Virtue and Grace by Isabella Van Houzen

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

The 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 States

Hang 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 States

A 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 States

An 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 States

The 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 States

The 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 States

The 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 […]

BRAWL! by Connor Ermir Bradshaw

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

Masculinity, desire, and belonging form a heady mix at the center of the boxing ring in BRAWL! Will Lucky find a way out? Dug into the backyard of Diesel Philips’ home is The Pit: the home and training ground for young boxers in the Mowbray Mountain valley. Here, limbs lock until a bell dings or […]

Ball & Battle: A Drag Show and Latte Art Throwdown

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

Join The Understudy for an evening of fierce looks, fierce competition, and fabulous prizes. PLEASE NOTE: This event is 21+. No underage attendees or contestants will be permitted.   It's our birthday, and we're celebrating in style. In honor of our first anniversary, we're bringing together the coffee and performance communities again for a hybrid […]

ECHO’S INFERNO by Juliet Kang Huneke

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

It's 1884, and Echo really doesn't get along with her brothers. Or anyone. Then, the devil offers her a chance to skip forward and start over. Will she take it? Will it matter? With biting humor and irreverent logic, ECHO'S INFERNO explores girlhood, rage, ambition, and connection. Production Team: Juliet Kang Huneke - Playwright Daira […]

Kokandy Book Club Presents: SPRING AWAKENING

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

Join The Understudy and our friends from Kokandy Productions for the latest installment of our series Book Club. Kokandy Book Club is an intimate salon series celebrating theatre, music and community. Each meeting will focus on a well known play or musical—investigating the plot, themes and relevant tangents through musical performance. Have a sit, have […]

A Taste of RED with A Red Orchid Theatre

The Understudy 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, United States

Hang out with our friends from A Red Orchid Theatre on May 14th 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? […]