American Blues Theater presents a live radio-style performance of Frank Capra’s holiday masterpiece on stage at Greenhouse Theater Center and Goldstar has discount tickets to performances throughout December (some are already sold out!). This has been a holiday tradition in Chicago since 2002, and this year’s performance once again features the original director and ensemble that have warmed hearts for many holiday seasons. Complete with live sound effects, an original score and a cast of eight wonderful actors who bring the typical small town of Bedford Falls to life , It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! recreates a ’40s-era radio broadcast of the heartwarming tale of troubled George Bailey’s Christmas Eve journey through his life history. The production includes holiday carols, live commercials from actual local sponsors, telegrams from the audience read onstage and a “Soldier Spotlight,” which honors one serviceman or servicewoman during each performance. After the show, the entire audience is invited to join the cast and crew for milk and cookies.
We’ve seen this performed as a radio play at Wheaton Drama for the past few years and it’s always a kick (although I have to admit…i really can’t stand the sickeningly-sweet movie).
