtain for a fun interactive pre-show.
Location: American Blues Theater, 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Ticket prices: Tickets range $34.50 - $119.50 (no hidden fees)
Box office: Buy online at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103
Special Access events: $34.50 per ticket, call to purchase
Touch tour: Sunday, November 29 at 1:30pm
American Sign Language-interpreted performance: Friday, December 4 at 7:30pm
Notes of Interest:
- It's a Wonderful Life is a quarter-century Chicago tradition. With its first production in 2004, this marks the 25th anniversary of this holiday smash hit, making it the second longest-running holiday play in the entire city of Chicago, only behind The Goodman's A Christmas Carol. It is the longest running production of It's a Wonderful Life in the nation.
- Frank Capra's classic film is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
- Ensemble Member Michael Mahler, who joined the production in 2011 as its announcer and pianist and later became music director, takes on the iconic role of George Bailey for the first time this season. Over the years, Mahler has become a fixture of the production, entertaining audiences with improvised commercial jingles, musical games, and an ever-growing assortment of characters.
- The experience begins 20 minutes before each performance with an interactive musical pre-show that welcomes audiences into the world of a 1940s radio broadcast. This festive introduction showcases an ensemble of Chicago's favorite musical theater performers.
- The "Hometown Hero" tribute: During every performance, the theater honors a real person from the community with a Hometown Hero presentation. The honoree receives a personal testimonial, a projected photo, a certificate, and two complimentary tickets to celebrate their everyday courage.
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 diverse 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 2025, the theater and artists received 265 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.
