Play Reading Club: FLEX

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

Join 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 FLEX by Candrice Jones   ABOUT THE PLAY The pressure is on for the 1998 Lady Train high school basketball team—on top of a battle to bring home […]

Free

Next Draft Series: Infinity Burns

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

Infinity Burns By Felix Abidor Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century monk, is sentenced to death for his radical beliefs in an infinite universe. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This reading is presented as part of Avalanche Theatre's Next Draft Series The […]

Next Draft Series: Infinity Burns

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

Infinity Burns By Felix Abidor Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century monk, is sentenced to death for his radical beliefs in an infinite universe. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This reading is presented as part of Avalanche Theatre's Next Draft Series The […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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? […]