These are exciting times for Improv Playhouse in Libertyville. The staff and fans are celebrating its 25th anniversary — and are doing it in a beautiful brand-new space at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave.
It’s a perfect home for the company’s 18th production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a live radio play by Frank Capra, Dec. 12-21, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors, and $15 for students and youth. For tickets, call 847-968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com.
David Brian Stuart of Libertyville, founder and Executive Producer of Improv Playhouse, who directs “It’s a Wonderful Life,” declared, “I know that the energy of the space and the performances that we put on is as exquisitely done and true to the original as any theater company in Chicago in that genre of radio drama on stage.”
Egon Schein of Libertyville plays both an angel named Clarence and the unscrupulous businessman Mr. Potter in the “It’s a Wonderful Life” live radio play, Dec. 12-21 at Improv Playhouse Theatre in Libertyville. (Improv Playhouse Theatre—Photo Archives)
He added that it’s a perfect show for the holidays. “It touch-points our every emotion — the elation, the despair, the humanity of the piece,” Stuart said.
This is the second year that Stephen Pickering of Gurnee has played George Bailey, the protagonist of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” who questions the value of his life until a guardian angel convinces him of his worth.
“It’s a timeless story,” Pickering said. “It speaks to something that is really innate and people search for—especially during the holidays.”
Pickering described George as someone with “huge aspirations. He’s also someone who’s very, very loyal to family and community, and he has a real sense of duty towards his family and his community.”
Although George’s career involves building structures, “his power and strength is in building relationships,” Pickering noted.
Pickering believes this is a great show for the holidays. “It’s a time to gather and take stock,” the actor explained. “This story reminds us that every person is important.”
“I’ve portrayed every female role in this show with Improv Playhouse,” said Mia Hirschel of Lake Zurich, who is playing George’s wife Mary, this year. She has been performing in the radio show productions since 2013.
“Mary has a very quiet and subtle strength,” Hirschel said. “She’s like the anchor that keeps George from drinking.” Her relationship with George is “grateful, loving, and affectionate,” the actor added.
Hirschel is particularly enjoying the role because Mary is significantly younger than the actor, which is “always fun to do vocally,” she explained. The actor takes the dual role of George’s mother, which is also a vocal challenge that the actor handles seamlessly, as she demonstrated during our conversation.
Hirschel particularly enjoys the radio format because it enables her to play roles that she wouldn’t normally get, like Mary at 18 and even children. “It enables us to utilize our full range of vocal abilities,” she explained.
It’s a great show for the holidays, the actor observed, because “It is a family show. It’s traditional. It has a wonderful meaning behind it. It’s a warm story of friendship and love, and trust in each other and ourselves.”
Celebrating a 25th anniversary means “that we have thrived in our mission,” said founder and Executive Producer Stuart. That mission is defined by three words, he added — “to entertain, to educate, and to elevate.”
The entertainment side includes shows like “It’s a Wonderful Life” as well as an impressive schedule of improv and stand-up comedy shows.
Improv Playhouse educates through its Training Center, which offers classes for children and adults in a diverse range of subjects, including comedy, improvisation, stand-up, musical theater, acting, on-camera & film/video making, voice, modeling and imaging.
“The elevate side is to raise people’s consciousness to a higher plane regarding the arts and life skills,” Stuart said.
Stuart said that the first highlight of the company’s history was three classes in improvisation that were held in the old Dance Center North in downtown Libertyville. He noted that the second highlight was expanding the Training Center offerings to include adult classes.
Another highlight was a Shakespeare Festival they produced around 2013.
He observed that there were also some “low lights” that the company had to overcome to reach the landmark 25th anniversary.
“We overcame 9/11. We overcame the Great Recession, 2010-2013. We overcame COVID,” Stuart reported. “So many organizations were closing their doors. Through perseverance and struggle, and the support of friends and family members, we were able to persevere through those crises.” That included going hybrid during COVID.
Susan Kries of Vernon Hills juggles three roles in Improv Playhouse Theatre’s live radio play, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Dec. 12-21. (Improv Playhouse Theatre—Photo Archives)
The latest highlight is the new space. “It’s a place where there’s continuity, programming in the arts in downtown Libertyville, the support of the regional arts community, and the passion to see it thrive and grow,” Stuart said.
The Improve Playhouse founder concluded, “While the survival chapters are certainly part of our story, some of my greatest highlights have actually been the relationships built along the way. From our very first hires who believed in the vision, to students who’ve gone on to become industry professionals, and friends, and the improv teams who’ve grown into little families of their own. Those lifelong connections have been the heart of Improv Playhouse.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/libertyvilles-improv-playhouse-25th-anniversary/
