Riley Mondragon News

The Second City is proud to announce the return of The Second City's Salute to Pride, a variety show written and performed entirely by an all-LGBTQ identifying cast. Sashaying its way to UP Comedy Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this June, this colorful cornucopia will feature original sketch, improv, music, and drag.

The Second City is proud to announce the return of The Second City's Salute to Pride, a variety show written and performed entirely by an all-LGBTQ identifying cast. Sashaying its way to UP Comedy Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this June, this colorful cornucopia will feature original sketch, improv, music, and drag.

The Second City is proud to announce a June run for "The Second City's Let's Make It Perfectly Queer: A Salute to Pride," a sketch show performed entirely by an all -LGBTQIA cast. Under the direction of Mick Napier with musical direction by Nick Gage, "Let's Make It Perfectly Queer" is Second City's first foray into celebrating all things Pride with a rainbow of classic and original sketches featuring an inclusive cast: Corey Caldwell, George David Elrod, Lanny Fox, Maya Haughton, Claudia Martinez and Riley Mondragon.

Following its sell-out hit Significant Other, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 2017-18 season with the Midwest premiere of R. Eric Thomas' gleeful mystery TIME IS ON OUR SIDE, directed by Artistic Director Megan Carney, playing March 1 - April 7, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Following its sell-out hit Significant Other, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 2017-18 season with the Midwest premiere of R. Eric Thomas' gleeful mystery TIME IS ON OUR SIDE, directed by Artistic Director Megan Carney, playing March 1 - April 7, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Wednesday, March 7 at 7:30 pm.

Following its sell-out hit SIGNIFICANT OTHER, About Face Theatre is pleased to announce casting for the second production of its 2017-18 season, the Midwest premiere of R. Eric Thomas' gleeful mystery TIME IS ON OUR SIDE, directed by Artistic Director Megan Carney.

Reviewing the comedy's 2015 Off-Broadway production by Primary Stages, THE NEW YORK TIMES called it a clever canap of a comedy...Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.' THE NEW YORKER said of it As hiding gets harder, pitch-perfect comedy ensues: slamming doors, strange disguises, preposterous excuses Eventually, the four must decide whether face-saving domestic lies are worth it, or whether ostracism beats living in fear. In our own era of surveillance and paranoia, their mid-century problems don't feel so far away.

Full casting was announced today for Pride Films and Plays' Chicago premiere of PERFECT ARRANGEMENT by Associate Artistic Director Derek Van Barham, who's directing the production. In Topher Payne's comedy, it's 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There's just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other's partners and moved next door to each other as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two "All-American" couples are forced to stare down the closet door.

The Chicago Theatre Marathon is a weekend-long, new work marathon event celebrating the diversity of Chicagoland theatre artists. The Marathon, subtitled "I Am Indomitable," will acknowledge the variety of identity characteristics and categories that make individuals unique, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, socio-economic status, age, physical, mental and learning abilities, religious beliefs and political views.

The Brick is overjoyed to continue its celebrated annual trans theater festival to celebrate the stories, art, histories, and experiences of trans artists.

As The Second City continues its concentrated efforts to bring diverse voices to the forefront of of the comedy world they are proud to present the 4th cohort of Bob Curry Fellows in their culminating showcase on Wednesday, June 7th at 8pm in the e.t.c. theater (230 W. North Ave. 2nd Floor Pipers Alley).

GayCo is back in the northwest burbs with their over-the-(muffin)-top sketch comedy revue for the LGBT-etc community, featuring a mix of the funniest scenes from their 20 year history and providing you all the love and laughs you can handle.

Check out the top stories from Chicago you might have missed this week and more!

The Second City is pleased to announce the 2017 recipients of the 4th Annual Bob Curry Fellowship; Terrance Carey, Dan Bazaldua, Eunji Kim, Sophia Rafiqi, LeLe Mason, Rolando Lep, Rob Wilson, Adrienne Brown, Damon Royster, Evan Mills, Atra Asdou, Jayson Acevedo, Riley Mondragon, Squeek Rangel, Brian Keys and Stephanie Branco.

SheFest (formerly LezFest) is a one-night variety show which celebrates queer, female-identified artists through music, movement, spoken word, storytelling, and stand-up comedy.

On the heels of their company launch this spring, women-focused Chicago theatre company The Jades announces their inaugural production ofAn Almanac for Farmers and Lovers in Mexico by Kate Tarker, running October 21st-November 13th at The Frontier (1106 W. Thorndale Ave). Emmi Hilger directs. The script was a finalist on the 2015 Kilroys List of the best un- and under-produced American plays by female and trans* writers.

Pride Films and Plays will present its fourth installment of LezFest; a one-night variety show which features lesbian and genderqueer performers through music, movement, spoken word, storytelling, and stand-up comedy. LezFest IV is produced by PFP company member Carolyn Reynolds and is directed by Patrice Foster and will feature exciting new talent as well as some past performers who have helped make this event a sold-out success three shows running.