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鈥檚 A Steady Rain.
Directed by Gary Griffin, performances will run February 16鈥揗arch 25, 2018. Opening night is set for February 22 at 7:30 PM.
According to American Blues Theater, 鈥淟ate 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.鈥�
The season will kick off with the Chicago premiere of Beauty鈥檚 Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith. Directed by Ron OJ Parson, performances will run July 7鈥揂ugust 5, 2017, with an official opening night set for July 13 at 7:30 PM.
The play, according to press notes, 鈥渄epicts one woman鈥檚 journey through life鈥檚 obstacles in an East Harlem neighborhood. Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine takes on 6 different characters during the course of this solo play鈥攕ome broken, some on the way down, but all memorable.鈥�
Following Beauty鈥檚 Daughter will be the 16th anniversary production of It鈥檚 a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by producing artistic director Whiteside. Performances are November 17鈥揇ecember 30, 2017, with an opening set for November 19 at 2:30 PM.
Buddy鈥攖he Buddy Holly Story by Alan Janes will also return to Chicago April 27鈥揗ay 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鈥檚 how it鈥檚 billed: 鈥淏efore 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.鈥�
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鈥檚 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 or call (773) 654-3103.
