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, […]
Working in the 21st Century: A Conversation with Mark Larson
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Residents' Dining Hall 800 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, United StatesPLEASE NOTE: This event occurs offsite at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum Join the celebration for the release Mark Larson’s book "Working in the 21st Century" & participate in an exclusive discussion with Larson. Why do we show up to the jobs we’ve chosen? Or why don't we? How has the upheaval of the […]
Legland: An Absurd “Staged” Reading
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesLegLand creates absurdist, bouffon-inspired devised theatre pieces that parody everything from Greek drama to reality TV to consumer culture We thought we had already found all the great lost works of the past. We thought wrong. LegLand is proud to present an absurd “staged” “reading” of all the newly discovered texts from their private archives, […]
USITT Presents The Stage Rigging Handbook
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin us for this special event on March 4, at The Understudy in Chicago! USITT Executive Director Laura Lee Everett will sit down with co-author Shane Kelly and scenic designer Regina García to discuss the latest edition of the Stage Rigging Handbook, working in the industry, and the impact Jay O. Glerum’s work has had […]
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 […]
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 […]
BRAWL! by Connor Ermir Bradshaw
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesMasculinity, 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 StatesJoin 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 […]
Bramble Arts Loft Open House
Bramble Arts Loft 5545 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin us in celebrating our neighbors at Bramble Theatre! Their brand new, elegantly designed Arts Loft is opening to the public from 10AM to 4PM on Saturday, April 6th. We'll be there with books picked by the Bramble team, plus coffee! Come hang out with us and other Andersonville neighbors as we honor this incredible […]
Stories Beyond Bars: An Art Fundraiser & Panel for Prisoner’s Rights
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesJoin us for an unforgettable evening of advocacy and inspiration at the Stories Beyond Bars Fundraiser, hosted by Uptown People’s Law Center (UPLC). Set against the vibrant backdrop of The Understudy Coffee and Books, this event will feature creative offerings from storytellers impacted by the prison system, sharing their journeys and highlighting the vital role […]