Chicago’s premiere retro entertainment venue, Stars & Garters, 3914 N. Clark St., is pleased to announce its inaugural season. This fall and winter, audiences may choose from nine unique performances, including Freakshow & Tell, Mondo Burlesco, Chicago Nerdlesque, Stars & Garters After Dark, Laugh-Along Live!, Starship Edsel, Improvised Romantasy and Chicago Workshop Mic. Coming soon is Coffin Cabaret, The Bullshitter’s Society, Magic VS Science, The Seance, MY Cabaret, Chicago Comedy Hour, The Conspirator’s Duck Soup and Comedy Pageant! The winter season will conclude on December 31 with Stars and Garters’ signature New Years Eve Spectacular Spectacular! event. Tickets are available for most shows now at StarsAndGarters.club or by calling 773.242.9929. For more information, please contact starsandgartersclub@gmail.com.
Founders Veronica Ortiz, Chris Biddle and Colin Kelty are excited to bring the opening of Stars & Garters, in the former Otherworld Theatre space, with self-produced programming, resident producing partners and guest companies.
“Stars and Garters is the premier location for comedy, drag, magic, improv and the best burlesque in the city. Patrons can expect to see dynamic entertainment on our mainstage every Friday and Saturday night at Stars and Garters,” says Co-Founder Chris O. Biddle. Biddle has been performing, directing and producing burlesque in Chicago since 2004 and has a history of successful nightclub management in the Chicagoland area. Stars & Garters is a partnership between Ronnie Rouge, Kelty and Biddle to give these vital art forms a home.
Stars & Garters will maintain two performance spaces within the building with ongoing, weekly performances, the eponymously titled “The Mainstage” (capacity 80), and a smaller, more intimate cabaret space (capacity 50) called “The Rouge Room.” The inaugural season includes:
Freakshow & Tell
Produced by Thom Britton
Now playing through August 30
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 7 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $19.99
Ages 21+
Sideshow entertainer Thom Britton’s solo show is part performance, part demonstration. Britton is a charismatic performer who appears genuinely thrilled to share how simple his seemingly death-defying acts really are. His explanations are peppered with jokes and carnival flair, making even the dullest details memorable and entertaining.
MONDO BURLESCO
Produced by BimBamBoom
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 10 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $30
Ages 21+
MONDO BURLESCO, presented by BimBamBoom, is wild, unpredictable, sexy, funny, raunchy and unforgettable. MONDO BURLESCO includes brand new acts by Lauren Bacchanal, Ronnie Rouge, Gemini Blackheart, Miss LouVella D’Lish, Polly Glamorous, Zelda Hipsgerald, Gwendolyn the Gorgeous, Manny Schevitz, Gata Habbie and Chicago’s Sexiest Superstars. Comedy performances are by Jimmy Innuendo, Melvina Czervicks, and the evening is hosted by Max Flattery, Lucian, Dizzie Daisy or Mrs. Yuka Layme. MONDO BURLESCO is an adult show, presented by adults for adults. During a performance, you will hear vulgar language, observe striptease dances and view other adults in a state of undress. Tickets are nonrefundable but may be rescheduled or switched to another patron at no charge.
Chicago Nerdlesque
Produced by BimBamBoom
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Second Saturdays of every month at 10 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $30
Ages 21+
Chicago’s wildly popular pop-culture burlesque revue, Nerdlesque, promises to pique the interest of its entire audience as the evening is inspired by comic books, movies, video games and TV shows. The striptease rockstars of BimBamBoom perform the Nerdlesque striptease, which includes brand new acts by Lauren Bacchanal, Ronnie Rouge, Gemini Blackheart, Miss LouVella D’Lish, Polly Glamorous, Zelda Hipsgerald, Gwendolyn the Gorgeous, Manny Schevitz, Gata Habbie and Chicago’s Sexiest Superstars. Comedy performances are by Jimmy Innuendo, Melvina Czervicks, and the evening is hosted by Max Flattery, Lucian, Thom Britton, Dizzie Daisy or Mrs. Yuka Layme.
Coffin Cabaret!
Produced by BimBamBoom
Coming Soon
Performance Schedule: Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $25
This wild, sexy, horror-themed burlesque show features two acts of brain-melting performances by the striptease artists of BimBamBoom! Chicago’s grooviest ghouls come out of the shadows and striptease for patrons' pleasures! Every performance is mesmerizing and the perfect way to enjoy the spooky season! Every performance concludes with BimBamBoom’s incredible performance of “Red Right Hand” in an eye-popping blacklight dance. Coffin Cabaret! opens on Sept. 26.
PEEP SHOW!
Produced by BimBamBoom
Coming Soon
Performance Schedule: Fridays at 10 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $30
Chicago’s finest burlesque revue, celebrates its seventh year of production by moving to Stars & Garters in October. This classic vintage burlesque revue features the BimBamBoom Bombshells, comedians and hosts sharing scintillating burlesque striptease, hilarious comedy and more.
Stars & Garters After Dark
Produced by Stars & Garters
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Thursdays at 7 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.)
Tickets: $30
Ages 21+
Audiences are invited to enjoy a wonderful evening of live Jazz with the Steve Knight Duo and a magical interlude by John Sturk, David Jeselski or friends. The Stars & Garters mixologists will create delicious cocktails available at the bar and during the performance.
Laugh-Along Live!
Produced by Coco Runs Everything Productions
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Third Friday and Saturday of every month at
11:45 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $16
Ages 21+
Laugh-Along, Live! is a monthly comedy show, movie screening and party wrapped in one. Four comedians make jokes throughout a film (à la “Mystery Science Theater”) and run activities for the audience. Audience participation is encouraged, as the shows often include drinking games, costume contests, trivia quizzes, dance-offs and more.
Starship Edsel
Produced by Otherworld Theatre Company
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 7 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.)
Tickets: $20
Ages 21+
Starship Edsel is a Star Trek-inspired improvised farce set aboard the Federation Starship Edsel, the only vessel of its class and widely considered a spectacular failure in ship design. Plagued by mechanical problems and staffed by Starfleet’s most problematic personnel, the Edsel was given a mission that it couldn’t possibly mess up: giving VIP’s tours of an “authentic Federation starship” around the vacation planet of Atlantis. Even the most unlikely crew in the least reliable ship can be a force for good in the galaxy.
Improvised Romantasy
Produced by Otherworld Theatre Company
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $15
Ages 21+
The audience is invited into a world where sweeping romance, daring adventures and heart-pounding twists come to life right before their very eyes. Improvised Romantasy takes the enchanting tropes of your favorite BookTok romantasy novels and weaves an original tale. Whether it’s fated soulmates bound by destiny, a brooding hero with a tragic past or a love triangle so spicy it could ignite a dragon’s fire, the cast dives headfirst into the fantasy fever dream of the wildest imagination. And as one would imagine at Stars & Garters, there is always a touch of well-placed innuendo to keep things satisfyingly entertaining.
Chicago Workshop Mic
Produced by Devon MacNerland
Now Playing
Performance Schedule: Sundays at 6 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: FREE
Ages 21+
Up-and-coming Chicago stand-up comedians workshop new material and sign up for 10-minute sets at the Chicago Comedy Hour. Chicago’s best place for brand new comics to get stage time and hone their craft!
Chicago Comedy Hour!
Produced by Devon MacNerland
Coming Soon
Performance Schedule: First Fridays at 9 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $10
Chicago’s best up-and-coming stand-up comedians all in one place, filming their five-minute sets! Produced in conjunction with the Chicago Workshop Mic.
The Bullshitter’s Society
Produced by Stars & Garters
Coming Soon
Performance Schedule: Fourth Friday of every month at
9 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $35
Ages 21+
The Bullshitter’s Society meets on the fourthFriday of each month at 9 p.m. to practice the ancient art of deception. Four of the special guests gather onstage to spin fantastical fabrications for audiences. The audience tries to guess who is telling the truth to win points and the team with the most points wins a surprise at the bar, after the show. The evening is hosted by James Van Osdol.
Magic VS Science
Produced by Thom Britton
September 6 - 27
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 7 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $33.99
Ages 21+
Thom Britton (Freakshow & Tell) is a fire-wielding science savant. Nolan Webster is Chicago’s most mysterious person—an enigmatic rogue who manipulates minds, bends perception and reveals truths no one dares to speak aloud. Together, they bring you an unforgettable night where science collides with the unexplained.
The Seance LIVE (and dead)
Produced by Thom Britton
October 4 - 25
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 7 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $44.99
Ages 21+
The Seance LIVE (and dead) is a ‘spook-house’ show for the smart set; The Seance is an original stage show that recreates an authentic Victorian-era seance. The audience will investigate the history of the seance, tell stories of the participants and demonstrate the exact techniques used by psychics and mediums who claimed to contact the dead. The audience will learn exactly how a seance was performed in a theatrical environment. What is it NOT? The Seance is not an “actual” seance, nor is it a cheesy ghost tour. It is performing actual demonstrations and telling stories based on the real history of seance shows from the early 1900s. Is it for children? Oh no. Topics of death are discussed, volunteers yell curse words when frightened and there may be drinking at the show. Not recommended for the whole family. This in-person event will have you on the edge of your seat as we delve into the unknown.
The Conspirators Duck Soup
Produced by The Conspirators
October 30 - November 23
Performance Schedule:
Thursdays. Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m.
The Mainstage, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Chicago’s beloved comedy ensemble, The Conspirators follows their smash hit, Chicago Cop Macbeth with their rollicking take on the Marx Brother’s most politically charged show, Duck Soup. A remix production that mashes original physical comedy routines with classic Marx Brothers routines, Duck Soup will have you rolling in the aisles for this limited four-week run in October and November. The production is directed by Wm. Bullion and produced by Sid Feldman.
MY Cabaret!
Produced by Muffy Fishbasket and Mrs. Yuka Layme
Opens Friday, Nov. 14
Performance Schedule: Second Friday of every month at
at 9 p.m.
The Rouge Room, Stars & Garters Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Tickets: TBD
Remounting their scandalously popular dragaret, Muffy Fishbasket, Mrs. Yuka Layme (and occasional friends) will delight audiences with raunchy songs, filthy jokes and simmering seduction in The Rouge Room. This hilarious show is for adults only - especially the Daddies.
ABOUT STARS & GARTERS
Founded in 2025, Stars & Garters is Chicago’s premier retro entertainment venue. The home of Chicago’s finest comedy, magic, drag and burlesque entertainment. The original Star & Garter Theater was located at 815 W. Madison, in the heart of Skid Row, just west of Halsted Street. Originally opened in 1908 as a burlesque theatre, the Star & Garter became a vaudeville house, and then, a movie theatre and eventually closed in September 1971. Demolished in 1973, the site of the Star & Garter Theatre is now the parking lot for Mid City National Bank. Stars & Garters is a loving homage to the last burlesque theater in Chicago and can be found at 3914 N. Clark St. For more information visit www.StarsAndGarters.club.