Displaying items by tag: Jojo Jones

Jojo Jones’ “Veal,” premiering at A Red Orchid Theatre in Old Town, is among the recent wave of plays set in a post-apocalyptic near future - the better to show how core social values and structures might play out for individuals placed abruptly in a clean-slate setting. The increasing frequency with which this plot line appears on stages and screens tells us much about the trending thoughts of playwrights, who likely are voicing societal angst about the state of things - and reasonably so.

Directed by dado, the apocalypse in “Veal” is loosely defined but certainly political in nature, a revolution that has reset things. We do know this much: it has resulted in the character Chelsea (well played by Alexandra Chopson) to be installed as Queen of North America. That simple fact packs loads of information: that the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments have fallen, their respective Constitutions trashed, and a monarch now rules.

That Queen Chelsea is likely a despotic type is suggested immediately by her regal demeanor in royal array, on a throne, and by her side a servant, Unnamed Male Concubine (Jasper Johnson) who sits silently a step below. When Chelsea descends from her throne to walk upon the floor below her, the silent Concubine unbidden gets on his hands and knees, and with infinite care wipes up the floor where Chelsea has trodden, then resumes his vigil on the step below.

Soon enough three characters arrive: Franny (Jojo Brown), Lulu (Carmia Imani) and Noa (Alice Wu), all of whom were in middle school with Chelsea 13 years ago. In fact, we learn, this setting is the very middle school they attended, a place this monarch has chosen as the site for her palace. She has resurfaced the floor with imported marble and demolished the gym.

“My advisers kept telling me to use the White House, but I’d never been there,” Chelsea lets her classmates know, and they all offer obsequities as they converse with her. Their fear and trepidation is palpable as they try to avoid taboo subjects or potentially incite Chelsea's anger.

“The Revolution was weird,” offers Franny, as Chelsea benevolently asks if they are hungry, then orders her Concubine to provide a repast for the visitors. This ends up being Lunchables that are 13 years past their expiration date, still sitting from their school days. This tips us off that Queen Chelsea harbors some resentments from those days.

Gingerly, they decline the food, except for LuLu, who having allowed that she was hungry, is now ordered to eat, and Chelsea shows her tyrannical side. After this set-to subsides, Franny reveals the reason for this visit: to petition the Queen of North America for medicine for her sister and she begins gingerly on her sibling’s behalf. “We all knew you would be successful,” Franny says of their middle school days. “But Queen of North America?!”

After that, a bit more groveling. “The revolution - huge fan - kinda messed up the supply chain,” Franny says, and lets Queen Chelsea know she cannot find insulin for her sister, a Type 1 diabetic, to which Chelsea replies, indirectly, that she is always being asked for things.

“You know, it is so hard. I keep getting people telling me I’m like Nero, or Caligula.” Though the subject of “Veal” is completely absorbing, every now and then I found myself thinking of current events and another despot who rules by whim, and loves to surround himself with sycophants.

As the action advances, Queen Chelsea dispatches the Unknown Male Concubine to look into insulin availability, but signals there will be a price to pay, and the play moves into territory somewhere between “Mean Girls” and “Carrie.” The dramatic tension hinges on whether and how much Queen Chelsea’s former classmates will debase themselves in the hopes of securing the insulin for Franny’s sister. Queen Chelsea forces them to re-enact the classroom scenes in which she suffered their bullying and ostracism. But eventually the trio reaches a limit, each on their own terms, and ultimately Queen Chelsea tires of the game.

The performances are really excellent, especially Alice Wu as Noa, and Jojo Brown, who does the lion's share of the dramatic heavy lifting as Franny. Accolades for the most intriguing character go to Jasper John as the Unknown Male Concubine, a largely silent role with huge stage presence.

“Veal” runs through November 9, 2025 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells in Chicago.

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.