CALL ME ELIZABETH, a one-woman show about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor, will be presented May 2-4 as a fundraiser for PrideArts at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted. The critically acclaimed production, starring Kayla Boye and directed by Michael Weber, returns to Chicago following a sold-out international tour.
Fresh off her 1961 Academy Awards triumph and a recent brush with death, Elizabeth Taylor is struggling with her hardest role yet: herself. Through an intimate conversation with her biographer, CALL ME ELIZABETH examines the movie star’s early life, career, and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and her place as Hollywood’s brightest star.
Boye states, “I am thrilled to partner with PrideArts on this special presentation of CALL ME ELIZABETH. This collaboration has been a long time coming, and I am delighted to share the story of Elizabeth Taylor and her legacy in alignment with PrideArts’ mission.”
PrideArts Managing Director Amber Mandley adds, "“We’re excited to share Kayla Boye’s performance with our supporters. They'll enjoy the show, learn more about one of our community's greatest allies, and help PrideArts grow."
CALL ME ELIZABETH had its first staged reading in 2019 at The Den Theatre in Chicago directed by 12-time Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Hollis Resnik. The show premiered as a film during the pandemic via Broadway On Demand, later premiering live in the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival under the direction of Erin Kraft. The play continues to tour internationally following its sold-out Off-Broadway engagement at 59E59 Theaters and critically acclaimed, sold-out run at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Presentations of the piece have been awarded grants by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund and Illinois Arts Council.
Performances are Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m. Audiences for matinee performances are invited to stay for a special developmental reading of a second act focusing on the latter half of Taylor’s life and entry into the fight against HIV/AIDS.
General admission tickets are now on sale for $35 and may be purchased by visiting pridearts.org or by calling the Box Office at 773-661-0770.
Kayla Boye as Elizabeth Taylor. Photo by Kachie Mozie.
ABOUT KAYLA BOYE, writer/actor/producer
Kayla Boye is a Chicago-based performing artist. Her credits include productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Drury Lane Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Fireside Theatre, Capital City Theatre, Music Theater Works, BrightSide Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, The Huron Playhouse, The Youngstown Playhouse, and City Lit Theater (Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days”). callmeelizabeth.com
ABOUT MICHAEL WEBER, director
Michael Weber is a nationally recognized, award-winning director, producer, actor, and educator. He currently serves as Artistic Director of Chicago’s Porchlight Music Theatre where he recently directed SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE starring Broadway’s Kathy Voytko and Tony Award-nominee Sean Allan Krill and he currently serves as the Resident Director of the Chicago premiere of TITANIQUE. Recently he directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of CALL ME ELIZABETH written by and starring Kayla Boye as Elizabeth Taylor. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, Michael is the author of the play, “WAR of the WELLeS” (about Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast), and he supports the community as a longtime pledge host for PBS station WTTW channel 11 and as a Board Member of the League of Chicago Theatres. michaelweberonline.com
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, and as the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016 to 2024. Its current home is in Center on Halsted.
The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, and more. The company has earned 39 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.
PrideArts is supported by Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, The Saints. pridearts.org
LISTING INFORMATION
CALL ME ELIZABETH
Written and performed by Kayla Boye
Directed by Michael Weber
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 3:00 p.m. (special reading to follow)
Sunday, May 4, 3:00 p.m. (special reading to follow)
RUNNING TIME:
65 minutes, no intermission
LOCATION:
Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60613
PRICE:
$35 (general admission)
BOX OFFICE:
www.pridearts.org or 773-661-0770