Displaying items by tag: Chicago events

Theatre 31 Productions’ Gus and Alice has returned to the Greenhouse Theater Center this month. Written by Chicago playwright Mike Rago, the light‑hearted slice‑of‑life comedy follows an elderly married couple whose days revolve around avoiding gluten and surviving a game of Trivial Pursuit. As they enter their next chapter, Alice wonders whether a retirement community might be the right move - though her curmudgeonly husband will need some convincing.

Gus and Alice made its debut in New York before heading to the Windy City earlier this year for a sold‑out run. Now the original cast returns for this limited engagement, greeted with an unmistakably warm welcome on opening night.

The one‑act play has the feel of a ’90s sitcom (albeit one with a few well‑placed expletives). It kicks off with snappy dialogue and brisk blackouts that introduce the couple and their marriage - full of the love and bickering reminiscent of The Honeymooners’ Ralph and Alice. These characters are familiar, but the timelessness of the humor still rings true.

Rago set out to write a show centered on aging parents, a group often sidelined in comedy. At the core of the production’s success is the chemistry between Al Lerner and Michelle McKenzie‑Voigt, who bring Gus and Alice to life with a dynamic ease that anchors every scene they share. McKenzie‑Voigt, a Chicago‑based theater actress, professional voice talent, and multiple Chicago Emmy Award‑nominee, gives Alice a warm, grounded presence that balances Lerner’s sharper edges. Chicagoans may recognize Lerner from his days as a sports reporter and radio talk show host - a career that includes his work as a Sports Anchor/Reporter for ABC’s WLS‑TV, a Feature Reporter for NBC’s WMAQ‑TV, and a major on‑air presence at WGN Radio, where his talk show was nationally syndicated. Together, Lerner and McKenzie‑Voigt play off each other beautifully, trading barbs or getting on each other’s nerves while keeping their characters rooted in an understanding of love. Lerner grounds the cantankerous Gus with a short‑tempered crankiness that somehow remains endearing, while McKenzie‑Voigt shines as the sensible, fun‑loving Alice who can keep her husband in check.

Supporting the central pair is Peter Goldsmith as their son. His relaxed, relatable persona fits the role naturally; he deftly portrays a son who understands his parents’ quirks and effortlessly lets it slide when his dad calls him by his brother’s name. He proves to be the perfect straight man, playing the role with an intelligent ease.

The small ensemble adds quirky flavor. Valerie O’Connor is especially funny as the neighbor who’s had a bit too much to drink. A few ensemble members lean into a heightened, overly silly style of comedy, but it mostly suits the material. The show caps off with a high‑energy curtain‑call dance to the Macarena, a playful final beat that even draws a few audience members to join in.

Gus and Alice delivers a warm, laughter‑filled evening. This breezy comedy may tread familiar territory, but it reminds us what truly makes a family: loving each other even when we drive each other crazy.

Runtime: 1 hour 5 minutes

Rating: PG‑13

No intermission

Remaining show dates and times: Saturday, August 15 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 PM, Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 PM

The Greenhouse Theater Center 2257 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60614 Up Main Stage

Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36644/production/1281986

A Red Orchid Theatre is thrilled to announce a remount of its critically-acclaimed, father-daughter drama Birds of North America, returning for a limited engagement September 10 – October 4, 2026 at 1531 N. Wells St. in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. Written by Anna Ouyang Moench and directed by Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald*, the remount will feature the full original cast and creative team. Single tickets are now on sale at aredorchidtheatre.org or by calling (312) 943-8722. 

Reprising their original roles in Birds of North America are Ensemble Member John Judd* with Cassidy Slaughter-Mason. Understudies include Sahar Dika and Guy Wicke.

Birds of North America recently received seven 2026 Equity Jeff Award nominations including Best Play, Best Director (Kirsten Fitzgerald), Best Performer in a Principal Role (John Judd and Cassidy Slaughter Mason), Best Scenic Design (Morgan Laszlo) and Best Sound Design and Best Original Music in a Play (Ethan Korvne).

About the Production:

John and his daughter Caitlyn are birders. As they scan the skies over their backyard in suburban Maryland looking for elusive birds, years go by. Relationships begin and end. Children grow up and parents age. The climate and the world change in small and vast ways. Birds of North America takes a close look at the relationship of a father and daughter over the course of a decade as they struggle to understand the parts of one another that defy understanding. 

Birds of North America received critical acclaim during its sell-out Chicago premiere:

★★★★

"A gorgeous little 90-minute two-hander, a beautifully acted and directed

father-daughter play capable of transporting you away... I was transported"

"[John] Judd, one of the Chicago theater's most remarkable actors [is] a perfect fit for this role...

a really beautiful performance and one of Judd's best. (I've seen many.)"

–Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

★★★½

"A gripping generational dialogue... Slaughter-Mason's performance in this production is moving."

–Mike Davis, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ Chicago

RECOMMENDED! "A tender portrait that walks the taut line

between pain and sentimentality with the vivid humor of recognition."

–Irene Hsiao, Chicago Reader

The production team includes Morgan Laszlo (Scenic Designer), Ben Argenta Kress (Costume Designer), Seojung Jang (Lighting Designer), Ethan Korvne (Composer & Sound Designer), Spencer Diaz Tootle (Props Designer and Set Dressing), Jojo Brown (Dramaturg), Amy Carpenter (Assistant Director), Kyle Stoffers (Casting Director), Kira Nutter (Production Manager), Tom Daniel (Technical Director). Alivia Arizaga (Stage Manager) and Faith Locke (Assistant Stage Manager).

Subscribers for A Red Orchid's 2026/27 Season may add Birds of North America to their package at a discounted rate. Season subscriptions are currently on sale at aredorchidtheatre.org/season-34.

*Denotes A Red Orchid Theatre Ensemble Member

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: Birds of North America

Playwright: Anna Ouyang Moench
Director: Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald*
Cast: Ensemble Member John Judd* (John) with Cassidy Slaughter-Mason (Caitlyn)

Understudies: Sahar Dika and Guy Wicke

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

Dates: Opening: Thursday September 10, 2026 at 7 pm

Regular run: Friday, September 11 – Sunday, October 4, 2026 Curtain Times: Thursdays and Fridays at 7 pm; Saturdays 3 pm & 7 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm.

Tickets: $61*. Access, student, senior and group discounts available.  Single tickets are now on sale at 12 pm at aredorchidtheatre.org or by calling (312) 943-8722. *Ticket prices include a processing fee.

About the Artists:

Anna Ouyang Moench (Playwright, she/her) is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. Her plays include Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again, Man of God, Birds of North America, Mothers and Sin Eaters. Anna's work has been produced at the La Jolla Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Geffen Playhouse, East West Players, the Playwrights Realm, NAATCO at the Public Theater, A Red Orchid Theater Company, The Gift Theatre, and many others. She is a former Jerome Fellow at the Playwrights' Center, Van Lier fellow at the Lark and Page One fellow at the Playwrights Realm. Awards include two 2023 WGA Awards for her work on Severance (Apple TV+), the 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award, the Gerbode Special Award in the Arts, the Paul Stephen Lim Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center, and the NYFA Award in Playwriting/Screenwriting. Anna received her MFA in Playwriting from UCSD and now lives

in Los Angeles with her family.

Kirsten Fitzgerald (Director, she/her) is a proud member of the Ensemble at A Red Orchid Theatre and has served as the Artistic Director since 2008. Recent directing credits include the world premiere of Gorgeous by Keiko Green at Raven Theatre, The Moors at A Red Orchid (Jeff Award for Best Production and Best Director of a Play-Midsize) and Dance Nation at Northwestern University's Wirtz Center. As an actor Kirsten has originated roles in the world premieres of The Cave, Grey House, Traitor, Pilgrim's Progress, Weapon of Mass Impact, and more (A Red Orchid); Swing State, I hate It Here (Goodman); Lettie, Appropriate (Victory Gardens); Mary Page Marlow, The Qualms (Steppenwolf). TV: Dark Matter, Shining Girls, Somebody Somewhere, The Exorcist, Sirens, The Big Leap, Chicago Med/Fire/Justice, Underemployed, ER. Film: Widows, Working Man. Kirsten is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent.

John Judd (John, he/him) last appeared on the A Red Orchid Theatre stage in Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin, and was previously seen in The Cave, The Malignant Ampersand, and Gagarin Way, as well as the McCarter Theatre's presentation of Simpatico. A Chicago based actor for forty years, John has acted at The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Writer's Theatre, Court Theatre, Drury Lane, Northlight, Shattered Globe, Lookingglass, Victory Gardens and Next, as well as numerous regional, international and Off-Broadway venues.

Cassidy Slaughter-Mason (Caitlyn, she/her) is a Chicago based actor and writer. Recent theater credits include: Brooklyn Laundry (Northlight Theatre), The Luckiest (Raven Theatre, Equity Jeff Award for Best Performer in a Principal Role), How a Boy Falls (Northlight Theatre), Kiss (Haven Theatre), Significant Other (Theatre Wit/About Face) and Rapture Blister Burn (Goodman Theatre, Equity Jeff nomination for Performer in a Supporting Role). Film and TV credits include: All Happy Families, Ultra-City Smiths, Chicago Fire and Easy. Her short film Rabbit Rabbit (co-written with Poppy Golland) will stream this spring on OpenTV. Cassidy is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.

 Lead Production Sponsor: Zell Family Foundation. Production Sponsor: Northern Trust.

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.  

Back by popular demand, the sold out hit, THE BOOK OF MORMON , is returning to Chicago! Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 7. THE BOOK OF MORMON will play Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) for a limited engagement, October 23 – November 1.THE BOOK OF MORMON tour production photos can be found here.THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The Broadway production is directed by Parker and two-time Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, and choreographed by Nicholaw. The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner based on the original Broadway direction and choreography. Set design is by three-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design is by Tony Award winner Ann Roth , lighting design is by five-time Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt, sound design is by two-time Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, and hair design is by Josh Marquette. Orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus. Music supervision and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus. Casting is by Carrie Gardner.Since opening on March 24, 2011, THE BOOK OF MORMON  has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times. In addition to nine Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, THE BOOK OF MORMON  won five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical and four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical.The West End production opened in February 2013, winning four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, and breaking the record for the highest single day of sales in West End history. The first-ever UK and European tour launched in Manchester in June 2019, winning ‘Best Theatre Show’ at the Manchester Evening News City Life Awards before touring throughout the UK and Europe.THE BOOK OF MORMON has been performed on three continents and has won over 30 international awards. The musical has smashed long-standing box office records in New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney and in cities across the U.S. and the world.The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS (Producer) is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. www.networkstours.comFor more information, visit thebookofmormontour.com

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Friday, October 23 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 – 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 – 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION (As of August 6, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets for THE BOOK OF MORMON go on sale Friday, August 7 and range from $49.00 - $139.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Ticket price listed is when purchased in person at the box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, The Auditorium, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place .
 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan and Music Theater Works are proud to announce its 47th season. The 2027 season at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. includes Parade, March 4 - 28, 2027; Bye Bye Birdie, August 12 - 22, 2027; Mary Poppins, October 7 - 31, 2027, and the fourth and final show to be announced, December 16, 2027 - January 2, 2028. Parade and Mary Poppins will be in the North Theatre where Music Theater Works reimagines shows to fit the more intimate space while Bye Bye Birdie and the fourth show will be performed at the George Van Dusen Theatre to showcase these shows on a larger scale. Current members may renew for the 2027 season now with new memberships available beginning Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. and single tickets for all the 2027 productions will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2027 at 12 p.m. For more information on the 47th season go toMusicTheaterWorks.com and for membership renewals call 847-673-6300.

"This season tells the story of who we are. From the urgent humanity of Parade to the infectious joy of Bye Bye Birdie, the timeless magic of Mary Poppins and an exciting finale still to come, each production reflects our belief that musicals have the power to unite us across generations,” said Producing Artistic Director Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc. As we celebrate 47 years, we aren't simply looking back, we're investing in the future of this art form by creating experiences that are intimate, inclusive, artistically bold and deeply connected to our community. That has always been our purpose, and it's what will carry Music Theater Works into the future.”

The Music Theater Works 2027 season includes:

PARADE

March 4 - 28, 2027

Book by Alfred Uhry

Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown

North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Parade is the daring, Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece from Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, The Bridges of Madison County). Based on a true story, Parade follows Leo and Lucille Frank, a young Jewish couple from New York whose new life in early 20th-century Georgia is upended when Leo is accused of a devastating crime. As their marriage, faith and belief in justice are tested, they confront prejudice, political pressure and a community searching for someone to blame. In this unflinching, intimate production, Parade brings audiences face-to-face with a story of love, resilience and the enduring pursuit of truth.

BYE BYE BIRDIE

August 12 - 22, 2027 

Book by Michael Stewart

Music by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Lee Adams

George Van Dusen Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

A Tony Award-winning and classic musical comedy set in small-town 1950s America, Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of rock & roll star “Conrad Birdie.” When Conrad gets drafted into the Army, he plans to say a final goodbye to the town of Sweet Apple, Ohio - but not without a farewell kiss! Based on the events of Elvis Presley’s own draft into the Army in 1957, Bye Bye Birdie is a sweet, lighthearted musical filled with young romance and just a bit of chaos featuring the classics “Put on a Happy Face,” “How Lovely to Be a Woman” and, of course, “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s

MARY POPPINS 

October 7 - 31, 2027

Book by Julian Fellowes

A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film

Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Book by Julian Fellowes

New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh

North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Cameron Mackintosh's and Disney’s Tony Award-winning “Best Musical” Mary Poppins brings its timeless magic to audiences of all ages. Set inside a child’s oversized Victorian doll house that bursts open with imagination, wonder and theatrical magic, everyone’s favorite nanny arrives with her iconic umbrella to take the Banks family, and audiences, on an unforgettable journey. Featuring beloved songs including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Step in Time,” this enchanting production is filled with breathtaking dance, dazzling visual moments and heartwarming storytelling. A magical experience for both children discovering the wonder of the story for the first time and adults rediscovering the joy and nostalgia of a beloved classic, Mary Poppins is a family adventure where imagination takes flight and everything is truly “Practically Perfect.”

Show #4

December 16, 2027 - January 2, 2028

George Van Dusen Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Award-winning Redtwist Theatre’s new 22nd season, “State of Violence,” begins with Prayer Circle, September 17 - November 8, by Erik Gernand and directed by Executive Artistic Director Dusty Brown, at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Preview performances are Thursday, Sept. 17, Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Regular performance schedule includes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Single tickets are on sale starting August 15 for $50 (seniors and veterans: $35; students: $10 and Fridays are Pay-What-You-Can) with subscriptions also available at RedtwistTheatre.org. 

As the world hurtles ever faster in the wrong direction, Addy discovers she may have the power to make it better. Joining with the members of a small town prayer circle, four people try to convince their pastor to pray with them… to bring about some killer results. Erik Gernand, Redtwist’s resident playwright, invites audiences to a darkly comedic debate - how far would you go to save your country?

The cast of Prayer Circle includes Jaqueline Grandt* (Marilyn); Philip Matthews* (Pastor Evans); Andi Muriel (Addy); Kezia Waters (Doug); Macaria Chaparro Martinez* (Carol); Natalie Rae (Marilyn U/S); Jeff Menezes (Pastor Evans U/S); Jessie Skonesey (Addy U/S) and Marco Antonio Perez (Doug U/S).

The creative team of Prayer Circle includes Erik Gernand (playwright); Dusty Brown (director); Joshua Servantez (assistant director); Jeff Brain* (scenic designer); Leo Bassow* (props designer); Piper Kirchhoffer* (lighting designer); Madeline Felauer (costume designer) and Charlie Tolbert (production manager).

*denotes Redtwist Theatre Ensemble Member

ABOUT ERIK GERNAND, playwright 

Erik Gernand is a Chicago-based playwright and filmmaker. His play The Totality of All Things won a Jeff Award for Best New Work for its 2024 production at Redtwist Theatre where he is the playwright in residence. His plays have been produced around the country, including at The Barrow Group (New York City), The ROAD Theatre Company (Los Angeles) and City Theatre (Miami) and have been published by Dramatic Publishing and Smith & Kraus. His award-winning short films have screened at more than 100 film festivals around the world including SXSW, Cinequest, Outfest and the Chicago International Film Festival and have been broadcast on IFC, PBS and The Logo Channel. Gernand is a professor of instruction in radio-TV-film at Northwestern University.

ABOUT DUSTY BROWN, director

Dusty Brown is the executive artistic director of Redtwist Theatre. They began their career as a stage hand in Atlanta, Georgia, working on everything from Shakespeare to new works, and everything in between. They received their MFA in directing from Ohio University in 2021. Notable productions include: Steve Yockey's Wolves at Redtwist and Pluto at Ohio University; William Shakespeare's Macbeth at Three Crows and Ohio University; Tracy Letts' Bug at Ohio University; Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at DramaTech in Atlanta; Uffizi at Bottled Lightning in Atlanta and Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park at Vox Populi Productions in Chattanooga.

The 2026 - 2027 Redtwist Theatre season also includes:

SHOW TWO - TO BE ANNOUNCED

January 28 - March 14, 2027

Previews: Thursday, Jan. 28 - Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Sunday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. 

Tickets: $50 (seniors and veterans: $35; students: $10 and Fridays are Pay-What-You-Can)

Single tickets go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15

Redtwist Theatre will be announcing the second production at a later date. 

Julius Caesar

April 8 - May 30, 2027

Written by William Shakespeare

Previews: Thursday, April 8 - Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Sunday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. 

Tickets: $50 (seniors and veterans: $35; students: $10 and Fridays are Pay-What-You-Can)

Single tickets go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15

“Friends, Romans, Countrymen…” Something’s rotten in the republic. Most people know what happened on the Ides of March, but do they remember what came next? Join Redtwist in a riveting new take on Shakespeare’s classic story of political violence and its consequences. 

Twisted Tuesday New Play Readings

Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

On select Tuesdays, Redtwist welcomes audiences for a new play reading from a variety of Chicago-based playwrights. All readings are Pay-What-You-Can.

One-On-Wednesday

Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

For three years, each Wednesday, Redtwist invites unique solo performers to take over its space and bring their singular, edgy perspective to the black box in Edgewater. All performances are Pay-What-You-Can.

Twisted PlayFest

Summer 2027

Returning for its third season, Twisted PlayFest is a new play incubator that provides ongoing play readings and development for aspiring Chicago playwrights. The centerpiece of this initiative is the annual Twisted Play Festival. The festival features ten plays at various stages of development. 

ABOUT REDTWIST THEATRE

Redtwist is an award-winning theatre company that has for 22 seasons staged up close and personal contemporary dramas annually in its intimate black box theatre housed proudly within the heart of Edgewater’s Bryn Mawr Historic District. 

Performances at Redtwist are designed to place the theatre patron in the midst of the stories being told, making them accessible and riveting. Redtwist strives for excellence with every project and endeavors to take risks while offering opportunities for up-and-coming actors, designers and directors to work with established talent. Redtwist provides the very best Chicago storefront theatre experience from excellence on stage, to warm hospitality in a clean, friendly environment.

Award-winning Redtwist Theatre’s new 22nd season, “State of Violence,” begins with Prayer Circle, September 17 - November 8, by Erik Gernand and directed by Executive Artistic Director Dusty Brown at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Preview performances are Thursday, Sept. 17, Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Regular performance schedule includes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Single tickets are on sale starting August 15 for $50 (seniors and veterans: $35; students: $10 and Fridays are Pay-What-You-Can) with subscriptions also available at RedtwistTheatre.org. 

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 50^th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of You Can't Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music, written and directed by Artistic Director Director Daryl D. Brooks. You Can't Fake the Funk runs September 5-October 25, 2026, at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

Information and tickets are available at www.blackensemble.org, (773) 769-4451 and at the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Please note the new curtains times: Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $69 (fees included). Valet parking is available for $15 (cash only).

Hop aboard the Mothership and take a groovy ride back to the era when Afros were high, bell-bottoms were tight, and the music was truly out of sight! You Can't Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music is a high-energy, feel-good celebration of the sound that defined a generation. From Sly and the Family Stone to Parliament-Funkadelic to Earth, Wind & Fire, this electrifying production will have audiences dancing in the aisles and testifying to the unstoppable power of the Funk.

The cast is led by Dwight Neal (Dr. Funk) with an ensemble cast including: Vincent Jordan, Britt Edwards, Jaitee Thomas, Miciah Lathan, Jordan Taylor, Darrow Richmond, Darren Patin, Johnathon Lee and Brandon Lavell. The understudies are Blake Reasoner and Kentrell Dawson.

The creative team includes: Founder/CEO Jackie Taylor (producer), Artistic Director Daryl D. Brooks (director, writer), Robert Reddrick (music director), Qiana McNary (associate director), Robin DaSilva (vocal arranger), Christopher Chase Carter (choreographer), Denise Karchewski (lighting and set designer), Robert Kunh (costume designer), Sean Alverez (sound designer), and DJ Douglass (projection designer), Harrison Orneals (technical director), Kristi Martens (Equity stage manager), and Cat Andrade (Equity assistant stage manager).

The live band is: Music Director Robert Reddrick (drums), Adam Sherod (keys), Oscar Brown (guitar), Charles "Chip" DuBose (guitar), Walter Harrington (bass), Mark Allen Felton (sax), Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Bill McFarland (trombone), and Myron Cherry (drum understudy).

The 5-Play Card

Black Ensemble Theatre's 5-Play Card is a digital ticket package unlike any other. At a cost of $280 (including fees), it offers a savings of $65 over regular ticket prices. One of the greatest perks of the 5-Play Card is its flexibility – use the five tickets any way you want! You can: bring five people to one show, treat yourself to five different shows, or use the 5-Play Card in any ticket number combination until all five tickets are spent.

The 5-Play Card is good for 18 months and becomes active immediately after purchasing. If you buy multiple 5-Play Card packages, please note that a maximum of five tickets can be redeemed on a single show date.

The 50^th Anniversary Season continues with:

Jackie Taylor's The Other Cinderella

Written and directed by Founder & CEO Jackie Taylor

Music by Jackie Taylor and Michael Ward
December 12, 2026-January 24, 2027

Opening: Sunday, December 20, 2025

Jackie Taylor's The Other Cinderella is a beloved Black Ensemble Theater classic that has delighted audiences for 50 years.  This joyful African American version of the timeless fairy tale is filled with laughter, soul, and heart. In this story, Cinderella is from the projects, the Stepmamma works at the post office, the Fairygodmama hails from Jamaica, and the Brothers from the Hood keep the kingdom jumpin'!

Overflowing with show-stopping songs, vibrant dancing, and unforgettable characters, The Other Cinderella is a treasured family tradition, and the perfect way to close our 50th Anniversary Season, reminding us to embrace our greatness and follow our spirit!

Black Ensemble will continue with the Plays With A Purpose series for school groups, Black Playwrights Initiative, Soul of a Powerful Woman on June 7, 2026, the free summer outside concert series Fridays on the Green in August, and the annual Gala on October 15, 2026,

About Black Ensemble's Free to Be Village

Construction is underway on the new Studio Theater, the second phase of the visionary Free to BE Village. This intimate space will nurture new work, emerging voices, innovative storytelling, and the next generation of talent. It represents a bold step forward as we continue expanding the artistic possibilities of Black Ensemble Theater.

The Studio Theater, housed on the second floor of the Black Ensemble Cultural Center at 4450 N. Clark St., will be transformed into a 3,150 sq. ft., 150-seat performance space, plus a dance studio/rehearsal room and a dressing room. The Studio Theater was the final project designed by the outstanding late architect John Morris. The Studio Theater will have flexiblility to accommodate at least eight stage and seating configurations and will feature state-of-the-art lighting and sound design.

The inaugural season for the Studio theater will be announced in September or October. It will offer much needed space for new and experimental works, including the works of the Black Playwrights Initiative. The Studio theater will also include musical as well as non-musical stage productions. 

The architect is Morris Architects Planners; John Morris passed away in 2025. The construction administration phase by Seek Design. The contractor is Ujamaa Construction.

Funding for the project is generously provided by City of Chicago Community Development funds; Federal community project funds – Representative Jan Schakowsky and Representative Mike Quigley; Illinois Arts Council; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; and the State of Illinois DCEO.

Black Ensemble Theater   

Founded in 1976 by acclaimed producer, playwright, and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater on the culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse North Side in Uptown. Through its Educational Outreach Programs, Black Ensemble has served more than 10,000 young people. Its Four Play Season of Excellence has captivated audiences locally, nationally, and internationally with outstanding original musicals that entertain, uplift, and bridge cultural divides, reminding us that we are all one. Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed more than 5,000 artists.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts and community engagement.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.  

Jackalope Theatre Company, presenting the 17th Annual Newspaper Festival, August 20 - 24, is proud to announce the world premiere of Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West, written by Calamity West and directed by Jonathan Berry, November 11 - December 19, 2026, at Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway St. The total running time, including one intermission, is two hours and 30 minutes. Preview performances are Wednesday, Nov. 11, Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. The performance schedule is Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with no Friday, Nov. 27 or Saturday, Nov. 28 performances. Tickets are $20 - $45 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. Subscription and single tickets are now available at JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543.

Calamity West is conjuring a fantasia: It’s 1986 New York and Tony is a playwright who isn’t writing. As he and his closest collaborators search for meaning in an increasingly fractured America, figures from history begin appearing with agendas of their own. Engines and Instruments of Flight is a play about the magic of making theatre in a world that refuses to stand still.

The cast of Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West includes Raphael Diaz (he/him, Henry); Julian Hester (he/him, William); Niko Kourtis (he/him, Tony); Andrew Burden Swanson (he/him, Calvin); Johnard Washington (he/him, Gene) and Mary Williamson (she/her, Eleanor).  

The creative team for Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West includes Calamity West (she/her, playwright); Jonathan Berry (he/him, director); Salman Lee (he/him, assistant director); Tianxuan Chen (she/her, scenic and lighting designer); Delena Bradley (she/her, costume designer); Steve Labedz (they/them, sound designer); Courtney Abbott (they/she, intimacy coordinator); Madie Doppelt (she/her, script advisor); E Tylkowski (they/them, production manager); Tseela Sokolin-Maimon (she/her, stage manager); Mayah Jaimes (they/them, assistant stage manager) and AJ Links, CSA (she/her, casting director).

ABOUT CALAMITY WEST, PLAYWRIGHT

Calamity West is the 2026 recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award, one of the nation’s most significant prizes for new American plays, for her play FEAST!. Originally developed in New York at Primary Stages through the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, FEAST! received further development at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. West’s work has been produced, commissioned and developed by some of the country’s leading theatrical institutions including The Public, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Roundabout Theatre Company, the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and Jackalope Theatre Company. From 2022 to 2026, West was an invited member of Primary Stages’ Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, where she wrote three new plays: FEAST!, Sgt. Hank Cole’s Drama Club of Algona and PARALLAX. Her body of work also includes In the Canyon, Give It All Back, Rolling and Greetings from Moscow: A Love Story. West’s Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts is receiving its world premiere at Jackalope Theatre Company to be followed by the world premiere of FEAST! at Goodman Theatre, February 27 - March 28, 2027.

ABOUT JONATHAN BERRY, DIRECTOR

Jonathan Berry is a Chicago-based director, producer, educator and is the recently appointed artistic director at Raven Theatre. For Jackalope, he directed the world premiere of The Casuals.  He was an artistic producer at Steppenwolf, where directing credits include: Lindiwe, The Children, You Got Older, Constellations, Curious Incident… and The Crucible. Other work includes: Steep Theatre (Company Member): Paris, Birdland, Red Rex, The Knowledge, Festen, Moment and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Griffin (Company Member): The Harvest, Balm in Gilead, Golden Boy, Spring Awakening, Punk Rock, Port, Company and Picnic. Other credits include Roundabout Theater: Suicide, Incorporated; Gift Theatre: the remount of Obliterarion, the world premieres of Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated and at Goodman Theatre: The Solid Sand Below and The World of Extreme Happiness for New Stages. Assistant director for Broadway productions of Of Mice and Men and This is Our Youth.  He taught classes at UIC, Columbia College, Northwestern and was instrumental in leading the ensemble training program, The School, at Steppenwolf.  For three years, he served as artistic director of the Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, Maine. 

Coming Up from Jackalope:

17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival 

August 20 - 24

Press Opening: Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7:30 p.m.

The Broadway Armory, 5917 N Broadway

JackalopeTheatre.org/2025-2026

Tickets: $20 - $35

The Living Newspaper Festival is inspired by the 1930s Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project that created stories based on recent events. This year’s Festival includes world premieres inspired from recent news headlines.

Performances, show times, dates are subject to change.

ABOUT JACKALOPE THEATRE

Jackalope Theatre Company expands the definition of American Identity by engaging with communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Jackalope is a premier home for new and exciting Off-Loop Theatre based in Chicago's Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. They are committed to cultivating new voices that contribute to an expanding American culture and mythology. Each season, Jackalope produces full-length plays, new play development programming and provides free classes in partnership with the Chicago Park District.

Jackalope Theatre Company, presenting the 17th Annual Newspaper Festival, August 20 - 24, is proud to announce the world premiere of Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West, written by Calamity West and directed by Jonathan Berry, November 11 - December 19, 2026, at Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway St. The total running time, including one intermission, is two hours and 30 minutes. Preview performances are Wednesday, Nov. 11, Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. with the press opening Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with no Friday, Nov. 27 or Saturday, Nov. 28 performances. Tickets are $20 - $45 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. Subscription and single tickets are now available at JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543.

Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce tickets for t he original Tony® & Olivier Award-winning musical sensation, JERSEY BOYS, are now on sale. The highly anticipated engagement will play Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre for a limited two-week engagement, November 10 - 22. This engagement of JERSEY BOYS is part of a multi-city North American Tour beginning September 2026 in celebration of its 20^th Anniversary year.

JERSEY BOYS is the behind-the-music true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.  They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story – a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Beggin’” and “Working My Way Back To You.”

JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Grammy Award-winner Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe.

The recipient of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 65 major awards and has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide.

The Broadway production originally opened on November 6, 2005, and, by the time it closed on January 15, 2017, it was the 12^th longest running show in Broadway history.  It returned to New York with a new production from November 2017 to May 2022. JERSEY BOYS has also had multiple record-breaking US National Tours from 2006 through 2022 as well as productions in Las Vegas, Chicago and Toronto.

JERSEY BOYS ran in London’s West End from March 18, 2008 to March 26, 2017 and, at the time, was the 6^th longest musical running in the West End. The musical returned to the West End as the first show to play the reinstated Trafalgar Theatre from April 14, 2021 to January 4, 2024. JERSEY BOYS previously played three record-breaking UK and Ireland tours from 2014 to 2016, 2017 to 2019 and 2021 to 2022.

A JERSEY BOYS 20^th Anniversary UK and Ireland tour also opened on June 15, 2026, at the New Wimbledon Theatre, currently booking dates through 2027.

The JERSEY BOYS 20^th Anniversary North American tour will be staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, with scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy, projections design by Michael Clark and production supervision by Danny Austin. The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of JERSEY BOYS, produced by Bob Gaudio, was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The cast recording is available on Rhino Records. JERSEY BOYS: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Broadway Books) is the official handbook to the smash Broadway hit.  Season’s Greetings: A JERSEY BOYS Christmas, a holiday CD featuring international cast members of JERSEY BOYS, produced by Bob Gaudio, is available on Rhino Records.

For more information, please visit www.JerseyBoysInfo.com
Instagram: @JerseyBoysBroadway
Facebook: @JerseyBoysBroadway
TikTok: @JerseyBoysBroadway
YouTube: @JerseyBoys
Threads: @JerseyBoysBroadway

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 10 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 12 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 15 – 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 17 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 19 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 20 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 22 – 1:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION (As of August 14, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets for JERSEY BOYS are on sale now and range from $40.00 - $140.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Ticket price listed is when purchased in person at the box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, The Auditorium, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Follow @BroadwayInChicago on
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#broadwayinchicago

Sometimes the best way to find a comedian who’s new to you is by stumbling onto a clip that stops your scroll cold. That’s exactly how I first encountered Marcus Monroe: a burst of chaotic silliness on Instagram that made me immediately wonder what his full stand-up looked like beyond the quick-hit reels. As I have with both up-and-coming comedians, and even more established ones I haven’t really explored, I first discovered Monroe online by chance. Outside of a good handful of snippets - mostly from his Stand Up on the Subway series that I’ll get to shortly - I had very little to go on in terms of what his actual live stand-up would be like. In his case, I couldn’t stop watching the run of hilarious reels: quick, character-driven, highly silly bursts of comedy that immediately stood out for their timing and playful absurdity. Those clips ended up being a solid introduction to Monroe’s live show, which delivers a smart, engaging blend of his signature comedy. And yes - he’s genuinely funny.

I finally saw him live at The Comedy Bar in downtown Chicago, and it was the perfect venue to experience his style up close. The night was packed with laughs. Opener Brett Druck was outstanding, delivering sharp, tightly crafted jokes with a calm confidence that immediately locked the room in. His humor leans clever and observational, the kind of writing that sneaks up on you and lands with a clean, satisfying snap, perfectly setting the stage for headliner Marcus Monroe.

Monroe’s current tour highlights the style he’s become known for: sharp, in-your-face comedic banter paired with fast-paced variety performance. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and now residing in New York City, Monroe brings a Midwest-friendly looseness to his delivery, even as he leans into the nonconformist energy that has defined his career. He’s a past recipient of the Andy Kaufman Award, given annually to a performer whose originality and creative spirit echo Kaufman’s own. His résumé spans television appearances, cruise line entertainment, and major comedy festivals, and he’s been seen by millions, including performances on The Late Show with David Letterman and America’s Got Talent.

Onstage, he delivers a tight, energetic set that mixes storytelling, improvisation, and physical comedy in a way that feels both polished and spontaneous. His crowd work delivers some of his best moments - he’s genuinely comfortable interacting with the audience, slipping into quick riffs and playful exchanges that feel effortless and keep the room locked in. His material ranges widely, from the chaos of travel and performing on the road, to the odd realities of being somewhat of a “variety act” in a stand-up world, to the strange encounters that come with doing comedy in unconventional spaces. He also dives into his relationship with his wife, who’s fifteen years older and has been with him for over a decade. They never signed a prenup, but he’s unfazed - as he jokes, everything’s hers anyway. In fact, most of her belongings came from a divorce settlement with her ex-husband, so should they ever split, Monroe figures he’d walk away with half of Steve’s stuff. And toward the end of the show, he folds in his juggling - often with sharp knives - not as a gimmick, but as a comedic tool he uses for timing, misdirection, and playful escalation, giving his set a physical dimension most stand-ups don’t attempt. And this is the same guy who has juggled flaming torches while riding a sky-high unicycle, so the physicality isn’t just a flourish - it’s part of his comedic DNA.

A major part of Monroe’s growing national profile comes from his Stand Up on the Subway series, the viral project that helped expand his audience far beyond traditional comedy venues. For more than two years, he’s been performing fully costumed bits on New York City trains, transforming everyday commutes into pop-up comedy sets. The punchlines in these subway bits, while some downright goofy, are often purposefully so bad in a brilliant way - beyond dad-joke territory and deep into gleeful absurdity - that they loop back around into being hilarious. It’s part of what makes the series addictive, and I’ve become hooked on watching each new character drop into a train car with that “what’s he going to do next?” unpredictability. His Stand Up on the Subway series has now surpassed 100 million views and even features cameos from Bowling for Soup, Train, Bobby Moynihan, BBMak, Ryan Cabrera, and more, adding an extra layer of delightful unpredictability to the chaos. His roster of subway personas is part of the fun: Michael Jackson, Marty McFly, Ozzy Osbourne, the Grinch, Ronald McDonald, Freddie Mercury, a watermelon, a foot, Uncle Sam, an emo kid, and an endless supply of other characters pulled from whatever corner of his imagination he’s exploring that day. He’s even created a Chicago version on the EL train, suiting up as a Bears player for a local twist. The reactions - amused, confused, delighted, or occasionally baffled - become part of the show, and the series has become a defining piece of his creative identity.

Taken together, the tour, the reels, and the Stand Up on the Subway series reveal a performer who thrives on unpredictability, connection, and inventive silliness. Monroe isn’t trying to reinvent comedy so much as he’s carving out his own lane within it, one built on enthusiasm, oddball charm, and a willingness to commit fully to the bit. It’s a combination that works, and his stand-up is highly recommended. For upcoming tour dates, videos, and more of his character work, visit www.marcusmonroe.com.

This summer, the Starship Edsel boldly goes where they maybe shouldn’t go as Otherworld Theatre, Chicago’s premier destination for Science Fiction and Fantasy performance, presents the premiere of Starship Edsel: Season 4. Running from August 9 through September 13 at Second City’s De Maat Theatre, this improvised Star Trek parody illuminates the ship you wouldn’t hear about in the greater Starfleet Universe.

The Director, Executive Producer, and showrunner is Anthony LeBlanc (Second City Mainstage alum, former Executive Producer/Artistic Director, and Jeff Award nominee), with Otherworld’s Director of Development Dylan Schaefer as Managing Producer and Wanjiku Kairu Oliver as Associate Producer. Starship Edsel is a Star Trek fan’s dream. Otherworld is widely known for hit genre‑bending shows including Improvised Romantasy, Moon, Prism, Power! and Twihard! A Twilight Musical Parody.

Coming off their recent stint in early TOS’s 23rd century, the Edsel crew is thrown into Starfleet Academy’s 32nd century. Will they be able to handle the cultural differences faced by the Starship Discovery? Will the entire crew have to attend Starfleet Academy with prepubescent teens to prove they can handle this new time period? What exactly can a Betazed do telepathically? All this—and a brand‑new captain—will be revealed in the latest six‑week mission of the Starship Edsel.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun while going to places we haven’t been to. Just like improvisation, we are playing in a part of Star Trek that hasn’t been defined yet. It’s great to play inside a limited container,” says LeBlanc.

Beyond its Chicago mainstage run, Starship Edsel has built a proven track record entertaining convention crowds across the Midwest, including C2E2, FanExpo Chicago, and Starbase Indy. Full cast includes Lilly Bolduc, Ian Deanes, Stephen Fauss, Eliana Decker‑Glick, Matt Kawa, Mike Mazzella, Edward Neequaye, Wanjiku Kairu Oliver, Croix Perkins, Carlos Rivera, Janice Rumschlag, Liam Ryan, Dylan Schaefer, Bernadette Santos Schwegel, and Keely Smith. Created from a LARP written by Brandon Brylawski. Special guests include Rich Alphonso, Alex Bellisle, James Dugan, Javid Igbal, Steve Nelson, Cassidy Russel, Andy Stagmeyer, CJ Tuor, and Craig Uhlir.

About the Show

Starship Edsel is an improvised farce set aboard Starfleet’s worst vessel, the USS Edsel. Plagued with mechanical problems and design flaws—and filled with Starfleet’s most problematic personnel—the Edsel was assigned to remain in parking orbit above a vacation planet, ordered to give VIP tours of an “authentic Federation Starship.” After an incursion by the Romulan Empire, the Edsel was thrust into the center of a galactic crisis.

The show follows the ship and her crew on their subsequent misadventures throughout the galaxy. Blending fast‑paced comedy with affectionate sci‑fi satire, each performance boldly explores strange new worlds, unexpected adventures, and the corners of the Federation no one wants to visit, with a special guest each night.

Performance Details & Tickets

Starship Edsel will be performed at Second City’s De Maat Theatre, located in Chicago’s Old Town district.

• Run Dates: Opening – Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m.; Closing – Sunday, September 13 at 6 p.m. • Location: Second City’s De Maat Theatre, 1608 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60614 • Tickets: $25 general admission • Direct Ticket Link: https://www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/starship-edsel-an-improvised-star-trek-satire-chi

Media outlets, convention organizers, and programming directors interested in booking Starship Edsel or scheduling interviews with the cast and creative team can contact: Wanjiku Kairu Oliver at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Otherworld Theatre Company