2 American Blues Theater 3It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
presents
from the Frank Capra movie It’s a Wonderful Life
based on the Philip Van Doren Stern story The Greatest Gift
directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside*
music directed by Michael Mahler*^
Scenic Design …............................................................................ Grant Sabin*, U.S.A.
Lighting Design .................................................................................... Jared Gooding*
Costume Design …..................................................................... Christopher J. Neville*
Original Score …....................................................................................... Austin Cook*
Jingle Composer …........................................................................... Michael Mahler*^
Sound Design …................................................................................. Rick Sims*, U.S.A.
Set Dressing & Properties Design ............................................................. Elyse Dolan*
Stage Manager .............................................................................. Shandee Vaughan*^
*Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater
^Member of Actors’ Equity Association
NOVEMBER 12, 2020 - JANUARY 2, 2021
Opening Night: November 19, 2020
Over 60,000 patrons have enjoyed our holiday classic since 2002. The American Blues Theater Ensemble performed It’s a
Wonderful Life as a radio play at Chicago venues and events, including American Theatre Company, Theater on the Lake,
Mrs. Murphy’s Bistro, Logan Square (2002-2008); Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre (2009-2012); Greenhouse Theater
Center (2013-2016); Stage 773 (2017-2019); and Zoom (2020).
American Blues Theater is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group, Inc –
the national organization for nonprofit professional theaters, the League of Chicago Theaters,
Arts Alliance Illinois, and Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
American Blues Theater operates under agreements between Producers’ Association of Chicago Area Theatres, Actors’
Equity Association – the union of professional actors and stage managers, Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, and
United Scenic Artists of America, Local 829 – AFL-CIO.
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to the 19th anniversary of our holiday tradition It’s a
Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! Frank Capra’s story resonates
with audiences as strongly today as its 1947 premiere. Likewise,
our staged production draws passionate returning patrons and
creates new fans annually. Over the years, we’ve delighted
60,000+ people and featured the work of over 30 Ensemble
members and Artistic Affiliates.
The story’s themes are timeless and universal. It’s both heartbreaking and
heartwarming we need and seek these annual reminders - to value kindness, to
support our communities, to uplift others, to caution against greed, and to protect
those struggling with despair.
This story reminds us of the fragility of life. Capra’s brilliant sentiment – “Each man’s
life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole,
doesn’t he?” – hits our souls deeper this year as we grapple with a global pandemic.
With so much loss and disorder around us, we must search harder to find hope and
our center.
This story can not be presented in-person this year. You can’t pass through the
theater’s threshold and transport back to the ‘40s. Regardless, patrons and artists
strongly urged us to present the story as we could.
So, you are invited into our homes – like a member of our Blues family. You
will hear the story of Everyman George Bailey live each performance, crackling
with ephemeral energy and mediocre internet connectivity. You will watch our
extraordinary artists create characters that may offer comfort and may randomly
freeze on screen. You will be given the opportunity to engage and interact with
our intimate community in the only way we could imagine right now. Your gracious
spirits and open hearts are equally important to this Chicago tradition. Your
presence is a gift to the Blues family.
Remember, no one is a failure who has friends.
-Gwendolyn Whiteside
4 American Blues Theater 5It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
SPECIAL THANKS
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
SUPPORTERS
Mary Bailey ………………………................................................................. Audrey Billings^
Joseph ………………............................................................................... Manny Buckley*^
Violet ……...............................................................................…………… Dara Cameron*^
Harry ………………................................................................................. Ian Paul Custer*^
George Bailey ….......................................................................……. Brandon Dahlquist^
Foley …............................................................................………………… Shawn J. Goudie*
Announcer/Pianist …....................................................................….. Michael Mahler*^
Clarence/Mr. Potter …................................................................………. John Mohrlein*^
* Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater
^ Member of Actors’ Equity Association
The taking of photographs and the use of any type of recording during the
performance is not allowed and is a violation of state and federal copyright laws.
SETTING
COMMUNITY SERVICE
1944. A broadcast from the homes of members of the WABT Studio in Chicago.
The performance runs 80 minutes with no intermission.
American Blues Theater believes it is an honor and duty to serve our community.
We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations’ great causes through
creative collaborations. For It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, we honor one
healthcare service worker per performance with a “Healthcare Hero” tribute. We
proudly partner with NAMI Chicago, USO, and U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs. We
offer complimentary tickets to CPS teachers, the American Foundation of Suicide
Prevention (IL chapter), and American Indian Center.
We give our deepest thanks to the biggest Hoosier fans, Paula Conrad, Marty
Higginbotham, Michael Levinson, Queen of Hearts, and X-Man.
American Blues Theater is supported in part by The Davee Foundation, The
MacArthur Funds for Arts & Culture at Prince, the Shubert Foundation, The Chicago
Community Trust, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley
Foundation, IL Arts Council Agency, DCASE, Anixter Foundation, Actors’ Equity
Foundation, Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation, and the Chip Pringle Fund.
Major Production Sponsors
ComEd, Kimberlee Herold, Burt & Sheli Rosenberg, and Seyfarth LLP
Endowment by Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee General Operation Support Fund
To make a donation or legacy gift, contact Director of Development Sarajane Johnson
-SarajaneJ@AmericanBluesTheater.com or call (773) 654-3103
"All you can take with you is that which you've given away."
6 American Blues Theater 7It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
AUDREY BILLINGS
(Mary Bailey) is
delighted to be
making her American
Blues debut! She
was most recently
seen as Christmas
Eve in the long-
running production of Avenue Q at the
Mercury Theater. Other favorite roles
include: Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ
Superstar, Antonia in Man of la Mancha,
and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. She
has worked at the Paramount Theatre,
Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Drury
Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center,
Lookingglass Theatre Company and
is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.
Grateful to be spending the holidays
with this beautiful show, and looking
to the day when we’re all in a room
together again. Much love to Nick and
Murphy.
MANNY BUCKLEY
(Joseph) is a proud
ensemble member
of American Blues
Theater. Blues
credits include Six
Corners, Looking
Over the President’s
Shoulder (Jeff Award Nomination-Best
Solo Performance), and Dutchman/
TRANSit (Black Theatre Alliance
Award Nomination). Manny toured
nationally as “Satchel Paige” in the
original production of The Satchel Paige
Story, and appeared in The Father
(Helen Hayes Award Nomination) at
Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. He
originated the role of “Carson” in Hit
the Wall, which sold out extensions
Conservatory Theatre); Shakespeare
in Love, Rhinoceros, 1776 (Asolo
Repertory); 12 Angry Men (Maltz Jupiter
Theater); Dogfight, City of Angels (San
Francisco Playhouse); Sunday…George,
Murder on the Nile, Lombardi (Peninsula
Players) Chicago: Secret of My Success
(Paramount Theatre), Miracle the
Musical (Royal George Theater), A
Little Night Music, Arcadia, Oh Coward!
(Writers Theatre); Cabaret, Meet Me in
St. Louis, Sugar (Drury Lane Oakbrook);
It’s a Wonderful Life (American
Blues Theater); Assassins, Sunday…
George, Best Musical! (Porchlight
Music Theater) On Camera: Difficult
People (Hulu), Chicago P.D (NBC). A
popular photographer, Dahlquist is on
social @ IG:@thats_on_brandon & @
BrandonDahlquistPhotography. For
Mutti & Mom
SHAWN J. GOUDIE
(Foley) is a proud
Artistic Affiliate of
American Blues
Theater. He is excited
to be returning for his
twelfth season of It’s
a Wonderful Life: Live
in Chicago. He is so happy to be able
to share this beautiful story during this
time. Shawn is also a founding member
of The Dolphins of Damnation sketch
comedy group and a Stormtrooper in
the 501st Legion. He would like to thank
his amazing wife, their endlessly curious
children, and his loving parents.
PROFILES PROFILES
in Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep. Select
Chicago credits include The Brothers
Size, 1984, and Of Mice and Men
(Steppenwolf); Dorian (House Theater);
In the Heat of the Night (Shattered
Globe Theater); Southbridge (Chicago
Dramatists); and Love’s Labor’s Lost
(Chicago Shakespeare Theatre). Mr.
Buckley is the recipient of a Black
Theatre Alliance, and Black Excellence
Award. Film credits: Proven Innocent,
Chicago Fire, and Mrs. Stevens Hears the
Mermaids Singing.
DARA CAMERON
(Violet) is a proud
Ensemble member
of American Blues
Theater and is
grateful to be
performing with
WABT for her eighth
holiday season. Favorite credits include
The Spitfire Grill (Jeff nomination) and
Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues
Theater); Old Jews Telling Jokes (Royal
George and Off-Broadway); The Secret
of My Success (Paramount Theatre); Elf,
Hero (Jeff nomination), South Pacific,
October Sky, Sister Act, City of Angels,
Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on
the Roof (Marriott Theatre); Addams
Family (Mercury Theater); Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels (Theatre at the Center);
and Sunset Boulevard, Seussical, and
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Drury
Lane Theatre). She is a graduate of
Northwestern University and a member
of Actors’ Equity. She is married to actor
Michael Mahler, and when they aren’t
Zooming together from their basement,
they are busy chasing after their stinker
of a toddler, Ezra!
IAN PAUL CUSTER
(Harry) is a proud
Ensemble member
of American Blues
Theater. American
Blues credits: The
Spitfire Grill, Buddy
– The Buddy Holly
Story (Jeff Award – Best Ensemble, Best
Musical), Little Shop of Horrors, It’s a
Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, and
Yankee Tavern. Chicago credits: Bad Jews
(Theater Wit, North Shore Center, Royal
George Theatre); 33 Variations (Jeff
Award – Best Production), To Master
The Art (TimeLine Theatre/Broadway
Playhouse); Annie Bosh is Missing
(Steppenwolf Theatre); High Holidays
(Goodman Theatre); The Watson’s Go To
Birmingham: 1963 (Chicago Children’s
Theatre); Princess and the Pea (Marriott
Theatre); and Fiddler on the Roof
(Paramount Theatre). Regional credits:
Hero (Asolo Rep), Cymbeline (Notre
Dame Shakespeare), and Peter Pan (360
Entertainment – London, England).
Television credits: APB, Empire, Chicago
Fire, and Chicago PD. Ian is a graduate of
The Theatre School at DePaul University
and is represented by Gray Talent
Group. Love to Shannon.
BRANDON
DAHLQUIST (George
Bailey) is happy to
return to Bedford
Falls for his fourth
season. Broadway:
Bronx Bombers;
Regional: As You
Like It (Guthrie Theater); The Glass
Menagerie (Milwaukee Repertory);
A Little Night Music, 1776 (American
8 American Blues Theater 9It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
PROFILES PROFILES
JOHN MOHRLEIN
(Clarence/Mr.
Potter) is a proud
Ensemble member
of American Blues
Theater. 19 years
as “Clarence/Mr.
Potter,” and he loves
getting to revisit and reinvent these
characters year after year. At American
Blues, he’s appeared in Half of Plenty,
It’s a Wonderful Life, A View from the
Bridge, Strictly Dishonorable, American
Dead, The Hairy Ape, A Lie of the Mind,
Endgame, American Buffalo, The Skin
of Our Teeth, The Threepenny Opera, A
Stone Carver (Jeff nomination for Best
Actor, After Dark Award for Outstanding
Performance); and directed Catch-22.
Other credits: The Glass House at the Art
Institute of Chicago; nine productions
at Goodman Theatre; and The Cripple
of Inishmaan, Heart of a Dog, and
Murder of Cardinal Tosca at Northlight
Theatre. His extensive television and
film work includes Golden Boy, Good
Night Sweet Wife, Dillinger, Killing Floor,
Early Edition, Crime Story (recurring
role), Untouchables, Devil’s Dominoes,
Stranger Than Fiction, No Place to be
Somebody, Hellcab, Hero, and Cold
Justice. Now he’s developing Star
Crossed Lovers, Pope Frank in Venice,
and Glass House, while continuing to
install his art works.
GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE (Artistic
Director/Director) is a proud Ensemble
member of American Blues Theater
and has served as Artistic Director
since 2010, overseeing and producing
40 productions (28 unique mainstage
shows and 12 years of It’s a Wonderful
Life: Live in Chicago!). In 10 seasons,
14 productions received Jeff Awards
or nominations for outstanding play,
musical, or solo performance. She
created the nationally-recognized Blue
Ink Playwriting Award, implemented
community service into the company’s
mission, and adapted the arts education
program The Lincoln Project for Chicago
Public Schools serving nearly 4,000
students annually during a traditional
school year. Whiteside served on
numerous panels for the National
Endowment for the Arts and sat on
the Board of Directors for Network
of Ensemble Theaters and League of
Chicago Theatres. She’s a graduate of
Northwestern University, The School of
the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), and
a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit
management (Kellogg School of
Management, Northwestern University).
As an actress, she’s received 5 Joseph
Jefferson Awards, Citations, and
nominations; 2 After Dark Awards; and 1
Broadway World Chicago Award.
GRANT SABIN (Scenic Design) is a proud
Artistic Affiliate of American Blues
Theater. He’s excited to be back with
the It’s A Wonderful Life team for his
11th year. A native of rural Illinois, Grant
blends his rural roots with urban art.
He’s a recipient of the 2015 Michael
Maggio Emerging Designer Award. He
is known throughout Chicago for his
keen eye in capturing atmospheric detail
and his ability to design “impressively
executed sets” on a storefront-
theater budget. His designs have been
seen at Northlight, Victory Garden,
Steppenwolf, Next, The Royal George,
McCarter Theater NJ, Overture Center
WI, Theatre Wit, Gallagher Bluedorn IA,
American Blues, ATC, The House, The
Hypocrites, Christina Isabelle Dance, The
Seldoms Dance, and A Red Orchid. He
was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson
award for his designs of American Blues
Theater’s Yankee Tavern, A Red Orchid’s
production of The Sea Horse, and Dog
& Pony’s production of Mr. Marmalade.
He was recently named one of the Top
50 Players in Chicago Theatre by New
City Magazine. Grant is currently a
full-time faculty member at Columbia
College Chicago.
CHRISTOPHER J. NEVILLE (Costume
Design) is a proud Ensemble member
of American Blues Theater. He is elated
to be back this holiday at our virtual
Bedford Falls. Previous Blues costume
designs include Hank Williams: Lost
Highway (assistant), The Rainmaker,
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!,
Looking Over the President’s Shoulder,
Dutchman/TRANSit, and The Columnist.
Christopher stitched and assistant
designed at Victory Gardens Theater,
Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago
Opera Theater, Theatre at the Center,
and Signal Ensemble Theatre.
MICHAEL MAHLER
(Announcer/Pianst/
Music Director/
Jingle Composer) is
a proud Ensemble
member of American
Blues Theater and
is happy to return
to Bedford Falls for the ninth time as
an actor, tenth time as music director/
jinglesmith(!!!). He was previously seen
at Blues in Buddy – The Buddy Holly
Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Side Man,
and Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Other
recent acting credits include Into the
Woods (Writers Theatre); Holiday Inn
and Honeymoon in Vegas (Marriott
Theatre). Michael’s original musical
adaptation of Secret of My Success
(Universal) premiered at the Paramount
Theatre this past February. Other works
include Miracle, Diary of a Wimpy Kid,
October Sky, Hero, Wonderland: Alice’s
Rock & Roll Adventure, Something in
the Game, and How Can You Run with
a Shell on Your Back? Michael recently
contributed additional lyrics to Cameron
Mackintosh’s Broadway revival of Miss
Saigon. He is grateful to be hunkered
down for the holidays with wife Dara
Cameron and son Ezra.
10 American Blues Theater 11It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
PROFILES PROFILES
ELYSE DOLAN (Set Dressing/Properties
Design) is a proud Ensemble member
of American Blues Theater where she is
also the Associate Producer. Outside of
her enthusiasm for decorating Christmas
trees, she’s primarily a Director. Here
at Blues she has directed several short
plays in past Ripped festivals, staged
readings in the annual Blue Ink Festival,
and has been Assistant Director on a
handful shows including Six Corners and
Little Shop of Horrors. Most recently,
she directed If/Then at Brown Paper
Box Co., and she was directing Nine at
Blank Theatre Company at the time of
the pandemic shut-down. Her directing
work has been seen across Chicago at
The New Colony, Broken Nose Theatre,
Prop Thtr, Commission Theatre, Babes
with Blades, 20% Theatre Company, and
more. Elyse holds a B.A. from Denison
University.
RICK SIMS (Sound Design) is a
proud Artistic Affiliate of American
Blues Theater. He has composed
and designed sound for numerous
Chicago-area theaters, including
Tour. Austin’s most recently produced
album Broadway Lullabies features
lullaby arrangements of Broadway hits
sung by Broadway stars. Broadway
Lullabies is now streaming on all of your
favorite platforms.
SHANDEE VAUGHAN (Production Stage
Manager/Production Manager) is a
proud Artistic Affiliate of American
Blues Theater and is excited to be back
with her family for It’s a Wonderful
Life: Live in Chicago. Blues credits:
Roan @ the Gates, Five Presidents, The
Spitfire Grill, The Absolute Brightness of
Leonard Pelkey, On Clover Road, It’s a
Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2016,
2018-2019), Flyin’ West, Buddy – The
Buddy Holly Story, The Columnist, and
Little Shop of Horrors. Other recent
Chicago credits include Time Is On Our
Side (About Face Theatre); Deathscribe
X, Night in Alachua County, and The
Woman in Black (WildClaw Theatre).
Shandee is a freelance stage manager
and production manager from Arizona.
shandeevaughan.com
JARED GOODING (Lighting Design) is a
proud Ensemble member of American
Blues Theater. This is Jared’s first time
working on It’s a Wonderful Life: Live
in Chicago! with Blues. His design
credits include designs for Writers
Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater,
Victory Gardens Theater, Timeline
Theater, Madison Children’s Theater,
University of Illinois Chicago Theatre,
University of Indiana Northwest, Remy
Bumpo Theater, Strawdog Theater, The
Hypocrites, Definition Theater, Windy
City Playhouse, Sideshow Theatre,
Jackalope Theatre, First Floor Theater,
About Face Theatre, MPAACT, Pegasus
Theatre, Next Theatre, Congo Square,
Citadel Theatre, ETA, and Fleetwood
Jourdain Theatre. He also served as
the Lighting Assistant for The Wiz
Live on NBC along with Associate
Designing for Lookingglass Theater’s
tour of Lookingglass Alice in Miami and
Denver. He is also a company member
with MPACCT. His work is featured at
goodingdesigns.com.
Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass
Theatre Company, American Blues
Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Writers
Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin
Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre,
The Hypocrites, House Theatre of
Chicago, Court Theatre, American
Theater Company, Victory Gardens
Theater, Raven Theatre, Steep Theatre,
Northlight Theatre, and About Face
Theatre. His additional credits include
The Getty, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre,
Arden Theatre Company, Playwrights
Horizons, Actors Theatre of Louisville,
and Portland Playhouse. Rick won Jeff
Awards for Sound Design for Moby
Dick and Hepheastus (Lookingglass
Theatre Company), a Black Theatre
Alliance Award for Brothers in the
Dust (Congo Square Theatre), and has
received several nominations for both
awards. Rick also wrote the book,
music, and lyrics for Hillbilly Antigone at
Lookingglass Theatre Company, where
he is an Artistic Associate.
AUSTIN COOK (Score Composer) is a
proud Ensemble member of American
Blues Theater. Before the Covid-19
shutdown, he served as a sub-conductor
of Hamilton on Broadway, where
previously he held the position of Music
Associate. Before that he served as
music director of the Dear Evan Hansen
12 American Blues Theater 13It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
ABOUT AMERICAN BLUES THEATER
Winner of American Theatre Wing’s prestigious National Theatre Company Award,
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER is a premier arts organization with an intimate environment
that patrons, artists, and all Chicagoans call home. American Blues Theater explores the
American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves. American
Blues Theater follows three guiding values both on and off its stages—to be accessible,
responsible, and true.
We are Chicago’s second-oldest AEA Ensemble theater. As of 2020, our theater and
artists have 221 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in
Chicago theater and 40 Black Theater Alliance Awards. Our artists are honored with
Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards,
and numerous other accolades. Our artists work throughout the nation—including
Broadway and regional theaters—and loyally return to our stage.
For over thirty years, American Blues has created essential productions for Chicago. Our
performances of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! have entertained over 60,000
patrons since 2002! We produce 4-5 mainstage productions annually. We choose
classic American plays and musicals, as well as world and Chicago premieres from
internationally-renowned writers that explore the American identity. We provide a free,
integrated arts education program, The Lincoln Project, to Chicago Public Schools and
the surrounding communities. We serve 4,000 students annually. Our teaching artists
provide mentorship throughout the students’ academic careers.
We are committed to developing new work for the American canon. Our Blueprint
Development program includes commissions, workshops, and staged-readings. Our
world premieres receive multiple productions across the nation. We present the
nationally-recognized Blue Ink Playwriting Award and produce the annual Ripped: The
Living Newspaper Festival of 10-minute plays.
We believe it is an honor and duty to serve our community. We raise awareness of
other non-profit organizations’ commendable causes through creative collaborations.
We hold food drives, distribute promotional materials, offer free post-show discussions,
provide complimentary tickets, honor military personnel, hold exclusive performances
for underserved communities, and raise awareness for children’s surgeries. We donate
proceeds from “Pediatric Previews” to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
American Blues Theater is your Chicago home for bold, exceptional, relevant
performances. Your ticket purchases and donations help us make Chicago the first city
in all our hearts.
“Feels like home.” – The Wall Street Journal
“One of our favorites in Chicago!” – WGN
“Ensemble founded one of Chicago’s most venerable off-loop theaters.” – Chicago Tribune
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER ENSEMBLE
Dawn Bach
Matthew Brumlow
Manny Buckley
Dara Cameron
Casey Campbell
Darren Canady
Austin Cook
Ian Paul Custer
Elyse Dolan
Joe Foust
Jared Gooding
Marty Higginbotham
Philip Earl Johnson
Lindsay Jones
Steve Key
Ed Kross
Warren Levon
Michael Mahler
Heather Meyers
John Mohrlein
Christopher Neville
Suzy Petri
Carmen Roman
Editha Rosario
Chuck Smith
Wandachristine
Wendy Whiteside
Emeritus
Rick Cleveland
Dennis Cockrum
Lauri Dahl
Kevin Kelly
James Leaming
William Payne
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manny Buckley
Phil Calian, Vice President
David Coffin, Secretary
Kimberlee Herold, Vice
President
Keith Karlson, President
Michael Levinson,
Treasurer
Rama Ranganathan
Editha Rosario
Burt X. Rosenberg,
Lifetime Director
Kathy Smith
Michael Weatherspoon
Wendy Whiteside
Chip Pringle, In
Memoriam
ARTISTIC AFFILIATES
Simone Allen
Eric Backus
Dana Black
Ada Cheng
Joe Dempsey
Paul Deziel
Tom Geraty
Shawn Goudie
Zach Kenney
Cisco Lopez
Mary O’Dowd
Manny Ortiz
Cara Parrish
Alexander Ridgers
Camille Robinson
Eileen Rozycki
Grant Sabin
Richard Shavzin
Rick Sims
Jessica (Grace) Smith
Zachary Stevenson
James Still
Christina Telesca
Michael Trudeau
Denzel Tsopnang
Shandee Vaughan
Lily Walls
If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors at American Blues Theater,
please call 773.654.3103.
14 American Blues Theater 15It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
YOUNG AMERICANS BOARD
STAFF
Audrey Billings
Dara Cameron
Elyse Dolan
Jason Krumwlede
Megan Robertson
Jessica (Grace) Smith
Sydney Smith
Michael Trudeau
Shandee Vaughan
If you are interested in joining the Young Americans Board at American Blues
Theater, please call 773.654.3103.
ARTISTIC
Artistic Director
Gwendolyn Whiteside
Associate Producer
Elyse Dolan
Artistic Programming
Support
Heather Meyers
Teaching Artists
Leah Barsanti
Jerome Beck
Brandon Boler
Manny Buckley
Kevin Duvall
Robert N. Isaac
Erin Island
Wyatt Kent
Sharon Krome
Emma Leff
Kate Leslie
Carolyn Minor
Kevin Minor
Scott Sawa
ADMINISTRATION
Director of Development
Sarajane Johnson
Director of Patron
Services
Suzy Roberston
Human Resources
Coordinator
Cara Parrish
Finance Manager
Dan Thomas
Illinois NFP Audit & Tax,
LLP
Abdullah Khan
Alfredo Rodriguez, Jr
PRODUCTION
Production Manager
Shandee Vaughan
Technical Director
Manuel Ortiz
Master Electrician
Rachel West
Resident Scenic Painter
Eileen Rozycki
Resident Properties
Designer
Mary O’Dowd
Resident Intimacy
Designer
Charlie Baker
PR, MARKETING, DESIGN
Director of Marketing &
Communications
Francisco Lopez
Public Relations
Cathy Taylor
Photography
Michael Brosilow
Video/Media
The Stage Channel
Web Design &
Development
Heron Oak
Graphic Design
Natalie Bontumasi
Sam McCay
DONOR RECOGNITION | JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020
CORPORATE,
FOUNDATIONS,
GOVERNMENTAL
GRANTS
Actors Equity Foundation
American Theatre Wing
Paul M. Angell Family
Foundation
Anixter Foundation
Bank of America
Foundation
Elizabeth F. Cheney
Foundation
City of Chicago Dept.
of Cultural Affairs and
Special Events
Commonwealth Edison
The Davee Foundation
Gaylord and Dorothy
Donnelley Foundation
Exelon Foundation
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Karlson Garza LLC
Illinois Arts Council
Agency
MacArthur Fund for
Culture, Equity, and the
Arts at Prince
The Northern Trust
Company
Benjamin Rosenthal
Foundation
The Saints
The Seabury Foundation
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
The Shubert Foundation
United Way of Metro
Chicago
Robert A. White Trust
We are honored to recognize the following contributors who enable American Blues
Theater’s artistic programming and community service. This list includes donations
from our True Blue Annual Fund, GutterBall, Blue Bash, production sponsors, and
other contributions given from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.
$25,000 and above
The Davee Foundation
Kimberlee Herold
MacArthur Fund for
Culture, Equity, and the
Arts at Prince
Burt and Sheli Rosenberg
The Shubert Foundation
$15,000 - $24,999
Anonymous
Commonwealth Edison
Illinois Arts Council
Agency
The Northern Trust
Company
Paul M. Angell Family
Foundation
$7,500 - $14,999
Phil and Jill Calian
Gaylord and Dorothy
Donnelley Foundation
The Seabury Foundation
Wendy Whiteside and Ian
Van Handel
$5,000 - $7,499
City of Chicago Dept.
of Cultural Affairs and
Special Events
Elizabeth F. Cheney
Foundation
Brenda and James
Grusecki
Michael and Cara
Levinson
Rama Ranganathan
Seyfarth LLP
Kathy Smith
Robert A. White Trust
$2,500 - $4,999
Anixter Foundation
Anonymous
David and Sissy Coffin
Jim and Lori Hock
Keith and Erica Karlson
Leonard X. and Arlene
Rosenberg
Kerry Straub and Neil
O’Callaghan
Barbara and Randy
Thomas
$1,000 - $2,499
American Theatre Wing
Anonymous
Bank of America
Foundation
Heather Barnfield
Benjamin Rosenthal
Foundation
Marcy and Greg Carlin
Dan and Julie Collins
16 American Blues Theater 17It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
DONOR RECOGNITION
Chris Johnson Gordon
and Scott Gordon
Craig and Linda Grannon
Sarajane Johnson
Karlson Garza LLC
Laura and Leonard
Loventhal
Patrick and Cynthia
Murray
Tana and Kevin Reich
Benjamin Rosenthal
Foundation
David and Libby Savner
Jai Shekhawat
Darrel and Shirley
Whiteside
Alan Zunamon and Nancy
Cunniff
$500 - $999
Actors Equity Foundation
Peter and Bari Amadio
Larry Brandenburg
Tyson Carter and Sarah
Nowak
Tim Cunniff
J.A. Friedman
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Mary and Michael
Goodkind
Jim Moles
Jim Robinson
Frank Talaga
Stephen Wanaski
$250 - $499
Anonymous
Richard Blass
Manny Buckley and
Steven P. Wroten
Michael Budzik
Dennis Carlin
Elyse Dolan and Will
Brackenbury
John Falduto
Michael and Mona Heath
Jeffrey Jahns
Philip Earl Johnson
James Joseph
Katey Key and Philip
Desforges
Jean Klingenstein
Therese Lysaught
Michael Mahler and Dara
Cameron
Anne and Keith Moffat
Cary Morgen
Jill O’Brien
Nancy and Gary Prior
Editha Rosario and Alexis
Moore
The Saints
LaBonney Taylor
Aris Theologis
United Way of Metro
Chicago
Ann Whitney
Sue Wilde
Tilly Wilhoite
$100 - $249
Jonathan Abarbanel
David Adams
Anonymous
Aron Bloch
James and Sandra Boves
Jason Brett
Kerry Bryson
Joseph Burns
Thomas and Meg Claggett
Rick Cleveland
Dennis Cockrum
Jeannette Cole
Mike Colky
Austin Cook
Bruce Coughlin
Catherine Daniels
Sue and Don Danner
Gary and Janet Davis
Sue and Clark Davoust
Joe and Paula Dempsey
Mary Dempsey
Leonora Dickson
Richard Dowd
Douglas Dowden
Rita Dragonette
Exelon Foundation
Joe Foust
Tom and Kate Geraty
Jared Gooding
Mary Jo Griesenauer
Carole Griggs
Joe Hartness and Troy
Baresel
Marty Higginbotham and
Ashley Bishop
Philip and Sandra Johnson
Jamie Pachino and
Lindsay Jones
Kevin and Cathy Kelly
Julie Koerner
Jason Krumwiede
Susan Leith
Larry Levin
Larry Long
Andrea McNaughton and
Thaddaeus Smith
April Meyers
Heather Meyers and
Roger Grum
John Mohrlein
Kimberly Mosberg
Michael Mulcahey
David and Agnes
Murdoch
Megan Murray
Donald Newsom
John O’Malley
DONOR RECOGNITION
TRUE BLUE FUND (JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020)
David Palmer
Suzy Petri and Robert
Breuler
Merril Prager and John
Levine
Glen Prezembel
Rodney Quainton
Diane Rener
Helen Rigby
Suzy and Tim Robertson
Cindi Roeters
Melissa Roeters
David and Stacey Ross
Roche Schulfer and Mary
Beth Fisher
Thomas L. Seal
Estelle Spector
Audrey and Nicholas
Stone
Lois Trautvetter
Wandachristine
Tom Yocky and Kathryn
Simon
American Blues Theater is grateful for every contribution. We regret that due to
space limitations we are unable to list donations under $99. Please accept our
deepest appreciation as your donation makes a difference!
We make every effort to keep this list as accurate and complete as possible. Please
contact us at info@AmericanBluesTheater.com to correct any unintentional errors
or omissions.
Jonathan Abarbanel
Peter and Bari Amadio
Lee Ayers
Heather Barnfield
Dorothy Barry
Larry Brandenburg
Matthew Brumlow and
Cora Vander Broek
Clary Butler
Dennis Carlin
Marcy and Greg Carlin
Craig and Karen Carothers
Thomas and Meg Claggett
David and Sissy Coffin
Mike Colky
Joe and Paula Dempsey
Rita Dragonette
Deanna Dunagan
Arlene and Bill Flynn
Donald Fowler
J.A. Friedman
Brenda and James
Grusecki
Susan Haimes
Alvin Hawkins
Kimberlee Herold
Lois and Jim Hobart
Jim and Lori Hock
Sarajane Johnson
Norma and Glen Kanwit
Mike and Trudy Kelly
Andrea McNaughton
Anne and Keith Moffat
Christopher and Ann
Motogawa
David and Agnes
Murdoch
Mila Novak
Anthony Pellegrino
Nancy and Gary Prior
Marge Punter
Ben and Nancy Randall
Irene and Shelly Reitman
Burton X. and Sheli
Rosenberg
Leonard X. and Arlene
Rosenberg
Sarah E. Ross
Marcy Rumsfeld
David and Libby Savner
Bette Schoenholtz
Roche Schulfer and Mary
Beth Fisher
Carol Senderowitz
David and Carol Stone
Kerry Straub and Neil
O’Callaghan
Carole Trotter
Sabina and Jim Vincze
Patricia Walsh
Ann Whitney
Tom Yocky and Kathryn
Simon
Charlotte Ziporyn
18 American Blues Theater 19It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
IN KIND (JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020) IN KIND (JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020)
A Red Orchid Theatre
Ashland Addison Florist
Lee Ayers
Dawn Bach
Eric Backus
Heather Barnfield
Ed Blatchford
Blue Man Group
BOKA Restaurant Group
Manny Buckley
Dara Cameron
Greg Carlin
Tyson Carter
CH Distillery
Chicago Athletic Clubs
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Children’s
Theatre
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Fire Soccer Club
The Chicago Mosaic
School
Chicago Red Stars
Jim Leaming and Carmen
Roman
Lettuce Entertain Your
Restaurants
Lifeline Theatre
Like No Other Beauty
Boutique
Lookingglass Theatre
Company
Loyola University Chicago
Athletics
Lula Café
Lyric Opera of Chicago
MAB Capital
Management
Michael Mahler
Marriott Theatre
Heather Meyers
Anne and Keith Moffat
Tom Morello
Beth Murphy
Murphy’s Rooftop
Company
Music of the Baroque
Christopher J. Neville
New 400 Theater
Northlight Theatre
Chicago Shakespeare
Theater
Chicago Symphony
Orchestra
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Wolves
David and Sissy Coffin
ComEd
Comedy Sportz Theater
Court Theatre
Ian Paul Custer
Dinkel’s Bakery and Café
Elyse Dolan
Drury Lane Theatre
Elmhurst Symphony
Orchestra
Exhale
Fey & Co. Jewelers
First Ascent
First Folio Theatre
Gene Siskel Film Center
Jared Gooding
The Goodman Theatre
Northwestern Athletics
NPR
Old Town School of Folk
Music
Palette & Chisel Academy
of Fine Arts
Paramount Theatre
Peninsula Players
Porchlight Music Theatre
Raven Theatre
Redtwist Theatre
Remy Bumppo Theatre
Company
Revolution Brewing
Rivers Casino
Suzy Robertson
Rock2Gems Jewelry
Burt and Sheli Rosenberg
Leonard X. and Arlene
Rosenberg
Maia Rosenfeld
Larry Schulman
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Shattered Globe Theatre
Shaw’s Crab House
Shedd Aquarium
Shoreline Sightseeing
John and Kathy Goudie
Jaclyn and Shawn Goudie
GT Prime
The Gundis Kurdish
Kitchen
Matt Hafter
Heaven’s Door
Kimberlee Herold
Jim Hock
Hotel Versey
iO Theater
The Joffrey Ballet
Philip Earl Johnson
Rebecca Johnson
Sandy Johnson
Sarajane Johnson
Lindsay Jones
Keith Karlson
Steve Key
KOVAL Distillery
Kubo
Lagunitas
Sam S. Shubert Theatre
Sideshow Theatre
Silver Poplar Studios LLC
Steep Theater
Steppenwolf Theatre
Zachary Stevenson
Kerry Straub
Studio Debonair
StudioUs
Summer House Santa
Monica
Matt Tassone
Ben Thompson
TimeLine Theatre
Untitled Supper Club
Urban Oasis
Ian Van Handel
Victory Gardens Theater
VikArt Beauty
“Wait Wait…Don’t Tell
Me”
WBEZ
Wendy Whiteside
Willamette Valley
Vineyards
Writers Theatre
DIGITAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
To create art in a new digital format, we use equipment and high-speed
internet not available in many Indigenous communities. This technology,
which has now become central to our daily lives, leaves a significant
footprint and contributes to changing climates that disproportionately affect
Indigenous people. As we make use of this digital format, it is imperative that
we recognize the Indigenous Land, regardless of our geographical location.
It is land once occupied and inhabited by hundreds of Native tribes and
stolen from these Indigenous people by European settlers. The genocide and
forced removal of Indigenous people from these lands is a history that must
be acknowledged, and the current struggles of Indigenous people must be
brought to the forefront, so that their plight is never forgotten.
This digital land acknowledgement is inspired by the work of producer and
artist Adrianne Wong.
20 American Blues Theater
American Blues Theater
Administrative Office
4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 221
Chicago, IL 60640
773.654.3103 | AmericanBluesTheater.com
