announces its
* 25th-Anniversary Season Productions *
Includes the regional premiere of Rantoul & Die by Mark Roberts (“Two and a Half Men”) and the new annual Blue Ink Playwriting Contest.
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Pictures from most recent production, critically-acclaimed Tobacco Road |
November 26 – December 31, 2010
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph! | |
Directed by Marty Higganbotham In the Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, Chicago Featuring ABT Ensemble members Kevin Kelly, Ed Kross, John Mohrlein and Gwendolyn Whiteside |
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From the original director and Ensemble that brought this holiday tradition to Chicago in 2004. Join the American Blues family as we take you back to a 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life, with live Foley sound effects, an original score, and a stellar cast of seven that bring the entire town of Bedford Falls to life. From the moment you walk through the doors, you will be transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, and experience the story of George Bailey like never before. Critics called this production “perfect Christmas theater” and “first class holiday fare.” |
March 2011
American Blues – Collected One Acts | |
by Tennessee Williams In the Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, Chicago Directed by Dennis Zacek, Steve Scott, Brian Russell, Damon Kiely and Heather Meyers |
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This one-night benefit performance celebrates American playwright Tennessee Williams’ 100th birthday. These five short plays were selected by Williams’ in the rarely produced 1948 collection entitled “American Blues” to showcase his commitment to the blue-collar worker. ABT is thrilled to work with directors who have made significant contributions to the success and livelihood of the Blues’ Ensemble theater throughout the 25 years. ABT will announce the winner of the first annual “Blue Ink” Playwriting prize at this event. |
April 15 – May 29, 2011
Rantoul & Die | |
Written by Mark Roberts i/a/w Stephen Eich and Don Foster In the Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, Chicago Directed by Erin Quigley Featuring ABT Ensemble members Kate Buddeke, Cheryl Graeff, and Lindsay Jones. With guest artists Steppenwolf Ensemble members Francis Guinan and Alan Wilder. |
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From the writer and executive producer of “Two and a Half Men” comes a new play with four of the funniest, ugliest, and most heartbreakingly real characters ever, all crammed together in a grimy little world that makes the local Dairy Queen and Dante’s Inferno seem one and the same. The Hollywood reporter calls Rantoul & Die “original and devastatingly funny!” Regional premiere. |
from Tobacco Road (our review ★★★) |
Filed under: American Blues Theatre, Richard Christiansen Theatre, Season | Tagged: American Blues Theater, and William Payne with Dawn Bach, Blue Ink Playwriting Contest, Brian Russell, Carmen Roman, Casey Campbell, Cecilie Keenan, Cheryl Graeff, Damon Kiely, Dennis Cockrum, Dennis Zacek, Don Foster, Ed Blatchford, Ed Kross, Editha Rosario, Erin Quigley, Erskine Caldwell, Frank Capra, Gwendolyn Whiteside, Gwendolyn Whiteside. James Learning, Heather Meyers, Jack Kirkland, James Leaming, Jim Ortlieb, John Mohrlein, John Sterchi, Kate buddeke, Kevin R. Kelly, Lauri Dahl, Lindsay Jones, Mark Roberts, Marty Higganbotham, Matthew Brumlow, Rantoul & Die, Richard Christiansen Theater, Rick Cleveland, Stephen Eich, Steve Scott, Suzanne Petri, Tania Richard, Tennessee Williams, Tom Geraty, Victory Gardens | Leave a comment »