***** It is always a treat to be invited to a World Premiere, but in the case of American Blues Theater, we are getting a World Premiere adaptation of “The Last Wide Open” as in a Polish version. This play with music is a pure delight and what makes it even more so is that two of Chicago’s finest musical comedy performers are playing the major roles. Husband and wife team, Michael Mahler and Dara Cameron take on the roles of Mikolaj ( Mahler) and Lina ( Cameron), the lovers.
This is the first production staged in the very intimate “studio” theater , a very small space,. The story written by Audrey Cefaly is about a diner ( the set by Grant Sabib and Marcus Klien looks quite realistic). The audience is seated at tables with cane back chairs, with menus at each that explain the play will be in three movements ( sort of like a musical piece, instead of a play). The movements are:
1-Mikolaj in USA 2 years
2- Mikolaj in USA 2 days
3- Mikolaj in USA 15years
As we entered the Studio Theatre, and were seated J.G. Smith, the stagehand/waitress greeted each table and brought us some Polish treats to taste. The show begins with some great music on the piano played by Mahler of course ( he is also the Musical director), and at this point, we get to see the handiwork of Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. The music in this play is written by Matthew M. Nielson and the Polis Adaptation of Cefaly’s work is by Katarzyna Muller). 
The story revolves around the struggles of Mikolaj and his adoration of co-worker Lina. Lina is a waitress who is looking for love and an escape from the labor of being a waitress. Mikolaj has come to America to live a better life and has taken a job with a relative as a dish washer. In each of the “Movement” scenes, we learn more about each of them and how they related to each other during the different times. I suppose the big question is what if you found your soulmate, but for one reason or another, the world would not allow your paths to cross properly? In this clever 80 plus minutes of comedy, music and serious thought, we see it all come to pass.
On the technical side, in addition to the wonderful set, we have amazing props (Elyse Dolan), costumes (Christopher J. Neville) and great lighting effects (Katy Viccellio). The only one who truly needed the aid of a dialect coach was Mahler and Matilda Szydagis taught him very well. He was spot on!
“The Last Wide Open “will continue thru – Aug 18, 2024 with performances as follows:
Wednesdays 2:00pm July 24th and 31st ONLY)
Show Type: Comedy
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Last Wide Open”.
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