Performances
Cafe Royalty – Drag @ The Understudy
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin hosts Lezbian Minelli and Oversharon, alongside guests Betty Theft, Georgia Rising, Kerosene, Stephanie, and Tiki Vonté. The Understudy is proud to launch our new drag series, CAFE ROYALTY, a rotating program of guest hosts and shows the last Friday of every month. Join us Friday, September 29th for our kickoff show, featuring cast members […]
CROOKED hosted by Betty Theft
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin host Betty Theft alongside a sordid cast of drag things. CROOKED is a show for villains, freaks, and petty thieves. A show that celebrates all things strange, dark, bizarre, fringe, and alternative! CROOKED is a theatrical platform for dark and alternative drag- ominous, expressive, and dramatic. Stay tuned for info on performer lineup. Doors […]
THE BIG FINISH hosted by Stephanie and Tiki Vonté
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin hosts Stephanie and Tiki Vonté for a drag night for the theatre girlies comprised exclusively of 11 o'clock numbers. THE BIG FINISH is a show for full of stunts, drama, and theatrics. STAY TUNED for full cast announcement. Doors open at 8 PM for an 8:30 PM show. The Understudy cafe will be open […]
Drag Bingo! Hosted by Drag n’ Drop and Cafe Royalty
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United Stateswhat has 5 letters and one big prize?🤔 🩷❤️🧡BINGO!🩵💙💜 Baby, double check that board because we are callin the shots (well… espresso shots…) Visit us Saturday, December 16th for DRAG BINGO!🤩 ✨free event! ✨all ages! ✨sober space! ✨insane prizes ✨drag! and more! Put some mascara on and let’s play ball!🫨 Doors at 8, balls drop at […]
Austin’s Home by Jesse Robkin
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesWhen Austin returns home after an extended absence, old wounds break open, and new tensions arise. A fresh drama from Chicago playwright Jesse Robkin, Austin's Home explores what it truly takes to see one another. Directed by Bryar Barborka and Adam Todd Crawford Cast To Be Announced About Freshly Brewed Freshly Brewed seeks to invest […]
READING IS A DRAG Hosted by Kerosene
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesYour favorite literary moments are brought to life in fabulous drag form at READING IS A DRAG hosted by Kerosene The Understudy is combining its passions for literature and performance alongside host Kerosene. READING IS A DRAG is a fun all-ages event where drag professionals read books and perform a few numbers in the name […]
Virtue and Grace by Isabella Van Houzen
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesThe fall of 1814, Kingston upon Thames. As four best friends ready themselves to court this season, Lady Grace Quimby schemes to attend events dressed as a man in order to court other women. With the help of her friends, she dons a disguise and navigates a convoluted web of lies. It is a farcical […]
A Taste of RED with A Red Orchid Theatre
The Understudy 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, United StatesHang out with our friends from A Red Orchid Theatre on February 13th for the latest installment of their series A Taste of Red. A Red Orchid Theatre invites you to take a peek behind the curtain and see how their team goes about exploring a play. What gets their ensemble excited about a script? […]
Crush(ed) By Maria Arreola
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesA heartfelt comedy from Chicago playwright Maria Arreola about the embarrassments and excitements of the search for love. In a desperate bid to get her love life in order, Maria enlists Dr. Love and her fabulous game show Crush(ed). After speaking to Maria’s closest friends and family members, Dr. Love has assembled a cast of […]
For the Lovers Hosted by Georgia Rising
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesAn exploration of the eight kinds of Greek love through the lens of Black drag performers with music by Black artists. Presenting For the Lovers: an exploration of the 8 kinds of Greek love through the lens of Black drag performers with music by Black artists. Hosted by Georgia Rising in collaboration with Cafe Royalty, […]
THE LACY PROJECT by Alena Smith
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesThe Lacy Project directed by Clara Zucker A Snails on a Bike Production Her mother's photographs turned Lacy into an icon of childhood innocence and beauty. Now, on the night of her 22nd birthday, Lacy has to navigate between image and reality, sex and friendship, self-indulgence and responsibility. This wild tragicomedy presents a portrait of […]
THE LACY PROJECT by Alena Smith
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesThe Lacy Project directed by Clara Zucker A Snails on a Bike Production Her mother's photographs turned Lacy into an icon of childhood innocence and beauty. Now, on the night of her 22nd birthday, Lacy has to navigate between image and reality, sex and friendship, self-indulgence and responsibility. This wild tragicomedy presents a portrait of […]