← Back to the board
Mon Jul 20
Aville.net → The Understudy Coffee and Books
Issue No. 0094 · Mon Jul 20, 2026 · Updated Monday, July 20 · 8:06am

Cafe · 5457 N. Clark St. · Andersonville

The Understudy Coffee and Books

A theatre-focused bookstore and specialty cafe hosting community performances.

Website ↗ Map ↗ Open until 6pm
Where theatre makers, book lovers, and coffee enthusiasts meet. — hero photo placeholder
Where theatre makers, book lovers, and coffee enthusiasts meet. — hero photo placeholder
Where theatre makers, book lovers, and coffee enthusiasts meet. — hero photo placeholder

The Understudy Coffee and Books is a unique theatre bookstore and specialty coffee shop in Andersonville. Beyond its shelves of plays and books, the space hosts an active calendar of play readings, cabarets, mutual aid shows, and open mics, creating a dedicated creative hub for Chicago's performing arts community.

What's happening

Coming up

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A comedy open mic for women and non-binary comics hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene. Doors open at 7:00 PM, sign-ups close at 9:00 PM. Performers get 4 minutes, or 5 minutes if they buy a drink.
one-off Wed Jul 22 · 7:30pm

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Wednesday, July 22 · 7:30–6pm

Hours

Monday 8am–6pm
Tuesday 8am–6pm
Wednesday 8am–6pm
Thursday 8am–6pm
Friday 8am–6pm
Saturday 8am–6pm
Sunday 8am–6pm

Recent flyers

See 44 more past events
Instrumental Theatre Presents: Chicago Theatre Composers Club at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A cabaret featuring short pieces from Chicago composers, lyricists, and musical artists, hosted by Instrumental Theatre.
one-off Tue Aug 11 · 7:30pm

Instrumental Theatre Presents: Chicago Theatre Composers Club

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Tuesday, August 11 · 7:30–6pm
Ari Gato Attempts to Share the Spotlight at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A murderously funny cabaret featuring Bosston, Jon Jackson, and Laura Videl, accompanied by Alex Newkirk.
one-off Sat Jun 27 · 8pm

Ari Gato Attempts to Share the Spotlight

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Ari Gato · ft. Bosston · ft. Jon Jackson · ft. Laura Videl · Alex Newkirk
Saturday, June 27 · 8–6pm
Leftovers Night with Band Practice at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An open stage for clowns, goofs, and funny people who'd like to test out first drafts. Hosted by the iconic clown duo Band Practice, this is a strange and delicious feast of alternative comedy acts in the making.
one-off Fri Jul 17 · 7:30pm

Leftovers Night with Band Practice

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Band Practice
Friday, July 17 · 7:30–6pm
$10 or $15
Ari Gato Attempts to Share the Spotlight: A Murderously Funny Cabaret at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A funny cabaret featuring Bosston, Jon Jackson, and Laura Vidal, accompanied by Alex Newkirk.
one-off Sat Jun 27 · 8pm

Ari Gato Attempts to Share the Spotlight: A Murderously Funny Cabaret

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Bosston · Jon Jackson · Laura Vidal · Alex Newkirk
Saturday, June 27 · 8–6pm
TGNC Theatre Makers Meet-Up at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A meet-up for TGNC theatre artists and performers in the Chicagoland area to connect and collaborate. The space will be open after hours with drinks provided by Jett Parr.
one-off Thu Jul 9 · 7pm

TGNC Theatre Makers Meet-Up

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Catherine Miller · Jett Parr
Thursday, July 9 · 7–6pm
Free
FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A comedy open mic for women and non-binary comedians. Hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene.
one-off Wed Jun 24 · 7:30pm

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Wednesday, June 24 · 7:30–6pm
FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A comedy open mic for women and non-binary comedians. Hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene.
one-off Thu Jun 25 · 7:30pm

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Thursday, June 25 · 7:30–6pm
FEM THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An all women and non-binary comedy open mic hosted by Preeti Baker and Jordan Bevene.
one-off Wed Jun 24 · 8pm

FEM THEM Comedy Open Mic

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Baker · Hosted by Jordan Bevene
Wednesday, June 24 · 8–6pm
FEM THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An all women and non-binary comedy open mic hosted by Preeti Baker and Jordan Bevene.
one-off Thu Jun 25 · 8pm

FEM THEM Comedy Open Mic

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Baker · Hosted by Jordan Bevene
Thursday, June 25 · 8–6pm
my mother is a mixed metaphor: a cozy poetry concert at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A poetry concert celebrating Shivani Gupta's debut chapbook featuring Ikaros Ensemble and four featured poets.
one-off Tue Jun 30 · 7:30pm

my mother is a mixed metaphor: a cozy poetry concert

The Understudy Coffee and Books
ft. Shivani Gupta · Ikaros Ensemble
Tuesday, June 30 · 7:30–6pm
TTRPG Journaling Workshop w/ The Mind of Guy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A tabletop RPG journaling workshop hosted by The Mind of Guy at The Understudy.
one-off Fri May 22 · 7:30pm

TTRPG Journaling Workshop w/ The Mind of Guy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by The Mind of Guy
Friday, May 22 · 7:30–6pm
Em Them: Medy Open Mic at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An open mic comedy event hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene at The Understudy Coffee & Books.
one-off Fri May 22 · 7:30pm

Em Them: Medy Open Mic

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Friday, May 22 · 7:30–6pm
Em Them Medy Open Mic at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An open mic comedy event hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene at The Understudy Coffee & Books.
one-off Fri May 22 · 7:30pm

Em Them Medy Open Mic

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Friday, May 22 · 7:30–6pm
Em Them Open Mic at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An open mic event hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene.
one-off Fri May 22 · 7:30pm

Em Them Open Mic

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Friday, May 22 · 7:30–6pm
TTRPG Journaling Workshop w/ The Mind of Guy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A writing and journaling workshop for tabletop RPG enthusiasts. Learn about the wellness applications of journaling and how it can enhance your gaming experience.
one-off Thu Jun 4 · 7:30pm

TTRPG Journaling Workshop w/ The Mind of Guy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by The Mind of Guy
Thursday, June 4 · 7:30–6pm
FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy at The Understudy Coffee and Books — A comedy open mic for women and non-dude performers. Hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene.
one-off Fri May 22 · 7:30pm

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by Preeti Thaker · Hosted by Jordan Levene
Friday, May 22 · 7:30–6pm
KAPWA: a filipino variety + mutual aid show at The Understudy Coffee and Books — An evening of music, film, poetry, comedy, and burlesque featuring an all-Filipino cast. Hosted by KT and Jett.
one-off Fri May 29 · 8:15pm

KAPWA: a filipino variety + mutual aid show

The Understudy Coffee and Books
Hosted by KT · Hosted by Jett
Friday, May 29 · 8:15–6pm
Visit The Understudy Coffee and Books ↗