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 […]
A Conversation with Jen Silverman: THERE’S GOING TO BE TROUBLE
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesAuthor Jen Silverman joins Kirsten Fitzgerald for a a discussion of their new novel THERE'S GOING TO BE TROUBLE, out 4/9 from Random House. Playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Jen Silverman joins actor and director Kirsten Fitzgerald to discuss their new novel There's Going to Be Trouble. Don't miss these remarkable artists discussing how a life […]
Thank You Five: LIVE with Strawdog Theatre
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesFrom Strawdog Theatre, a weekly show bringing theatre artists from around the globe into a conversation about live theatre and digital storytelling with a spirit of gratitude and innovation. Usually convened digitally, Thank You Five is recording LIVE at The Understudy for one night only. In addition to viewing in-person, t he show will be […]
ECHO’S INFERNO by Juliet Kang Huneke
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesIt'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 StatesJoin 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 […]
Independent Bookstore Day
The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United StatesYet 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 StatesAfter 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 StatesPharaoh 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 StatesThis 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 StatesAn 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 […]