American Blues Theater, under the leadership of producing artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside, has announced its 2017-18 season, which includes the world premiere of Six Corners by Keith Huff, the playwright of Broadway’s A Steady Rain.
Directed by Gary Griffin, performances will run February 16–March 25, 2018. Opening night is set for February 22 at 7:30 PM.
According to American Blues Theater, “Late one night, two burnt-out violent crimes unit detectives try their damnedest to close the puzzling murder of a CTA employee. What should be a simple open-and-shut case, however, evolves into a horrifying mystery and unearths a legacy of violence stretching back years.”
The season will kick off with the Chicago premiere of Beauty’s Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith. Directed by Ron OJ Parson, performances will run July 7–August 5, 2017, with an official opening night set for July 13 at 7:30 PM.
The play, according to press notes, “depicts one woman’s journey through life’s obstacles in an East Harlem neighborhood. Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine takes on 6 different characters during the course of this solo play—some broken, some on the way down, but all memorable.”
Following Beauty’s Daughter will be the 16th anniversary production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by producing artistic director Whiteside. Performances are November 17–December 30, 2017, with an opening set for November 19 at 2:30 PM.
Buddy—the Buddy Holly Story by Alan Janes will also return to Chicago April 27–May 26, 2018. Directed by Lili-Anne Brown with musical direction by ensemble member Michael Mahler, opening night is set for May 3 at 7:30 PM.
Here’s how it’s billed: “Before the Beatles or the Rolling Stones ever played a note, rock & roll was forever changed by the bespectacled kid from Texas. Buddy tells the true story of Buddy Holly through his short yet spectacular career.”
Additional programming includes Ripped Festival: Edition 16, written and directed by various Chicago artists, in spring 2018; and The Lincoln Project, conceived and adapted by Whiteside from artistic affiliate James Still’s Pulitzer-nominated The Heavens Are Hung in Black.
All mainstage performances take place at Stage 773 at 1225 W. Belmont Avenue. For more information and tickets, visit AmericanBluesTheater.com or call (773) 654-3103.
