2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE:
LIVE IN CHICAGO!
THE CHICAGO ORIGINAL LIVE INTERACTIVE SHOW
Based on the film by: Frank Capra
Directed by: Gwendolyn Whiteside*
Music directed: Michael Mahler*
Original score by: Austin Cook*
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 tale “is the don’t-miss show this holiday season!” (Chicago Tribune)
For over 20 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! To learn more, read our Artistic Director’s note and Backstage Guide. View our digital program.
*Ensemble Member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater
PERFORMANCE INFO
(New location!) Victory Gardens Theater
2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago 60614
Nov 26 – Dec 26, 2021
Box Office: (773) 871-3000 or tickets@victorygardens.org
Runs 90 minutes, no intermission.
Tickets range $25-$65 – plus additional $4 fee from rental venue
The Bedford Box $50 (details below)
Recommended for ages 10+
Arrive 15 minutes early for interactive fun
Write & submit an AUDIOGRAM.
Holiday events: Hanukkah (Nov 28), Christmas (Dec 23), Kwanzaa (Dec 27)
Schedule:
Wednesdays: 7:30 PM (except Dec 1, 8, and 15)
Thursdays: 7:30 PM
Fridays: 7:30 PM (except Dec 24)
Saturdays: 4:30 PM (except Nov 26, Dec 25) and 7:30 PM (Dec 25
Sundays: 2:30 PM
Additional performances: Dec 6 at 7:30 PM, Dec 23 at 4:30 PM
2nd longest-running holiday play in Chicago! Seen and heard on ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, FOX, WXRT, WBEZ, WBBM, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Magazine, Newcity, Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago, Windy City Times, and many more! Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and Dean Richards recommended.
Chicago Tribune
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ by American Blues Theater is once again live on stage, right where it belongs
Jerald Pierce | Dec 6, 2021
As American Blues Theater returns “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” to the stage this year for its 20th anniversary, after a pandemic-related virtual venture in 2020, director Gwendolyn Whiteside’s production captures both what’s so fun about seeing behind the scenes and what’s so special about gathering during the holidays.
Like the Frank Capra movie, this version of the classic holiday story follows everyman George Bailey who, after years of dreaming of adventure, finds himself in desperate times, stuck in his hometown and in need of a miracle. To tell the story, American Blues Theater transports its audience back to the 1940s to experience the live radio broadcast retelling of the story complete with live Foley sound effects and an original score by Austin Cook.
Chicago Sun-Times
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ radio staging allows for a brief uplifting escape from 21st century woes. American Blues Theater lassos a miracle, a show that, over 20 editions, has worked as both great storytelling and a flashback to another age of show business.
Kris Vire | Dec 6, 2021
“Can you believe it’s already December?” asked actor Michael Mahler from the stage at Victory Gardens Theater. “My goodness, the 1940s are flying by, aren’t they?”
While it was a throwaway gag — maybe improvised, maybe scripted — Mahler’s joke neatly accomplished two goals. First, it acknowledged our tenuous relationship with the passing of time after nearly two years of pandemic conditions: How is it already another holiday season? Did 2021 even happen?
Second, it underlines the gentle conceit of American Blues Theater’s holiday perennial, “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago.” Forget your 21st-century troubles for an hour and a half, this show says, and travel back with us to America’s post-World War II afterglow.
Chicago Reader
Bedford Falls is live in Chicago
Kerry Reid | Dec 8, 2021
It all hits the seasonal sweet spot.
Chicagoland Musical Theatre
A can’t-miss tradition, American Blues Theater’s “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” is back live and “on air”
Quinn Rigg | Dec 7, 2021
Lively cast, peerless designers, and clever direction, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, is sure to fill audiences with the mirth and wonder of the spirit. American Blues Theater wraps its gift with a bow to be lovingly delivered by a winning cast.
With gatherings and gift-givings fast approaching, it’s easy to get lost in tight scheduling and tighter budgets. In an effort to elucidate all that enraptures our hearts, American Blues Theater gives space for giving thanks – a reminder to care for our needs, and not our greed. In the wake of unwavering adversity, it is refreshing to see a theatre company that is focused and committed to producing art of substance and quality. To reflect, to reaffirm, and to rediscover gratitude in tumultuous times, go no further than American Blues Theater.
Chicago Theatre Review
Once Again, an Angel Gets His Wings
Colin Douglas | Dec 6, 2021
The story has become so familiar that a synopsis really isn’t necessary; but if it’s a new Christmas story for some theatergoers, then this unique performance will offer a terrific introduction. The company also salutes local heroes, such as a nurse or a teacher who has gone above and beyond in their career. The entire, one-act production is nostalgic and heartwarming. Suffice it to say that despite the story’s familiarity, by the end of the show most of the audience, like me, was choking back tears.
Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside once again expertly guides this revival of Capra’s beautifully-written piece. She paces her production at such a brisk momentum that audiences barely notice the lack of an intermission in the 90-minute production. Each of the eight talented ensemble members perform a range of roles with effortless vocal versatility. If you close your eyes, you’ll imagine there’s a far larger cast of actors on the stage. This radio adaptation is both faithful to the Capra classic and yet economical, providing the major plot points and subtle nuances from the movie. The show’s performed with so much joyful energy, humor and pathos.
Broadway World
American Blues Theater’s “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” is back in person, and it is a true holiday gem
Patrick Pybarczyk | Dec 8, 2021
There is definitely an appeal to this version of this well-known story. Perhaps it’s the focus on the actors as the morph into different characters. Perhaps it’s the comfort of knowing how it all plays out. Or perhaps it’s just good storytelling done by extremely capable storytellers. Whichever it is, It’s a Wonderful, Live In Chicago! should be added to your holiday traditions. It will remind you of what’s really important and leave you listening for ringing bells.
Splash Magazine
‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!’ – a Must See Holiday Classic
Eucarol Juarez | Dec 6, 2021
The second longest-running holiday play in Chicago, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, and to date has done 524 performances of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! A stage set up as a radio station, with bright and merry holiday decor and actors also dressed in 40s attire; they start the show by warmly welcoming the audience, singing classic carols, and walking the audience through how the radio production will go. Within the “live radio show” you even had commercials and tunes reminiscent of the 1940s.
See what audiences are saying about It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
“My family and I were thrilled to be part of the audience on Friday (didn’t know about the audiograms before – but compelled to write this the morning after): we felt transported to 1940s WABT studio to enjoy and participate in this timeless Christmas classic.” – Samuel
“Amazing performances! Beautiful voices!” – Natalia E.
“Loved, loved it, loved it! Never gave this story a chance and I am so glad I did this year!” – Maria P.
“Very entertaining. Very talented team of actors. Too bad the Christas season can’t last all year round. I’ll bring friends next time.” – Muhammed A.
“The actors were so talented the way they moved on stage and changed their voices for each part. It was amazing.” – Pachina F.
“[My wife and I] are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary and 20th anniversary of regularly seeing your production! Thanks and congratulations to the cast for 20 years of a ‘wonderful’ show!” – Roy V.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
IN MEMORY
PRODUCTION TEAM
GRANT SABIN he/him (Scenic Design) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He’s excited to be back with the It’s a Wonderful Life team for his 12th year. A native of rural Illinois, Grant blends his rural roots with urban art. He’s a recipient of the 2015 Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award. He is known throughout Chicago for his keen eye in capturing atmospheric detail and his ability to design “impressively executed sets” on a storefront-theater budget. His designs have been seen at Northlight, Victory Garden, Steppenwolf, Next, The Royal George, McCarter Theater NJ, Overture Center WI, Theatre Wit, Gallagher Bluedorn IA, American Blues, ATC, The House, The Hypocrites, Christina Isabelle Dance, The Seldoms Dance, and A Red Orchid. He was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award for his designs of American Blues Theater’s Yankee Tavern, A Red Orchid’s production of The Sea Horse, and Dog & Pony’s production of Mr. Marmalade. He was recently named one of the Top 50 Players in Chicago Theatre by New City Magazine. Grant is currently a full-time faculty member at Columbia College Chicago.
KATY PETERSON VICCELLIO she/her (Lighting Design) is delighted to return for her 16th year as Lighting Designer to It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago. Katy has designed lighting and scenery throughout the United States for over 20 years. Favorite Chicago shows include It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! with American Blues; Playing With Fire and I Am My Own Wife (Jeff nomination) with BoHo Theatre, and seven seasons of Lighting/Production Design for The Oprah Winfrey Show. She holds a B.A. from The University of Texas and M. Arch from The Ohio State University, and practices architecture in Columbus, Ohio, where she lives with her husband, son, two dogs, and a fish. Her first building as a project architect won an AIA Ohio Honor Award and was featured in Metropolis magazine.
CHRISTOPHER J. NEVILLE he/him (Costume Design) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. He is elated to be back this holiday at Bedford Falls. Previous Blues costume designs include Hank Williams: Lost Highway (assistant), The Rainmaker, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, Looking Over the President’s Shoulder, Dutchman/TRANSit, and The Columnist. Christopher stitched and assistant designed at Victory Gardens Theater, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Opera Theater, Theatre at the Center, and Signal Ensemble Theatre.
ELYSE DOLAN she/her (Set Dressing/Properties Design) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater where she is also the Associate Producer. Outside of her enthusiasm for decorating Christmas trees, she’s primarily a Director. Here at Blues she has directed several short plays in past editions of The Ripped Festival; directed staged readings in the annual Blue Ink Festival; and has been Assistant Director on a handful shows including Six Corners and Little Shop of Horrors. Recent directing credits include the Zoom reading of Other Rockpools at The New Coordinates, the Chicago premiere of If/Then at Brown Paper Box Co., and she was two weeks away from opening Nine at Blank Theatre Company at the time of the pandemic shut-down. Her directing work has been seen across Chicago at The New Coordinates, Broken Nose Theatre, Prop Thtr, Commission Theatre, Babes with Blades, 20% Theatre Company, and more. Elyse holds a B.A. from Denison University.
RICK SIMS he/him (Sound Design) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He has composed and designed sound for numerous Chicago-area theaters, including Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, American Blues Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Hypocrites, House Theatre of Chicago, Court Theatre, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens Theater, Raven Theatre, Steep Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and About Face Theatre. His additional credits include The Getty, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Portland Playhouse. Rick won Jeff Awards for Sound Design for Moby Dick and Hepheastus (Lookingglass Theatre Company), a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Brothers in the Dust (Congo Square Theatre), and has received several nominations for both awards. Rick also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Hillbilly Antigone at Lookingglass Theatre Company, where he is an Artistic Associate.
SHANDEE VAUGHAN she/her (Stage Manager) After spending the last year and half managing all things virtual, Shandee is ecstatic to be physically back in the room with her Blues family! Blues credits: Roan @ the Gates, Five Presidents, The Spitfire Grill, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, On Clover Road, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago (2016 & 2018-2020), Flyin’ West, The Buddy Holly Story, The Columnist, and Little Shop of Horrors. Other recent Chicago credits include: Time Is On Our Side (About Face Theatre), Deathscribe X (WildClaw Theatre), Night in Alachua County (WildClaw Theatre), and The Woman in Black (WildClaw Theatre). Shandee is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
MICHAEL TRUDEAU he/him (Technical Director) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater and is thrilled to be working with Blues again. Past Blues credits include Technical Director for It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2015-2017), Yankee Tavern, Little Shop of Horrors, and Side Man, among others. Outside of American Blues, he works full time at Northwestern University as the Lighting and Sound Technician for the theater department, and is also the Master Electrician at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays!
RACHEL WEST she/her (Assistant Lighting Design, Master Electrician) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater and thrilled to work on It’s a Wonderful Life actually LIVE again and in a new role this year! She has been serving as the Master Electrician for American Blues since 2018. Rachel is the Lighting Supervisor for Porchlight Music Theatre where she recently designed Nunsense as part of their Revisits series of lost musicals. She works with The Black Ensemble Theater, Mercury Theater, MCA Chicago, Actors Gymnasium and volunteers with the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation teaching theater to individuals with special needs. She is a Chicago-area native and a graduate of Boston University School of Theatre.
The Bedford Box
From our home to yours, The Bedford Box has been specially prepared for you! Delivered to your home via mail or picked up at the box office, this box has all the charm of your favorite production.
– 20th anniversary commemorative It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! program
– vintage copper 2.5″ Wonderful Life ornament
– “Martini’s Specials” beverage recipes for all ages
– (new edition) of “The Greatest Gift” short story and companion audiobook, read by Artistic Affiliate Adrienne Walker (Broadway’s Nala in The Lion King) and composed music by Ensemble member Austin Cook (conductor for Broadway’s Hamilton).
– American Blues Theater socks
– “I Earned My Wings” sticker
– and a special sweet treat!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We honor one teacher per performance with a “Teacher Tribute”. We proudly partner with NAMI Chicago, USO, and U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs. We offer complimentary tickets to CPS teachers, the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (IL chapter), and American Indian Center.
MORE INFORMATION ON 2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Program for 2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Read our program for the 20th anniversary of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
“TEACHER TRIBUTE” during 2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Nominate a beloved teacher or education worker for a “Teacher Tribute” during our 2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Backstage Guide for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! & Additional Resources
Inside look at IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! – read interviews, see designs, & learn more about the production.
Artistic Director’s Note for 2021 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Welcome to the 20th anniversary of our holiday tradition IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! Frank Capra’s story resonates with audiences as strongly today as its 1947 premiere.
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