ABT's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Returns to Chicago, 11/18-12/31

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, continues its 2011-2012 season with a return engagement of the critically acclaimed "It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!" directed by Marty Higginbotham, in the Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Nov. 18 - Dec. 31. Pink Previews are Nov. 18 - 20. Press opening is Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. For more information visit americanbluestheater.com.

From the moment the audiences walk through the doors, they are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio to experience the story of George Bailey as never before. "It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!" takes one back to a 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra's holiday classic -"It's a Wonderful Life" (based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern) complete with commercial breaks and live Foley sound effects. The original score and stellar cast of seven bring the entire town of Bedford Falls to life in a holiday production that is the perfect choice for young and old alike.

Returning for this year's production are American Blues Theater Ensemble members Kevin R. Kelly (George Bailey), John Mohrlein (Mr. Potter, Clarence, et al) and Gwendolyn Whiteside (Mary Bailey). Also returning this is year is ABT Artistic Affiliate James Joseph (Uncle Billy) and Shawn Goudie (Foley artist). Joining the cast for the first time will be Dara Cameron (Violet), Michael Mahler (Pianist/Announcer), and Zachary Kenney (Harry).

For this year's production of "It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!," and central to American Blues Theater's mission of partnering with social service and community organizations, ABT once again teams up with the USO, the Illinois Dept. of Veteran Affairs and the St. Leo Residential Campus for Veterans to honor servicemen and women who have risked their own lives to preserve our freedom. Additional promotional partners will be announced at a later date.

- more -American Blues Theater (ABT) presents "It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!" directed by Marty Higginbotham, in the Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Nov. 18- Dec. 31. Pink Previews are Nov. 18 - 20. Press opening is Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25-$50. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct 17. For more information visit americanbluestheater.com.

Other works comprising ABT's 2011-2012 Season include Clifford Odets' "Waiting for Lefty, directed by Kimberly Senior (Sept. 2 - Oct. 2); "It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph" directed by ABT Artistic Affiliate Marty Higginbotham (Nov. 18 - Dec.31); and a Spring 2012 staging of the world premiere of "Love Me Some Amnesia" by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist James Still, directed by ABT Artistic Affiliate Meredith McDonough, and featuring ABT Artistic Affiliate Dennis Zacek with additional cast to be announced.

Committed to the Ensemble since 1985, American Blues Theater produces stories about working people and partners with social and service organizations for each production. During the years 1997-2009, the Ensemble went by the name American Theater Company. In 2009, the Ensemble reclaimed its original name and reaffirmed its commitment to its original mission. ABT is the second-oldest Equity Ensemble in Chicago. Their multi-generational Ensemble & Artistic Affiliates work in theater, television and film. As of 2011, they've individually received more than 103 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Citations and nominations, 19 After Dark Awards, an Academy Award nomination, Golden Globe Award, Emmy Awards and nominations, Writers' Guild Awards, 17 Black Theatre Alliance Awards and nominations, and multiple Regional theater awards from New York, Los Angeles, DC and Florida. ABT's 31-member Ensemble has more than 382 combined years of collaboration on stage.

The ABT Ensemble includes all four Founders Ed Blatchford, Rick Cleveland, James Leaming, and William Payne with Dawn Bach, Matthew Brumlow, Kate Buddeke, Sarah Burnham, Casey Campbell, Brian Claggett, Dennis Cockrum Laura Coover, Lauri Dahl, Joe Foust, Tom Geraty, Cheryl Graeff, Jaclyn Holsey, Lindsay Jones, Samantha Jones, Nambi E. Kelley, Kevin R. Kelly, Steve Key, Ed Kross, Heather Meyers , John Möhrlein, Jim Ortlieb, Suzanne Petri, Carmen Roman, Editha Rosario, Sarah E. Ross and Gwendolyn Whiteside.