Manny Buckley News

AUGUST WILSON'S KING HEDLEY II Casting Announced For City Lit

by Marissa Faith Curley — September 5, 2026

Full cast and production team have been announced for City Lit’s production of August Wilson’s KING HEDLEY II.

American Blues Unveils Blue Ink Award Recipients, With Festival Set for August

by Chloe Rabinowitz — August 7, 2026

American Blues Theater has revealed the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award is Nia Akilah Robinson for her play Overnight at the Museum.

BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB World Premiere and More Set for American Blues Theater 2026-2027 Season

by A.A. Cristi — May 11, 2026

American Blues Theater announced its 2026-2027 Season, featuring world premieres of BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB and THE CONQUERED, the Chicago premiere of UHURU, and the 25th anniversary of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!

City Lit Theater Unveils 2026-27 Season Featuring KING HEDLEY II and More

by Chloe Rabinowitz — March 2, 2026

City Lit Theater has revealed programming for the 2026–27 season.

Cast Set for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! at American Blues

by Chloe Rabinowitz — November 3, 2025

American Blues Theater will present its 24th Annual Production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra’s film and directed by Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside.

The Jeff Awards Reveal 51st Anniversary Non-Equiy Theater Awards Nominations

by Chloe Rabinowitz — February 6, 2025

Celebrating its 51st anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the Joseph Jefferson Awards revealed its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater during the 2024 season.

American Blues Theater to Present 23rd Production IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!

by Chloe Rabinowitz — October 28, 2024

American Blues Theater will present the 23rd annual production of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!, a holiday classic reimagined as a 1940s radio broadcast.

SEVEN GUITARS Comes to City Lit Theater Next Month

by Stephi Wild — September 6, 2024

City Lit Theater will follow its critical and popular hit THE HOUSE OF IDEAS with August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS, directed by veteran Chicago director and actor Manny Buckley.

American Blues Theater to Present Annual Blue Bash This Month

by Chloe Rabinowitz — April 15, 2024

American Blues Theater will present the 2024 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating the company’s history and artistry.

City Lit Theater Reveals 2024-25 Season Programming

by Stephi Wild — March 4, 2024

City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season, the company’s 44th.

American Blues Theater To Produce THE RECLAMATION OF MADISON HEMINGS In Its New Home

by Chloe Rabinowitz — February 2, 2024

American Blues Theater presents the Chicago premiere of 'The Reclamation of Madison Hemings' by Charles Smith, directed by Chuck Smith.

American Blues Theater Launches The Commons Series With UHURU

by Stephi Wild — January 16, 2024

American Blues Theater launches The Commons, a new, monthly community event initiative, with a reading of Gloria Majule’s Uhuru, directed by Ensemble Member Manny Buckley.

American Blues Theater Will Open New Home With IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIFE IN CHICAGO!

by Stephi Wild — October 26, 2023

American Blues Theater announces its 22nd Annual Production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra’s film and directed by Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler.

PlayGround-Chicago Season 2 Monday Night PlayGround Blasts Off Next Month with ORIGIN STORY

by Blair Ingenthron — September 24, 2023

Join PlayGround-Chicago for the start of their 2nd season with the Monday Night PlayGround series, featuring original short plays inspired by the prompt 'Origin Story.

American Blues Theater Celebrates Kristoffer Diaz, Winner of 2023 Blue Ink Festival of New Plays

by Chloe Rabinowitz — August 18, 2023

Discover the talented playwright, Kristoffer Diaz, as he is honored as the winner of the 2023 Blue Ink Festival of New Plays by American Blues Theater.

American Blues Theater Hosts the 2023 Blue Ink Festival of New Plays in August

by Stephi Wild — August 2, 2023

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents the 2023 Blue Ink Festival of new plays, featuring four staged readings of works by the 2023 Blue Ink Award winner and featured finalists.