Oscar winner to perform at American Blues Theater gala

November 4, 3:00 PMChicago Theatre Review ExaminerCatey Sullivan

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Olympia Dukakis 

Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis and Victory   Gardens Artistic Director Dennis Zacek will perform a preview of American Blues Theater’s 2010 show RIPPED: The Living Newspaper Project during ABT’s Nov. 16 gala in the Italian Renaissance-themed rotunda of Bridgeview Bank, 4753 N. Broadway.

“As a long-time friend of ABT ensemble member Carmen Roman, I’ve watched this company continuously produce incredible, groundbreaking work. The 2009/10 season is no exception. I’m honored to be a part of their benefit celebration, and fully support this inspirational Chicago ensemble,” said Dukakis in a prepared statement. Dukakis won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1988, for Moonstrruck.

ABT’s benefit gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. when guests can meet Dukakis at a private reception. At 6:30 p.m., the party proper will start with libations, food, live music and the Ripped preview. In addition to Dukakis and Zacek performing work by Eduardo Machado and Rick Cleveland, the benefit will feature an auction and live music from blues band, The Skirts.

Tickets are $75 ($125 if you want to attend the private reception with Dukakis) For tickets, call 312/725/4ABT or visit americanbluestheater.com.

Founded in 1985, American Blues Theater has produced more than 70 shows, including 40 regional/Chicago and world premieres. That body of work resulted in more than 60 collective Joseph Jefferson nominations, 10 Jeff awards, two Writers Guild awards, four After Dark awards and one Emmy. Ensemble members have been seen in 80 films, 120 television appearances and nine Broadway shows as well as at theaters throughout America.

ABT’s award-winning ensemble-based company open its 24th season under its original name with a symbolic return to its first artistic home, Victory Gardens Theater, for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph! Marty Higginbotham returns to direct a new adaptation of the classic story based on the Frank Capra masterpiece and performed as a period radio piece. It’s a Wonderful Life runs Nov. 27 – Dec. 27 in the new Studio at Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Press opening is Thursday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $20 – $30 for previews (through Nov. 29); $50 for Dec. 3 press opening; and $30 – $40 for the regular run. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon at the Victory Gardens box office, 773-871-3000.

In addition to RIPPED, ABT’s season includes Jack Kirkland’s 1933 classic Tobacco Road (May – June 2010). RIPPED is slated to open roughly a year from now (“Fall 2010” according to the press release). In addition to Cleveland, ensemble members Tania Richard and Gwendolyn Whiteside are collectively penning RIPPED. Whiteside, Carmen Roman and Heather Meyers are serving as executive artistic administrators for ABT.

In 1993, ABT leased a space at the corner of Byron and Lincoln and in 1997 changed its name to American Theater Company (ATC). Most of ATC’s ensemble members parted with ATC last March and reformed under their original name, the American Blues Theater.

The current ABT ensemble includes Dawn Bach, Ed Blatchford, Matthew Brumlow, Kate Buddeke, Casey Campbell, Rick Cleveland, Dennis Cockrum, Lauri Dahl, Tom Geraty, Cheryl Graeff, Lindsay Jones, Kevin R. Kelly, Ed Kross, James Leaming, Heather Meyers, John Möhrlein, Jim Ortlieb, William Payne, Suzanne Petri, Tania Richard, Carmen Roman, Editha Rosario, John Sterchi, Stef Tovar and Gwendolyn Whiteside.

The American Blues Theater board that includes James Leaming, John Fenton, Michael Colky, Ken Shanoff, Wendy Whiteside and five original American Blues board members: Joan Esposito, Lawrence Schulmann, Jan Sugar, Mary Suma and Scott Suma.

For more information call 773/628/3526, or email info@americanbluestheater.com or visit americanbluestheater.com.