Join Hell in Handbag Productions for its 2025 benefit, The Handbag Follies, featuring dinner, drinks, entertainment, a raffle, silent auction and more on Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 5:30 – 9 pm at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets ($104 general admission, $129.75*) are available here. *Prices include processing fees.

Handbag celebrates its 24^th year with a very abbreviated production of Follies – performed Hell in a Handbag style! Watch as aging showgirls, draped in sequined desperation, reunite to belt out twisted parodies of Stephen Sondheim's most iconic numbers including "I'm Still Here," "Losing My Mind," "Broadway Baby," "Beautiful Girls" and other favorites  It'll be the hits you love and a show you'll desperately try to forget (with apologies in advance to the spirit of Mr. Sondheim).

The entertainment line-up features ensemble members David Cerda, Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Ed Jones, Lori Lee, David Lipschutz, Stevie Love, T.J. O'Brien, Michael Rashid, Danne W. Taylor and Robert Williams, along with some surprise guests.

All proceeds benefit Hell in a Handbag Productions. From camp classics to bold new works, the Handbag ensemble is committed to celebrating the city's diverse community through the lens of the ridiculous, the theatrical and the wonderfully queer.

About Hell in a Handbag Productions

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.

Chicago, IL — The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA) has announced the winners of the 2025 Black Excellence Awards, honoring and celebrating Chicago theatre, dance, music, film, literary, and visual artists. The 24^th annual event was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

Throughout the evening, Special Honor Awards were presented to: Pemon Rami (Excellence in Film); Eve L. Ewing (Excellence in Literature); and Professor Roxanne Stevenson (Excellence in Music and Music Education).

The complete list of 2025 Black Excellence Awards winners is as follows:

Dance

• Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Overall Performance: Praize Productions - Complexions
• Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Choreographer: Rasheida Smith, Love Jones - Move Me Soul

Literature

• Excellence in Community Engagement – Literature: The Underground Bookstore

Music

• Outstanding Achievement in Music – Male Performer: Gregory Gibbs
• Outstanding Achievement in Music – Female Performer: Lucy Smith

Theater

• Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Production: If You Think You're Lonely Now - Theater 47
• Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Director: Daryl D. Brooks, That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne, and Patti - Black Ensemble Theater
• Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Male Performer: Ronald L. Conner, Fat Ham - Definition Theatre
• Outstanding Achievement in Theater – Female Performer: Rhonda Preston, Blue Eyed Soul Song by Brown Eyed People - Black Ensemble Theater
• Special Recognition Theater – Director: Malika Stampley, Primary Trust - Goodman Theatre
• Special Recognition Theater – Performer: Gregory Fenner, Topdog/Underdog - The Gift Theatre

Visual Arts

• Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts – Artist: Dayo Layo - "Watercolors"
• Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts – Gallery Exhibition: Faie African Art Gallery

Special Honor Awards:

• Special Recognition Excellence in Literature – Fiction: Eve L. Ewing
• Special Recognition Excellence in Film: Pemon Rami
• Special Recognition for Excellence as a Music Director and Jazz Educator: Professor Roxanne Stevenson

About The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago

The mission of the Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is to collectively advance excellence in the work of the Black arts and culture sector. The Alliance works to increase interaction, communication and development of black arts organizations and artists, while delivering programs that increase their visibility, marketability, stability, and sustainability.

Founded in 1997 as the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and rebranded the

Black Arts & Cultural Alliance of Chicago (BACA) in 2023, BACA offers a diverse range of events and programs that celebrate the rich heritage of the Black arts community in Chicago. Events and programs are designed to engage, educate, and inspire individuals (artists and patrons) who are passionate about Chicago's Black arts and culture.

With new leadership in November 2024, the organization has been reorganized and revitalized, including a return to its original mission and a new focus in building the Board and programming, increasing membership, and creating websites that appropriately support BACA's mission and purpose.

BACA is going strong after 28 years, with a full slate of events and programs celebrating the rich heritage of the Black arts community in Chicago.

In August 2025, BACA launched the Black Arts Directory of Chicago to serve as a vibrant online hub for African American and minority performing arts and culture in Chicago and beyond. The directory spotlights theatre, dance, music, and cultural events to celebrate rich artistic traditions. BACA prioritizes connecting audiences with diverse cultural experiences, showcasing the talents of Black and Brown artists that showcase the dynamic ingenuity and creativity of Chicago's Black artists and organizations. It celebrates the rich narratives, historical relevance and artistic expressions that define African American and minority performing arts.

To find out more and view the Black Arts Directory visit https://www.blackartsdirectory.org/. The Black Arts Directory is made possible by an Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The BACA staff is Executive Director Luther Goins, Grants Writer & Development Manager Ilesa Duncan, and PR, Marketing & Design Director Doc Wheeler. The Board of Directors includes President Jackie Taylor, Vice President Sydney Chatman, and members Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Troy O. Pryor, Portia McFarland, William Gill, Ericka Ratcliff, Shawn Wallace, Daryl D. Brooks, and Roxanna Conner.

Upcoming BACA Events and Programs include:

Martin Luther King Celebration: The Black Arts & Culture Town Hall

January 19, 2026

This celebration and panel discussion honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discusses the challenges and commonalities faced by Black artists and arts organizations and will launch the 2026 Black to Black Workshop Series.

Black to Black Series: Entertainment Business for the Black Artist

March 2026

Workshops

Black to Black Series: Working & Thriving in Chicago

May 2026

Panel Discussion

Cookout In The Blackyard Summer Networking Event

August 2026

Join BACA for an amazing networking opportunity featuring barbecue, drink, music, and fun.

Black to Black Series: History & Fundamentals of Black Organizations

October 2026

Workshops & Auditions

Black Excellence Awards

November 2026

Black Arts Hall of Fame 2026

November 2026

About Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA)
The mission of the Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is to collectively advance excellence in the work of the Black arts and culture sector. The Alliance works to increase interaction, communication and development of black arts organizations and artists, while delivering programs that increase their visibility, marketability, stability, and sustainability.

For tickets, event updates, and more information about the Black Arts and Culture Alliance of Chicago, visit https://www.bacachi.org/.

Goodman Theatre announced today that its highly-anticipated presentation of Theater of the Mind, by Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne (Broadway’s Here Lies Love with Fatboy Slim, American Utopia and the renowned group Talking Heads) with writer Mala Gaonkar, will make its Chicago debut March 11 – May 31, 2026 (opening night is March 25, 2026) at the Reid Murdoch Building, 333 N. LaSalle. Tickets ($66-$96, subject to change) will be available for sale starting Friday, November 7 at 10 am, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office (170 N. Dearborn), by calling 312.443.3800 or by purchasing online at TheaterOfTheMindChicago.com. The Goodman is grateful for the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Illinois Office of Tourism, Northern Trust, and Friedman Properties.

“The Goodman is thrilled to introduce Theater of the Mind to Chicago audiences and to showcase the singular creativity of David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar,” said Goodman Theatre Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. “Our Centennial Season welcomes audiences to experience all of the ‘feels’ and Theater of the Mind engages all of the senses, making it a perfect addition to our landmark season. We hope for this production to be an ongoing attraction that sparks joy, conversation and community.”

A one-of-a-kind theatrical experience audiences will see, feel, taste, and hear, this intimate and immersive journey of how we perceive and create our worlds is inspired by both historical and current neuroscience research. Under Director Andrew Scoville and Technology Director Heidi Boisvert, PhD, Theater of the Mind is a 15,000-square-foot immersive experience taking just sixteen audience members at a time through a 75-minute journey of self-reflection, discovery, and imagination, inspired by and grounded in neuroscience.

"Mala and I have long been fascinated by the science behind these experiences; though reading about the phenomena involved is exciting, it’s quite something else to actually experience it,” said co-creator David Byrne. “It’s a different level of understanding, a different kind of knowledge—visceral, immediate, and profound. The film and theater adage ‘show, don’t tell’ became a guiding principle in discovering a way to include these experiences in an entertaining and engaging show. A show in which the audience makes many of the inferences for themselves, without being told by us what it means. For me, the broader implications that these phenomena have in our lives, our sense of the world, and our sense of self is key.”

“For a few years, David and I partnered with several cognitive neuroscience labs to see how some of the most basic human intuitions determine how humans react," said co-creator Mala Gaonkar. "What we concluded was that the experiments and ideas of the labs we partnered with, several of which we embedded in our narrative, seemed as engaging as any piece of theater. We began referring to this project as a ‘Neuro Funhouse,’ but as we worked on it, we came to realize that it was evolving to be something more than that. It has made us rethink some of our own beliefs and assumptions, to see ourselves and the world in a different way. We hope that it might have a similar effect on our audience—and think of science and theater in a new way."

Led by a Guide whose stories are inspired from the creators' lives, audiences will explore how they perceive the world through sensory experiments that reveal the inner mysteries of the brain. Casting for the multiple roles of the Guide will be announced after the new year.

Caution: the brain may wander! Side effects may include a distrust of your own senses, a disorientation of self, and a mild to severely good time. You may not be who you think you are. But we're all in it together.

Theater of the Mind had its World Premiere on August 31, 2022, at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Starting March 11, Theater of the Mind will be staged Tuesday evenings starting at 6 pm; Wednesday afternoons starting at 2 pm and evenings starting at 6 pm; Thursday evenings starting at 6 pm; Friday evenings starting at 5 pm; Saturday afternoons starting at noon and evenings at 6 pm; and Sunday afternoons starting at 12:30 pm. Performances begin every 15 minutes, and each includes 16 audience members. A complete schedule can be found at theaterofthemindchicago.com.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

David Byrne (Co-Creator) is a musician, performer, writer, and multidisciplinary artist whose creative ventures have captivated audiences since 1975, when he co-founded the renowned group Talking Heads. In addition to Theater of the Mind, recent works include Here Lies Love, a musical with music by Byrne and Fatboy Slim (2023), SOCIAL! at The Park Avenue Armory, the Broadway production of Byrne’s American Utopia (2019) as well as the Spike Lee-directed film version (2020), the launch of his Reasons to be Cheerful online magazine (2019), and the solo album American Utopia (2018). To date, Byrne has published five books including How Music Works (2012).

Mala Gaonkar (Co-Creator) has more than 20 years of experience investing behind technology trends. She was a founding partner of the investment management firm Lone Pine Capital in 1998. In 2022, Gaonkar launched her own firm, SurgoCap Partners, focused on the disruptive effects of technology within broad industry categories. Gaonkar’s focus is on multi-disciplinary thinking, including using the tools of data science, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science to solve problems.  She has embraced this approach both through her investing career as well as through Surgo Ventures, a foundation that she co-founded in 2015. Gaonkar is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Andrew Scoville (Director), a native of west suburban Elmhurst, is a New York-based theater director specializing in immersive layouts, technological landscapes, and hybrid-genre theater-making with an emphasis on integrating science ideas into theatrical experiences. Credits include The Brobot Johnson Experience (Bushwick Starr, The New York Times Critics' Pick), Escape the Planet (NY Hall of Science commission with astronomer Moiya McTier),  People Doing Math podcast and, as Associate director: Here Lies Love (dir. Alex Timbers, Public Theater, National Theater UK, Seattle Rep), Sweeney Todd (dir Bill Buckhurst, Barrow Street Theater), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (dir Alex Timbers, Broadway).

Heidi Boisvert, PhD (Technology Director) is an interdisciplinary artist, experience designer, creative technologist, and researcher investigating the neurobiological and socio-cultural impacts of media and technology. Her work focuses on how the body, senses, and emotions influence perception and social change. She is currently mapping the world’s first media genome with careful attention to its ethical implications. She founded future Perfect lab, a creative agency and think tank that works with social justice organizations to design playful emerging media campaigns to transform the public imagination. She also co-founded XTH, a company developing novel forms of expression through biotechnology and the human body.

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE

As previously announced, Theater of the Mind makes its Midwest debut during The Goodman’s Centennial 25/26 Season. Since 1925, The Goodman has been a theatrical home for artists and a gathering space for community. It’s where stories come to life—bold in artistry and rich in history, deeply rooted in the city it serves. Led by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, The Goodman sparks conversation, connection, and change through new plays, reimagined classics, and large-scale musicals. With distinctions including world and American premieres, Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards, and Joseph Jefferson Awards, The Goodman is proud to be the first theater to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” But The Goodman believes a more empathetic, more connected Chicago is created one story at a time and counts as its greatest legacy the community it’s built. The Goodman was founded by William O. Goodman and his family to honor the memory of Kenneth Sawyer Goodman—a visionary playwright whose bold ideas helped shape Chicago’s early cultural renaissance. That spirit of creativity and generosity endures today.

The Roald Dahl Story Company today announces its first production in Chicago, the wickedly funny, family musical based on Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile.  Following the all-ages, smash-hit productions in the UK, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, the production runs at historic Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave, in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, from January 29 to February 21, 2026.

Tickets, $20-$54 for children and $30-$68 for adults, are currently on pre-sale and will go on sale to the public on October 6, 2025. Kicking off the Chicago premiere during the final week of the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival, tickets for the first week of performances, January 29- February 1, 2026, will be available through the festival box office at https://chicagopuppetfest.org/event/the-enormous-crocodile/. The production will continue through February 21, and those tickets will be available at  enormouscrocodilemusical.com/chicago

Tuesday-Thursday morning performances, reserved entirely for student audiences, are available at a subsidized ticket price. Requests can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/CrocodileStudents or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Group discounts for all performances are available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'For my lunch today I would like... a nice juicy little child!'

The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle with his tummy rumbling ... Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they're going to have to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute. From Trunky the Elephant to Muggle-Wump the Monkey, get to know the menagerie of creative puppets in the U.S. premiere tour of this smash U.K.-hit production. You'll go from the jungle into outer space and back again, just in time for a wild dance party! 

This mischievous musical based on Roald Dahl's snappy book has toe-tapping tunes by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab, a rib-tickling book and lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra, and additional music and lyrics by Tom Brady. Developed and directed by Emily Lim, it features a menagerie of puppets by co-director and puppetry designer Toby Olié, with set and costume design by Fly Davis, puppetry co-designed and supervised by Daisy Beattie, casting by Annelie Powell, choreography by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun and sound by Tom Gibbons.

Originally co-produced by Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Leeds Playhouse.

The Enormous Crocodile the Musical was developed by Roald Dahl Story Company, Emily Lim, Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab, Suhayla El-Bushra and Tom Brady.

Gabrielle Leadbeater, Producer at the Roald Dahl Story Company comments, "We couldn't think of a better place for The Enormous Crocodile's next stop on tour than Chicago. The city and Studebaker Theater are as steeped in creativity as Roald Dahl's stories, and we're proud to have this major new production amongst the world's very best puppetry at the Chicago International Puppet Festival."

"The Enormous Crocodile is a lusciously designed, family friendly jungle musical with an excellent musical score," said Blair Thomas, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. "The wit and humor of the puppetry matches that of Roald Dahl. Don't miss it."

The creative team for The Roald Dahl Story Company's production of The Enormous Crocodile The Musical includes Suhayla El-Bushra (bookwriter and lyricist), Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab (composer and additional lyrics), Tom Brady (additional music and lyrics, orchestrations, arrangements and music supervisor), Emily Lim (direction and development), Toby Olié (co-director and puppetry designer), Fly Davis (set and costume designer), Daisy Beattie (puppetry co-designer and supervisor), Tim Blazdell (digital designer and production draughting), Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu (choreographer), Jessica Hung Han Yun (lighting designer), Tom Gibbons (sound designer), Phij Adams (music technology and ableton programmer), Ben Kubiak (musical director), Annelie Powell CDG (casting director), Aundrea Fudge (voice coach), Tina Thomas (singing coach), Ann Barnard (copyist), Tash Holway (associate director), Blythe Stewart (associate director), Michael Jean-Marain (associate puppetry director), Lucy Adams (associate lighting designer), Johnny Edwards (associate sound designer), Shanelle Clemenson (associate choreographer), Màth Roberts (music associate), Rebecca Gunstone (costume supervisor), Bethan Owens (wigs hair and make-up supervisor), and Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn (casting associate).

About Roald Dahl Story Company 

The Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) is the home of Roald Dahl's much-loved stories and characters. With over 300 million books sold globally and translated into 68 languages, our stories have entertained generations of kids and adults with their unique mix of mischief, dark humor and irreverence.

Together with our parent company Netflix, and united by our love of these great stories, we're working with some of the world's best storytellers and creative minds to bring them to life in bold new ways that will surprise and delight existing and new fans. This includes animated and live action films and series, publishing, theatre, immersive experiences, games, consumer products, brand partnerships, and more.

About the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival 

Two weeks every January, Chicago turns into the "Puppetry Capitol of the World" when the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival returns with its annual, 12-day winter flurry of more than 100 puppet shows and events featuring artists from around the globe.

The festival was originally founded in 2015 as a project of Artistic Director and Founder Blair Thomas's puppet theater company. Since then, the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival has introduced audiences to artists from Belgium, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Puerto Rico, Poland, Scotland and South Africa, as well as the U.S. and Chicago, with the goal of promoting peace, equality, and justice on a global scale. Already the largest of its kind in North America, last year's 7th Chicago Puppet Festival attracted a record 22,000+ audience members who enjoyed a wildly entertaining and eclectic array of traditional and contemporary puppet styles from around the world at dozens of theaters and community spaces throughout the city.

From January 29-February 1, The Enormous Crocodile will be one of the highlights of the 8th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, January 21- February 1, 2026. Stay tuned for the full 2026 Festival line-up, including even more performances by puppet artists from around the world, the U.S. and Chicago. This year's festival will also present 22 puppetry workshops, four symposium panels, three book talks, free exhibitions, late-night puppet cabarets, and the always popular Free Neighborhood Tour. Tickets go on sale later this fall. For more, visit chicagopuppetfest.org. 

Follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram or Vimeo, hashtag #ChiPuppetFest. Sign up for the Puppet Festival's e-news to receive first alerts of festival news, ticket on-sales, added special events and festival merch. 

FACT SHEET

The Roald Dahl Story Company's production of 

The Enormous Crocodile
The Musical 
Book and Lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra 
Music by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab 
Additional Music and Lyrics from Tom Brady 

Directed and developed by Emily Lim, it features a menagerie of puppets by co-director and puppetry designer Toby Olié, with set and costume design by Fly Davis and puppetry co-designed and supervised by Daisy Beattie.

Location: The Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago

Dates: January 29 to February 21, 2026.

Tickets: https://chicagopuppetfest.org/event/the-enormous-crocodile/ (for performances January 29-February 1, 2026)

enormouscrocodilemusical.com/chicago (for performances February 2-February 21, 2026)

Recommended for all ages.

Running time: 60 minutes

The Enormous Crocodile was originally co-produced by Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Leeds Playhouse. The Enormous Crocodile musical was developed by Roald Dahl Story Company, Emily Lim, Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab, Suhayla El-Bushra, and Tom Brady.

US Tour General Management

Doreen Sayegh for Pemberley Productions

Rosie Bross-Rice, Associate

Creative Team
Bookwriter and Lyricist | Suhayla El-Bushra
Composer and Additional Lyrics | Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab
Additional Music and Lyrics, Orchestrations, Arrangements and Music Supervisor | Tom Brady
Direction and Development | Emily Lim
Co-Director and Puppetry Designer | Toby Olié
Set and Costume Designer | Fly Davis
Puppetry Co-Designer and Supervisor | Daisy Beattie
Digital Designer and Production Draughting | Tim Blazdell
Choreographer | Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu
Lighting Designer | Jessica Hung Han Yun
Sound Designer | Tom Gibbons
Music Technology and Ableton Programmer | Phij Adams
Musical Director | Ben Kubiak
Casting Director | Annelie Powell CDG
Voice Coach | Aundrea Fudge
Singing Coach | Tina Thomas
Copyist | Ann Barnard
Associate Director | Tash Holway
Associate Director | Blythe Stewart

Associate Puppetry Director | Michael Jean-Marain
Associate Lighting Designer | Lucy Adams
Associate Sound Designer | Johnny Edwards
Associate Choreographer | Shanelle Clemenson
Music Associate | Màth Roberts
Costume Supervisor | Rebecca Gunstone
Wigs Hair and Make-up Supervisor | Bethan Owens
Casting Associate | Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn

Follow The Enormous Crocodile at enormouscrocodilemusical.com/.

Head to The Second City for a fast, funny, one-of-a-kind night of comedy. The legendary theater announces Thank You, Goodnight, a brand-new production running October 3 – 24 at 7 p.m. in Donny's Skybox Theater. Directed and created by former Mainstage director Rob Wilson, the show combines Chicago's sharpest stand-up with world-class improv for an experience you won't find anywhere else.

Audiences will first catch killer stand-up sets from some of the city's most acclaimed comics. Sam Birru (Just For Laughs, Laugh Factory, Zanies), Kristen Toomey (Netflix is a Joke, Kevin Hart's LOL), and Kellye Howard (Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing) are among the standout performers taking the mic.

Then, The Second City's all-star improvisers jump in, spinning those sets into brand-new, never-to-be-seen-again scenes. It's the best of both worlds—stand-up and improv—rolled into one high-energy show that's fresh every single night.

Thank You, Goodnight is comedy you can't see anywhere else—because it's different every time, and it's only at The Second City.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at www.secondcity.com. Donny's Skybox Theater is located at 230 W. North Avenue. 

About The Second City
The Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world's most influential name in improvisation and comedy. Celebrating 65 years of legendary comedy, The Second City's stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet. For more information, visit SecondCity.com

Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) and Third Rail Projects today announced that it will present 20 additional performances of the company’s critically acclaimed Port of Entry. Since its debut in 2023, the company has presented 141 sold out performances, each with an audience of 28 guests who embark on a journey into the lives of immigrants who have made Albany Park their first home in the United States over the past century. A new block of tickets will go on sale Sept. 25 at 7p.m. with an additional block of tickets available on Sept. 27 at 12 noon; tickets typically sell out within minutes.

Port of Entry was hailed as an “astonishing piece of work” (Chicago Tribune) upon its debut. Set within a meticulously crafted three-story immersive performance space at 3547 W. Montrose Ave., this production transforms a 1929 warehouse building into a living canvas that vividly portrays the challenges, triumphs and emotions of forging new lives on Chicago's northwest side. Each performance of Port of Entry takes an intimate group of audience members through the three floors of the reconstructed apartment building, entering recreated homes from a century of immigrants. Dozens of interviews with Albany Park residents and the lived experiences of APTP ensemble members inspire the production’s multiple storylines. The emotional and engaging stories are portrayed by the renowned APTP youth ensemble, which No Proscenium’s Patrick McLean described as “the most captivating, compelling element of Port of Entry.” The ensemble takes audiences through an immersive production that features sound installations, digital projections and choreographed movements.

“Bringing Port of Entry to life and sharing it with our audiences has been an incredible journey. We’ve watched audiences connect with these stories in so many powerful and personal ways, especially since the play so honestly tells the story of the immigrant residents of Albany Park,” said Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Co-Executive Director of Albany Park Theater Project and Co-Director of Port of Entry. “This is a testament to the artistry and heart our APTP youth ensemble brings to every performance, and the demand for tickets has only grown since we opened in July of 2023.”

“What makes Port of Entry so impactful is how it weaves together generations of immigrant experiences from Albany Park and invites audiences to intimately interact with the characters, sharing meals, playing games and helping them to understand life in Chicago,” said Jennine Willett, Co-Artistic Director of Third Rail Projects and Co-Director of Port of Entry. “Immersive theater allows for real, human connection—where emotion flows freely between the performers and the audience, and the storytelling becomes something truly shared.”

Port of Entry was greeted with resounding critical acclaim upon its opening. Chris Jones from the Chicago Tribune awarded the production a four-star rating and hailed Port of Entry as “an astonishing piece of work” where “you … leave thinking about and still feeling the pulse of this physical environment.” Chicago Reader’s Kerry Reid described the show as “an exhilarating journey” where we “see that we’re not bystanders, but fellow pilgrims.” No Proscenium’s Patrick McLean spoke to the production design and performances, saying, “it was when the realism faded away, slowly replaced by intense elements of theatrically that left me breathless.” Catey Sullivan reviewing for the Chicago Sun-Times said “the humanity, wit and open-hearted hope instilled in the immigrant stories within this production shine through” and Emily McClanathan of American Theatre noted the production showcases the “intricate craftsmanship of the physical spaces” with “the actors bringing these homes to life … with empathy and poise.”

Port of Entry offers a pay-what-you-choose ticketing model, ranging from $45 to $150, with ticketholders at every price level enjoying the same experience. To sign up for ticket updates or learn more about Port of Entry, visit portofentrychicago.com.

About Albany Park Theater Project
Albany Park Theater Project devises world-class theater that amplifies and illuminates the voices and experiences of immigrant and first-generation Americans. On stage and off, APTP creates
transformative experiences that forge an inclusive community of youth artists, adult artists, and audiences united in making the world more just, equitable, and joyful. Since 1997, APTP has
premiered two dozen original theater productions inspired by real-life stories of hundreds of people in Albany Park, the Chicago neighborhood where the company makes its home, and other immigrant communities in Chicago. APTP’s teen ensemble has performed for over 80,000 people, opened the Albany Park neighbourhood's first performing arts space, and filmed two of its original performances for broadcast on Chicago’s PBS affiliate. APTP has received numerous awards, including the MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, the inaugural Luis Valdez Award for Arts Activism from the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists, the Midwest Human Rights Award from National Immigrant Justice Center, and the Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. APTP is also known for its youth development and college access and persistence programs, through which its youth ensemble members prepare to lead civically engaged and choice-filled lives.

About Third Rail Projects
Third Rail Projects has been hailed as one of the foremost companies creating site-specific, immersive, and experiential performance. The company is led by Artistic Directors Zach Morris, Tom
Pearson, and Jennine Willett and is dedicated to re-envisioning ways in which audiences engage with contemporary performance. Their award-winning immersive hit Then She Fell, named one of the “Top Ten Shows of 2012” by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, enjoyed a sold-out run for seven years until the pandemic closed its doors in 2020. The company has created large-scale immersive works in New York and nationally with projects including Ghost Light at Lincoln Center Theater, The Grand Paradise in Brooklyn, and Sweet & Lucky with Denver Center for the Performing Arts, as well as internationally through the Global Performance Studio (GPS). Third Rail Projects has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including two New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards; a Chita Rivera Award for Choreography; several fellowship awards, including two CEC Artslink Back Apartment Residencies (Russia); a Theater Fellowship from the Bogliaco Foundation (Italy); and more. Third Rail Projects has also been recognized as part of the creative team of the Emmy Award-winning virtual reality adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Wolves in the Walls. In 2016, the artistic directors were named among the 100 most influential people in Brooklyn Culture by Brooklyn Magazine.

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the third production of its 2025 season, Godspell, sponsored by the Whirled Peas Foundation and presented in partnership with Curt’s Café, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, October 23 - November 16. Godspell, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by John Michael Tebelak, is directed by Matthew Silar, choreographed by Amanda Hope and music directed by Justin Kono. The production includes a preview performance Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. with a press opening Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The schedule is Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with additional performances on Saturdays, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

Day by day for more than 50 years, audiences have delighted in this modern musical fable. Godspell  weaves together music, improv and infectious pop and rock songs including the hits “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “O Bless the Lord My Soul” and more. This Godspell finds a fractured and disconnected community gathered at a local coffee shop discovering the transformative power of forgiveness and embracing radical love. 

The cast of Godspell includes, in alphabetical order: P-Jay Adams (she/they, ensemble/U/S); Brandon Acosta (he/him, ensemble/U/S); Diana Marilyn Alvarez (she/they, swing); Maxwell J DeTogne (he/him, Maxwell, U/S Jesus); Tafadzwa Diener (Tafadzwa, she/her); Kaitlin Feely (Kaitlin, she/her); Emily Holland (she/her, ensemble/U/S); Nicholas Ian (Nicholas, any); Jenna Makkawy (she/they, ensemble/U/S); Dani Pike (Dani, she/her); Connor Ripperger (Connor, he/they); Concetta Russo (Concetta, she/her); Jacob Simon (he/they, John the Baptist/Judas); Ethan Smith (he/him, ensemble/U/S John the Baptist/Judas); Eldon Warner-Soriano (he/him, Jesus); Ben Woods (Ben, he/him) and Alex Villaseñor (swing, he/him).

Godspell’s orchestra includes Justin Kono (he/him, conductor/drums); Linda Madonia (she/her, piano); Kyle Paul (he/him, guitars) and Marcel Bonfirm (he/him, bass).

Godspell’s creative team is Matthew Silar (he/him, director); Amanda Hope (she/her, choreographer); Justin Kono (he/him, music director); Becca Holloway (she/her, asst. director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, intimacy & violence choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Blue Darner Dupuis (they/them, stage manager); Carolyn Goldsmith (she/her, asst. stage manager); Bob Knuth (he/him, scenic designer); Nga Sze Chan (she/her, props designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, costume designer/wardrobe crew); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair, wig, makeup designer); Levi J. Wilkins (he/him, lighting designer); Chelsea Lynn (she/her, board programmer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound designer); Mitchell Finger (technical director); Will Hughes (he/him, Andersonville Scenic Studios) and Ben Lipinski (any, Andersonville Scenic Studios).

“Behind the Curtain with Thomas M. Shea”

Immediately following the Sunday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 matinees, audiences may join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of Godspell.

Binny’s Broadway Lounge

Music Theater Works’ Donors of any level and subscribers are welcome to access Binny’s Broadway Lounge before the performance and at intermission of Godspell. Binny’s Broadway Lounge, sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, is located on the second floor at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and offers complimentary drinks and snacks and does not require reservations. The Lounge is available during Godspell, Wednesday, Oct. 29 (opens at 1 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 1 (opens at 6:30 p.m.).  

ASL Interpreted Performance

The Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. performance will be ASL interpreted.

Curt’s Café Day at Godspell

At the Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. performance of Godspell, Music Theater Works will celebrate Curt’s Café and its mission including hosting representatives of Curt’s Café to discuss Curt’s impact has had on youth for more than a decade at a discussion immediately following the matinee. 

ABOUT MATTHEW SILAR, DIRECTOR

Matthew Silar is a Chicago-based director, stage manager and acting coach. Recent Chicago directing credits include Citadel Theatre’s productions of She Loves Me (Jeff Nomination) and Little Shop Of Horrors, as well as Daddy Long Legs (Awaken Theatre). Other directing credits include Annie, The Spongebob Musical and Matilda The Musical (Firehouse Theatre), Kate Fodor’s 100 Saints You Should Know, Lee Blessing’s Two Rooms (Acu) and a slew of educational productions. He’s worked across Chicagoland and the country as an AEA stage manager including Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, The Rev Theatre Company, and more. He holds a BFA in theatre directing from Abilene Christian University and is a proud associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. 

ABOUT JUSTIN KONO, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Justin Kono is a drummer, percussionist, pianist, arranger, orchestrator and conductor of uncommon range. Recent Music Theater Works credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde: the Musical and Shrek (drums and electronic music design) and Pippin (music direction, conductor, drums and electronic music design). Other recent credits include the Chicago company of Titanique (drums and electronic music design) by Porchlight Music Theatre and Rock of Ages and Jersey Boys with Mercury Theater (drums, electronic music design). Kono has also played at Drury Lane Oakbrook, many Porchlight Music Theatre shows and events, Teatro ZinZanni and the Marriott Theater, where he will be the local cover for the role of “Fluke” in Million Dollar Quartet Christmas this coming holiday season. In addition to theater activities, he is a music director and accompanist at First Congregational Church in Downers Grove and the handbell choir director at First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove. 

Music Theater Works 2025 Season

The 45th season concludes with Annie, December 18, 2025 - January 4, 2026. For more information on the 45th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com. 

Music Theater Works 2026 Season

The 46th season opens with CATS, March 5 - 29, 2026 and is followed by West Side Story, August 3 - 30, 2026. The season will continue with Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, October 8 - November 1, 2026 and concludes with Hairspray, December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027. Current members may renew for the 2026 season now with new memberships available beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. and single tickets for all the 2026 productions will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 at 12 p.m. For more information on the 46th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com. 

ABOUT CURT’S CAFÉ

Curt’s Café is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers workforce training, life skills and supportive resources to young adults (ages 15 – 24) who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, involvement with the justice system or other challenges. Curt’s Cafe has two fully operating cafés, offering a variety of breakfast, lunch, coffee drinks and catering services located in Highland Park and Evanston to serve both Lake County and Cook County.

Curt’s was established in 2012 and has served over 650 students since opening. The students are creating better futures—and community support drives that change. To learn more about Curt’s Café, please visit CurtsCafe.org or follow them on social @curtscafe.

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 45-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. 

The Godspell production sponsor is Whirled Peas Foundation.

Music Theater Works presents

Godspell

October 23 - November 16

North Theatre

North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie

9501 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL 60077

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by John Michael Tebelak

Directed by Matthew Silar

Choreographed by Amanda Hope

Music Directed by Justin Kono

Show dates and times:

Thursday, Oct.  23 – 7:30 p.m. – Preview

Friday, Oct. 24 – 7 p.m. – Press Performance

Saturday, Oct.  25 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct.  26 – 2 p.m. – Talk Back with Thomas M. Shea

Wednesday, Oct.  29 – 2 p.m. – Binny’s Broadway Lounge (opens at 1 p.m.)

Friday, Oct.  31 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1 – 2 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 1 – 7:30 p.m. – Binny’s Broadway Lounge (opens at 6:30 p.m.)

Sunday, Nov. 2 – 2: p.m. – Talk Back with Thomas M. Shea

Wednesday, Nov. 5 – 2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8 – 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8 – 7:30 p.m. – ASL Interpreted performance

Sunday, Nov. 9 – 2 p.m. - Curt’s Café Day

Wednesday, Nov. 12 – 2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 14 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15 – 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 16 – 2 p.m.

Tickets: $19.50 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half- price.

Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300

Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com

Total Running Time, including intermission, (currently): Two hours and 10 minutes

Get ready for a theatrical season that sparkles with wit, camp and ridiculousness – Hell in a Handbag Productions is unveiling its much-anticipated 2025/26 line-up!

Now entering its 24^th spectacular year, Handbag continues to delight Chicago audiences with its signature brand of outrageous comedy and a legacy built on hilarity and heart. From camp classics to bold new works, this ensemble is committed to celebrating the city's diverse community through the lens of the ridiculous, the theatrical and the wonderfully queer. This season promises two dazzling world premieres and a time-honored revival, all written by Artistic Director David Cerda*.

Season subscriptions are officially on sale HERE.

Hell in a Handbag's season kicks off this winter with the world premiere of The Real Housewives of The North Pole. The North Pole is in trouble. Santa and all the North Pole power players are indicted for fraud and it's up to the women to try and save their families from financial ruin. But how? Years of wealth and privilege have left them with a lot of designer clothes and jewelry, but little else.

Luckily, Andy Cohen and the Bravo network swoop in to save the day with the perfect showcase for those with no talent or skills – reality television! Join Mrs. Ruth Claus, Mrs. Frosty The Snowman, Suzy Snowflake, Gladys Dasher and others as they claw their way to instant fame.

Next spring, Handbag presents the world premiere of The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Cheese Pyramid, the newest edition of its long-running hit parody. This time, Rose (Ed Jones*) is on a quest for extra cash and finds herself swept into a new multi-level marketing venture that promises to bring the unique cheeses of St. Olaf to households across Miami. Not only is it delicious but it also doubles as "construction cheese" – also known in St. Olaf as 'nature's caulk.' Rose quickly becomes the top Cheese Hostess in the city. However, after three months and a garage overflowing with unsold cheese, the girls realize they're in over their heads. Desperate to solve their stinky situation, Sophia (Ryan Oates*), Dorothy (David Cerda*) and Blanche (Grant Drager*) hatch a plan that just might save the day!

The 2025/26 season will conclude with a revival of the fan favorite Joan Crawford Goes to Hell. Originally produced in 1999 with Sweetback Productions, the play is a roller coaster ride that explores the life of the legendary Hollywood star.

The premise? Joan Crawford (David Cerda*) dies, goes to hell and is forced to view her life through the eyes of her daughter, Christina (TJ O'Brien) in a tale so big it needs two Joans! Part Mommie Dearest, part biography with a dash of Joan's own lifestyle book, My Way of Life, Joan Crawford Goes to Hell is the perfect summer cocktail for those with a taste for camp.

All three productions will be presented at The Clutch, Handbag's boutique performance space at 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago's beautiful and convenient North Center neighborhood.

Handbag will also continue to present readings and entertainment throughout the season including a

Halloween Horror series in October 2025.

Hell in a Handbag Artistic Director and Co-Founder David Cerda comments, "As we enter our 24^th year, I can't help but feel proud to have survived for as long as we have. Handbag is more than a theatre company – we're part of the Chicago community and the ensemble doesn't take that responsibility lightly. We are here to celebrate who we are through the lens of camp and the theater of the ridiculous – a uniquely queer art form. I've been told I belong in an institution, but I've never imagined Handbag would become a Chicago institution!"

*Denotes Handbag ensemble member

Hell in a Handbag's 24^th Season:

November 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026

The Real Housewives of The North Pole – World Premiere!

By Artistic Director David Cerda*

Casting to be announced.

at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago

Press opening: Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 7:30 pm

April/May 2026

The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Cheese Pyramid – World Premiere!

By Artistic Director David Cerda*

Featuring: David Cerda*, Grant Drager*, Ed Jones*, Ryan Oates* and Danne W. Taylor*

Additional casting to be announced.

at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago

Summer 2026

Joan Crawford Goes to Hell

By Artistic Director David Cerda*

Featuring: Kelly Anchors, David Cerda*, Ed Jones*, Lori Lee*, TJ O'Brien and Michael Rashid*

Additional casting to be announced

at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago

About Hell in a Handbag Productions

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.

A Red Orchid Theatre is pleased to open its 33^rd Season with the world premiere of Jojo Jones' dystopian dark comedy Veal, directed by Ensemble Member dado*, playing September 25 – November 2, 2025 at 1531 N. Wells St. in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. Single tickets for Veal go on sale Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at aredorchidtheatre.org or by calling (312) 943-8722. Season subscriptions are currently available. The press openings are Saturday, October 4 at 3 pm and 7 pm.

Veal will feature Jojo Brown, Alexandra Chopson, Carmia Imani, Jasper Johnson and Alice Wu. Understudies include: Lola Fratto, Kaitlyn Gorman, Amy Yesom Kim, Sean McGlynn and Christin Prince.

About the Production:

Following a violent coup, a young woman named Chelsea becomes Queen of North America. Into her new palace walk three friends from middle school — Franny, Lulu and Noa — with whom she hasn't spoken in years. They've come to ask Chelsea for a big favor, but before she grants it, she's going to make them revisit their shared friendship — and its terrible end. 

The production team includes Tianxuan Chen (Scenic & Lighting Designer), Connor Blackwood (Sound Designer), Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer), Ab Rieve (Props Designer), Jyreika Guest (Violence and Intimacy Director), Faith Hart (Assistant Director), Elliott Puckette (Dramaturg), Tom Daniel (Technical Director), Shelbi Weaver (Production Manager) Lauren Lassus (Stage Manager) and Faith Locke (Assistant Stage Manager).

*Denotes A Red Orchid Theatre Ensemble Member

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: Veal

Playwright: Jojo Jones
Director: Ensemble Member dado
Cast (in alphabetical order): Jojo Brown (Franny), Alexandra Chopson (Chelsea), Carmia Imani (Lulu), Jasper Johnson (Unnamed Male Concubine) and Alice Wu (Noa).

Understudies: Lola Fratto (u/s Franny), Kaitlyn Gorman (u/s Chelsea), Amy Yesom Kim (u/s Noa), Sean McGlynn (u/s Unnamed Male Concubine) and Christin Prince (u/s Lulu).

Location: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Thursday, September 25 at 7 pm, Friday, September 26 at 7 pm, Saturday, September 27 at 7 pm, Sunday, September 28 at 3 pm, Thursday, October 2 at 7 pm and Friday, October 3 at 7 pm

Press performances: Saturday, October 4 at 3 pm and 7 pm
Opening: Sunday, October 5 at 6 pm

Regular run: Thursday, October 9 – Sunday, November 2, 2025
Curtain Times: Thursdays and Fridays at 7 pm; Saturdays 3 pm & 7 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be an added Industry Night on Monday, October 20 at 7 pm

Tickets: Previews: $33 – $44*. Regular run: $55*. Access, student, senior, and group discounts available. Single tickets for Veal go on sale Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at aredorchidtheatre.org or by calling (312) 943-8722. Season subscriptions are currently available. *Ticket prices include a processing fee.

About the Artists:

Jojo Jones (Playwright, she/her) is a writer and performer from New York City. Her work has been read at The Jungle, A Red Orchid Theatre, The Tank, the Brooklyn Center for Theatre Research, and more. Her play Veal was nominated for the 2023 Venturous Fellowship and the Goldberg Prize and long listed for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. One time Wallace Shawn held the door open for her at the Jewish Community Center on 76th and Amsterdam.

dado (Director, she/her) Last season, dado directed Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin by Dianne Nora at A Red Orchid Theatre, as well as Lobster by Kallan Dana for the Wirtz Center at Northwestern University. Previously, dado directed Anna Ouyang Moench's In Quietness (A Red Orchid), The Lover by Harold Pinter (with Yasen Peyankov at Facility Theatre), as well as Right Now by Catherine Anne Toupin (Facility Theatre) and People Places and Things by Duncan MacMillan (University of Illinois). Later this year she will direct Dance Nation by Clare Barron. She is currently teaching at the University of Illinois.

Jojo Brown (Franny, she/her) is a Chicago-born actress who made her A Red Orchid Theatre debut in The Room, directed by dado. Off-Broadway credits include CHARM (MCC Theater) and 7 Minutes (Waterwell). Chicago credits include The Brightest Thing in the World (About Face Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Two Pence) and Let Me Down Easy (American Theater Company). On television, she's appeared in Single Drunk Female (Prime Video), Broad City (Comedy Central), Billions (SHOWTIME), Manifest (NBC), New Amsterdam (NBC), Younger (Paramount+) and Clean Slate (Prime Video). Her heart remains in the Chicago theatre scene.

Alexandra Chopson (Chelsea, she/her) is elated to be back at A Red Orchid Theatre! Last year, her performance in AROT's production of In Quietness earned her a Jeff Award Nomination for Performer in a Supporting Role. Recent credits include Late, A Cowboy Song (Couch Penny Ensemble) and Noises Off (Steppenwolf, Dir. Anna D. Shapiro). Additional projects include work with The Gift Theatre, Chicago Dramatists and The Den Theater. Her first national commercial will be airing this fall. Originally from Nashville, Chopson is, of course, a singer/songwriter. She holds a BFA in Acting from Ball State University and is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Carmia Imani (Lulu, she/her) is thrilled to make her A Red Orchid Theatre debut! She's a company member of PlayGround-Chicago and an ensemble member of A Short Leap Theatre Company. Chicago credits: Clearing (A Short Leap); Field of Flesh (Leisure); brother sister cyborg space (u/s, Raven Theatre). Regional: Skeleton Crew, Death of a Salesman (The Black Rep); Much Ado About Nothing (u/s, Commonwealth Shakespeare). She holds a BFA in Acting from Ball State University, where she produced AmeriKKKa (Best Film, Hoosier Films Festival 2021). She gives endless thanks to God, her family and friends for their unwavering support. Instagram: @carmiaimani

Jasper Johnson (Unnamed Male Concubine, he/him) is excited to work with A Red Orchid again, after understudying In Quietness. He's worked with Drury Lane Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company, among others. TV: Chicago Med, Dark Matter. FILM: Young Men, Love Language, The Eden Theory. He is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, and moonlights as an EMT in Chicago. He's represented by DDO Artists Agency and a member of SAG-AFTRA. Love to Sierra. yellowpadpictures.com           

Alice Wu (Noa, she/her) At A Red Orchid Theatre: Revolution (u/s), Staff Meal (Taste of Red Series). Select Chicago: Time is a Color... Blue (Avalanche Theatre), Sound, Instrument, Singing (Dizzy Turek), The Skin of Our Teeth (Remy Bumppo), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Midsommer Flight), Arabia, Arabia! (The Plagiarists), Select Regional: The Many Deaths of Nathan Stubblefield (Humana Festival), Circle Mirror Transformation (u/s) (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Select TV/Film: Chicago Fire (NBC); Empire (FOX); ESPN (ESPN); Wheelhouse (web), Tears to a Glass Eye (Jack Kenny). Education: BFA, NDSU; Professional Training Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville. Ensemble member: Avalanche Theatre, Red Theatre. Representation: DDO Artists Agency.

Sponsors: Production sponsor: Becky Coleman. Developmental Sponsors: Terrance & Carol Coleman.

About A Red Orchid Theatre:

A Red Orchid Theatre has served as an artistic focal point in the heart of the Old Town community of Chicago since 1993 and was honored with a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Over the past 32 years, its Resident Ensemble has welcomed into its fold an impressive array of award-winning actors, playwrights and theatre artists with the firm belief that live theatre is the greatest sustenance for the human spirit. A Red Orchid is well known and highly acclaimed for its fearless approach to performance and design in the service of unflinchingly intimate stories.     

A Red Orchid Theatre is: Karen Aldridge, Lance Baker, Kamal Angelo Bolden, Esteban Andres Cruz, Dado, Mike Durst, Sherman Edwards, Myron Elliott, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Levi Holloway, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, John Judd, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Travis A. Knight, Danny McCarthy, Shade Murray, Brett Neveu, Sadieh Rifai, Grant Sabin, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers and Natalie West.  

Sponsor Information: 

A Red Orchid Theatre remains grateful for the support of our board, donors and loyal audience who continue to champion our ambitious and powerful storytelling. These sponsors help to create a platform for our talented Ensemble to reach new audiences, and ensure that we remain a source for honest, compassionate, and aesthetically rigorous theatre-making. 

A Red Orchid Theatre's 33^rd Season is sponsored by Heidi Graham. The Production Sponsor for Veal is Becky Coleman; the Developmental Sponsors are Terrance & Carol Coleman.

Interested in sponsoring a production? By partnering with us as a sponsor, you will help to take our work to the next level of artistic excellence, while also receiving deeper access to our artists and the creative process. To learn more, please contact Development Director Stephanie Shum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (312) 943-8722.