A Collaborative Community Experience

Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight – American Blues Theater

A small theatre space, furnished with only a table, a chair and a pool of light for the starring actor, welcomes the tiny Theater Wit audience. What we’re in for collectively isn’t too clear as we take our unassigned seats, but we’re assured that it’s going to be something memorable. And it is. The lights dim and when they restore themselves we find a middle-age actor seated at the table. He’s a familiar member of the American Blues Theater Company, Jim Ortlieb. Jim’s been seen in several plays produced by this company, as well as at many other Chicago theaters. His acting talents have actually been enjoyed all over the country and he’s even appeared on Broadway a few times. Mr. Ortlieb has starred in various previous productions of this show around America, and so his familiarity with the character he’s portraying is comforting.  

The production isn’t so much a “play,” as it is an artistic experience. Mr. Ortlieb, whose character reminds us of a rumpled college professor, charmingly welcomes his audience to the theater, and his presentation if off and running. He seems to be a man who’s filled with angst and self doubt, someone in dire need of connection with others. For the audience, this is pretty relatable since we’re all just coming out of the isolation of the pandemic lockdown. Like everyone in the room, the man has finally escaped his own loneliness. His character clearly loves his audience and is trying to establish contact with us. Within very little time he’s done so and mesmerized everyone, taking us on a cerebral and emotional journey. Through unexpected humor and much audience involvement, Ortlieb masters this presentation and provides a surprise ending that leaves the audience fulfilled.

Written and directed by prolific playwright, John Kolvenbach, this hour-long piece is cleverly constructed to feel almost improvisational. He takes audiences on a rousing roller coaster ride of the mind. It’s an experience that involves the theatre patron’s trust, ability to take directions, a degree of nonthreatening audience participation and a catalog of everyday images from life. Michael Trudeau’s moody lighting and scenic design for this shared experience consists of a haphazard pile of chairs and lighted lamps. Perhaps collectively they’re meant to represent our cluttered minds filled with a multitude of experiences, information and special moments. It’s the center of operation from which we all attempt to function.

The plot of this hour-long presentation is minimal, although a tiny fragment of a story begins to emerge toward the end. Suffice it to say this is fascinating piece of participation theatre that’s the perfect antidote for being shut-in for so long. Although mask-wearing and proof of vaccination against Covid are required, Jim Ortlieb does a crackerjack job of leading viewers out of their doldrums and everyday problems, while immersing everyone in a collaborative community experience. It’s a refreshing piece of theatre that’s creative, unique and an evening that audiences will never forget.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 18-April 9 by American Blues Theater at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago

Tickets are available in person at the theater box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.BoxOffice@AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Addition information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.