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.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, In Concert, is coming to Chicago's landmark, The Auditorium. Howard Shore's Academy and Grammy Award-winning score will be presented live, in concert. Experience the epic motion picture and its legendary score beneath a 60-foot screen accompanied by 238 musicians, including symphony orchestra, chorus and soloists, March 13 and 14, 2026. This Production of The Lord of the Rings, In Concert, is presented by CAMI Music, and follows over 15 years of sold-out performances across the globe. Celebrating the film's 25th anniversary, this marks a return to the Chicago area for the first time in eight years following the last series of performances at the Ravinia Festival.

The live performances of Howard Shore's score of The Lord of the Rings, In Concert, are unmatched in the movie-going experience – the iconic score having been voted No .1 in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

There's probably never been as ambitious a film score as Howard Shore's 10-hour epic for the "Lord of the Rings" series... the music is rich and complex, drawing on a vast range of styles and exotic instruments to evoke J.R.R. Tolkien's world... Shore uses an elaborate leitmotif technique (where musical themes are associated with specific characters or ideas, and are developed across the entire series) to hold the sprawling tale together. Lush, beautiful and full of intriguing surprises, it's no wonder that it's become one of the most popular film scores ever written. 
– Stephen Brookes for the Washington Post, May 2008

The epic film trilogy The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring(2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return of the King (2003) – directed by Peter Jackson and based on the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien novel became an international phenomenon.  Released by New Line Cinema, the trilogy is among the highest earning films of all time and won a total of 17 Academy Awards.  Howard Shore was honored with Academy Awards for Original Score for The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Return of the King (2003), and for Original Song for "Into the West," featured in The Return of the King (2003). Shore's work on the trilogy was also honored with two Golden Globes and four Grammy Awards.

Howard Shore commented on the return of The Fellowship of the Ring, In Concert to Chicago: "The Lord of the Rings has been translated into 40 languages and has attracted a global fan-base, but the fan community doesn't often have the opportunity to come together in person and coalesce around a performance at this high level. There is something unique and powerful that happens – a synergy is created in bringing together the music – live on a large scale, with the films, in a magnificent house."

HOWARD SHORE, COMPOSER

Howard Shore is one of today's premier composers whose music is performed in concert halls around the world by the most prestigious orchestras and conductors. Shore's work with Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings earned him three Academy Awards, four Grammys, and two Golden Globes as well as numerous critic and festival awards. He has scored over 100 films including seventeen films by David Cronenberg and six by Martin Scorsese. His concert works include a symphony, an opera, a Latin mass, three concertos, two song cycles and more. He is an Officier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la France, the recipient of Canada's Governor General's Performing Arts Award and is an officer of the Order of Canada.

ABOUT CAMI MUSIC

Merging the worlds of live event production and artist management, Columbia Artists Music LLC (CAMI Music) has swiftly become an international leader in the performing arts. CAMI Music specializes in the general management and touring of prominent musicians and performing artists, as well as providing production and consultation services for large-scale events and festivals worldwide. Recognizing the global stature of the performing arts, CAMI Music has allied many of its Artists and Events with distinguished global brands through endorsement and sponsorship opportunities.

Established in 2004 by Ronald A. Wilford, Founder, and CEO of Columbia Artists Management, and Jean-Jacques Cesbron, then EVP of Columbia Artists Management, CAMI Music is an independently owned and operated management company. CAMI Music's dedicated booking department specializes in the fulfillment of the roster's touring specifications while satisfying the demand for performances around the world.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 14, 2:00 p.m.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS COMMUNITY

Connect with The Lord of the Rings, In Concert:

Facebook:     facebook.com/LOTRConcerts

Instagram:    instagram.com/LOTRConcerts

Hashtag:       #LOTRinConcert

TICKETS AND PURCHASE INFORMATION
Tickets on sale starting Monday, September 8 at 10a.m. CT

Concert series on: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/3e27c306/KYDcgLiGbUq-glco4p9wRw?u=http://www.lordoftheringsinconcert.com/

The box office at The Auditorium is open Monday through Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m CT. On performance days, the box office will open 3 hours prior to the start of the show and will stay open until the show's scheduled start time.

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. 

The Factory Theater is proud to announce its 31st season of world premieres, including Marjorie Muller's The Sporting Life, October 10 - November 22; Zack Peercy's Kubrickian, February 13 - March 14, 2026; and Bill Daniel's Two Out of Three Falls, June 5 - July 18, 2026. Season Flex Passes are on sale now for the 31st season at TheFactoryTheater.com. All performances take place at Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. For more information, visit www.TheFactoryTheater.com. 

The Factory Theater's 31^st Season includes:

WORLD PREMIERE

The Sporting Life

Written by Marjorie Muller

Directed by Kayla Menz

October 10 - November 22

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St.

Previews: Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.

Press Opening: Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets: $30

The Sporting Life is a bloody coming-of-age play about a sixteen-year-old girl who seeks out the witch in the woods to finally get her period.

WORLD PREMIERE

Kubrickian 

Written by Ensemble Member Zach Peercy

Directed by AJ Schwartz

February 13 - March 15, 2026

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St.

Previews: Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 15 at

3 p.m.

Press Opening: Friday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at

3 p.m.

Tickets: $30

Kubrickian is an existential dark comedy about three men trapped in a white space waiting to have their vocal cords ripped out. And all

they seem to talk about is Stanley Kubrick.

WORLD PREMIERE

Two out of Three Falls

Written by Artistic Associate Bill Daniel

Directed by Ensemble Member Ashley Yates

June 5 - July 18, 2026

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St.

Previews: Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m.

Press Opening: Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m.

Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets: $30

Two out of Three Falls is a gritty wrestling drama about a woman's ill-advised match up against her father's killer.

About The Factory Theater

For three decades, The Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble are ambassadors of a good time, making certain that Chicago remains heartily entertained. For more information visit www.TheFactoryTheater.com.

Chicago - Jackie Taylor, the author of more than 100 plays and musical bios, thousands of poems, a screenplay, and two books, has been selected as the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s 2025 Fuller Award recipient in honor of her lifetime achievements. Taylor will be celebrated at a ceremony on Monday, October 20, at her Black Ensemble Theater (4450 N. Clark Street). Registration is open. Presenters will include Jeff Award-winning director Daryl Brooks, UIC Associate Professor of Theatre Lydia R. Diamond, poet and author Haki Madhubuti, and Harvey Young, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Boston University. The American Writers Museum is a major partner in the program. 

The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame selection committee consisted of past Fuller Award recipient Patricia Smith, Linda Bubon, Yoland Nieves, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, and Keehnen Owens. During the stringent selection process, the committee considered dozens of outstanding candidates, evaluating the quality of their literary output, the strength of their Chicago connections, and their greater contributions to Chicago’s literary life.

Born August 10, 1951 in Chicago, Taylor was raised in the Cabrini Green housing project. Taylor founded Black Ensemble Theatre in 1976, a year after she made her Hollywood acting debut in the now classic film Cooley High.  

Taylor majored in theater with an education minor, and after earning her B.A. from Loyola University in 1973, she began working with Free Street Theater. In addition to her acting break in 1975's Cooley High she produced and starred in television and film - as well as in theatrical productions with such companies as the Goodman Theater, Organic Theater and Victory Gardens Theater. Early in her career, Taylor concluded that Hollywood’s depiction of African Americans would continue to be largely negative, which led to her to found Black Ensemble Theater, according to her biography at History Makers. Since the start, Taylor has written, produced, and directed stories that cut across racial and cultural lines. Her mission, she says, is to bring people together.

Among Taylor’s many writing credits are The Other Cinderella, The Hoochie Coochie Man: Muddy Waters (co-written with Jimmy Tillman), The Marvin Gaye Story, The Jackie Wilson Story, All In Love Is Fair, I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass), Don’t Make Me Over (The Story of Dionne Warwick), Don’t Shed A Tear (The Billie Holiday Story), Somebody Say Amen, At Last: A Tribute To Etta James, and Precious Lord Take My Hand. She has had featured roles in several major films, including Hoodlum, Barbershop 2, The Father Clements Story, Losing Isiah and To Sir With Love: Part 2, and worked with such greats as Sidney Poitier, Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Williams, Bill Dukes, Glynn Thurman, and Lawrence Hilton Jacobs.  

In 2010, Taylor broke ground on a new 20-million-dollar Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, which opened on November 18, 2011. The Free To Be Village development, introduced in 2023, aims to expand the existing campus, in part to offer affordable housing to artists in the community and establish an education program. The project’s goal is to reinforce and grow the theater’s mission of reducing inequality in the arts. 

Taylor earned a master’s degree in education and receive an honorary doctorate degree from DePaul University. She has worked for the Chicago Board of Education, the Illinois Arts Council, and Urban Gateways. Through the years, Taylor has taught every grade level from kindergarten through major universities. She served as president of the African American Arts Alliance and is on the board of the Betty Shabazz International Schools.

The City of Chicago honored her by naming a street after her, Jackie Taylor Street, and Governor Pat Quinn declared March 27, 2009, Jackie Taylor day in Illinois.

Taylor’s many awards include a Special Jeff Award for her cultural contributions and a League of Chicago Theater Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been named as an outstanding performer, director, and business woman by dozens of media outlets, including New City, Chicago Defender, Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times. She and her work have been featured in Jet, Variety, the New York Times, The Washington Post and Essence.

Registration closes when the theater reaches capacity.

Otherworld Theatre Company, the premier sci-fi and fantasy live theater production company in North America, today announced its smash hit original musical, "TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody" will begin a special six-week limited engagement at the Apollo Theater (2550 N Lincoln Ave) beginning Saturday, July 26. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, with a special fan presale beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 13. For tickets and more information, visit www.twihardthemusical.com.

Hailed as "too much fun" with a "surprising amount of heart" by the Chicago Tribune, "TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody" reimagines the beloved Twilight saga with uproarious humor and catchy original tunes. Written and directed by Tiffany Keane Schaefer with music by Brian Rasmussen, the smash hit "goes hard" (Chicago Reader) and recently concluded a sold-out run at Otherworld Theatre Company's Lakeview venue.

"Moving TWIHARD to the Apollo Theater is a significant milestone for us, and we're honored to share our musical parody in a venue with such a profound Chicago legacy," said Schaefer. "TWIHARD is such a celebration of creativity, passion and the enduring love for the Twilight saga, and we can't wait to create a magical experience that resonates with fans and newcomers alike."

Tickets to "TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody" will be available on Tuesday, June 17 at 10 a.m., with a special presale beginning Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. For tickets and more information, please visit www.twihardthemusical.com. Press performances will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 at 4 p.m.

"TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody" will also release the original cast recording album on Friday, June 13, giving fans even more to take a bite out of ahead of the run. The recording will be available on Spotify.

About TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody
"TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody" is a hilarious reimagining of the iconic Twilight saga, blending catchy original songs, over-the-top humor, and a fang-filled twist on the story of Bella, Edward, and the supernatural world of Forks. Created by Otherworld Theatre Company—North America's premier sci-fi and fantasy theatre—this side-splitting parody delivers a wildly entertaining experience for die-hard fans and first-timers alike. Whether you're Team Edward, Team Jacob, or just in it for the chaos, "TWIHARD!" promises an evening of laughter, love and glitter.