Olympia Dukakis to Participate in American Blues Theater's 'Rebirth of Blues' Benefit, 11/16

The American Blues Theater has revealed that Academy Award winning and Drama Desk nominated actress Olympia Dukakis present segments of it's newest developmental work RIPPED: The Living Newspaper Project during the American Blues Theater's The Rebirth of Blues Benefit.  The event will take place at Bridgeview Bank on Monday, November 16 at 6:30pm.

Ripped, a new work by ABT ensemble members Rick Cleveland, Tania Richard and Gwendolyn Whiteside, features contributions from many writers, musicians, dancers, singers, actors and directors from Chicago and nationwide. Ripped is slated for a full production later in the fall, although no additional details have been announced. 

Dukakis will present a segment of the piece by Eduardo Machado. Dennis Zacek will read a segment by Cleveland.  Announcements of additional special guests are forthcoming. 

ABT's 2009 - 2010 season also includes productions of It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph! later this fall and Jack Kirkland's Tobacco Road next spring.

For more information, visit americanbluestheater.com.

American Blues Theater was founded in 1985. Between the years 1998-2009, the ensemble was known as American Theater Company. In 2009, the ensemble again embraced its original name, reforming as American Blues Theater and gearing up to celebrate 25 years as an ensemble.
American Blues Theater is an ensemble of inherently collaborative theater artists who re-envison great American Classics and reach out to the Chicago theater community to create new work that reflects mid-western roots and celebrates the diverse American character.