“Tobacco Road” starts now get your tix!

Buy tix

Performances start May 21st!

American Blues Theater continues its 2009-2010 season with "Tobacco Road" by Jack Kirkland, directed by Cecilie Keenan May 21- June 20. Performances will be in the Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

"Tobacco Road," is the second-longest running drama in Broadway history having amassed 3,182 Broadway performances to its credit. When it subsequently toured the country, it was declared obscene in many places, including Chicago where it was closed down, but reopened after a lawsuit.

Desperate patriarch Jeeter Lester faces eviction from his own land in Georgia, feeding his starving family, and arranging suitable marriages for his children. Without money, seeds, or a way out, the Lester family makes decisions that are in one moment humorous, and the next moment horrifying.

The cast for "Tobacco Road" features award-winning ABT Ensemble members Matthew Brumlow (Dude), Kate Buddeke (Sister Bessie), Dennis Cockrum (Jeeter), James Leaming (multiple roles), Suzanne Petri (Grandma), Carmen Roman (Ada) and Gwendolyn Whiteside (Ellie May); along with Laura Coover (Pearl) and James Joseph (Lov). Joining director Keenan on the artistic staff are ABT Ensemble members James Leaming (scenic and lighting design), Lindsay Jones (sound design), and Lauri Dahl (dramaturg); ABT Artistic Affiliates Sarah Ross (costume and properties design), Marty Higginbotham (incidental music, choral director), Jaclyn Holsey (stage manager), Mercedes Rohlfs (assistant dramaturg), Steve Key (special effects) and Sarah Burnham and Brian Claggett (production support). Fight choreographer is Joe Foust.

Granma, Ellie May, Dude and Pearl Lester

Previews are $20.00
Thursday and weekend matinees are $32.00
Friday and Saturday nights are $40.00

$5 off code word: TURNIPS
Bring 2 canned or boxed food items for our food drive.

There will be 1/2 rush tickets 30 minutes before each performance.
Student discounts with i.d.

Sponsors:
Bruce B. Boyd Foundation, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Foundation, Bridgeview Bank, The Grand Central American Blues Theater proudly partners with the Illinois Farm Bureau, Lincoln Park High School Farmers Market, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Smile Train.

The Cure at Troy
By Seamus Heaney
Sunday, May 23 and Monday, May 24, 7:30pm | Tickets $20; $10 for students
Bernard Sahlins directs a cast of Chicago's finest actors in a staged reading of Seamus Heaney's powerful 1991 translation.
Poetry on Stage:
Richard Christiansen Theater

buy tix

Cast: Suzanne Petri, Linda Kimbrough, Brad Armacost, Matt Brumlow, Matt deCaro, Bret Tuomi

YOUTUBE
Suzanne Petri Videos

Twitter
Twitter.com/Suzpet

SuzBo Entertainment Events

American Blues Theater was founded in 1985. Between the years 1998-2009, the ensemble was known as American Theater Company. In 2009, the ensemble again embraced its original name, reforming as American Blues Theater and gearing up to celebrate 25 years as a stellar ensemble. American Blues Theater is an ensemble of inherently collaborative theater artists. We re-envison great American Classics and reach out to the Chicago theater community to create new work that reflects our mid-western roots and celebrates the diverse American character. We dedicate each production to the working people of our region and partner with social service and community organizations. Americanbluestheater.com

Thank you all so very much for your support as always! Hope to see you at the Theatre and the Cabaret!

Love and Peace,
Suzanne Petri
Bob Breuler