About the SIDE MAN Artists
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST KATE BUDDEKE (Terry) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater, where her credits include Tobacco Road, Rantoul & Die, and Keely & Du. Most recently she was seen in Airline Highway at Steppenwolf, where also she performed...
SIDE MAN Director’s Statement
“Family quarrels are bitter things. They don’t go according to any rules. They’re not like aches or wounds, they’re more like splits in the skin that won’t heal because there’s not enough material.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald To be a sideman – an outside musician hired to...
2015 Blue Ink Playwriting Award
The Blue Ink Playwriting Award was created in 2010 to support new work. Congratulations to JAMIE PACHINO for winning the 2015 BLUE INK PLAYWRITING AWARD for her script OTHER THAN HONORABLE. Runners-up: Gregory Allen (What Happened in Pinkville) and Caridad Svich (Upon...
Yankee Tavern Community Service & Town Halls
We believe it is an honor and duty to serve our community. We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations' great causes through creative collaborations. For this production, we continue our Pink Previews for The Lynn Sage Foundation. We also support Architect...
Yankee Tavern Artists
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST RICHARD COTOVSKY (Ray) is excited to be back at American Blues Theater where he originated the character of The F*^king Guy for Monsters 1 and 2. He is the artistic director of Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. where he last appeared in Uncle Bob. ...
Past, Present, and Future “George Bailey”
WENDY: What was your biggest fear playing the iconic George Bailey?
JIM: Capra serves a parable of hope for the good person; it’s scary to be honored with the telling. Being true to the spirit of the character and serving the story and not allowing myself to be overwhelmed or distracted by a desire to “be worthy” of the icon. This is a love story. We change the world where we touch it.
Read moreThe BEST holiday-themed theatrical production: Best of Chicago.” – Newcity Chicago
Reviews for “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!”
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! has seen rave reviews from numerous publications in and out of the City or Chicago including Newcity, CBS Chicago and the Examiner.
Read more“4 out of 4 stars. You never doubt the truth … you are seeing in this gutsy, powerful, relentless, profoundly disturbing piece of Chicago theater.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Rave Reviews for Native Son
Native Son was received with rave reviews from Chicago critics includingthe Chicago Tribune, Around the Town Chicago, Time Out Chicago and more!
Read moreCongratulations to American Blues Theater Ensemble, Artistic Affiliates, and guest artists for their Jeff nominations for 2014!!
American Blues Theater Joseph Jefferson Award Nominations for 2014
Congratulations to American Blues Theater Ensemble, Artistic Affiliates, and guest artists for their Jeff nominations for 2014!!
Thoughts from the Director & Playwright
ON TAVERNS AND TALL TALES Stories are bigger at the bar. There is something about the inherent camaraderie of tippling strangers that renders even the simple story a little bigger, a little more rigorously outlandish. The fits and starts that comprise our daily lives...





