Neighborhood News: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ for West Ridge’s award-winning American Blues Theater
“Clarence: Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
It’s a Wonderful Life, via IMDB
For West Ridge’s American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Avenue, its nearly 40 years of existence truly has been a wonderful life for Chicago’s vast artistic community.
History
Chicago’s American Blues Theater was founded in July 1985 by a director, playwright, actor, and designer…namely, Ed Blatchford, Rick Cleveland, Bill Payne and Jim Leaming …as a company dedicated to new and classic American plays.
That company has been exploring the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves. Throughout its history, more than half of the productions are world and Chicago premieres.
Between 1985-1996, in a 134-seat theater on Byron and Lincoln, numerous Ensemble members served as executive artistic leadership (including William Payne, Carmen Roman, and Andrea J. Dymond) and produced 16 plays and several festivals. Dogman’s Last Stand was their inaugural production, running November 14, 1985 – January 5. 1986, followed by Geography of a Horse Dreamer and Hawk Moon in 1986.
They also earned a reputation for play development. Their Play Development programs include the nationally-recognized Blue Ink Award, which was created in 2010 to support new work. Each year the theater accepts worldwide submissions of original, unpublished full-length plays. The winning play is selected by the artistic director and the theater’s Ensemble. Recent winners have included The Reapers on Woodbrook Avenue by Mardee Bennett and Refugee Rhapsody by Yussef El Guindi.
During those years, as CBS News Chicago noted in 2023, American Blues Theater presented shows and leased office space in at several sites around the city. The company staged shows at the Theatre Building and its successor, Stage 773, on Belmont Avenue in Lakeview; the Victory Gardens Theater and Greenhouse Theater Center in Lincoln Park; the Court Theatre in Hyde Park; and the Goodman Theatre downtown.
In the process, the company and its artists have been recognized numerous times, winning the prestigious National Theatre Company Award from American Theatre Wing (Tony Awards), along with an astounding 238 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations, 44 Black Theater Alliance Awards, and numerous industry accolades, including nominations and awards for the Pulitzer Prize, Academy Awards, Golden Globes Awards, and Emmy Awards, among others.
Serving the community
As Wikipedia sources note, American Blues Theater provides community service for not-for-profit organizations such as The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Chicago Public Schools, American Indian Center, HANA Center, Chicago Latina Moms, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the United Service Organizations. Since 2009, the theater has held food and book drives, distributed promotional tickets, and raised awareness for children’s surgeries and health needs. It also donates proceeds from “Pediatric Previews” to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
A Home of their Own in West Ridge
As CBS News Chicago noted, the directors of the theater searched the Chicago area for a permanent space, finding a former Walgreens and Dollar General space at Lincoln and Talman Avenues. The 17,695-square foot property became the first permanent home for American Blues Theater.
“We can really push the artistic merits of the company, as well as the service for the community, and that is just elation,” Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside told CBS Chicago at the time.
The venue features two theater spaces – a 137-seat proscenium and a 40-seat rehearsal studio. The space also includes a lobby with a box office, bar, and concessions, and both gendered and all-gender restrooms.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Live in Chicago!
One of the most successful productions of the American Blues Theater is their live, interactive production of “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live In Chicago,” which runs now through December 22.
This original play focuses on the familiar story of George Bailey, as the Chicago Tribune notes, the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty – has fallen onto desperate times. Only a miracle can save him from despair. Then, an angel named Clarence shows him what life would have been like in Bedford Falls if he hadn’t been born.
For tickets, click here.
Here’s to a wonderful life, and Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
