Suffice it to say that despite the storyвЂ™s familiarity, by the end of the show most of the audience, like me, was choking back tears.ДЄrtistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside once again expertly guides this revival of CapraвЂ™s beautifully-written piece. The entire, one-act production is nostalgic and heartwarming. The company also salutes local heroes, such as a nurse or a teacher who has gone above and beyond in their career. The story has become so familiar that a synopsis really isnвЂ™t necessary but if itвЂ™s a new Christmas story for some theatergoers, then this unique performance will offer a terrific introduction. To reflect, to reaffirm, and to rediscover gratitude in tumultuous times, go no further than American Blues Theater. 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. In an effort to elucidate all that enraptures our hearts, American Blues Theater gives space for giving thanks вЂ“ a reminder to care for our needs, and not our greed. With gatherings and gift-givings fast approaching, itвЂ™s easy to get lost in tight scheduling and tighter budgets. American Blues Theater wraps its gift with a bow to be lovingly delivered by a winning cast.

Lively cast, peerless designers, and clever direction, ItвЂ™s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, is sure to fill audiences with the mirth and wonder of the spirit. Second, it underlines the gentle conceit of American Blues TheaterвЂ™s holiday perennial, вЂњItвЂ™s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago.вЂќ Forget your 21st-century troubles for an hour and a half, this show says, and travel back with us to AmericaвЂ™s post-World War II afterglow.ДЄ canвЂ™t-miss tradition, American Blues TheaterвЂ™s вЂњItвЂ™s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!вЂќ is back live and вЂњon airвЂќ 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? While it was a throwaway gag - maybe improvised, maybe scripted - MahlerвЂ™s joke neatly accomplished two goals. вЂњMy goodness, the 1940s are flying by, arenвЂ™t they?вЂќ вЂњCan you believe itвЂ™s already December?вЂќ asked actor Michael Mahler from the stage at Victory Gardens Theater.

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. вЂItвЂ™s a Wonderful LifeвЂ™ radio staging allows for a brief uplifting escape from 21st century woes. 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. 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. *Ensemble Member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater Filled with original music and classic holiday carols, this warm tale вЂњis the donвЂ™t-miss show this holiday season!вЂќ ( Chicago Tribune)ДЇor over 20 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, making ItвЂ™s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago! To learn more, read our Artistic DirectorвЂ™s note and Backstage Guide. Only a miracle can save him from despair. George Bailey вЂ“ the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty вЂ“ has fallen onto desperate times. THE CHICAGO ORIGINAL LIVE INTERACTIVE SHOW NOVEMBER 26 вЂ“ DECEM2021 ITвЂ™S A WONDERFUL LIFE:

It's a wonderful life