CELEBRATING 25th ANNIVERSARY!
NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 27, 2026
2026 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE:
LIVE IN CHICAGO!
THE CHICAGO ORIGINAL, LIVE INTERACTIVE SHOW
Based on the film by Frank Capra
Directed by Exec. Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside*
Music directed by 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 “holiday favorite makes the bell ring every time.” (Chicago Tribune)
Celebrating 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!
Read our Backstage Guide and Executive Artistic Director’s note (coming soon).
Read our digital program (coming soon).
PERFORMANCE INFO
5627 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 60659
Box Office: (773) 654-3103
Runs 90 minutes with no intermission.
Preshow starts at 20 minutes before show.
Merchandise & concessions on sale in the lobby.
Tickets range from $34.50-$119.50.
Recommended for ages 6+
Read Frequently Asked Questions!
SCHEDULE
Wed: 2:00 PM (Dec 2 only); 7:00 PM (Nov 25 & Dec 23 only)
Thur: 7:00 PM (no shows on Nov 26)
Fri: 7:30 PM (no Dec 25)
Sat: 4:00 PM (no Nov 21, Dec 5, or Dec 26) & 7:30 PM (exception for Dec 5 party)
Sun: 2:30 PM (no Dec 6)
SPECIAL ACCESS EVENTS – $34.50 ticket – code ACCESS
~ Touch tour – Sunday, Nov 29 @ 1:30 PM
~ ASL-interpreted performance – Friday, Dec 4 @ 7:30 PM
Photography by Michael Brosilow.
ARTISTS
CAST: Audrey Billings* (Mary Bailey & others), Manny Buckley* (Joseph & others), Dara Cameron* (Violet & others), Ian Paul Custer* (Clarence / Mr. Potter), Michael Mahler* (George Bailey), Zack Shultz* (Harry & others), J.G. Smith* (Foley & others), & Lauren Vogel* (musician & others). Understudies – Molly Hernández*.
PRODUCTION TEAM: Gwendolyn Whiteside* (director), Michael Mahler* (music director), Grant Sabin* (scenic design), Lily Walls* (costume design), Katy Peterson Viccellio (lighting design), Elyse Dolan* (set dressing & properties design), Michael Trudeau* (asst lighting design, technical director, master electrician), Matt Reich (sound associate & supervisor), Richard Lundy* (production stage manager), El Valet* (assistant stage manager), & Eileen Rozycki* (scenic artist).
*Ensemble member or artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
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 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, bookkeeper for Visionary Eye Care Professionals, and a member of Actors’ Equity.
MANNY BUCKLEY (Joseph & others) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater, making his return to this season’s It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! He is a Chicago-based actor, director, and writer. Recently he directed August Wilson’s Seven Guitars (Best Production Jeff Award) at City Lit Theatre. Other directing credits include The Bad Seed (Jedlicka Performing Arts), Kingdom, an audio play (Broken Nose Theatre), 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, where he turned in 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’s work was last seen in The Reclamation of Madison Hemings here at Blues.
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 seven-year-old son, Ezra.
IAN PAUL CUSTER (Clarence / Mr. Potter & others) 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 (Jeff Nomination production-midsize), Little Shop of Horrors, and It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Nominations for Best Play/Musical of the Year). Chicago credits: 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, The Lyric Opera, Theatre Wit, A Red Orchid Theatre, MPAACT, 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. Thanks to Big Mouth Talent, SCP, RMC, & MKC.
MICHAEL MAHLER (Music Director, George) is a proud 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 (Jeff nomination musical-midsize), Hank Williams: Lost Highway (Jeff Award musical midsize), and Side Man. Other recent roles include Pianist/Ensemble in The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Northlight); The Baker in Into the Woods (Writers); Ewart Dunlop in The Music Man, 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 An American Tail, 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.
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”. Zack would like to thank the whole American Blues family for all of their hard work and for being so welcoming!
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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. jgsmithactor.com
LAUREN VOGEL (Musician & others) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater. She was last seen at American Blues Theater in Always…Patsy Cline, nominated for a Jeff Award for Revue and in the Jeff Award Winning Ensemble and Production of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story. She has spent the last five years as a Los Felizian in Los Angeles, acting in films and trying to be on television. She currently is the producer of a Secret Radio Show, which, if you try hard enough, you might just find it. When she isn’t acting or producing, she settles for making a living at slangin’ the fiddle—something that you’ll see her do here. Thank you for coming, and remember, “If ever my life can be of any use to you, come take it.”
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. @mollymhernandez *Jeff Award & nominations
PRODUCTION TEAM
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 were 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 in Bedford Falls; her production has earned 2 Jeff Award nominations (midsize & short run production). Artistic highlights: created the nationally-recognized “Blue Ink Playwriting Award”; new work development program; arts education initiatives; implemented community service into the company’s mission. Operational highlights: built the annual budget from zero to $1.25 million; secured company’s first-ever operating reserve, endowment, and permanent home. Service: Whiteside sat on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and served as a director for Network of Ensemble Theaters and League of Chicago Theatres boards; 2026 member of National Theatre Conference. Education: Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit management (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University); The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA); Northwestern University (BS). Awards: 16 Jeff Awards & nominations for work as producer & director; 5 Jeff Awards & nominations for acting (solo performance, supporting actor, & ensemble), 2 After Dark Awards (ensemble), 1 Broadway World Chicago (lead actor), Newcity’s Players – Hall of Fame, & American Theater’s “Chicago Theater Worker You Should Know”.
MICHAEL MAHLER (Music Director & jingles) – see cast
AUSTIN COOK (original score)
GRANT SABIN (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 17th 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 Gardens, 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.
LILY WALLS (Co-Costume Design; Wardrobe Supervisor) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater. Other Chicago companies she has worked with have included Haven (Science Fiction/Double Feature, Titus Andronicus), Midsummer Flight (Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Akvavit (Bad Girls, Rising Temperatures, Family Drama) and City Lit (Hound of the Baskervilles). She would like to thank her friends, family and community for the support and renewal they give, her husband Michael for everything, and August for being the best.
KATY PETERSON VICCELLIO (Lighting Design) is delighted to return for her 20th year as Lighting Designer to It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! with American Blues. 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 over seven seasons of the Emmy-winning Lighting/Production Design team for The Oprah Winfrey Show. She practices architecture in Columbus, Ohio at an international design firm and teaches architecture studio classes at The Ohio State University. Her first building as a project architect won an AIA Ohio Honor Award and was featured in Metropolis magazine.
ELYSE DOLAN (Set Dressing / Projections / Properties Design) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater where she is also the Associate Artistic Director. Outside of her enthusiasm for decorating Christmas trees, she’s primarily a Director. Here at Blues she has directed The Thanksgiving Play as part of The Room reading series; several short plays in past editions of The Ripped Festival; 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. Other 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 Blackbird at Blank Theatre Company. Her directing work has been seen across Chicago at The New Coordinates, Broken Nose Theatre, Prop Thtr, Commission Theatre, Babes with Blades, and more. Most recently, she was the Set Dressing & Properties Designer on The Last Wide Open, where she brought a realistic Polish restaurant to life in American Blues’ Studio Theatre. Elyse holds a B.A. from Denison University.
RICHARD LUNDY (Production Stage Manager) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theatre; having stage managed IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 2023 & 2024, THE RECLAMATION OF MADISON HEMINGS, THE LAST WIDE OPEN, MISERY, GOLDEN LEAF RAGTIME BLUES, & THINGS WITH FRIENDS. OTHER Chicago credits include: Raven Theatre: NIGHT WATCH. Theater Wit: THE WHISTLEBLOWER. Mercury Theater: CLUE. Venus Cabaret: LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S…, COMPANY. Timeline Theater: PARADISE BLUE, THE LAST WIFE, SUNSET BABY. Levin Productions: ASSASSINATION THEATER. Next Theatre:16 productions including THE ADDING MACHINE: A CHAMBER MUSICAL (World Premiere). Writers’ Theatre: OH COWARD!, THE MAIDS. Also: Famous Door, Porchlight, Hypocrites, Northlight, Remains, Victory Gardens, Organic, Halstead Theatre, Wisdom Bridge. National tours: MISS SAIGON (First National Company: Cameron Mackintosh). I LOVE LUCY LIVE! (David George). Regional: Olney Theatre Center: MISS YOU LIKE HELL, OIL. Also: Trinity Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Shakespeare & Company, Folger Shakespeare. 38-year member of Actors Equity. 32-year husband of the remarkable Carmel Carroll.
EL VALET (Assistant Stage Manager) –
MICHAEL TRUDEAU (Asst Lighting Design, Technical Director, Master Electrician) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater and is thrilled to be working on It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! for his eighth year. Past Blues credits include Technical Director for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2015-2017, 2021-2023), Yankee Tavern, Little Shop of Horrors, and Side Man, among others. Outside of American Blues, he works full time at Northwestern University as the Associate Lighting and Sound Supervisor for the Wirtz Center. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays!
MATT REICH (Sound Associate & Supervisor) –
EILEEN ROZYCKI (Scenic Artist) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater. This is her 13th anniversary working on It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
See what audiences said about It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We honor one courageous person per performance with a “Hometown Hero”. 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. In partnership with Ravenswood Community Services and Greater Chicago Food Depository, we are collecting donations of nonperishable foods and personal hygiene items in our lobby. In addition, we’re collecting nonperishable food donations for dogs, cats, and other pets in partnership with The Friendship Center.
MORE INFORMATION ON 2026 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
Exec Artistic Director’s Note for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE in CHICAGO!
Join us to celebrate our 25th anniversary of telling this incredible story.
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