Play Reading Club: THE THANKSGIVING PLAY

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

Join us for the next iteration of Play Reading Club, happening every month at The Understudy. No need to RSVP, just show up ready to discuss the play! Our book club begins at 7 PM. This month, we’re reading The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse.   About the play: Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa […]

Thank You Five: LIVE with Strawdog Theatre

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

Join panelists from across Chicago for an engaging, wide-ranging discussion on the industry, the art, and the future! From 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 […]

Free

Flock and Flower: Climate Change Theatre Action @ The Understudy

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

Joe Schupbach and Alyssa Mohn are co-curating a reading as part of Climate Change Theatre Action. Launched in 2015, Climate Change Theatre Action is a worldwide festival of short plays about the climate crisis presented biennially to coincide with the United Nations COP meetings. Every other year, 50 professional playwrights, representing all inhabited continents as […]

Free

Pocket Playfest

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

6 emerging playwrights and directors have been creating a new work for the past 2 months - time to see their work! Over the past two months, 6 emerging playwrights and directors have been making new work together, come see what they've made! December 1st Red Devil - written by Andrea Berting and directed by […]

$5.00 - $15.00

THE ALMOST EMPEROR OF THE UNOFFICIAL DEESTRICK OF LAKE MICHIGAN

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

Winner of the 2020 Judith Barlow Award 2023 Broadway World Chicago Theatre Nominee for Best New Play CAST & COMPANY: Director - Kristin L. Schoenback Design & Production Manager - Rachael Nuckles -     -     - Ky Anderson - Poppy Kelsey Busboom - Ma Streeter Viv Delgadillo - Niles West Keenan Odenkirk […]

Free

Hanukkah Candle Lighting and Drag Queen Story Time

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

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch their first annual Hanukkah candle lighting and Drag Queen Storytime at The Understudy Coffee & Books! Drag Bubbie Merriam Levkowitz will serenade us with some musical Hanukkah performances and Hanukkah book readings for the whole family. Afterward, we'll have a menorah lighting led by Cantor Kenneth […]

Event Series Cafe Royalty

Drag Bingo! Hosted by Drag n’ Drop and Cafe Royalty

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

what has 5 letters and one big prize?🤔 🩷❤️🧡BINGO!🩵💙💜 Baby, double check that board because we are callin the shots (well… espresso shots…) Visit us Saturday, December 16th for DRAG BINGO!🤩 ✨free event! ✨all ages! ✨sober space! ✨insane prizes ✨drag! and more! Put some mascara on and let’s play ball!🫨 Doors at 8, balls drop at […]

Pharaoh Tarot

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

Pharaoh Tarot is BACK on Wednesday, December 20th! THE GIFT: A Winter Solstice Reading is inspired by the winter solstice on Dec 21st, a time to review what we've learned, renew our intentions for the following year and get a peek at what the universe has in store! The Present - current state; what lessons […]

Two Mics featuring Michael Patric Thornton and Michael Shannon

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

A Red Orchid Theatre is thrilled to partner with The Gift Theatre on a special fundraising event on: TWO MICS featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Michael Shannon! Friday, December 29 The Understudy (5531 N Clark) Doors open at 8pm Close out 2023 with an intimate evening of improv with Michael Patrick Thornton and Michael Shannon all […]

Event Series Freshly Brewed

Austin’s Home by Jesse Robkin

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

When Austin returns home after an extended absence, old wounds break open, and new tensions arise. A fresh drama from Chicago playwright Jesse Robkin, Austin's Home explores what it truly takes to see one another. Directed by Bryar Barborka and Adam Todd Crawford Cast To Be Announced About Freshly Brewed Freshly Brewed seeks to invest […]

Free

READING IS A DRAG Hosted by Kerosene

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

Your favorite literary moments are brought to life in fabulous drag form at READING IS A DRAG hosted by Kerosene The Understudy is combining its passions for literature and performance alongside host Kerosene. READING IS A DRAG is a fun all-ages event where drag professionals read books and perform a few numbers in the name […]

The Best Damn Thing by Hanna Kime

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

It’s summer of 2011, and Ellie, an awkward 16-year-old, has written what she believes to be a groundbreaking new musical inspired by the early discography of Avril Lavigne. She has invited Rachel, her much cooler ex-best friend and their theatre teacher’s favorite, to her house to pitch the show in hopes that Rachel can convince […]