World Premiere of Ghost Fetus Via Trap Door Theatre Now Playing Through September 27th, 2025

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Trap Door Theatre’s Trap Open Series Presents

The World Premiere of

Ghost Fetus

Written by Suz Evans

Directed by Anna Klos

Now Playing Through September 27th, 2025

Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to open its 32nd season with a World Premiere presented with the Trap Open Series: Ghost Fetus, written by Chicago playwright Suz Evans and directed by Anna Klos. Ghost Fetus will play September 11th –27th, 2025 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W Cortland St. in Chicago. Tickets are now on sale at trapdoortheatre.com or by calling (773)-384-0494. 

The cast includes Jenn Geiger, Tia Pinson, Lolo Ramos, Gus Thomas, and Jacqui Touchet

A ghost seeking revenge. A church caught in its own contradictions. Two queer teens reckoning with faith, fear, and desire. Anna Klos and Suz Evans bring you a haunting, hilarious, and heartfelt piece like no other.

The production team includes Anna Klos (Director), Richard Norwood (Lighting Designer),Suz Evans (Set Designer), Emily Nichelson (Costume Designer), Anna Kosicki (Assistant Costume Designer), Laila Eskin (Sound Designer), Chels Morgan (Intimacy/Violence Director), Gabrielle Owens (Stage Manager), Laura Nelson (Marketing), Lo Miles

Cast (in alphabetical order): Jenn Geiger (Craig), Tia Pinson (Ghost Fetus), Lolo Ramos(Whitney), Gus Thomas (Aaron), and Jacqui Touchet (Sarah Jane).

Location: Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St. Chicago, IL 60622

Dates: Regular Run: Thursday, September 11th –Saturday, September 27th, 2025

Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 pm.

Tickets: $22. Tickets are currently available at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/trapdoor/ghost-fetus or by calling (773) 384-0494.

Group tickets: Special group rates are available. For information, call (773) 384-0494 or email boxofficetrapdoor@gmail.com.

Plan your visit: Free street parking is available.

Buses: #9 (Ashland), #50 (Damen), #72 (North), #73 (Armitage).

Metra: Clybourn metra stop.

Accessibility:

Trap Door Theatre is wheelchair accessible.

About the Artists:

Suz Evans (Playwright) (they/them) (b Cincinnati 1990) is a playwright, set designer and visual artist with a background in printmaking and performance art. Their work delves into questions about identity, hierarchy, cultural deviance, relationships and grief. Evans has a BFA in printmaking and art history from Montserrat College of Art (2013). They have shown visual work at the Lily Pad (Cambridge MA), the Crane Estate of Ipswich (MA), SOWA open studios (Boston), the Boston Printmakers Biennial, Roots and Culture and Archer Beach House (Chicago) and unofficially made live work at places such as the Cincinnati Art Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Mass MoCa, and Smith College Museum of Art.

Their first script, Childhood Beauty, was produced at Trap Door Theatre in 2019. In 2021 they wrote for adevised work at Trick Lock Theater (Albuquerque). Evans designed the set for Antigonik, directed at Trap Door by Anna Klos in 2024. Their puppetry work has also been performed at several YUCK! shows in Chicago in collaboration with Klos. 

Evans is committed to making work that examines their own childhood of fundamental Christian upbringing. Whether it’s deep dives into the impacts of pro-life ideology or obsessions with cultural moments such as Jane Fonda Workout videos, their plays are all in consideration of understanding what got us to the present. Ghost Fetus was written a year before Roe v.Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. As Evans creates work about a life that feels far removed from a progressive city like Chicago we are reminded that ideas of the body, the reproduction system, and societal control are strongly rooted in our American culture.

Anna Klos (Director) (they/them) has worked with Trap Door for the last five seasons, and during thattime they have explored a myriad of projects, including: Antigonick (Director), The Ugly One (Assistant Director), Trap Door's 25/25 (Event Manager), Old Woman Broods (Actor), and Monsieur D'Eon is a Woman, The White Plague, Lipstick Lobotomy, Queen C, Decomposed Theater, The Martyrdom of PeterOhey (Chicago run and New York tour), Jeanne et le Feu, and Bowie in Warsaw (Stage Manager). Anna is grateful for clowns, their Trap family, and their partner, Suz.

About the Trap Open Series

The Trap Open Series explores non-traditional forms of playmaking, while developing and giving voice to the next generation of groundbreaking theater artists. In keeping with the promise to foster innovative forms of expression, Trap Door opens up its space to company members, as well as guest artists, to develop new work that exists outside the realm of a traditional theatrical run. These performances occur sporadically throughout the prime-time season as additional offerings during the week and late nights. Whether it is a workshop of a bold new play, a daylong performance installation, or a collaboration with artists from other mediums, Trap Open offers audiences thrilling, unexpected experiences while granting artists the opportunity to take risks that push their artistic practices to new heights.

About Trap Door Theatre

Trap Door Theatre is committed to seeking out challenging and obscure works. Whether a forgotten European classic, an international project rarely seen in the United States, or an untarnished piece of American literature, Trap Door seeks diverse voices and presents them through innovative expression. We mix established and imaginative techniques to illustrate theabsurdities of living in today’s society.

Trap Door Theatre is funded in part by The Paul M Angell Family Foundation, The CliffDwellers Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council Agency, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The John R Halligan Charitable Fund, The Reva and David Logan Foundation, and the generosity of individual donors.

For additional information, visit trapdoortheatre.com

TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody Announces Final Extension Through Nov. 9, 2025

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TWIHARD! A TWILIGHT MUSICAL PARODY 

SINKS ITS TEETH INTO FINAL EXTENSION WITH PERFORMANCES NOW ON SALE THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 9

Tickets On Sale Now at www.TwihardTheMusical.com, Just in Time for Spooky Season

TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody, the smash hit original musical from Otherworld Theatre Company that was called “super funny” by WBEZ’s Mike Davis, today announced that performances will extend through Sunday, Nov. 9 at Chicago’s Apollo Theater (2550 N Lincoln Ave), with tickets for the entirety of the run on sale now at www.TwihardTheMusical.com.

Hailed as “too much fun” with a “surprising amount of heart” by Chicago Tribune, TWIHARD! reimagines the beloved Twilight saga with irreverent humor and showstopping original music. Written and directed by Tiffany Keane Schaefer with music by Brian Rasmussen, TWIHARD! “goes hard” (Chicago Reader), with Entertaining Chicago calling it “the musical you never knew you needed in your life.”

The cast, called “superb” by Around the Town Chicago, includes Rachel Arianna, Peter Stielstra, Aliyah Necaise, Allie Grace Ember, Trey Plutnicki, Maxwell Peters, Kyra Young, Ryan Wagner, Hannah Decker, Cris Moreno, Stephanie Boyd, Ginny Weant, Jacob Watson, Mason Sammarco, Liam Ryan, Jackson West, Nicholas Ian, Maddi LeBlanc, Carly Nadeau, Cosmo Coniglio, Isabel Koleno and Jordan Thompson.

Photo Credit for all: Nadir Waxali

Tickets to TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody are available now at www.TwihardTheMusical.com through Sunday, Nov. 9. Performances take place Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. To relive the fang-tasy at home or to prepare for your next visit to Forks, stream the TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody original cast recording album 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.

REVIEW: Lifeline Theatre's World Premiere Production of RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS Through October 5, 2025

When Life's the Pits, Embrace The Cherries!

Black Joy and Rabbit Luck Abound in Lifeline's World Premiere

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“RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS”

Developed in Lifeline’s 2024 BIPOC Workshop: Chicago Playwright’s Debut Production 

Run Time: 90 minutes

REVIEW

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

(L to R) Marcus D. Moore (Jasper), Simmery Branch (Harley), and Felicia McNeal (Inola). Improv students Jasper and Inola try a scene as Harley’s ancestors in Lifeline Theatre’s “Rabbits In Their Pockets” Photo credit for all: Josh Bernaski

I've always been fascinated by the idea that homes soak in the energy and emotions of what transpired there. Chicago playwright Kimberly Dixon-Mays, RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS takes this concept to the next level with the invention of walls that can store up black joy like solar panels. This play hits home in an era where DEI initiatives are being rolled back on the regular, lynchings are resurging, and black joy is under attack. 

It's fantastic that this play came to life through Lifeline’s 2024 BIPOC Developmental Workshop and firmly centers the lives of two very different black siblings and their struggle to reconnect as adults. I applaud the choice of productions outside of the white, male canon, and the strong representation of lead roles for both women and actors of color. Simmery Branch (Harley) and LaKecia Harris (Ash) expertly play siblings, whose conflict and connection is fascinating to see. Felisha McNeal (Inola) is also a hoot in her role as a cryptic ancestor/investor. We also enjoyed watching Marcus D. Moore (Jasper, R) in action.

Since Virginia Woolf's famous essay, the idea of a room of one's own, has captivated imaginations. It's particularly important for mothers, caregivers, and women to have a space of their own to retreat into and recharge, no matter how small, and the sisters saw this as children, in their Mother's cherry wallpapered hidey hole beneath the stairs. In RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS there's something so joyful and special about reclaiming sacred space, rekindling the bonds of blood, and moving forward together. I love the juxtaposition of old school, low tech, self care with futuristic, cutting edge invention, all in pursuit of joy. 

There's also quite a bit of humor and rabbit fun from an improv assignment to a full body, jump scare inducing bunny suit, complete with a giant furry head. 

Simmery Branch (Harley, L) coaches her improv student Marcus D. Moore (Jasper, R) as he tries to be a rabbit in Lifeline Theatre’s “Rabbits In Their Pockets”

It was such a pleasure to catch opening night of this playfully thought provoking piece. We'll be keeping an eye out for more work from playwright Kimberly Dixon-Mays whose insightful themes on human psychology and family dynamics are at once universal and deeply personal. And if that joy collector wall panel actually works, those wall will be oozing joy after the laughter and applause of opening weekend. 

Sisters LaKecia Harris (Ash, L) and Simmery Branch (Harley, R) meet after a long estrangement in Lifeline Theatre’s “Rabbits In Their Pockets” a world-premiere original comedy by Kimberly Dixon-Mays

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar. Recommended. Three out of four stars. ★★★ 

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).

(L to R) Simmery Branch (Harley) and LaKecia Harris (Ash) play sisters who find shared joy in childhood memories 

Lifeline Theatre's World Premiere production of Kimberly Dixon-Mays’ RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS is directed by Christopher Wayland and running through October 5, 2025 on the Rogers Park theatre’s stage at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Tickets ($25 - $45) are now available at https://lifelinetheatre.com/.

(L to R) Simmery Branch (Harley) and LaKecia Harris (Ash) play siblings with very different approaches to life.

In the pursuit of joy, does method matter? Two siblings–opposites and estranged–take one last shot at putting grief behind them to create the joy they both seek. But their daring project can only succeed if they can accept each other's special magic. A world premiere original play by Chicago playwright Kimberly Dixon-Mays, RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS began in Lifeline’s 2024 BIPOC Developmental Workshop.

(L to R) LaKecia Harris (Ash) and Simmery Branch (Harley)

RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS PRODUCTION DETAILS

Title: RABBITS IN THEIR POCKETS

Written By: Kimberly Dixon-Mays

Directed By: Christopher Wayland

Cast: LaKecia Harris (Ash), Simmery Branch (Harley), Marcus D. Moore (Teddy), and Felisha McNeal (Inola)

Production Crew: Maryha Paige (Stage Manager), Shokie Tseumah (Scenic and Props Designer), Joseph Nelson (Lighting and Projections Designer), Emily McConnell (Costume Designer), and Isaac Mandel (Sound Designer)

Dates: Now Playing Through October 5, 2025 

Schedule: Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Location: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.

Tickets: General Admission: $45

Military, student, and senior discounts available

Box Office:  info@lifelinetheatre.com or by phone at 773-761-4477

ABOUT LIFELINE THEATRE

Now in its 43rd season, Lifeline Theatre continues to explore, interpret, and reimagine books and other literary works to create stories that move us beyond the margins of our own lives. Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close.

Lifeline Theatre’s MainStage programs are partially supported by the Carole Oppenheim and Jerome S. Lamet Charitable Fund; Illinois Arts Council Agency; Anonymous; Paul M. Angell Foundation; Rogers Park Social; S&C Electric Company Fund; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; The Saints; and the annual support of businesses and individuals. https://lifelinetheatre.com

(L to R) Simmery Branch (Harley) and LaKecia Harris (Ash) play siblings in Lifeline Theatre’s “Rabbits In Their Pockets” a world-premiere original comedy by Kimberly Dixon-Mays, directed by Christopher Wayland. Now running through Sunday, October 5. Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60626. For tickets visit https://lifelinetheatre.com or call the box office at 773-761-4477. 

DUCK SOUP VIA THE CONSPIRATORS AT STARS & GARTERS OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 23, 2025

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THE CONSPIRATORS ANNOUNCE DUCK SOUP,

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 23, AT STARS & GARTERS

The Conspirators Lovingly Dismantle This Marx Brothers Classic Film in Their Inimitable Style

The Conspirators present Duck Soup by Harry Ruby and Burt Kalmar, adapted from the Marx Brothers’ movie for the stage by Sid Feldman and directed by Wm. Bullion, at the NEW Stars & Garters venue, 3914 N. Clark St., October 24 - November 23. The production includes two preview performances on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays - Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for previews, $30 for the regular run, and may be purchased online at ConspireWithUs.org. I'll be out to review at the press opening, Thursday, Oct. 30th, so check back soon after for my full review.

Duck Soup Synopsis: Stop them if you've heard this one before—an influential billionaire installs a crackpot president who hires incompetents into his cabinet and starts a war out of complete vanity. Ring a bell? The Conspirators lovingly dismantle the Marx Brothers classic film in their own inimitable style.

“Instead of our usual political satire, we just wanted to do something fun this time,” offered Adapter and Producer Sid Feldman, “pure comedy without the commentary.” Director Bullion added, “This will TOTALLY take our mind off of our national decline and get our minds onto Freedonia’s national decline.”

The cast and production team for Duck Soup are to be announced.

ABOUT WM. BULLION (Director, Executive Artistic Director)

Wm. Bullion is a veteran tragicomedian, director and actor on the fringe of the Chicago theater fringe and beyond. Bullion is an emeritus member of The Factory Theater, for whom he directed Prophet$ and Born Ready. He started Sliced Bread Productions in 1988 and put up some fine work before it folded in 2008. He co-founded The Conspirators in 2016 and has proudly directed their oeuvre, including Chicago Cop Macbeth; Viva la Mort; Commedia Divina: It’s Worse Than That; The Ineptidemic; Accidental Death of a Black Motorist; The Deckchairs, or Make the Titanic Great Again and The Resistible Rise of Herr Helmut Drumpf—but he was a fool to think starting another theater group in Chicago is a viable, sustainable idea. Yet, here we are.

ABOUT SID FELDMAN (Adapter, Producer/Style Coach, Producing Director)

Sid Feldman co-founded The Conspirators and has written plays, adaptations, screenplays, reviews and essays. He has produced plays, concerts and events for numerous organizations, including New Crime and Sliced Bread Productions (also with Wm. Bullion).

ABOUT THE CONSPIRATORS

The Conspirators are a (newfangled) theater and performance collective in Chicago dedicated to provoking thought and action through dynamic, immediate theater art. The Conspirators work exclusively in a style of neo-Commedia called “The Style”—a highly theatrical performance mode developed by movie stars Tim Robbins and John Cusack from the techniques of Ariane Mnouchkine, Commedia dell’Arte, Bugs Bunny cartoons and punk rock, as historically performed by New Crime Prod. (R.I.P.) and The Actors’ Gang. The company also offers free Style workshops to interested performers of all calibers.

The regular performance schedule is Thursdays - Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for previews, $30 for the regular run and may be purchased online at ConspireWithUs.org. 

Please follow The Conspirators on Facebook and Instagram.

FEST ALERT: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble Presents the Full Circle Festival September 19 - 28, 2025

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CHICAGO DANZTHEATRE ENSEMBLE PRESENTS 

FULL CIRCLE FESTIVAL 

SEPTEMBER 19 - 28, 2025

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) is pleased to announce the plays and artists featured in the reimagined “Full Circle Festival,” September 19-28, at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Avenue. The performance schedule is Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. For additional information on this upcoming season and to purchase tickets, visit DanzTheatre.org.

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble has reimagined its Full Circle Festival, featuring physical, fringe, and dance theater works between 30 and 60 minutes in length. About the festival, for eight years, CDE has produced this eclectic festival for works under 15 minutes. Since reopening three years ago after being closed due to the pandemic, the company has been responding to the needs of the performance community even more, and has found that there is a need to present longer works. CDE is co-producing this event with Whispering Theatre Collective (Britt Anderson and Richie Schiraldi). This year’s lineup will feature: RE|dance, Whispering Theatre Collective, Michelle Stine, CIRCA-Pintig, HGBIC Productions, Emma Jean Eastling and Broken Planet.

The 2025 Full Circle Festival includes:

Josephine

Friday, Sept. 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented by HGBIC Productions

Directed by Mikey Duran

Choreographed by Dushawn Darling and Juan Irizarry

Set before the Actress Josephine Baker’s historic debut at The Folies Bergere, Josephine recounts her childhood and early career, which led her to become the most famous black woman in the world.

Well-Balanced Dads

Saturday, Sept. 20 and 27 at 4 p.m.

Presented by Whisper Theater

Well-Balanced Dads is a family-friendly physical comedy about two dads navigating life after their kids have left the nest. Through partner acrobatics, classic rock, and an abundance of audience interaction, Dick and Dale take the audience on a camping adventure complete with a beloved Minivan, dance numbers, a cheese stick fight, movie references, and a spooky ghost story.  Suitable for all ages.

Every Brilliant Thing

Saturday, Sept. 20 and 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Presented by CiRCA Pintig

Written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe

Directed by RJ Silva and Annemarie Andaleon

Featuring Mari Joy

Every Brilliant Thing is a heartwarming, interactive play that celebrates life’s joys and struggles. Starring Mari Joy, the show invites audiences to laugh, reflect, and participate in a unique theatrical experience.

Chicago MemoryScape

Saturday, Sept. 20 and 27 at 7 p.m.

Presented by RE|Dance Group

Chicago MemoryScape is a public art and dance installation

that creates a moving memory map throughout the city of Chicago. Lucy Vurusic Riner turns Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods into stages for spontaneous, crowdsourced dance performances, using public art as a backdrop to spark connection with dance and community members. Together they experience, participate, and create their own MemoryScape.  Suitable for all ages.

The Storage Closet

Saturday, Sept. 20 and 27 at 8 p.m.

Written by Emma Jean Eastlund

The Storage Closet is a new play by Emma Jean Eastlund that peels back the curtain on GoGo dancing to reveal a raw, femme-driven story of survival, sisterhood, and reclamation. Set in the storage closet of a nightclub, the play follows a group of women as they navigate the chaos of nightlife, clinging to their power and dreams. Both gritty and poetic, The Storage Closet is a tribute to the women of GoGo—and to all femme artists who continue to make art by any means necessary.

Broken Planet Show

Saturday, Sept.  27 at 9:30 p.m.

Broken Planet Show is an absurd interactive cabaret of apocalyptic proportions where clown, music, and chaos collide in a nightly riot of world-saving mischief. Featuring characters like Clown God, Mothman, and Fart Monkey, the show dares audiences to laugh at our flaws, misbehave joyfully, and unite through ridiculousness. It’s a rebellious celebration of imperfection, set to a live-looped cosmic soundtrack.

Always, Sometimes, Maybe

Sunday, September 21 and 28 at 3 p.m.

Presented by Michele Stine

Michele Stine’s Always, Sometimes, Maybe follows a janitor who unexpectedly finds herself onstage. With nothing but her rubbish and a lot of imagination, she tries to find a connection. Using physical comedy, puppetry, dance, and non-verbal storytelling, this is a warm, accessible experience suitable for all ages and backgrounds. A funny, tender journey directed by Sean Garratt into what it means to be alone- and how we find our way back to each other.  Suitable for all ages.

Destination Wedding

Sunday, September 21 and 28 at 6 p.m.

Presented by Fat Theatre Project

The ins and outs of a wedding are told from a variety of perspectives.

 Arachne

Sunday, September 21 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Whisper Theater

Written by Britt Anderson

Directed by Alex Mallory

Greek mythology meets Steel Magnolias in Arachne, a bold, hilarious solo show about the very first spider. Athena, the Goddess of Justice and Handicrafts, is hosting a launch party for her memoir… until a mysterious force demands that she tell the WHOLE truth about her past. If she doesn’t, she’ll be coughing up webs for all eternity. Athena’s story dives into issues like justice, accountability, and the complexities of women’s friendships. Britt Anderson uses music, multiple characters, and audience interaction to weave this tale about two former best friends.

ABOUT CHICAGO DANZTHEATRE ENSEMBLE

Founded in 2001, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) is Chicago’s only multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to social justice and socially conscious work that builds community through the arts “one voice, one story, one person at a time.” CDE’s mission is to engage, inspire, and challenge the community, both onstage and in the classroom, through innovative and collaborative multidisciplinary storytelling to illuminate aspects of social issues. We do this in the genre of Tanztheatre, "which unites all art media to achieve an all-embracing, radical change in humankind.” Through our school-based art and performance programs, CDE helps students in Chicago schools explore their own creativity, supporting their social and emotional learning. CDE provides a physical and emotional space where community conversation and cultural change can happen.

For our performance series, CDE is dedicated to creating performances that blend together dance, theatre and visual art to tell stories about the human condition. We give an artistic voice to those who are not always heard.

Dedicated since our founding to diverse casting of age, body type and ethnicity

Consistently listed as a “Top Theater and Dance Performance to See” by New City and Chicago Reader

Unique collaborations with the Veterans Art Museum, Poetry Center Chicago, Cantigny Museum, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Voice of the City and numerous dance and theater companies

MacArthur Award Grantee for International Collaborations.  

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) is pleased to announce its 2025 - 2026 season. CDE will open this season with LUMINOSITY, Aug. 1-2, followed by a reimagined “Full Circle Festival,” Sept. 19-28, featuring local artists participating in a classic fringe-style festival. The Artists’ Residency, Body Passages, returns to CDE from Nov. 14-15, as well as the New Plays Program and Next Stage Development. In addition, CDE announces Davon Suttles as its new assistant artistic director.

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is supported by The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Bayless Family Foundation, The Saints Foundation,The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Innovation 80; Farny Wurlitzer Foundation; Mardi Gras Fund and the annual support of individual donors.

Midwest Premiere of Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies the Bone at Shattered Globe October 3-November 15, 2025

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Shattered Globe’s 35th Season Launches With

Ugly Lies the Bone 

October 3-November 15, 2025

Shattered Globe’s 35th season launches next month with the Midwest Premiere of Lindsey Ferrentino’s poignant comedy Ugly Lies the Bone, a darkly funny, heartfelt story of a military veteran using virtual reality to piece her life back together. 

Shattered Globe’s Midwest Premiere of Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies the Bone features (from left) Christina Gorman as Jess, Christopher Acevedo as Stevie, Cyd Blakewell as Kacie, Barbara Figgins as voice/Mom and Eddie Martinez as Kelvin.

Previews start October 3. I'll be out for the press opening, October 9th so check back shortly after for my rull review. Performances run through November 15 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Tickets, Pay-What-You-Can through $60, go on sale Friday, September 12. For tickets and information, visit sgtheatre.org.

Shattered Globe’s 35th season opener, the Midwest Premiere of Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies the Bone, directed by Jonathan Berry, finds humor in unexpected places, October 3-November 15

After three tours in Afghanistan, Jess has returned home to a changed world, and body. With biting dark humor and virtual reality therapy, Jess begins to rebuild her life one puzzle piece at a time, confronting scars both seen and unseen. In Ugly Lies the Bone, humor and heart ultimately combine for a powerful, funny story of how beauty endures beneath the surface.

Shattered Globe’s 35th season launches with Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies the Bone, a poignant, darkly funny story of a military veteran using virtual reality to piece her life back together. 

Shattered Globe’s Midwest Premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone features Ensemble Member Christina Gorman as Jess, who has returned home after three tours in Afghanistan to a changed world, and body. 

Credit: Jeffrey Kurysz 

SGT's Midwest Premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone marks the welcome return of director Jonathan Berry to Chicago. 

Ugly Lies the Bone marks the welcome return of director Jonathan Berry to Chicago. An ensemble member of Steep and Griffin theaters and former artistic producer at Steppenwolf, Berry is home after three years as artistic director of Penobscot Theatre in Maine. 

"I am so very excited to mark my return to Chicago with this production of Ugly Lies the Bone,” said Berry. “This is a play that is made for Chicago and a talented ensemble like Shattered Globe, offering a compelling look at a wounded veteran's challenging return to a life she barely recognizes, told with compassion, humor and ultimately hope."

Whether writing about a female burn survivor or the first leading role for a person with Down syndrome, Variety called Linda Ferrentino “a brave playwright of dauntless conviction, whose unflinching portraits are hard to come by outside of journalism.” Coinciding with SGT’s introduction of her play Ugly Lies the Bone to Chicago this fall, Ferrentino also will be making her Broadway debut writing the book for The Queen of Versailles, Stephen Schwartz’s new musical starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham.

Shattered Globe’s cast for Ugly Lies the Bone features Ensemble Member Christina Gorman as Jess, with Christopher Acevedo as Stevie, Cyd Blakewell as Kacie, Barbara Figgins as voice/Mom and Eddie Martinez as Kelvin. 

The production team includes Lindsay Mummert (set designer), Kotryna Hilko (costume designer), Brandon Wardell (lighting designer), Erin Pleake (projections designer), Saskia Bakker (props designer), Christopher Kriz (original music and sound designer), SGT Ensemble member Tina Jach (stage manager) and SGT Ensemble Member Adam Schulmerich (production manager). 

(right) Christina Gorman plays Jess in Shattered Globe’s Ugly Lies the Bone. (left) Christina Gorman as Jess and Christopher Acevedo as Jess’s former boyfriend, Stevie, in Ugly Lies the Bone. 

Credit: Jeffrey Kurysz

(left) Cyd Blakewell plays Jess’s sister, Kacie, and Eddie Martinez is Kacie’s boyfriend, Kelvin. (right) The cast for Ugly Lies the Bone includes (from left) Christopher Acevedo as Stevie, Christina Gorman as Jess, Barbara Figgins as voice/Mom, Cyd Blakewell as Kacie and Eddie Martinez as Kelvin. 

Credit: Jeffrey Kurysz

Ticket information for Ugly Lies the Bone

The first preview of Ugly Lies the Bone on Friday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. is Pay-What-You-Can. Previews continue Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m., and Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. Press opening is Thursday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run through November 15: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. No show Friday, October 10 or Thursday October 30. There’s an added 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday November 1, as well as closing day, Saturday, November 15.

For tickets and information, visit sgtheatre.org, call the Theater Wit box office, (773) 975-8150, or purchase in person at Theater Wit. Take advantage of early-bird discounts. Otherwise, previews are $25. Performances are $20-$60 ($20 for students, veterans, active military, teachers, and under 30; $40 general admission; $60 for those who want to support accessible theater). For group discounts, email groupsales@shatteredglobe.org or call (773) 770-0333.

Access Services

Audio Description and a Touch Tour for patrons who are blind or have low vision will be offered on Friday, November 7. The Touch Tour begins at 6:15 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. 

Shattered Globe will offer a captioned performance on Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m. for patrons with hearing loss. Assisted Listening Devices are available for all performances.

Theater Wit is wheelchair accessible, and all patrons with disability needs are invited to purchase $20 access tickets with the code “ACCESS20” at Theater Wit’s checkout page. Please email boxoffice@theaterwit.org to ensure the theater can reserve the right seat for your needs.

Shattered Globe’s 35th Season: 

Finding Humor in Unexpected Places

Support Chicago’s live theater scene and save with a Shattered Globe Season Traveler Membership. Shattered Globe’s 2025-26 season boasts one World Premiere and two Midwest Premieres that find humor in unexpected places and offer a fresh lens on our ever-evolving world. Following Ugly Lies the Bone is the Midwest premiere of Kirsten Greenidge’s Morning, Noon, and Night, a tale about social media, magic realism and moms and daughters, directed by Shattered Globe Associate Artistic Director AmBer Montgomery. Next April, man up for Shattered Globe’s World Premiere of Eelpout!, Paul W. Kruse’s hilarious new fantasia on Midwest masculinity, directed by Jeremy Ohringer.

“Shattered Globe is on a roll, particularly as we’re coming off a highly successful season marked by the most Jeff Award nominations in company history, 14 in all, including best production, director, cast, ensemble, and design nominations,” said Shattered Globe Producing Director Artistic Director Sandy Shinner. “The entire ensemble is buzzing with anticipation as we encourage audiences to join us for a wild ride to three unexpected places, with three unexpected outcomes, during our 35th season.”

Two- and three-play memberships range from $55 to $115 and are on sale now at sgtheatre.org/memberships. All three Shattered Globe productions will be presented at the company’s resident home, Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Visit SGTheatre.org for more information, including photos and video clips, news of special events, accessible and waived ticket programs and show content warnings. Find and follow the company on social media @shatteredglobe on Facebook and Instagram. 

Coinciding with SGT's Ugly Lies the Bone in Chicago, Ferrentino is making her Broadway debut writing the book for The Queen of Versailles, Stephen Schwartz’s new musical starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham.

Ugly Lies the Bone : Meet the playwright and director

Lindsey Ferrentino (playwright, Ugly Lies the Bone) is a playwright whose work includes The Fear of 13 (Donmar Warehouse; Olivier Award nominations for Best New Play and Best Actor, starring Adrien Brody), The Queen of Versailles (Broadway; The Emerson Colonial Theatre), Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre Company; The National Theatre, UK; NYT Critic’s Pick), Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout Theatre Company), This Flat Earth (Playwrights Horizons), The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse), The Artist (Theatre Royal Plymouth). According to The New York Times, Ferrentino writes with, “a muscular empathy, which seeks to enter the minds of people for whom life is often a struggle of heroic proportions.” Whether writing about a female burn survivor or the first leading role for a person with Down syndrome, she has been called, “a brave playwright of dauntless conviction, whose unflinching portraits are hard to come by outside of journalism,” and she possesses, “a moral compass second to none among her generation of playwrights” (Variety). Ferrentino is also an accomplished screenwriter with various projects in development. Most recently announced, she is writing and directing a film adaptation of her celebrated play Amy and the Orphans (Aggregate Pictures), writing a project based on Hugh Hefner’s Playboy empire (Sony), and adapting Rebecca Yarros’ beloved novel In the Likely Event (Netflix). She is the recipient of the 2016 Kesselring Prize, a Laurents/Hatcher Citation of Excellence, the ASCAP Cole Porter Playwriting Prize, the Catalyst Award for Entertainment Industry Excellence, the Paul Newman Drama Award, the NYU Distinguished Young Alumna Award. BFA, NYU; MFA, Hunter; and the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. lindseyferrentino.com

Jonathan Berry (director, Ugly Lies the Bone) is excited to be back in Chicago, after three years of serving as Artistic Director of The Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, Maine. He is a proud ensemble member of both Steep Theatre and Griffin Theatre and a former Artistic Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He directed the Steppenwolf productions of: Lindiwe, The Children, You Got Older, Constellations, and the SYA productions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Crucible, and A Separate Peace. Steep Theatre Company: Paris, Red Rex, Earthquakes in London, Posh, The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle, If There Is I Haven’t Found it Yet, The Knowledge, Festen, Moment, The Hollow Lands and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. At Griffin, productions include: The North American premiers of Simon Stephens Punk Rock (Jeff award Director, Lead Actor, and Ensemble) Port, and On the Shore of the Wide World, as well as The Harvest, Winterset, Pocatello, Balm in Gilead, Golden Boy, The Burnt Part Boys, Spring Awakening, Company, Picnic, Time and the Conways, Dead End, The Hostage and Journey’s End. He was the Assistant Director for Anna D Shapiro’s Broadway productions of Of Mice and Men and This is our Youth. Gift Theatre: Obliteration (second production) The world premiers of both Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated, as well as Othello. Goodman Theatre: The Solid Sand Below and The World of Extreme Happiness for their New Stages Festival. Other work includes: American Theatre Company: Kill Floor, American Blues: Little Shop of Horrors and Sideman; Redtwist: Look Back in Anger and Reverb, Chicago Dramatists: I am Going to Change the World, Jackalope Theatre: The Casuals, Strawdog: Conversations on a Homecoming, Remy Bumpo: The Marriage of Figaro, Theatre Mir: The Sea and Caucasian Chalk Circle, Lifeline Theater: The Piano Tuner (Afterdark award – Best Production) He pursued his MFA in directing from Northwestern University. He has taught acting, directing, and viewpoints at University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Act One Studios, Columbia College and served as the director for the ensemble training program The School at Steppenwolf. johnathanberry101.com

About Shattered Globe Theatre

Shattered Globe Theatre seeks to redefine what it means to be an ensemble theatre, discover new connections between story, artist and audience, and explore drama from bold, challenging perspectives. 

Shattered Globe Theatre was born in a storefront space on Halsted Street in 1991. Since then, SGT has produced more than 80 plays, including nine American and world premieres, and garnered an impressive 44 Jeff Awards and 132 Jeff Award nominations, as well as the acclaim of critics and audiences alike. Guided by Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner, Shattered Globe’s values are rooted in a commitment to racial equity, respect for all artists and support for the ensemble, while creating new opportunities to amplify traditionally marginalized voices and collaborate in all aspects of its work. Through initiatives such as the Protégé Program, Shattered Globe creates a space which allows emerging artists to grow and share in the ensemble experience.

Shattered Globe Theatre’s Ensemble has 29 members: Judy Anderson, Louis Contey, David Dastmalchian,Demetra Dee, Joe Forbrich, Christina Gorman, Daria Harper, Tina M. Jach, Rebecca Jordan, Steve Kleinedler, Vivian Knouse, AmBer Montgomery, Tina Muñoz Pandya, Eileen Niccolai, Jazzma Pryor, Hailey Rakowiecki, Deanna Reed-Foster, Linda Reiter, Nate Santana, Drew Schad, Adam Schulmerich, Leslie Ann Sheppard, Sandy Shinner, Joe Sikora, Shelley Strasser, Devonte E. Washington, Sarah Jo White, Joseph Wiens and Brad Woodard.

SGT’s Artistic Associates now number 20 including Daniela Colucci, Mikey Gray, Lawrence Grimm, Darren Jones, Christopher Kriz, Jason Lynch, Elizabeth Margolius, Kelsey Melvin, Tim Newell, Jane Nix, Aila Peck, Steve Peebles, David Antonio Reed, Jasmine Cheri Rush, Angie Shriner, Abbey Smith, Becca Smith, Michael Trudeau, Ayanna Wimberley and Austin Winter.

SGT is supported by generous grants from the Shulman- Rochambeau Charitable Foundation, Brenda and James Grusecki, The Bayless Family Foundation, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Carol P. Eastin, The Shubert Foundation,  Judith & David Sensibar, The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and Barbara and Randy Thomas.

Visit sgtheatre.org for subscriptions, tickets and information, and follow the company @shatteredglobe on Facebook and Instagram.

The Neo-Futurist Theater Presents Abby Paj Tries to Stay Alive September 11th - October 4th, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Abby Paj Tries to Stay Alive

This solo show written and performed by Neo-Futurist Ensemble Member

Abby Pajakowski and directed by Sammy Zeisel.

Performances are September 11th - October 4th at 7pm at The Neo-Futurist Theater. 

We'll be out to review on Industry Night, Monday, September 22nd. Can't wait to catch this timely solo selection in one of our favorite storefront spaces!

The doomsday clock ticks 89 seconds to midnight and the world seems to already be ending each day. Some stockpile beans, some stockpile guns, and some bury themselves underground to wait for it to all blow over. Meanwhile, Abby Paj avoids the doctor, stays in bed, and writes “make a go-bag” on every to-do list for a year and a half. Join Abby as they dive into apocalypses, preparation, depression, and maybe doing a bunch of push-ups with a backpack on. Watch as they try to stay alive in any - no, every way possible. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can - $20 and available now for purchase.