PicksInSix Review: It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
A TONIC…THAT GOES DOWN EASY!
Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton
Versatility. This writer asks you to hold this idea close; it is an important piece of the production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” The fine American Blues Theater presents their annual Christmas tribute at Victory Gardens Theater through New Year’s Eve. And it’s directed with a deft eye and high respect for the Frank Capra material by ABT artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is presented here in a live radio format, complete with Foley artist Shawn J. Goudie doing all the sounds of the story you can recall—cars running away, babies crying, whistles blowing, on and on. And Mr. Goudie is really fun to watch. The audience is also treated to a special kind of warmup entertainment, complete with requested “audiograms” from the cast that were read at commercial breaks throughout the evening.
Versatility…Commercials for local products and events and music of the holiday season—even a brief audience singalong—are arranged and lead by the endlessly talented Michael Mahler, who also plays a gruff Sam Wainwright as well as the WABT station announcer. And Mr. Gower, the druggist. And as the general emcee for the festivities. Singing those holiday songs at various times throughout the production, the entire cast jumps, hearts first, into the preshow and then the story itself.
Dara Cameron shares that versatility in eloquent droves by playing George Bailey’s friend Violet Bick…and a couple of Bailey children…and various and sundry citizens of Bedford Falls. Joe Dempsey surely shows it in stark, energetic portrayals of both Clarence, the Bailey guardian angel wanting to get his wings, and Mr. Potter, the American Scrooge character who can’t wait to get his hands on the Bailey Building and Loan.
Versatility…The elegant Audrey Billings lends her own tender touch as both Bailey women—Mary Bailey, whose unending support for her husband set the tone for family unity, and Ma Bailey, the matriarch who quietly points George in the right direction. A wonderful new face to me, Yuchi Chiu, plays both Harry Bailey, George’s brother, and shares duties with Mr. Mahler in their brief turns as Ernie the cabbie and Bert the cop.
Manny Buckley brings his with emotion and awareness as Joseph, the angel-in-charge, and Uncle Billy, the loving and befuddled one. And then, at last, there’s the strong, heartfelt Brandon Dahlquist offering as George. Both these men jump in hard in their exchange about lost money, which allows the joy at the end of the performance to be that much more touching. Honestly, it’s a great deal of fun and love that American Blues Theater shares with Chicago each year at Christmas. I may go again…a tonic for all we’ve been through that goes down easy. Cheers, ABT!
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | RONALD KEATON received an Equity Jeff Award for the performance of his one-man show CHURCHILL www.solochicagotheatre.com
PHOTO | Michael Brosilow
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER
presents
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
Victory Gardens Theater
2433 N Lincoln Ave
through December 31, 2021
WEBSITE
TICKETS
(773) 871-3000
PODCAST: 2016 Conversation with Gwendolyn Whiteside and Shawn Goudie
For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago
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