ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND
JACKALOPE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCED ADDED PERFORMANCES FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
THE DRESS-UP PLAY
NOW EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 29th
AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY PARK
Adult Only and Family Friendly Performances Added for this New Play by Juliet Kang Huneke and Directed by Karina Patel
Recommended for ages 4+.
The running time is 60 minutes with no intermission.
REVIEW By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
I adored The Dress-Up Play from the first moments of group art making in the lobby to the rousing standing ovation. Playwright, Juliet Kang Huneke has created an immersive playroom that teaches diversity, inclusion, and individuality in a fun and playful way. Highly recommended. ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List. ★★★★ Four out of four stars.
(L to R) Jett Parr, Keimon Shook and Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography
Four very different young friends meet up for a dress-up play date and hilarity and life lessons ensue. Everyone is invited to play dress-up from their seats or get more involved if that's your jam. There's space for a couple of families to sit in the set, and a chance to volunteer for a runway show towards the end, in your own unique outfit.
 (L to R) Keimon Shook and Aidan Henri. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography
The actors playfully and gently guide the audience through an enlightening series of wardrobe changes. The message is never heavy handed as actors model sharing, playing well with others, and respect. They also show responses to bullying, and how to compromise when parental and institutional rules smash up against self expression. This is such a clever and timely take on acceptance and inclusion, as legal and physical attacks on trans and gender nonconforming humans are escalating at an alarming rate. The Dress-Up Play reminds us that boys can enjoy purses and dresses and girls can be knights and pirates, and those choices hurt no-one. In fact, we're all better off for ditching narrowly defined gender roles and allowing ourselves and others more choices of how to dress, and how to be in the world.
The Reader critic, Kerry Reid and ChiIL Mama critic, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara had a blast picking accessories based on prompts. You're never too old to play dress-up! Even the grandparents in the crowd were happily letting their inner children out to play.
Bring the littles in your life or round up your friend group and come to the added 18+ performance on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, that may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences). Other show times are recommended for all ages 4+.
 Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography
It's always an adventure at Jackalope Theatre, beginning with a winding maze through Broadway Armory. Follow the mythical horned jackrabbit signs through the hallways, up the staircase, and past aerielists. There you will find a charming little theatre doing brave new works like the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play. Jackalope Theatre has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Live Shows, for their plays for grownups. My son, Dugan, was in Northwestern University's theatre program with both the playwright and director, so I was particularly excited to check out their new family friendly show.
I left with a handmade card, a gem, and stickers. The best takeaway though was a joyful glow that had the whole audience grinning and celebrating both our individual creativity and our power as a community to curb bullying and embrace creative self expression with an open mind. Don't miss this.
 (L to R) Keimon Shook, Jett Parr, Casey Whisler and Aidan Henri
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).
Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography
Jackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce additional performances for the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play by Juliet Kang Huneke, now playing through March 29, directed by Karina Patel, at the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway St.The added performances are Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, Friday’s performance may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences) and Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. The current performance schedule is Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $35 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. Subscription and single tickets are now available at JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543.
The Dress-Up Play is a new family-friendly production from Jackalope. New friends gather in a bedroom to play dress up. But who gets to wear what? Do our clothes have to match what we look like outside? And what if our outside doesn’t match our inside? Filled with tutus, fake mustaches, scarves and fierce runway walks, The Dress-Up Play is an immersive fashion party for all ages that celebrates self-expression, open-mindedness and the wholeness of everyone.
 Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography
The cast of The Dress-Up Play includes Keimon Shook (he/him, Remi); Casey Whisler (she/her, Olivia); Aidan Henri (they/he/she, Aiden) and Jett Parr (they/them, Miles).
The creative team for The Dress-Up Play includes Juliet Kang Huneke (she/they, playwright); Karina Patel (she/her, director and new works manager); AJ Links, CSA(she/her, casting director), Eric Turner (he/him, production manager); Seojung Jang (she/her, lighting designer); Newton Schottelkotte (they/she, sound designer); Amal Salem (she/her, stage manager); Hudson Therriault (he/him, accessibility manager); Amira Danan (she/her, development director) and Kaiser Ahmed (he/him, artistic director),
 Playwright Juliet Kang Huneke
ABOUT JULIET KANG HUNEKE, PLAYWRIGHT Juliet Kang Huneke is a playwright and performer who is passionate about theatre that is larger than life. Her new TYA play, Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! recently had its world premiere at Filament Theatre. In addition, she was awarded the 2023 ReImagine: New Plays in TYA grant to develop Hannah and Halmoni with Filament. Juliet is also a 24 Hour Plays Nationals alum. Other Chicago writing credits include: Echo’s Inferno (The Understudy), Home for the Summer (Theo Ubique, American Music Theatre Project), Mycelium (Playground Chicago) and Mechanicals (Impostors Theater Co Footholds Vol. 4).
 Director Karina Patel
ABOUT KARINA PATEL, DIRECTOR Karina Patel is a devised theatre artist, director and dramaturg originally from London, United Kingdom. She is currently the New Works manager at Jackalope Theatre Company and literary associate at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Patel has developed new and devised work with The Story Theatre, The Understudy Chicago, APIDA Arts, TimeLine Theatre Company, Avalanche Theatre, Token Theatre, 24 Hour Plays and more. She has also served as an assistant director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Court Theatre and the Repertory Theatre of St Louis.
MORE FROM JACKALOPE
WORLD PREMIERE
Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play
May 27 - July 6, 2026
Written by Terry Guest
Directed by AmBer Montgomery
Previews: Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m.
Performance schedule: Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m.,
Sundays at 2 p.m.
The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St.
JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season
Tickets: $15 - $45
It’s 1962 in New York City and Andy Warhol (no, not that Andy Warhol) is stuck. He hasn’t finished a painting in years and has no new ideas. When a mysterious actress named Marilyn Monroe (no, not that Marilyn Monroe) stumbles into his life, she sends him down an epic path of madness, murder, betrayal and the desperate pursuit of fame, sex and beauty. Andy Warhol presents: The Cocaine Play is a 100% fake story about 100% real people that asks how far are you willing to go for the chance at superstardom.
17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival
August 20 - 24, 2026
Performance schedule: Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7:30 p.m.
The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St.
JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season
Tickets: $15 - $35
The Living Newspaper Festival is inspired by the 1930s Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project that created stories based on recent events. This year’s Festival includes world premieres inspired from recent news headlines.
Performances, show times, dates are subject to change.
ABOUT JACKALOPE THEATRE
Jackalope Theatre Company expands the definition of American Identity by engaging with communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Jackalope is a premier home for new and exciting Off-Loop Theatre based in Chicago's Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. They are committed to cultivating new voices that contribute to an expanding American culture and mythology. Each season, Jackalope produces full-length plays, new play development programming and provides free classes in partnership with the Chicago Park District.
Season 18 is made possible by the continued generosity of Season Sponsors Michael and Mona Heath.
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