Toughest Man Productions, Executive Producer Lecy Goranson and producing consultant Beth Kligerman announce a return engagement for the world premiere of Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. Playing to sold out houses in its original Fall 2024 run, the production returns for a limited time, November 14-December 22, 2024.

Tickets are available online only in advance at royko.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are available in-person one hour prior to available performances. Cash or Zelle QR code only are accepted as in-person payment. For inquiries and more information, call 847-920-7714.

Writer/performer Mitchell Bisschop comments, "Earlier this fall, Chicago embraced this production during its initial run. Mike Royko is a part of the history and fabric of Chicago, and his story strikes a chord with so many. We heard from audience members throughout the run—whether they were longtime Royko fans or were introduced to his writing during this production—that they experienced a piece of Chicago through the story of a writer who had opinions, shared stories and loved the city and its citizens. We are so proud to be able to remount the production, complete with a few script changes and additional columns, and to give more people the opportunity to revisit—or discover—the writings and humanity of Mike Royko." 

Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago tells the story of cantankerous Chicago columnist Mike Royko, a 34-year newspaper veteran who wrote 7,500 columns in his career. Love him or hate him, he was a fixture amongst Chicago newspapers. Royko wrote about the city the way people like to think of themselves: cynical, humorous, and with compassion for the little guy.

In this multimedia solo show, writer/performer Mitchell Bisschop takes us back in time on a nostalgic journey told through the eyes of Royko as he is pitted against "The Daley Machine," corruption, and the changing face of the newspaper business.

A hit earlier this fall, the Chicago Reader said, "It's a nuanced and thoughtful look at quintessential Chicago history." Chicago Tribune explained, "...filled to the brim with his own words, a celebration of the man's journalistic brilliance" and New City wrote, "This play reminds us of what we once had, and what we still miss." The Sun-Times raved, "Royko star gets the look, the voice, the heart of the great Chicago columnist."

The creative team includes Eric Luchen (Set Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Garrett Bell (Lighting Designer), Smooch Medina (Projection Designer), Will Hughes (Technical Director), Duncan Hon (Master Electrician) and Faith Locke (Stage Manager).

Mitchell Bisschop (writer, performer) is a theatre artist living in Los Angeles. His past solo work has garnered him two Encore Awards and two Fringe Award nominations for best solo show, as well as successful runs in Los Angeles theaters. He is a seasoned theatre artist and playwright with over 20 years of experience with a background in sketch and improv (Second City, Annoyance, UCB, and The PIT). He is known for his previous solo works "I Can Hear You Now" and "Pit of Goblins." His career spans stages in Chicago (Over the Tavern, Mercury Theater Chicago), New York and Los Angeles.

Steve Scott (director) was the producer for more than 30 years at Goodman Theatre, where he oversaw more than 200 productions; he is now a member of Goodman's Artistic Collective. His Goodman directing credits include Ah, Wilderness!; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike; Horton Foote's Blind Date; Rabbit Hole; Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock and No One Will Be Immune for the David Mamet Festival; Dinner With Friends; Wit; the world premiere of Tom Mula's Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol; A Midsummer Night's Dream (co-directed with Michael Maggio) and the 2011 and 2012 editions of A Christmas Carol. Other directing credits include productions at Northlight Theatre, Silk Road Rising, American Blues Theater, A Red Orchid Theatre, Redtwist Theatre (where he is a company member), Shattered Globe Theatre, Eclipse Theatre Company (where he is an ensemble member) and many others. He is a member of the Jeff Committee's Artist and Technical Team, a board member of Season of Concern and an advisory board member at Congo Square Theatre; he also teaches on the faculty of the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. His recent projects include a stages reading of August Wilson's Radio Golf at Alley Theatre, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night at Skokie Theatre and The Outgoing Tide at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble.

Beth Kligerman (producing comsultant) has more than 26 years of experience as a producer and casting director at Chicago's famed The Second City comedy. She is a consulting producer for multi-award winning HMS Media, a Casting Director for Norwegian Cruise Line, and a producing consultant for Just for Laughs in Montreal. Since January 2024 Beth has been the Road Producer for Tim Meadows, Matt Walsh, Joe Canale and Brad Morris performing improv shows as Meadows, Walsh & Friends. Beth has been part of countless national and international artistic partnerships, including the U.S.O., Vienna's English Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.

Lecy Goranson (executive producer) is a Chicago-area native best known for her role of Becky on Roseanne and The Conners. She has guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unity, Sex and the City, Damages and Fringe.

FACTS:

Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago

Written by and featuring: Mitchell Bisschop

Directed by: Steve Scott

Produced by Toughest Man Productions, Executive Producer Lecy Goranson and producing consultant Beth Kligerman

Dates: November 14 - December 22, 2024

Press Openings: November 14-17, 2024

Performance Schedule

Thursdays:       7:30pm (no show on Thanksgiving)

Fridays:           7:30pm

Saturdays        2:30pm (Saturday November 30 ONLY)

Saturdays:       7:30pm

Sundays          3:30pm

Location:

Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St in Chicago

Tickets: $60 

Advance: Tickets are available online only in advance at royko.brownpapertickets.com.

In-person: Tickets are available in-person one hour prior to available performances. Cash or Zelle QR code only are accepted as in-person payment.

For inquiries and more information, call 847-920-7714.

Synopsis: A bittersweet multimedia portrait of a newspaperman who stood up for the little guy against the City's most oppressive powers.