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Improvising Hitchcock and Chicago Happenings

Author

Amanda Finn
July 04, 2025

It’s July 4th!

While most other folks I know are taking the day off, I didn’t want to let a week go without ShowCago. Before the festivities and long weekend commence, I hope this newsletter brings you a smile or at least some news you may not have known.

Stay safe out there, Chicago! It’s gonna be another hot one.

[cue the fireworks]

Amanda

Improvising Hitchcock

Photo by Nathanael Filbert

With an aptly named Rebec-Colada in hand, I watched as flashes of Alfred Hitchcock films came across the screen. With a boppy soundtrack, the scenes became mere shadows of their formerly eerie selves. Little did I know that it was the perfect set-up for Hitch*Cocktails: Summer of Suspense—an improvisational show that reminds us even suspense or horror stories should muster a fair share of laughs.

Though it’s not a surprise that the show was such a blast, it’s been a part of the Annoyance Theatre for a dozen years!

Before the show begins, the ensemble needs to do a few things: lay out the drinking game ground rules (for themselves and the audience) and get a topic from the audience. The topic needed to be something ridiculous people are afraid of. Without hesitation, a stranger at my table boldly shouted, “Yogurt water.” As laughable as that suggestion was, my companion (my childhood best friend Kristen) and I immediately understood. Yogurt water is scary and gross.

Kristen and I are both originally from Wisconsin. So trust that we know scary dairy.

From there, the ensemble took off into a feature film-length, improvisational story à la Hitchcock, which related to yogurt water. We were swept up in a tale of a pair of cheesemongers who get entangled in a nefarious top-level business involving the FBI and international spies. There was talk of Joseph McCarthy, the State of Wisconsin, and a dairylightful amount of milk or cheese jokes.

Given that the show is also a drinking game for the cast, the ensemble also got fairly curdled as time went on. Finishing their drink by the end of the scene, once an easy feat, became increasingly more difficult as the pours got stronger. The audience began to slow down in their response time, too, trying to take a drink for every slap, Hitchcock reference, or death.

I swear I missed at least one The Birds reference. But life’s too short to look too hard in the Rear Window.

Even though every Hitch*Cocktails show will be different, I do not doubt that each one is a blast. If you want to laugh whey too many times while trying to recall every Hitchcock film to keep up with the references, be sure to check out Hitch*Cocktails.

Oh. And if you are a true Psycho, you’ll want to be at the show on July 26th. That’s Malört night. I hope someone nominates Malört as the thing to be afraid of that night.

That’s my vote for the scariest thing.

Playing now through August 30th at the Annoyance Theatre, 851 W Belmont Ave.

Photo by Nathanael Filbert

My Other Recent Reviews

Chicago A&E News

  • Choose Chicago, in partnership with over 25 local pizza establishments, has launched the Chicago Pizza Pass, a new digital experience designed to help locals and visitors explore the city's iconic pizza scene. For just $15, pass holders gain access to exclusive discounts and deals at participating restaurants, along with chances to win special prizes. Sign up today at chipizzapass.com to enjoy these benefits until the end of the year, with no app downloads required.

  • Court Theatre presents its Spotlight Reading Series featuring works by and inspired by "dean of Black dramatists" Theodore Ward. All events are free and will be held at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th Street). The series includes a staged reading and panel discussion of Just Before Day on Wednesday, August 13, 2025; a film screening of Native Son (1951) and a Community Reads: Native Son dinner and facilitated conversation on Thursday, August 14, 2025; and a staged reading of Our Lan’ on Friday, August 15.

  • Idle Muse Theatre has announced its 2025-2026 season, featuring two new works from Chicago playwrights. The season includes the world premiere of The Blood Countess, by Michael Dalberg, running from September 11 to October 11. The second production is The Three Musketeers, adapted by Robert Kauzlaric, which will run from March 26 to April 25, 2026. Both shows will be performed at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, located at 1133 W Catalpa Ave.

  • Late Nite Catechism is coming to the Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana, on July 20 and the Lyric Theatre in Blue Island, Illinois, on August 10. Described as a blend of a catechism class and a stand-up routine, the show celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year. Both matinee performances will begin at 3 p.m.

  • Lifeline Theatre's 2025-26 season will feature a diverse lineup of nine productions plus their annual BIPOC Showcase. The MainStage shows include the world premiere of Rabbits in Their Pockets, a revival of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, and the world premiere rock musical LOKI–The End of the World Tour. KidSeries offerings are a revival of Click, Clack, BOO! A Tricky Treat, The Conductors, and the world premiere of Kitty and the Beanstalk.

  • Lifeline Theatre has extended the run of its world premiere adaptation of War of the Worlds by one week, now playing through July 20, 2025, at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Isa Guitian will take over for Karla Serrato (Bautista, et al.) for the extended dates. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

  • Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is launching its 30th Anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of Wish You Were Here, running from September 18 to October 18 at Theater Wit. This production, from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi, is directed by Equity Jeff Nominated Azar Kazemi. The press opening for Wish You Were Here is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at 7 p.m.

  • Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced updates to its 50th Anniversary Season, including a change to its lineup due to artistic scheduling conflicts. The previously announced Topdog/Underdog will be replaced by Conor McPherson's adaptation of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death, directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov and featuring Kathryn Erbe and Jeff Perry. Additionally, Tony Award-winning director Robert Falls will now direct the highly anticipated production of Amadeus, stepping in for Anna D. Shapiro.

    Do you have Chicago-based A&E news to announce?

Email me at [email protected]!

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