See what audiences said 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

JUSTIN BANKS (Harry & others) is thrilled to return to American Blues Theater where he last appeared in the Chicago premiere of Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues. Recently, he wrote and performed in The Second City’s Bob Curry Fellowship production, The Minority Report: What Had Happened Was…, and understudied for The Second City’s Black By Popular Demand. Justin is also a former contributing writer for “The Onion.” He studied Meisner and Viewpoints at Black Box Acting Studio’s “The Academy” and is a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University. He is represented by Gray Talent Group.

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) 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.

BRANDON DAHLQUIST (George Bailey) happily returns for his 9^th season.  Dahlquist has been fortunate to work at theatres across this land; Circle in the Square, A.C.T., Guthrie Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory, Asolo Repertory, S.F. Playhouse & Peninsula Players. Recent Chicago credits include BIG WHITE FOG (Court), THE AUDIENCE (Drury Lane), MUSIC MAN (Marriott). Brandon has appeared on Somebody Somewhere (HBO), A League of their Own (Amazon), Dark Matter (Apple), The Chi (Showtime), Chicago Fire (NBC), Chicago PD (NBC) and Difficult People (Hulu).  Dahlquist is a busy photographer and proud dad to Amelia & Björn.  Thanks to Gray Talent and Caitlan. No one is illegal on stolen land, built by stolen hands.

MICHAEL MAHLER (Music Director, Announcer/Pianist) 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, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, and Side Man. Other recent roles include Pianist/Ensemble in The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Northlight); 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 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.

J.G. SMITH (Foley) 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

MAYA LOU HLAVA (U/S) is a proud artistic affiliate of American Blues Theater last seen in Things With Friends. Additional Chicago credits include, Prayer for the French Republic (Northlight Theatre); Little Mermaid, Christmas Carol, Shrek, White Christmas and Bye Bye Birdie (Drury Lane Theatre); The Penelopiad (Goodman Theatre); Happy Days Are Here (Again) and Zurich (Steep Theatre); The Best Damn Thing (The Understudy Cafe); Dory Fantasmagory and Last Stop On Marketplace (YPPT/Greenhouse Theater); Spring Awakening (Porchlight Theater); Act 5, The Killing Game and The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre); Oklahoma (Marriott Theatre); Violet (Griffin Theater); Trevor (Writers Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); Jane Eyre (Lifeline Theatre); The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); Film and Television credits include –  Will Trent, The Perpetrator, Chicago Med, The Chi, and The Big Leap. Maya is represented by Stewart Talent

ZACK SHULTZ (Understudy) is so incredibly excited to take part in the 24th year of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! He is so grateful to be part of such a wonderful group! He would like to thank Wendy Whiteside for including him and the entire company for being so welcoming and supportive.

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 10th anniversary directing in Bedford Falls; her production has earned 2 Jeff Award nominations (midsize & short run productions). 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; produced 50+ shows. Operational highlights: led the 2009 reorganization; built the annual budget from zero to $1 million; secured company’s first-ever operating reserve, endowment, and permanent home. 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. 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 (solo performance, supporting actor, & ensemble), 2 After Dark Awards (ensemble), & 1 Broadway World Chicago (lead actor).

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 15th 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.

KATY PETERSON VICCELLIO (Lighting Design) is delighted to return for her 18th 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.

CHRISTOPHER J. NEVILLE (Co-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 (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 pleased and proud to be a new Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theatre; having stage managed IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 2023, THE RECLAMATION OF MADISON HEMMINGS, THE LAST WIDE OPEN, and MISERY. 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.

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 seventh 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!

NATE WALCZYK (Production Manager) – is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Past shows include The Last Wide Open and Misery (American Blues Theater), Photograph 51 (Webster University), Angels in America Pt. I & II (Repertory Theater of St. Louis), and The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Lookingglass Theatre Company). Nate is a graduate of The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri, and is extremely proud of his two perfect cats, Calvin and Ponyo.

EILEEN ROZYCKI (Scenic Artist) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. This is her 11th anniversary working on It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in 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.

G. “MAX” MAXIN IV [he/him] (Projections Consultant) Is excited to be working with American Blues again! After over a decade in Chicago, Max has created over 290 designs on over 185 professional & educational productions. He is a Teaching Artist & the resident Lighting Designer for the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, and was an instructor at Northeastern Illinois University for 7 years, receiving an Instructor Excellence Award in 2019. Max won a Lou Award for Best Lighting for Into the Woods (Big Noise), has 2 Equity & 6 Non-Equity Jeff nominations, and has designed 1 Equity & 3 Non-Equity Jeff Award Winning Best Musicals. One of the founding members of Another Door Theatre Project, he worked for 3 years as Head of Production/Resident Scenographer. Max also spent 2 summers designing lighting for La Musica Lirica, a touring opera company in Novafeltria, Italy. Favorite past design projects at Kokandy, Porchlight, Mercury, Black Ensemble, Hell in a Handbag, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Theatre at the Center, Black Button Eyes, BoHo, Steppenwolf Garage, City Lit, Another Door, CCPA, NEIU, Northwestern, & DePaul. www.ivMaxin.com