SERVICE by Makeda Declet
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesWhen a close circle of buds have to go to their recently-deceased friend’s apartment to retrieve a suit for his burial, they discover a woman tied up in his closet. Dark and farcical, this play explores the question, “How far would you go to preserve the memory of a friend?" Cast and Creative Team […]
CHEERS QUEERS: A Pride Month Cabaret
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesCHEERS, QUEERS! is a toast, not to the end of pride month, because pride lives on honey, but a toast in celebration and recognition of who keeps Chicago running, the Queers. Join us for an intimate and extravagant night of music and spoken text! Performed by a stellar cast of queer actors of color, and […]
A Conversation with Sarah Ruhl: BECKY NURSE OF SALEM
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesAuthor Sarah Ruhl joins Polly Noonan for a a discussion of her newly published play BECKY NURSE OF SALEM. Playwright, author, essayist, and professor Sarah Ruhl joins Polly Noonan to discuss their newly published play Becky Nurse of Salem. Don't miss this intimate discussion ahead of the Chicago premiere of Becky Nurse of Salem. Learn […]
Get Lit: Grown-Up Book Fair
American Writers Museum 180 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, United StatesJoin us at The American Writers Museum and check out a curated selection of Understudy favorites! Indulge your literary impulses at Get Lit: Grown-Up Book Fair! Mix and mingle with fellow bookworms, share your favorite titles, and discover new ones. From cozy mysteries to epic adventures, there’s something for every reader to discover and enjoy! GET […]
OCEAN AND HER MADNESS by Lydia Moss
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesWritten after Adrienne Kennedy's Funnyhouse of a Negro, this work is an exploration of the mind of a "mad black woman." It is a madness that is both the synchronization and dissonance of space, time, and music. Cast and Creative Team TBA Freshly Brewed Team: Emma Durbin - Co-Artistic Producer Joel Willison - Co-Artistic Producer […]
G. L. O. W. : A Queer Sober Open Mic Night
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesABOUT THE EVENT Join The Understudy for G.L.O.W., a queer sober open mic night hosted by K.J Whitehead and Sharon Pasia. Expect comedy, drama, and stunts galore. Stay tuned for performer signups! Doors open at 7. Performances begin at 7:30. The Understudy Cafe will be open for refreshments!
THE BIG FINISH: BIG BOYS FINISH LAST
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin hosts Derek (aka Stephanie) and Taki Venti (aka 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. THE BIG FINISH: BIG BOYS FINISH LAST This edition of The Big Finish celebrates musical theatre's leading […]
ROLE CALL: July 2024 @ The Understudy
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesForget *seeing* a show. With this series you actually get to PLAY a role! Join us for a community exploration of some of our favorite work! Part book club, part performance, part debate and part community healing, this year Refracted Theatre Company partners with locations across Chicago to offer Role Call, a community play exploration […]
Kokandy Book Club Presents: WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesKokandy Book Club Presents WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF Join The Understudy and our friends from Kokandy Productions for the latest installment of our series Book Club. Our July Book Club is raising a glass (several, in fact) to Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This scorching American classic inspires a fierce and fiery […]
Play Reading Club: Cardboard Piano
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin our monthly play reading club! Each month, we gather to discuss a new, exciting or confounding play that has caught our attention. This month, we're reading CARDBOARD PIANO by Hansol Jung ABOUT THE PLAY Northern Uganda on the eve of the millennium: The daughter of American missionaries and a local teenage girl steal into […]
DIE, MOMMIE, DIE! by Charles Busch
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin Hell In A Handbag and The Understudy for a reading celebrating the work of Charles Busch, featuring a fabulous lineup of Chicago talentJoin Hell In A Handbag and The Understudy for a reading celebrating the work of Charles Busch, featuring a fabulous lineup of Chicago talent.Ex-pop singer Angela Arden is trapped in a hateful […]
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 Aug 6th 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? […]