CALL ME ELIZABETH, a one-woman show about the life of Elizabeth Taylor, will be presented May 8-10 by PrideArts at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted. The critically acclaimed production, written and performed by Kayla Boye and directed by Michael Weber, returns by popular demand in an expanded two-act version. PrideArts presented the previous one-act version in May 2025.
Through an intimate conversation at the Beverly Hills Hotel, CALL ME ELIZABETH examines Elizabeth Taylor’s life, career, and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and embraces her greatest role as a humanitarian.
Boye has developed this new two-act version in collaboration with dramaturg Guy Masterson, an Olivier Award-winner and Taylor’s grand-nephew (twice) by marriage to Richard Burton. Act One, set in 1961, focuses on the formative events of Taylor’s life and career leading up to the filming of CLEOPATRA. Act Two, set in 1985, focuses on Taylor’s relationship with Richard Burton and her subsequent reinvention and entry into the fight against AIDS.
Since premiering in the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival, CALL ME ELIZABETH continues to tour internationally following sold-out runs Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters’ “East to Edinburgh” Festival (2023), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2023), and Mexico’s San Miguel Solo Theatre Festival (2024). Presentations of the piece have been awarded grants by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund and Illinois Arts Council.
Boye states, “I am thrilled to return to PrideArts with the expanded CALL ME ELIZABETH. Working with dramaturg Guy Masterson, the material has deepened in its authenticity and immediacy, allowing audiences both new and familiar to Elizabeth’s story to be inspired by her life. I am excited to explore the pivotal moment when Elizabeth found her purpose as an activist, and I hope Elizabeth’s story can be inspiring for anyone seeking to make a positive impact on the world.”
Performances are Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 10, at 3:00 p.m. General admission tickets are available now for $35 and may be purchased by visiting pridearts.org or by calling the Box Office at 773-857-0222.
LISTING INFORMATION
CALL ME ELIZABETH
Written and performed by Kayla Boye | Directed by Michael Weber
Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, 3:00 p.m.
1 hour, 45 minutes with an intermission
Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613
Tickets $35 (general admission), available at
pridearts.org or 773-857-0222
A one-woman show about the life of Elizabeth Taylor, written and performed by Kayla Boye. Through an intimate conversation at the Beverly Hills Hotel, CALL ME ELIZABETH examines Elizabeth Taylor’s life, career, and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and embraces her greatest role as a humanitarian. Act One, set in 1961, focuses on the formative events of Taylor’s life and career leading up to the filming of CLEOPATRA. Act Two, set in 1985, focuses on Taylor’s relationship with Richard Burton and her subsequent reinvention and entry into the fight against AIDS.
ABOUT KAYLA BOYE, writer/actor
Kayla Boye is a Chicago-based performing artist and the creator of CALL ME ELIZABETH and SHAKE IT AWAY: THE ANN MILLER STORY. Her credits include productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Drury Lane Theatre, Fireside Theatre, Capital City Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, 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 Porchlight Music Theatre, where he was recently the resident director of the Chicago company of TITANIQUE. He directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of CALL ME ELIZABETH. 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 50 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six ALTA Award nominations from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming reflects 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, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and The Saints. pridearts.org.
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