Jellofish at Chicago Street Theatre

The game of poker and the friendship of four World War II veterans are the subjects of Chicago Street Theatre’s newest production, Jellofish, written and directed by resident playwright James Henry.

A winner of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) playwriting competition in 2014, Jellofish features Billy, Earl, Kooch and Dale who have met once a month for a game of poker since 1945 after serving in World War II. Each game they take five percent from every pot for more than 50 years, and this "side pot" has grown to a sizable fortune. The four men struggle over what to do with their shared nest egg. As the debates escalate, their conflicting views on love, friendship, politics, death and taxes are revealed. The only referee in the debate seems to be Judy Clabber, a single mother who is Billy's cleaning lady. In the end, which player holds the trump card?

Henry, who has been active at CST over three decades as an actor, writer, and set builder, said Jellofish came from a mashup of two ideas he had. First was a play about the humor and debates at the poker table that Henry witnessed from playing the game ever since he was in high school. The second was a play about lifelong friends who grew up in the depression, fought in World War II, and grew families after the war, which Henry drew from experiences of people he grew up with.

“The characters in this play are based on my grandfather and his brothers. Much of the dialogue, situations, and stories in Jellofish came from real life events with my family, friends, and at the poker table,” said Henry. 

This is the first time Jellofish will be performed at CST but others of Henry’s play have been made into productions here starting with The Angels of Lemnos in 1998 and followed by The Seventh Monarch, Backwards in High Heels, and Brother of All, as well as staged readings of plays by Henry in development. The Angels of Lemnos won Henry many awards including two Jeff Awards and an LA Times Critics Choice Award.

CST’s cast for Jellofish includes Joel Schoen (Earl), Dave Pera (Kooch), Mike Johnson (Billy),and Courtney Trevino (Judy). Understudies are Paul Hattabaugh and Michelle Hattabaugh. Assistant Director is Arlene Hinkle. Like their characters, Schoen, Pera, and Johnson, as well as Henry, are all real life military veterans.

As the play celebrates veterans, CST will further honor all those who served in the military by having them stand and be recognized for acknowledgement of their bravery and service at every performance. The lobby will also be decorated with photos of veterans with a local connection. Veterans buying tickets to the show will get $5 off their admission by entering the code VETERAN when purchasing online. Those who already have bought tickets will be offered a complimentary beverage from the bar or coffee from the concession stand if they stop by the box office on the way in. 

“We want this production of Jellofish to be a space where veterans feel seen and celebrated. The story isn't just about a game; it's about the 'history chips' we all collect and the moments that define a lifetime of service and friendship,” said Whitney Perish, marketing liaison for the show. 

Jellofish is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Ill.