I must apologize to American Blues Theater. I had every intention of promptly posting this review but I got sick, so here we are. Mea culpa!
**** Highly Recommended American Blues Theater has a beautiful, brand new building. I was privileged to be there for the building’s opening as well as the press opening of their 22nd annual production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! This show is an opportunity to take your family on a nostalgic trip into the past and enjoy a ‘live radio’ broadcast. It’s a lot of fun to listen as the talented cast brings all the beloved characters to life. Since this is ‘live’, the actors do the commercials too. It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago always gets me in a holiday mood! 4 Spotlights!
Plan on arriving at least 15 minutes early for carols, contests, prizes and audiograms. The cast circulates through the audience, greeting everyone and offering people the chance to write an ‘audiogram’ to be read on air. Meanwhile, Musical Director/Piano Player/Announcer, Michael Mahler, plays cheerful holiday tunes. Mahler and his real-life wife, Dara Cameron, sing a couple of carols too. There are even a couple of contests – with prizes!
About ten minutes before show time, Mahler preps the audience for the broadcast. He explains that before Frank Capra ever made his movie, George Bailey’s story was a hit on radio which ABT is re-creating today. Mahler went on to explain how the ON AIR and APPLAUSE signs to the audience. The he asked where people were from.
A little closer to show time, Mahler encouraged everyone to join in singing holiday songs like “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman” while on the screen, a handy little ball bounces over the words. He even does a little ‘name the tune’ contest, playing the intro to carols on at least five different instruments.
Since the country was still at war in 1943, the “Soldier Spotlight” honors a serviceman or servicewoman. Finally, after a five second count-down, the ON AIR sign lit up, the cast moved to the microphones and the broadcast began.
By slightly changing their voices/inflections/accents, everyone in the cast plays at least two parts. Off to the side, Foley (J.G. Smith) provides the sound effects. I know I don’t need to recap the story except to say it’s 1944 and this broadcast is originating from the WABT Studio on Belmont Avenue in Chicago.
The actors and their parts:
- Brandon Dahlquist is George Bailey.
- The versatile Joe Dempsey plays both Clarence and Mr. Potter, as well as a host of minor characters including Mr. Gower.
- When Audrey Billings smiles, she’s Mary Bailey; when she purses her lips in a small frown, she’s Mrs. Bailey, George’s mother.
- Manny Buckley plays Joseph.
- Ian Paul Custer plays Harry Bailey and Ernie the cab driver.
- Dara Cameron plays Violet Bick, Janey and ZuZu, as well as singing the jingles in the commercial breaks.
An additional treat, the cast members serve milk and cookies in the lobby after the show.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” ran through December 31st at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln, Chicago. Running time is about 90 minutes, no intermission. FYI (773) 654-3103 or www.americanbluestheater.com.
