Potter V. Scrooge

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Joe Dempsey (above, left) and Austin Tichenor (above, right) play Mr. Potter and Ebenezer Scrooge in, respectively, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at the American Blues Theater and A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre. The two Chicago actors share their stories of being cast and the mixed blessing of being perfect casting for two miserable old characters. Dempsey also reveals an appreciation for Saturday Night Live’s famous “Lost Ending” to the Frank Capra film; a shout-out to American Blues Theater’s brand new performance space; what one taps into to play a scurvy little spider; the luck of getting emotional plausible deniability; having front-row seats to some of the finest acting ensembles anywhere; the value of being of service to great stories; and the ultimate privilege of fulfilling audience desires at this time of year. (Length 21:15) (PICTURED (above): Dempsey photographed by Michael Brosilow; Tichenor by Duncan McMillan. (Below) The cast of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater, directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside, photo by Michael Brosilow.)

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