Photo Flash: SIDE MAN Opens Tonight at American Blues Theater

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, just announced that two additional matinees, Saturday, May 15 and 23 at 3 p.m., have been added to the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, and running now through May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Opening night is tonight, April 30 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

The Pulitzer Prize-nominated and Tony Award-winner for Best Play Side Man is the heartbreaking story spanning three decades of a splintered family as told through the eyes of Clifford (Michael Mahler*), the only son of Gene (Michael Ehlers), a jazz trumpet player, and Terry (Kate Buddeke*), an alcoholic mother. Alternating between their New York City apartment and a smoke-filled music club, Clifford narrates the story of his broken family and the decline of jazz as popular entertainment. In Side Man "The joy and despair of the musicians is skillfully illustrated," according to Variety.

The Side Man cast also includes Joe Foust* (Jonesy), Ed Kross* (Ziggy), John Gawlik (Al) and Gail Rastorfer (Patsy) with the production team of Austin Cook* (music consultant), Art Davis (jazz consultant and performer), Sarah E. Ross* (scenic design), Heather Gilbert (lighting design), Emily McConnell (costume design), Rick Sims (sound design), Christopher Neville* (property design), Ellen Willett (production manager), Michael Trudeau (technical director), Jonathan Nook (stage manager) and Jerico Bleu (dramaturg).

Music featured in Side Man was recorded by Art Davis (trumpet), Phil Gratteau (drums), Dennis Luxion (piano) and Kirk Garrison (trumpet).

The performance schedule is Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with Saturday matinee performances May 16 and 23 at 3 p.m. Regular run performances tickets are $29 Thursdays and Fridays and $39 Saturdays and Sundays. Opening night tickets are $49 and include access to the post-show reception. All tickets are currently on sale at 773.404.7336 or AmericanBluesTheater.com. *connotes American Blues Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliates.

Photo Credit: Johnny Knight