Commedia Divina: It's Worse Than That (Retooled!) at The Conspirators

CHICAGO – The Conspirators present a retooling of Commedia Divina: It’s Worse Than That, written by Sid Feldman and directed by Wm. Bullion, at the Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St., October 18 - November 10.

Commedia Divina: It’s Worse Than That is back after a COVID-cut-short run in 2023. Buzz Center Stage calls the original 2023 production “Outrageously funny—The Conspirators latest show is an absolute laugh fest, and may just be their funniest so far!” This highly recommended comedy tells the story of a suburban business heiress from northern Georgia (*ahem*) who is escorted through Dante’s (heavily updated) Nine Circles of Hell by holy man, Fr. Virgil. Will she learn the right lessons and mend her ways? Or, more likely, will Washington never be the same? In either case, Hell awaits! The Conspirators employ their firebrand neo-Commedia performance style to bring the audience laughs, tears and gut-punches with the Third Coast Review saying ”The Conspirators create bizarre and brilliant magic—a rollicking good time!” The show is deemed RECOMMENDED by all who reviewed it—the Chicago Reader, Buzz Center Stage and Third Coast Review.

The cast currently includes Christine Watt (she/her) as Malady Traitor Greene and Travis Barnhardt (he/him) in his hilarious turn as Sen. Mitch McConnell.

The complete cast of the retooling of Commedia Divina: It’s Worse Than That will be announced soon.

The production crew includes: Wm. Bullion (he/him, director); Sid Feldman (he/him, playwright, producer and style coach) and Matthew Bonaccorso (he/him, stage manager), Mike McShane (he/him, scenographer and lighting designer) Kit Medic (they/them, costumes), Sebby Woldt (they/them, sound designer), Elena Avila (she/her, assistant director), Libby Beyreis (she/her, violence designer), Meghan Lynham (she/her, choreographer), and others yet to be hired.

The production includes one preview performance on Thursday Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. with the press opening Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays - Sundays at 7 p.m. Please note: the October 31 and November 1, 2, 8 and 9 performances will be special late night performances held at 10 p.m. In addition there will be an Industry Night Election Special performance on Monday, November 4 at 7 p.m. The running time is 75 minutes. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at conspirewithus.org.