Monday, November 23, 2020 | Section 4 AE+ ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

IN PERFORMANCE ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!’ Must-see show this lonely holiday season

By Chris Jones Blues Theater production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!,” “Turn on your cameras,” say as directed by Gwendolyn White- the cast of “It’s a Wonderful Life: side, that is the most potent sym- Live in Chicago!” shortly after bol of resilience. Zuzu’s bell-ringing has signaled Why? Well, for starters, “It’s a yet another good day for angels, Wonderful Life.” Even now. Vac- “we want to see you now.” cines are coming! And with that request Thurs- But the main thing here is that day night, a bunch of little black the entree is cooked live. Most Zoom squares were filled with, theaters have rolled out some kind well, ordinary people, all blinking of tape or audio recording that’s at the camera. Some featured a already in the can, or filmed little clutch of related faces, wrin- something without audiences. kled or diminutive or struggling to Fine as far as that goes. But they’re stay awake. Some contained just competing with everyone from one. All were smiling. Audible to Netflix to public radio. Of all the changes that the American Blues, though, is AMERICAN BLUES THEATER pandemic has brought to Chicago performing the entire show live The cast of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” by American Blues Theater, features Brandon Dalquist theater, predominantly calami- (George Bailey, clockwise from top left), Ian Paul Custer (Harry), Dara Cameron and Michael Mahler (Violet tous, it is the annual American Turn to Holiday, Page 2 and music), Manny Buckley (Joseph), Shawn J. Goudie (Foley artist) and Audrey Billings (Mary Bailey).

ERIN HOOLEY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE A customer orders at the walk-up window of the original Intelligentsia cafe, 3123 N. Broadway, on Oct. 29. It is Chicago’s biggest roaster with six coffeebars in the city. ‘University of Coffee’

beyond its Chicago birthplace, with Trailblazing Intelligentsia inspires cadre of roaster spinoffs cafes in Los Angeles, New York City, Boston and most recently Austin, By Steve Zimmerman notes of apple, raisin and melon. The open, but just for grab-and-go. Texas. It has roasting facilities in Ful- flavors are sharp and undeterred from It’s an odd twist. The roaster that ton Market and California. Intelli- t’s Tuesday morning at Intelli- the paper to-go cup and signature red emphasizes the overall sensory experi- gentsia coffee is available online gentsia’s coffeebar in Lakeview, sleeve. ence of coffee has its 25th anniversary through direct sales and subscription Before the COVID-19 outbreak, year disrupted by a pandemic that services, and is now sold in Target and all the parts are moving in such a visit would have been a cross restricts interactions with customers, stores nationwide. Iharmony with the precision between a culinary experience and a closes cafes and reduces access to “People have developed a certain that has built the roaster’s progressive casual stop by a neighborhood cafe. coffee itself. But the core principles of loyalty in 2020,” said CEO James Mc- But when the company’s original cafe change and evolution that helped Laughlin. “Having that comfort of reputation. at 3123 N. Broadway emerged this co-founders Doug Zelland Emily having that cup of coffee to start the The coffees are carefully chosen, summer from the pandemic-caused Mange and Vice President Geoff Watts morning and help fight what 2020 can roasted and brewed. The service is shutdown, it was relegated to a walk- take Intelli from neighborhood desti- bring to them.” prompt and well-rehearsed. And the up window with masked exchanges nation to industry pioneer have helped Although muddled by the difficult final product this day is a fragrant through Plexiglas. Now with colder blunt COVID-19’s impact. Costa Rican (Providencia Honey) with weather settling in, indoor service is The company has expanded far Turn to Coffee, Page 3

‘BELUSHI’ ★★★ Fond elegy for a Chicago legend

By Michael Phillips MPAA rating: Not rated Belushi Pisano,formerly Judy (drug use, language) Jacklin), and Tanner Colby for the In the time it has, a little under 2005 book “Belushi: A Biogra- two hours, the fond, heartfelt Running time: 1:48 phy.” The prologue captures a documentary “Belushi” covers Now on Showtime moment of peak, precarious fame some of who John Belushi was, for Belushi, in concert in LA in where he got that way (hint: here, 1978. At that moment he had a in Chicago) and how he coped, or “personalities” who just wanted smash movie, “Animal House”; a failed to, with his turbulent suc- him to be on, and funny. His talent smash album with Dan Aykroyd, cess until a fatal 1982 drug over- preceded him, and confined him; aka The Blues Brothers; and a dose. it was always showtime, whether smash TV showcase, “Saturday It premiered Sunday on Show- Belushi liked it or not. Night Live.” The late Harold time, which is fitting. As R.J. The documentary offers some Ramis, Belushi’s longtime partner Cutler’s film reminds us, the fascinating discoveries, which in comedy, is heard on tape, inter- comic maelstrom who grew up in make up for its missteps. (The viewed by Colby, discussing Humboldt Park and, primarily, numerous animated segments Belushi’s superstardom in fore- Wheaton, Illinois, spent uncount- aren’t ready for prime time.) boding terms. JUDY BELUSHI PISANO/SHOWTIME ed hours of his stardom enduring There’s a wealth of archival audio “Belushi” looks at the life of comedy star John Belushi, who died in 1982. interviews with journalists and interviews conducted by Judith Turn to Belushi, Page 3