Archive review: This review covers American Blues Theater’s 2009 production of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, which opened its 2009–2010 season and ran through Dec. 27, 2009. For current dates and tickets, see our Chicago holiday shows guide.
Based on the Frank Capra film
Directed by Marty Higginbotham
Produced by American Blues Theater
At the Biograph Theater
Sweet live radio production captures the humanity of George Bailey
The American Blues Theater kicks off its 2009-2010 season with a fresh remounting of their 2004 radio play adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life. We are taken back to a radio studio in 1944 to witness a radio play performed live complete with a Christmas sing-along audience warm-up and commercial breaks. Under Marty Higginbotham’s energetic direction, the live radio format is a pleasing experience as we see and hear the nine-member cast deftly create multiple voices and personae to recreate the classic holiday story.
This heartwarming story works quite well on stage for several reasons: the cast of nine (Ashley Bishop, Andrew Carter, Austin Cook, Shawn J. Goudie, Gary Houston, Kevin Kelly, Ed Kross, John Mohrlein and Gwendolyn Whiteside) were dedicated to the production. The inclusion of an announcer audience warm-up led by Ed Kross and Ashley Bishop quickly got the audience involved. The cute commercial jingles and the clever video projections (by Bobby Richards) added depth to the show. Shawn Goudie’s spot-on Foley Art (sound effects) was interesting to hear (and see).
The cast effectively created the spirit of Capra’s story of a good man’s life. John Mohrlein’s Clarence and Mr. Potter along with Gary Houston’s Uncle Billy were most effective. But the production hinges on the work of Kevin Kelly playing George Bailey. Kelly’s performance was terrific as he captured George’s personality and basic goodness together with George’s temper, his devotion to the community and his sacrificing nature. Kelly reaches deep emotional truths seldom seen in those playing George Bailey. Add the fine work from Ashley Bishop, Andrew Carter and Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life is first-class holiday fare. I’d add this show to your Christmas list—it is a heartwarming ode to the spirit of humanity. We need more George Baileys in the world.
Recommended
Tom Williams
American Blues Theater‘s production ran through Dec. 27, 2009, at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Running time was 90 minutes without intermission.
More ChicagoCritic reviews of American Blues Theater’s It’s a Wonderful Life: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015