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.  ABT is an Ensemble of inherently collaborative theater artists.  Our mission is to re-envision great American classics and reach out to the Chicago theater community to create new work that reflects mid-western roots and celebrates the diverse American character.  They dedicate each production to the working people of the region and partner with social service and community organizations.  For more information about ABT visit:  Americanbluestheater.com

Reviews

JEFF RECOMMENDED

“★★★, RECOMMENDED, ‘TOBACCO ROAD’ IS STILL CAPABLE OF STIRRING THE FLESH AND THE SOUL… American Blues has a lot of heavy-hitting actors throbbing under all of Kirkland's mud… This is the kind of show these actors, these fine actors, very much wanted their theater to do… The commitment to truth and the depiction of the working person's perennial plight is what makes this powerful and worthwhile.”
- Chris Jones, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

“‘TOBACCO ROAD’ IS EPIC THEATER WRIT SMALL, AND IN TERMS OF ACTING, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ON A CHICAGO STAGE RIGHT NOW. A ferociously relevant and revelatory production by American Blues Theater— the direction, design, and acting are very well damn near perfect… IT WOULD BE A SHAME FOR ANYONE WHO CRAVES VISCERAL THEATER TO MISS IT.”
- Fabrizio O. Almeida, NEW CITY CHICAGO

“Keep your eye on actress Carmen Roman…she dominates the stage… James Leaming's matchbox set and lighting, and the period-perfect costumes of Sarah E. Ross and Kristin DeiTos, winningly evoke the play's back-country world of saints and sinners.”
- Hedy Weiss, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

“‘TOBACCO ROAD’ IS POWERFUL, EARTHY THEATRE. ABT’s expert cast is led by the steady work of Dennis Cockrum as Jeeter. The ensemble work here is terrific, the pace is effective, and the direction is tight. Filled with explosive sexuality, [it] is an emotionally shocking, outrageous and horrifying drama.”
- Tom Williams, CHICAGO CRITIC

“THIS PRODUCTION IS EXTREMELY WELL DONE… the performances are spectacular.”
- Kelly Kleiman, DUELING CRITICS - WBEZ

“There’s a primal part of us that can relate to the drive to survive and the sexual drive of the Lester clan. [ABT] brought out some of their most prominent and best veteran players to portray Jeeter Lester, his wife and children.”
-Jonathan Abarbanel, DUELING CRITICS - WBEZ

“Not only is the hunger for nourishment among [‘Tobacco Road’s’] poor souls palpable, but so, too, is an accompanying sexual thirst that seemingly can't be quenched. Keenan’s deft direction and exceptional American Blues Theater ensemble members infuse this ‘Tobacco Road’ with a kinetic level of energy that’s remarkably contemporary and years ahead of its time…pitch-perfect Kate Buddeke absolutely radiates brilliance.”
- STEVE ON BROADWAY

“‘TOBACCO ROAD’ IS A MUST SEE FOR TRUE THEATER LOVERS… a powerful production that will have you laughing as well as thinking… WELL PLAYED BY THIS SOLID CAST.”
- Alan Bresloff, STEAD STYLE CHICAGO

“AMERICAN BLUES THEATER IS BACK AND EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE.”
- Ruth Smerling, THEATRE WORLD INTERNET MAGAZINE

“AMERICAN BLUES THEATER’S PRODUCTION OF ‘TOBACCO ROAD’ IS LIKE THE VERY BEST KIND OF CHURCH. It’s the kind of experience that leaves one in a reverent state… At last I have seen a production of this play that stays true to the core of the novel…”
- Scotty Zacher, CHICAGO THEATRE BLOG

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