Fourth in a series of season previews: In its fourth year after a split with American Theater Co., the ABT ensemble readies the world premiere of James Still’s “Illegal Use of Hands,” opening Aug. 31.

By Lawrence B. Johnson

The world premiere of James Still’s “Illegal Use of Hands” kicks off American Blues Theater’s 2012-13 season, which marks both the company’s 27^th year on the Chicago scene and, in its reconstituted form, its fourth.

Kansas native James Still, an artistic affiliate of Chicago Blues Theater, has been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for drama. His “Illegal Use of Hands” was picked to lead off ABT’s season because “the script spoke to us on many levels,” says the company’s producing artistic director, Gwendolyn Whiteside. “It’s a gritty, dark, funny play about men looking back on their lives and asking themselves, ‘What if?’

“It fits our mission to tell stories of people who are working and struggling to get by. That was the state of our founders. They didn’t have work, didn’t know how they were going to pay their bills. That’s why they decided to call their new company American Blues Theater – because they were down on their luck and singing the blues.”

Today, as in the beginning, ABT is driven by its social agenda. “We don’t do theater for theater’s sake,” says Whiteside. “We want to touch the community and change lives. With each play we produce we engage in some related form of social outreach.”

During last season’s run of Jack Kirland’s “Tobacco Road,” based on the Erskine Caldwell novel, ABT carried out two related initiatives. The company distributed promotional materials for the Illinois Farm Bureau; and, since the play involves a character with a cleft palate, the company collaborated with the social service agency Smile Train to sponsor surgery for a child to have a cleft palate repaired.

Also on tap for the coming season is a renewal of the ABT’s annual Christmas show “It’s a Wonderful Life,” based on Frank Capra’s classic film and staged as a radio play – this time at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State Street. Donald Margulies’ “Collected Stories,” a closely argued confrontation over intellectual property rights, closes out the year next spring.

Throughout the season, ABT also will be workshopping Nambi E. Kelley’s theatrical adaptation of Richard Wright’s novel “Native Son.”  Set in 1930s Chicago, the story deals with a young black man caught in a downward spiral after he kills a young white woman in a brief moment of panic. Chicago audiences will be able to watch the play develop through workshops and live staged readings presented in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority. The world premiere of Kelley’s drama is planned for the fall of 2013.

The 2012-13 season in brief:

• “Illegal Use of Hands,” by James Still. (World premiere, Aug. 31-Sept. 30): Buzzards perch on a dead Chevy in a small town where the local Wal-Mart hires only college graduates. Three men wait out the night in the company of a high school football trophy they have rescued from obscurity. It’s a play that seems to edge toward issues of revenge and glory and what it means to be a man, except that the characters can’t coordinate their imperfect memories. “No one in life ever wants to be a victim,” says Whiteside. “Sometimes you have a choice, but these guys never learned to deal with what they were given – to make the best of it.” At Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
• “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live on State Street,” based on Frank Capra’s 1946 film from a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern published in 1945 (Nov. 16-Dec. 30): This popular ABT tradition dates back to 2003, when the company had changed its name to American Theater Co. (see below). After eventually splitting off from American Theater Co., the recommitted ensemble revived its own version of “Wonderful Life” in 2009. “When we moved it to the Victory Gardens Biograph, we had to outdo ourselves,” says Whiteside. “We took what was working and added some elements. It’s been a hit for us again.” ABT ensemble member Marty Higginbotham, who was instrumental in creating the original version for American Theater Co., will direct the show.
• “Collected Stories,” by David Margulies (Spring 2013): Margulies won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play “Dinner With Friends.” In the 80-minute, two-character play “Collected Stories,” an author-teacher and her talented protégée square off over the difference between paying tribute to an older writer and simply stealing from her.  The multi-generational theme resonates in a rare directorial double — the first such collaboration between Mary Ann Thebus and her daughter, Steppenwolf Theatre artistic associate Jessica Thebus. ABT ensemble member Carmen Roman joins Gwendolyn Whiteside on stage for this two-hander. “The student has developed a voice of her own and is beginning to have success,” notes Whiteside. “What happens might be construed as betrayal. In any case, the fireworks between the two writers is glorious.”

Technically, the 2012-13 season marks American Blues Theater’s 27^th year of existence. But it’s a complicated history. What began in 1985 as ABT was renamed American Theater Co. during the artistic directorship of Brian Russell (1997-2002). In 2009, after the appointment of P.J. Paparelli as artistic director, philosophical differences led the company’s ensemble to depart en masse, regroup, reclaim their original name and start over as American Blues Theater, producing plays at Victory Gardens.

Thus the coming season is the fourth for the reorganized enterprise that once more, with great pride, styles itself American Blues Theater.

Related Links: 

• Playguide to “Illegal Use of Hands” including interview with the playwright: Go to americanbluestheater.com
• Jimmy Stewart on “It’s a Wonderful Life”: Read his1977 reminiscence
• “Collected Stories,” interviews and background: See PBS’ 2002 stage-to-screen adaptation
• Documentary “Richard Wright – Black Boy”: View an excerpt with footage of the “Native Son” novelist 

Photo captions and credits: Home page and top: All hands on deck. The starring threesome for American Blues Theater’s season-opening world premiere of James Still’s “Illegal Use of Hands,” (from left) Dennis Zacek, Steve Key and Howie Johnson (Photo by Johnny Knight) Descending: Promo poster for “Illegal Use of Hands.” ABT’s producing artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside. Playwright and actor Nambi E. Kelley. Playwright James Still. Film director Frank Capra in his heyday. Playwright David Margulies. Below: American Blues Theater’s 25th anniversary video. The ABT ensemble in last season’s productions of “Tobacco Road” and “Waiting for Lefty.” (Photos by Johnny Knight)

Tags: "Collected Stories", "It's a Wonderful Life" "Illegal Use of Hands" ", American Blues Theater, Donald Maregulies, Gwendolyn Whiteside, James Still