An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

A talkback with members of the cast and the director is scheduled after this performance.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

An out lesbian state senator is up for re-election. Her female opponent is a moderate conservative who has aligned herself with right-wing extremists. They’re locked in a tight race in which each side caters to its base and any event can become instantaneously politicized.

When a gay man is bashed with a baseball bat and left to die, his ex-boyfriend, a campaign aide for the incumbent senator, is enraged. But his boss’s unwillingness to label it a hate crime tips him over the edge. Frustration and fear eventually turn to rage and he teams up with his best friend to embark on a vendetta of sabotage and more, reasoning that if gays aren’t respected enough to win justice, fear will achieve what good intentions and politics cannot.

Angry Fags asks what do we do with our righteous anger? Who do we turn to when we exist within a system that does not protect us, care for us, or keep us safe?

Angry Fags is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

Hamburger Mary's is BACK! And Ghostlight is excited to be part of its Wednesday’ night HamBingo event in October to benefit our fall production of Angry Fags.

Hamburger Mary's Chicago is a lively burger bar and drag show destination, now in the heart of Edgewater, serving up gourmet burgers, playful appetizers, and unforgettable performances. Known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community vibe, the restaurant features nightly drag events, themed brunches, and a glampy atmosphere full of personality.

HamBINGO is a weekly charity event held in the dining room at Hamburger Mary’s at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, hosted by one of their fabulous drag queens! In addition to traditional BINGO games, they throw in a few audience-participation games to keep things fun!

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 for some fabulous prizes. The Bingo will be as vicious as the Queens who host it!

Make sure to reserve your spot in advance at: Chicago Events - Hamburger Mary's – Gourmet Burgers & Drag Shows in Chicago.

In October, Ghostlight Ensemble will present another installment of the popular Happy Hour: a staged reading of short plays with one thing in common — they’re all set in bars. The readings will take place IN a bar (of course), so join us on Tuesday, October 21, at My Buddy’s to start the Halloween season off fright.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for this staged reading.

Ghostlight begins its 9th Season with the first installment of a three-part cabaret experience devised by Ensemble Member Khnemu Menu-Ra, 3 Stages of Love.

The semi-autobiographical work features a blend of Shakespeare and song – along with original pieces. The series will run over the course of the season — no need to attend all three, each piece stands alone as a complete work, but a richer story unfolds if you see the entire cycle.

3 Stages of Love takes place upstairs at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613) on Friday, September 5, 12 & 19, 2025.

Ghostlight begins its 9th Season with the first installment of a three-part cabaret experience devised by Ensemble Member Khnemu Menu-Ra, 3 Stages of Love.

The semi-autobiographical work features a blend of Shakespeare and song – along with original pieces. The series will run over the course of the season — no need to attend all three, each piece stands alone as a complete work, but a richer story unfolds if you see the entire cycle.

3 Stages of Love takes place upstairs at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613) on Friday, September 5, 12 & 19, 2025.

Ghostlight begins its 9th Season with the first installment of a three-part cabaret experience devised by Ensemble Member Khnemu Menu-Ra, 3 Stages of Love.

The semi-autobiographical work features a blend of Shakespeare and song – along with original pieces. The series will run over the course of the season — no need to attend all three, each piece stands alone as a complete work, but a richer story unfolds if you see the entire cycle.

3 Stages of Love takes place upstairs at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613) on Friday, September 5, 12 & 19, 2025.

Jeni's will be donating 25 percent of sales during this event to Ghostlight as part of our efforts to raise funds for our 9th Season. No special passwords or forms to fill out. Just show up and get some ice cream!

Stop by the Jeni’s Andersonville location on Wednesday, August 27 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about our upcoming season, grab a scoop and help support Chicago theater!

See you there! 

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Please note: This date is a designated understudy performance.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

The nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city. A few regulars sit sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time….

…but only once and only within the walls of the bar, so it turns out not to be as popular a place as one might think.

But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past — or to the future — and this is where they come when they do. 

Their stories include: a young adult searching for a lost family recipe, a street fair attendee looking for an old friend and a woman facing a life and death decision. Traveling to the past isn’t that simple though and they all find more than they bargained for.

Drink the Past Dry is written and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the premiere of this site-specific piece of immersive theatre as part of our season on time. Season 8 celebrates a symphony of creativity that resonates across cultures and time, reminding us that art is a universal language that binds us all.

Tickets are on sale now.

In March, Ghostlight Ensemble will present a staged reading of short plays with one thing in common — they’re all set in bars. The readings will take place IN a bar (of course), so join us on Tuesday, March 18, at My Buddy’s to keep the St. Patrick’s Day fun going.

The plays range in theme from online lovers meeting for the first time to craft beer snobs outranged by the appearance of mass-produced beer at their table to two people saying goodbye to a closed bar in their own unique ways.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for this staged reading.

In February, Ghostlight shakes up its live moving reading series with Ghostlight's Gone to the Movies: A live singing of our favorite movie soundtrack songs.

Ensemble members and guest artists sing their favorite songs from movie soundtracks (or Broadway shows) and our MCs will share a little movie trivia about each. You’re invited to join in the fun afterwards with your own karaoke version of YOUR favorite movie song.

Music has been an important part of movies since their inception — even before actors were able to give voice to their characters. A single song can remind you of an entire movie and so we celebrate this often overlooked aspect of the motion pictures in February.

Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 at Black Eagle Club as we sing our hearts out and showcase the best of our talented singers.

On the planet of Mathmatica, math and science are revered above all else, but their culture has advanced without artistic expression and with a fear of outsiders. The planet has shut itself off from other worlds, figurative and literally.

But when three outsiders crash on the surface bringing with them music, art and dance, the princess of Mathmatica begins to question the logic of their isolationists tendencies and the history she’s always been taught.

Invaders of Mathmatica is written by Ensemble Member Nick Conrad and is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them.

The show takes place 2 p.m. on February 8-9, 15-16 2025 at the Bughouse Theater, 1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613.

On the planet of Mathmatica, math and science are revered above all else, but their culture has advanced without artistic expression and with a fear of outsiders. The planet has shut itself off from other worlds, figurative and literally.

But when three outsiders crash on the surface bringing with them music, art and dance, the princess of Mathmatica begins to question the logic of their isolationists tendencies and the history she’s always been taught.

Invaders of Mathmatica is written by Ensemble Member Nick Conrad and is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them.

The show takes place 2 p.m. on February 8-9, 15-16 2025 at the Bughouse Theater, 1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613.