American Blues Theater Announces 2019-2020 Season

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2019 - 2020 Season, "Then & Now". American Blues' 34th Season will include the Chicago Premiere of Five Presidents by Rick Cleveland, directed by Marty Higginbotham; Women's Work - an evening of 2 one-acts, including the World Premiere of Triflin' by Nambi E. Kelley and Trifles by Susan Glaspell, directed by Lili-Anne Brown; the 18th annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film, directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside and music directed by Michael Mahler; and American Idiot book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer, lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, and music by Green Day, directed by Jess McLeod and music directed by Michael Mahler. All performances in the 2019-2020 Season will take place at Stage 773, located at 1225 W Belmont Ave, Chicago.

"We're thrilled to announce our timely Season 34 'Then & Now'," notes Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. "These plays demand audiences look at our cities, country, and culture though a dual lens. We will reflect America's identity - past and present - through our democracy, holiday celebrations, treatment of women, and challenges of establishment through rock 'n' roll."

The 2019-2020 American Blues Theater Season up close:

The Chicago Premiere of

Five Presidents

by Ensemble member Rick Cleveland

directed by Ensemble member Marty Higginbotham

September 6 - October 19, 2019

Press Opening: September 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

There was only one day in history when all five of these U.S. Presidents were in the same room at the same time: the holding room prior to entering the memorial service for President Richard Nixon. Five Presidents is the presentation of this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, as imagined by "The West Wing" and "House of Cards" writer Ensemble member Rick Cleveland.

18th Anniversary Production of

It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

from Frank Capra's film

directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside

music direction by Ensemble member Michael Mahler

November 14, 2019 - January 4, 2020

Press Opening: November 16, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

As the second longest holiday play in Chicago, the American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940s radio broadcast of holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life for 18 years. The incredible cast recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score and holiday carols. The Bedford Falls "residents" extend their hospitality after every performance when audiences are treated to milk and cookies served by the cast.

Women's Work - an evening of 2 one-acts

Trifles

by Susan Glaspell

Triflin' (world premiere commission)

by Ensemble member Nambi E. Kelley

directed by Lili-Anne Brown

January 31 - March 14, 2020

Press Opening: February 6, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

Spanning a century, we present two powerful one-act stories about women in America. Dramatic literature's founding feminist and Pulitzer Prize winner Susan Glaspell's Trifles reveals a murder mystery, inspired by real events. Ensemble member Nambi E. Kelley's Triflin' is a comedic riff on the male-female dynamic of old, and uses explosive characters and poetic language, questioning what is the new paradigm of gender now.

American Idiot

book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer

lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong | music by Green Day

directed by Jess McLeod

music direction by Ensemble member Michael Mahler

June 26 - August 15, 2020

Press Opening: July 3, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

American Idiot follows the exhilarating journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, borne along by Green Day's electrifying score.

Additional 2019-2020 Programming

Ripped Festival: Edition 18

Spring 2020

Written and direction by various Chicago artists

Since 2009, American Blues Theater has produced 145 short plays in the RIPPED: the Living Newspaper series. Based on the 1930's WPA era program that brought Orson Welles, Arthur Miller, Richard Wright and Clifford Odets into public attention, playwrights use inspiration ripped from today's headlines to create stories performed live on stage.

Arts Education in Chicago Public Schools

The Lincoln Project

Conceived and Adapted by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside from Artistic Affiliate James Still's Pulitzer-nominated The Heavens Are Hung in Black

American Blues Theater's innovative and adaptive program aligns with Illinois Learning Standards to engage 5th-10th graders about the life of Abraham Lincoln, specifically the events surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation. Students watch scenes performed by professional actors, participate in discussions, and most importantly, write their own plays. Since the program's launch in 2013, nearly 15,000 students have participated in the program.

All main stage performances take place at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The Blue Card - the most affording ticketing offer the 2019-2020 season are available now at AmericanBluesTheater.com or by calling 773.654.3103.

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