Independent Bookstore Day

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

​Yet again, Chicagoland proves itself to be the dream destination for book lovers and readers of all ages! More than 40 independent bookstores in the greater Chicago area—from Lake Forest to Beverly, and Naperville to the Loop—are collaborating on our annual Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl, which encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting […]

Play Reading Club: RED REX

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

After a holiday hiatus, Play Reading Club is BACK! No need to RSVP, just show up ready to discuss the play! Our book club begins at 7 PM on the last Monday of every month. This month, we’re reading Red Rex by Ike Holter.   About the play: The sixth play in Ike Holter’s Rightlynd saga. Red Rex […]

PHARAOH TAROT

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

Pharaoh Tarot is BACK on Wednesday, May 1st! BELTANE, or May Day, is the May 1st sabbat that marks the beginning of Summer and is the worldwide day to celebrate freedom and breakthroughs and births! Welcome in the new season with this spread: RAPID EXPANSION What untapped potential can be acted on in your life? […]

American Theatre Presents: Grown in Chicago

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

This panel will feature local Chicago theatre leaders as they chat about adapting and planning for longevity, establishing a distinct company identity, staying true to your mission, and serving your community on stage and beyond. The conversation will be moderated by Carla Stillwell, faculty at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Panelists will include: Xavier Custodio, co-founding […]

HEROES: A Reading to Benefit Freshly Brewed

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

An exclusive, one-night-only reading featuring Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Daniel Breaker (Billions), and Michael Kostroff (The Wire). It's August 1959, and three aging French veterans of the first world war, Philippe, Gustave, and Henri spend their days on the terrace of their home for retired military men. The three friends reminisce, banter, and plot a daring […]

BOTH by Paloma Nozicka

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

Join us for a peek into the process of a new play by Paloma Nozicka. Presented as the first collaboration between Teatro Vista Productions and The Understudy. BOTH A woman's life is thrown into chaos when her missing twin suddenly reappears. This play currently in development as part of the Geffen Playhouse 2023/2024 Writers Room […]

Free

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? […]

ISLAND OF LOVE by Felicia Oduh

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

A batch of romantic hopefuls compete for a chance to win love and a large cash prize on the UK’s hottest summer reality dating series. Though everyone has come on the show for the same reasons, one contestant soon learns that not everyone will have the same experience. Positioning the audience as the camera and […]

CROOKED hosted by Betty Theft

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

Join 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. Featuring performances by: Betty Theft Fallon Finn Kerosene […]

Free

THE DRAG by Mae West presented by Gerber Hart Library

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

Join us for a community reading of “The Drag” presented by the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. Written by the iconic Mae West, this 1927 drama about a closeted socialite and the morality of homosexuality was banned from theatres and torn to shreds in the press. No acting experience required! This is a reading with the […]

Free

Next Draft Series: How to Kill a Rodent

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

How to Kill a Rodent By Eleanor McCaughey Canadians Guy and Carrie take a road trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania only days before Groundhog Day, in an effort to assassinate Punxsutawney Phil on live television. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This […]

TGNC Theatre Maker’s Meetup

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

🏳️‍⚧️MEETUP🏳️‍⚧️ Trans and gender non-conforming theatre makers, Join us June 2nd for an evening of community and connection. We're hanging out 7pm to 10pm and keeping the cafe open for refreshments. BYOB also welcomed. Don't miss this!