World Premiere! Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents The Mystery of The Haunted Bush October 10 – November 3, 2024 at The Chopin Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

World Premiere!

Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents

The Golden Girls Meet The Skooby Don’t Gang:

The Mystery of The Haunted Bush

Pictured (left to right) Grant Drager, David Cerda, Ed Jones, Ben Meneses, Josh Kemper, Tyler Anthony Smith,Caitlin Jackson and Elizabeth Lesinski. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.

By Artistic Director David Cerda

Directed by Frankie Leo Bennett

October 10 – November 3, 2024 at The Chopin Theatre

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to conclude its 22nd season with the world premiere of The Golden Girls Meet The Skooby Don’t Gang: The Mystery of The Haunted Bush, bringing together two beloved Handbag parodies in one chilling Halloween tale. The girls – Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia (and their whacky friends) – enlist the help of America’s favorite 30-something teenage detectives to help solve a mystery in this all new episode written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Frankie Leo Bennett. The Mystery of The Haunted Bush plays October 10 - November 3, 2024 on The Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or bit.ly/hauntedbush. I'll be out for the press opening October 13th, so check back soon for my full review. 

Rose’s (Ed Jones*) nephew Fred (Tyler Anthony Smith*) is coming for a visit with his amateur sleuth friends, Daffy (Liz Lesinski*), Velva (Caitlin Jackson*), Skaggy (Josh Kemper) and their dog Skooby (Ben Meneses). While Rose is excited, she’s also hiding the real motive for inviting them: she’s being haunted by a big, scary bush – or is it a tree? There’s seems to be some confusion about that. 

Meanwhile, the Skooby gang is in awe of their idol and Sophia’s (Ryan Oates*) best friend, Nancy Drew (Danne W. Taylor*), particularly Skaggy, who takes things a step further. Can the gang help the girls solve the mystery of the haunted bush before it devours Rose? Will Velva and Daffy reveal their special secret? Will Dorothy (David Cerda*), Blanche (Grant Drager*) and Sophia survive the spooky hijinks?

Join Miami’s favorite roomies in a spine chillingly ridiculous tale, that combines Handbag’s signature biting humor with a heart. 

The production stars original cast members David Cerda*, Grant Drager*, Ed Jones* and Ryan Oates* as the Geriatric Fab Four, joined by Caitlin Jackson*, Josh Kemper, Elizabeth Lesinski*, Ben Meneses and Tyler Anthony Smith* as the Skooby Don’t gang. Rounding out the cast are Michael S. Miller*, Scott Sawa* and Danne W. Taylor*. Understudies include Frankie Leo Bennett, Kelly Bolton, Nick Dorado, Al Duffy, Wendy Hayne, Brandon Nelson, Eric James Norman, TJ O'Brien, Jenny Rudnick and Coco Sho'Nell.

The production team includes Marcus Klein (Scenic Designer), Madeline Felauer (Costume Designer), Liz Cooper (Lighting Designer), Danny Rockett (Sound Designer), Maggie O'Brien (Props Designer), Syd Genco* (Make-Up Designer), Keith Ryan* (Wig Designer), Kate Lass (Violence Choreographer), Scott Sawa* (Assistant Director), Morgan Laszlo (Assistant Scenic Designer), Tom Daniel (Technical Director), Jackson Mikkelsen (Electrician), Tim Paul (Graphic Designer) and Veronica Kostka* (Stage Manager).

*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member

 

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Cast (in alphabetical order): David Cerda* (Dorothy), Grant Drager* (Blanche), Ed Jones* (Rose), Josh Kemper (Skaggy), Caitlin Jackson* (Velva) Elizabeth Lesinski* (Daffy), Ben Meneses (Skooby), Michael S. Miller* (Rita Claxton), Ryan Oates* (Sophia), Scott Sawa* (Stan), Tyler Anthony Smith* (Fred) and Danne W. Taylor* (Nancy Drew).

Understudies: Frankie Leo Bennett, Kelly Bolton, Nick Dorado, Al Duffy, Wendy Hayne, Brandon Nelson, Eric James Norman, TJ O'Brien, Jenny Rudnick and Coco Sho'Nell

Location: The Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago

Previews: Thursday, October 10, Friday October 11 and Saturday, September 12 at 8 pm

Opening/Press performance: Sunday, October 13 at 7 pm

Regular run: Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, November 3, 2024

Curtain Times: Thursday, Fridays and Saturday at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be added performances on Sunday, October 20, Sunday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 30 at 8 pm.

Tickets: $29 previews, $38 advanced general admission, $45 general admission, $48 at the door, $60 VIP/reserved seating with drink ticket. Group rates $35 for 10 or more. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org  or bit.ly/hauntedbush.

 

About the Artists

David Cerda (Playwright) is a founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 23rd  year anniversary. As resident playwright, he has written many Handbag productions as well as acted in them. His play, The Drag Seed was recently produced at LaMaMa Experimental Theater and his Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and was featured in Golden Con: Thank you for being a Fan, the world’s first fan convention dedicated to all things Golden Girls at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Cerda is a proud inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and recipient of a Jeff Award for lifetime achievement for his 23 years (and counting) of work and service to the community. He lives in Chicago with his partner, Christopher.

Frankie Leo Bennett (Director, he/him) is an award-nominated Chicago-based theatre multi-hyphenate, returning to Handbag after previously directing The Golden Girls Save XMAS and associate directing on The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes: Vol. 3. Handbag acting credits: Christmas Dearest, Poseidon! An Upside-Down Musical, The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes: Bea Afraid!  Regional Direction: Porchlight Revisits The Apple Tree (co-), RENT (asst.), multiple editions of New Faces Sing Broadway. Broadway In Your Backyard and Chicago Sings (Porchlight Music Theatre). Regional Acting: Kokandy Productions (Jeff nominee - Best Principal Performer/Musical - The SpongeBob Musical); Porchlight Music Theatre; Theo Ubique. Composer/Playwright - Resident Services: A Crossed-Up Animal Musical. He currently serves as Producing Artistic Associate at Porchlight Music Theatre.

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.

NEW RELEASE: AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS Album Cartoon Darkness Out October 25, 2024

 AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS

“BIG DREAMS” 

NEW SINGLE & VIDEO FROM CARTOON DARKNESS 

FIRST NEW ALBUM IN THREE YEARS OUT OCTOBER 25, 2024

Photo by John Angus Stewart 2024 @phcfilms

“Sometimes, you wonder: 'Is this show gonna be as good as I hoped?'… Other shows you walk out dragging your jaw on the floor behind you, gesturing vaguely as you try to return to earth after having gotten blown clean out of the atmosphere… Amyl and the Sniffers are that band.” — THE PITCH

“One of the most exhilarating bands to emerge over the past decade” — CONSEQUENCE

Amyl and The Sniffers offer up a sweetly melodic new dimension of their sonic onslaught with “Big Dreams,” the newest advance offering from their upcoming third album Cartoon Darkness, out October 25 via B2B Records / Virgin Music Group. 

Following in the footsteps of Pitchfork Hot Link / BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record “Chewing Gum” and Brooklyn Vegan / Consequence / Paper / Paste / Under the Radar Song of the Week “U Should Not Be Doing That,” “Big Dreams” is shot through with a previously unheard vulnerability, one that hints at the new heights and depth achieved on Cartoon Darkness. Speaking on how exactly Amyl and The Sniffers crafted the closest they’ve ever come to a straight-up ballad, singer Amy Taylor said:  

"I am writing this before 'Big Dreams' comes out, and I am actually a bit nervous that it's a single, because it's so different from a lot of people's expectations of us. This song was written because a lot of people in my life are struggling financially, and it's really hard to make your dreams come true when you're trying to get by day-to-day. But when I think of my friends doing what they love, and I see how good they are at it, I just know they've never been dull, they've always been lit, and there's nothing that will break that or take it away from them. 

The video we shot in the desert, it was the first clip we shot for this album, and it was fun as hell.”

The “Big Dreams” video can be seen at https://youtu.be/ipZSqcFA0Z0. Directed by PHC Films and shot in one continuous take, the epic clip sees the song’s sublime strains serving as soundtrack for the band’s quasi-apocalyptic desert motorcycle ride.      

Cartoon Darkness was recorded with producer Nick Launay (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) at Foo Fighters’ 606 Studios in Los Angeles in early 2024. The album will be available in multiple formats, including limited edition glow in the dark vinyl with alternate artwork.  

Having spent the summer in North America ricocheting between stadium supports and a sold-out headline tour, Amyl and The Sniffers will embark on a UK / EURO tour in November, and will be main support for Fontaines D.C. at Finsbury Park on July 5th, 2025. 

  

UK / EURO DATES BELOW 2024 / 2025

NOV 5TH – DUBLIN – NATIONAL STADIUM

NOV 6TH – GLASGOW – 02 ACADEMY (SOLD OUT)

NOV 7TH – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE – NX (SOLD OUT)

NOV 9TH – MANCHESTER – MANCHESTER ACADEMY (SOLD OUT)

NOV 10TH – BIRMINGHAM 02 – ACADEMY

NOV 11TH – BRISTOL – 02 ACADEMY (SOLD OUT)

NOV 13TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOUSE (SOLD OUT)

NOV 14TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOUSE (SOLD OUT)

NOV 15TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOUSE (SOLD OUT)

NOV 17TH – BRUSSELS – ANCIENNE (SOLD OUT)

NOV 18TH – UTRECHT – TIVOLIVREDENBERG (SOLD OUT)

NOV 19TH – COLOGNE – CARLSWERK VICTORIA (SOLD OUT)

NOV 21ST – COPENHAGEN – VEGA (SOLD OUT)

NOV 22ND – HAMBURG – GROBE FREIHEIT 36 (SOLD OUT)

NOV 23RD – BERLIN – COLUMBIAHALLE (SOLD OUT)

NOV 25TH – MUNICH – TONHALLE

NOV 26TH – LAUSANNE – LES DOCKS

NOV 27TH – PARIS – OLYMPIA

NOV 29TH – ATHENS – FLOYD

THE SECOND CITY PRESENTS SHE THE PEOPLE October 5 – November 23, 2024 in The Second City’s UP Comedy Club,

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

THE FUTURE IS FUNNY

LEGENDARY COMEDY THEATER THE SECOND CITY PRESENTS

SHE THE PEOPLE

Here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama, we've seen several iterations of She The People and we love it! Bring your besties and enjoy this fiercely funny, female powered show that will have you laughing, empathizing, and shouting "me too".  Just in time for election season, SHE THE PEOPLE is in the house. Don't miss this!

ChiIL Mama, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara and Kathleen Roman

Catherine Hellmann & ChiIL Mama, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara 

Brat summer is over. Now it’s time to Fall, Patriarchy! Laugh, cheer, and rise up as The Second City proudly presents, SHE THE PEOPLE – a theatrical revolution loaded with a dynamic blend satirical sketch comedy, epic original songs, and razor-sharp improv delivered by The Second City’s fearlessly funny queens of comedy. 

She the People isn’t just a hilarious show, it empowers audiences to take a stand and make real changes. This diverse and supercharged Second City ensemble drops an electric, unapologetic, and high-key hilarious CELEBRATION of the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere. She the People is NOW.

Photo Credit: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara 

She The People is written by the casts of The Second City with Carly Heffernan, Carisa Barreca, and Marla Caceres and features Lexi Alioto, Alex Bellisle, Marla Caceres, Mary Catherine Curran, Sayjal Joshi, and Daryn Robinson. The music director is Lisa McQueen and stage managers are Izzy Patt and Bree Bartman.

Photo Credit: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara 

The producing team includes Ed Wells (CEO), Parisa Jalili (COO/CRO), Elizabeth Howard (VP of Production), Jen Ellison (VP, Head of Creative), Jeremy Smith (Assistant General Manager & Managing Producer)

SHE THE PEOPLE plays for a limited run Saturday nights at 8 p.m. October 5 – November 23.  in The Second City’s UP Comedy Club located at 230 W North Ave, 2nd Floor of Piper’s Alley, Chicago. Tickets, starting at $29, are available at The Second City Box Office (230 W. North Ave, 1st Floor, Piper's Alley), by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com.  

 

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. It celebrates its 65th year in business on December 16th, 2024. 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 on The Second City, visit www.secondcity.com and follow The Second City on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Credit: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara 

FEST ALERT: Destinos 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival September 30-November 17, 2024

Fest Alert: ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar Destinos 7th Chicago International  Latino Theater Festival  boasting most extensive line-up yet with works from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and the U.S. playing all over the city, September 30-November 17 Here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama, we've covered every year of Destiny's Fest since its inception, and this year's no exception. We are so fortunate to have multicultural, world class theatre right on our doorstep. There's something for everyone at 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Don't miss this!  Only in Chicago can you experience a Brazilian play about a female shaman, a Chilean all-ages adventure about saving trees, the return of Port of Entry at Albany Park Theater, Chicago’s Satya Chávez in Brian Quijada’s Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, The Magic Parlour headlined by Latine magicians from Ecuador and Chicago, and the world premieres of a father/son dramedy set in Wrigley Field, a one-woman Mariachi musical, the true story of Humboldt Park church refugee Elvira Arellano and a Latine drag comedy. The Destinos 2024 lineup includes (top, from left) Chile’s Astillero Teatro’s all-ages family show, the North American premiere of La Memoria de los Sésiles, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Oct. 31-Nov. 3. The U.S. premiere of Desvenar from Mexico’s Kraken Teatro explores the significance of the chile in Mexican culture, Oct. 3-5 at the National Museum of Mexican Art. (Middle) Latin Standards, a one-woman comedy by San Francisco solo artist Marga Gomez, plays Center on Halsted, Oct. 4-5. Albany Park Theater Project and Third Rail Projects present the return of their hit immersive production, Port of Entry, Oct. 17-Nov. 2. (Bottom) The North American premiere of El Brote from Compañia Criolla in Argentina features Roberto Peloni as an actor who can’t be sure who is writing the events in his own life, Oct. 2-5 at The Den. Chicago artist Satya Chavez stars in Brian Quijada’s Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Nov.15-17 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater.  The 2024 Destinos Festival is bringing exciting international productions from Argentina, Brazil, and Chile to Chicago.

Wednesday, October 2 at 8 p.m. El Brote  at The Den Theatre 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park I'll be catching El Brote on opening night, so check back soon for my full review at ChiILLiveShows.com.  Presented by Compañía Criolla, Argentina North American Premiere Written and directed by Emiliano Dionisi  Starring Roberto Peloni Four shows only, October 2-5: Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m.  Presented in Spanish with English subtitles 90 minutes Ages 15+ The lines between fiction and reality begin to blur for an actor, and now he cannot even be sure who is writing the events in his own life. What kind of character are we in this story?

CANCELLED DUE TO PERFORMER VISA ISSUES Desvenar at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Pilsen Presented by Kraken Teatro, Mexico U.S. Premiere Written, directed by and co-starring Richard Viqueira Featuring Valentina Garibay and Angel Luna  CANCELLED  Presented in Spanish with English subtitles 90 minutes Ages 12+ Desvenar is a scenic mole that delves into the intricate layers of extravagance associated with spice, intertwining culinary traditions with historical, religious, botanical and patriotic perspectives. Through the lens of mole—a sauce rich in flavor and symbolism—this work explores the dual nature of spiciness as both a source of cultural flavor and a metaphor for the challenges and contradictions we face as a nation.

Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m. Elvira at St. Augustine College, Charlie Chaplin Hall, 1345 W. Argyle St. in Uptown World Premiere Presented by Colectivo El Pozo, Chicago Written by Raúl Dorantes Directed by Mark Litwicki October 2-26: Thu and Fri at 7 p.m., Sat at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Performed in Spanish with English subtitles 75 minutes All Ages  Elvira tells the story of Elvira Arellano, a Mexican immigrant, single mother, worker and eventual activist. Fearing deportation, Elvira takes sanctuary for a year in a Humboldt Park church. Her year enclosed in sanctuary allows her to observe herself and the systems that led to her arrest and enclosure. Her son, a friend, her pastor, and other supporters accompany her as well as the demands and cruelty of the law-is-the-law Sistema. A story about a struggle for survival and for justice.

Friday, October 4, 8 p.m. Latin Standards at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. in Lakeview Written by and starring Marga Gomez  Chicago Premiere via San Francisco Directed by David Schweitzer Two shows only, October 4 and 5: Fri and Sat at 8 p.m. Performed in English Runs 75 minutes Ages 16+ A loving, funny and true story of perseverance and creative and caffeinated addiction passed down from immigrant father to lesbian daughter. Mixing nostalgia, urgency, and comic edge, Gomez portrays herself as a driven adult child of a Cuban entertainer.

Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m. El Piélago de las Calamidades Presented by Chicago's Teatro Tariakuri, 3117 W. 63rd St. in Chicago Lawn U.S. Premiere Written by Alejandro Licona Directed by Karla Galván October 5-27: Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. Performed in Spanish with English subtitles 90 minutes Ages 15+ (includes strong language and sexual innuendo) This U.S. premiere comedy is the unwritten story of what happened to a troupe of nomadic actors who were hired by Hamlet to represent the murder of his father.

Thursday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. Azira’i at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Upstairs Studio, Navy Pier,  800 E. Grand Ave. I'll be catching Azira’i on opening night, so check back soon for my full review at ChiILLiveShows.com.  Presented by Sarau Cultura Brasileira, Brazil North American Premiere A biographical one-woman musical starring Zahy Tentehar  Conceived and with dramaturgy by Zahy Tentehar and Duda Rios Directed by Denise Stutz and Duda Rios Four shows only: October 24-27 Thu, Fri and Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 3 p.m. Performed in Portuguese and Ze’eng eté with projected English translation 90 minutes Ages 15+ This biographical musical show looks at Zahy Tentehar’s relationship with her mother, Azira’i, the first female Shaman from the Cana Brava reserve (MA), who held the rank of Supreme Shaman of the Tentehar peoples, which is only for people with extremely developed medicinal and spiritual knowledge. Chicago Shakespeare Theater hosts the North American premiere of Azira’i, a biographical one-woman show starring Zahy Tentehar presented by Sarau Cultura Brasileira in Brazil. The play looks at Tentehar’s relationship with her mother, Azira’i, a female Shaman.

Thursday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. La Memoria de los Sésiles at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Upstairs Studio, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Presented by Astillero Teatro, Chile North American Premiere Written by Nicolás Cancino-Said Directed by: Gabriel Contreras Four shows only: October 31-November 3: Thu, Fri and Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 3 p.m. Performed in Spanish with English translation 55 minutes Ages 6+ Created in the key of family theater, filled with songs, games and beautiful stagecraft, La Memoria de los Sésiles takes place in a not-too-distant future where all the trees have been cut down by uncontrolled real estate expansion. Sacha, an old hermit, will embark on a journey deep underground in the face of the inevitable destruction of his home. Accompanied by Tujo, a rebellious young environmentalist, they will go in search of the last living roots to the path that will allow them to make the forest emerge again.

New Destinos partners include Center on Halsted, Albany Park Theater Project and the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University U.S. productions, traveling from out-of-town for their Chicago debuts, include: Latin Standards, a one-woman comedic family memoir by San Francisco solo artist Marga Gomez, is a loving, funny and true story of perseverance and creative and caffeinated addiction passed down from immigrant father to lesbian daughter. It’s presented in partnership with Center on Halsted, two shows only, October 4-5. Press opening is Friday, October 4 at 8 p.m. Goodman Theatre is partnering with CLATA to bring the art of magic to Destinos with The Magic Parlour presents Siegfried Tieber (top). Twelve performances only, October 9-20 at The Magic Parlour, include two with special guest appearances by Chicago magicians (bottom, from left) Luis Carreon and Mago Gozner.  Goodman Theatre builds on its long-running partnership with CLATA to bring the art of magic to Destinos with The Magic Parlour presents Siegfried Tieber. This year, legendary Chicago magician Dennis Watkins has invited Tieber and local Latine magicians to take the stage of The Magic Parlour for this exclusive limited engagement, October 9-20 at The Magic Parlour, adjacent to Goodman Theatre and Petterino’s. Originally from Ecuador, Tieber is a L.A.-based magician who has fooled thousands, including Penn & Teller, with his amazing sleight-of-hand, psychology and humor. Watkins considers Tieber one of his favorite magic entertainers, calling him “smart, funny, gracious and incredibly devious.” Twelve performances only, including two with special guest appearances by local magicians Luis Carreon and Mago Gozner.  Rising musical theater composer and 2023 Jonathan Larson Award-winner Jaime Lozano comes to the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University to continue development of Desaparecidas, his new state-fair concert musical about stories of disappeared women from the borderlands. Told through the lens of Mexican folklore and music, writers Lozano, Florencia Cuenca and Georgina Escobar explore the strategic erasure of female voices in the fight to end gender-based violence and the disappearance of women and girls. From the missing, to the socially invisible, to the forgotten, Desaparecidas takes place in a classic and timeless Mexican state fair (a Palenque) where the audience will experience a special appearance by some stories of the missing. Performances are October 18-20 at Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts Chicago. Press opening is Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.  I came here to weep, first presented at Brooklyn’s Chocolate Factory Theatre in 2023, is a performance installation led by Bessie Award-winning choreographer and interdisciplinary artist Yanira Castro. Co-created with the public, I came here to weep is a multimodal, interactive project with a built audio environment designed by Northwestern faculty member Stephan Moore. A culmination of Castro's design residency at Northwestern, I came here to weep examines U.S. territorial possession and Puerto Rican sovereignty and invites the audience into a collective exorcism. Experience I came here to weep November 15-16 at Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts Chicago. Press opening is Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.  Chicago Latine companies, artists and shows participating in the 7th Destinos Festival are: Elvira, a world premiere from Colectivo El Pozo, tells the true story of Elvira Arellano, a Mexican immigrant, single mother, worker, and eventual activist, who, fearing deportation, took sanctuary for a year in a Humboldt Park church in 2005. Elvira, written by Raúl Dorantes and directed by Mark Litwicki, runs October 2-26 at the Charlie Chaplin Hall at St. Augustine College in Uptown. Press opening is Thursday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m.  Teatro Tariakuri in Chicago Lawn presents the U.S. premiere of El Piélago de las Calamidades, a comedy by Alejandro Licona, directed by Karla Galván, about the unwritten story of what happened to the nomadic actors who Hamlet hired to represent the murder of his father. Performances are October 5-27. Press opening is Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m.  The setting is Wrigley Field, Cubs versus the Brewers, in the world premiere dramedy Que Te Vaya Bien from Subtext Studio Theatre, debuting October 10-27 at the Greenhouse Theater. After learning his wife is pregnant, Elias buys a ticket to the Cubs game to spiritually connect with his deceased father, in the hope of gaining some clarity on what it means to be a good father. A new play written by Omar Vicente Fernandez and directed by Octavio Montes De Oca. Press opening is Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m.  Childhood photo of Ruth Guerra, writer and star of Concrete Content's world premiere of Ruth on the Rocks, directed by Ricardo Gamboa, October 11 - November 16 at The Storyfront in Back of the Yards. Concrete Content presents the world premiere of Ruth on the Rocks, a dramedy developed and directed by Ricardo Gamboa, written by and starring Ruth Guerra. Ruth is just your average Mexican American, middle-aged girl that grew up in the hood on Chicago’s south side. Ruth loves a good drink or ten, her jams and a messy relationship. Oh! She’s also a mother and grandmother, regular at a few bars and backyards, sometimes actor and storyteller, and still grieving her father. She probably needs a therapist or an Ayahuasca trip but instead this veteran of Chicago’s underground Latino performance and storytelling scene made a play about her hot ass mess of a life. Performances are October 11 - November 16 at The Storyfront in Back of the Yards. Press opening is Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m.    Jeff Award-winning Visión Latino Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Jocey y Las Mariachis, a one-woman musical created by Jocey Villa, October 12-27 at the APO Culture Center in Pilsen. Jeff Award-winning Visión Latino Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Jocey y Las Mariachis, a one-woman musical created by Jocey Villa, directed by Yajaira Custodio. Experience one woman’s musical journey through culture, love and self-discovery in Chicago, accompanied by live mariachi music! Performances are October 12-27 at the APO Culture Centerin Pilsen. Press opening is Monday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m.  Albany Park Theater Project and Third Rail Projects present the return of their hit immersive production, Port of Entry. Step inside the real-life stories of immigrants and refugees from all parts of the world living side by side in a single apartment building in Albany Park. Each performance welcomes just 28 audience members into an iconic courtyard apartment building meticulously recreated in a 12,000 square foot warehouse. With each step, guests experience the struggles, joys and triumphs of people forging new lives alongside one another. The Chicago Tribune called the original 2023 staging “an astonishing piece of work…a beautiful and fresh tribute to those who came first.” Performances are October 17-November 2. Press opening is Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m.  Destinos Spotlight Week returns with a series of one-night-only performances highlighting Chicago’s local talent, including Antojitos Improv on October 19 at The Den Theatre.  Destinos Spotlight Week returns with a series of one-night-only performances highlighting Chicago’s local talent. Enjoy storytelling hosted by Nestor Gomez on October 18, Antojitos Improv on October 19 and a Latine edition of Physical Theater Scratch Night on October 21. All performances are at The Den Theatre. Cabaret Parodia presents Más Dramáticas, written and directed by Esteban Pantoja, a comedy about an acting school director who shares the history of her prestigious academy and reveals the intense drama behind the auditions of five extraordinary students, each played by Chicago Latine drag performers. With fierce competition, high stakes and unwavering ambition, these girls are prepared to give it their all. Expect more music, more laughter, more wigs and more drama. Two shows only, October 23 and 24 at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Press opening is Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m.  Repertorio Latino Theater presents the Chicago premiere of Juicio a una Zorra, a dramatic monologue by Miguel Del Arco, directed by Sebastian Ligarde. Mafer Roussell plays Helen of Troy, famous for her beauty that sparked the most renowned war of Antiquity, and vilified as the adulterous queen of Sparta. Performances are October 24-November 10 at Citlalin Gallery & Theater. Press opening is Thursday, October 24 at 8 p.m.  Aguijón Theater, the city’s longest running Latino and Spanish-language theater, based in Belmont-Cragin, presents the Chicago premiere of Adverses, a contemporary take on the Electra myth by Rey Andujar, directed by Sándor Menéndez and Marcela Muñoz. This is a humorous yet poignant tragicomedy about the corrosive nature of the pursuit of power and the often-complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. Performances are November 1-December 15. Press opening is Friday, November 1 at 8 p.m.        Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Aguijón Theater will present a remount of Cintas de seda, about an imagined encounter between Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz,four shows only, November 7-10 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, where Aguijón first performed in 1990.  Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Aguijón Theater will also present a remount of Cintas de seda, four shows only, November 7-10 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, where Aguijón first performed in 1990. On the eve of Day of the Dead, Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz come together in an impossible dialogue where ghosts, hallucinations, and images of the past are present from death in a poetic representation of life. This special run will also serve as a fundraiser for Chicago’s longest running Spanish language theater company. Press opening is Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.  Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, the smash hit solo musical by Chicago native Brian Quijada, performed by the acclaimed multi-hyphenated Chicago artist Satya Chavez, runs for a very limited engagement, November 15-17 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater. During a third grade lesson on the Civil Rights movement and Rosa Parks, a Latina child raises her hand to ask, “Where did we sit on the bus?” Her teacher can’t answer the question. Performed by Chavez, an actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and intersectional feminist, and infused with Latin rhythms, hip-hop, and live-looping, don’t miss this high-octane, tour-de-force theatrical experience that examines what it means to be Latine in America. Press opening is Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.  Additional programming for Destinos includes: The 2024 Destinos festival will mark the launch of Alianzas, a week of gatherings and events from October 21-27 dedicated to facilitating exchanges between artistic programmers representing international and national festivals and local Latine theater groups. Another first will be the introduction of Intercambios, a series of workshops throughout the run of the festival focusing on different skill building sessions. About the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) is a leading advocate organization for Latine theater in Chicago. Supporting the development of emerging and established Latine playwrights, actors, directors and theater professionals is central to its mission. CLATA’s goal is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive theater community, by presenting and producing Latine theater that celebrates and promotes the richness and diversity of our Latinidad. CLATA believes together we can build a stronger and more sustainable Latine theater industry. CLATA has four signature programs: 1) Destinos, the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, an annual, citywide festival showcasing Chicago's Latine theater artists and companies alongside top Latine artists from the U.S. and Latin America, 2) Destinos Al Aire, a free outdoor family festival that brings performing arts to Chicago Latine communities with the goal of making the arts accessible to everyone, 3) Inicios: Chicago Latine Playwright Festival, an annual festival dedicated to elevating and promoting Chicagoland area Latine playwrights and 4) Latine Theatre Artist Week, a weeklong series of free workshops and offerings specifically for Latine theatre actors and artists. CLATA is supported by the Ford Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Joyce Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, National Latinx Theater Initiative, Driehaus Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, Excellerator Fund, Shubert Foundation and Illinois Arts Council. Destinos is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Allstate, Arts Midwest GIG Fund and the Consulate General of Argentina. For more information, visit clata.org, or follow CLATA on Facebook, Instagram and Threads at @latinotheater.