American Blues Theater Adds SIDE MAN Saturday Matinees

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, announce that two additional matinees, Saturday, May 16 and 23 at 3 p.m., have been added to the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, April 24 - May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. "Pink Previews," where tickets sales benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research, are Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 pm. The performance schedule is Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with Saturday matinee performances May 16 and 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets for "Pink Preview" performances are $19. Regular run performances tickets are $29 Thursdays and Fridays and $39 Saturdays and Sundays. Opening night tickets are $49 and include access to the post-show reception. All tickets are currently on sale at 773.404.7336 or AmericanBluesTheater.com.

The Pulitzer Prize-nominated and Tony Award-winner for Best Play Side Man is the heartbreaking story spanning three decades of a splintered family as told through the eyes of Clifford (Michael Mahler*), the only son of Gene (Michael Ehlers), a jazz trumpet player, and Terry (Kate Buddeke*), an alcoholic mother. Alternating between their New York City apartment and a smoke-filled music club, Clifford narrates the story of his broken family and the decline of jazz as popular entertainment. In Side Man "The joy and despair of the musicians is skillfully illustrated," according to Variety.

The Side Man cast also includes Joe Foust* (Jonesy), Ed Kross* (Ziggy), John Gawlik (Al) and Gail Rastorfer (Patsy) with the production team of Austin Cook* (music consultant), Art Davis (jazz consultant and performer), Sarah E. Ross* (scenic design), Heather Gilbert (lighting design), Emily McConnell (costume design), Rick Sims (sound design), Christopher Neville* (property design), Ellen Willett (production manager), Michael Trudeau (technical director), Jonathan Nook (stage manager) and Jerico Bleu (dramaturg).

Music featured in Side Man was recorded by Art Davis (trumpet), Phil Gratteau (drums), Dennis Luxion (piano) and Kirk Garrison (trumpet).

*connotes American Blues Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliates.

American Blues Theater offers a free opportunity for audiences and fans of the theater to learn more about the current presentation. All Town Halls are held immediately following Sunday's 2:30 p.m. performance, May 3 - May 17.

American Blues Theater is proud to continue "Pink Previews" for this production. Proceeds from preview performances are donated to the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research. They also partner with Merit School of Music and Chicago Jazz Orchestra.