Thompson St. Opera Co: Off-Nights At The Sometimes Cafe
Brian Pember
Thompson St. Theatre Presents OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE - A Light Opera Celebrating Queer Identities and Love
TLDR: A bite size opera perfect for those looking for a one act show, Off-Nights at The Sometimes Cafe takes us on a short journey through the interpersonal lives of the people who work in the cafe and the regulars. Celebrating queer love and identity, each of the show’s operatic songs takes us through each character’s wants and desire for love.
The cast of Off-Nights At The Sometimes Cafe
What Happens When the Mice Come Out to Play
Friday and Saturday nights at the cafe are popping. There's music loud enough to make the neighbors complain and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. But what about the weekdays? What about those off nights where the cafe is still open but less of a party scene? It's a much different vibe, but trust there is still just as much drama and intrigue.
Our narrator is the piano player at the cafe, played by Kingsley Day, and he gives us the portrayal of a gay man who has been on the scene for years. He's seen it all, especially as the nightly musical entertainment. He's always on the fringes of the action - observing and taking note of everything that happens in the cafe. Though he speaks nonchalantly and his humor is dry, his outfit juxtaposes his banal tone with black sparkly pants, a sleeveless black ruffled tuxedo shirt, topped with a lavender wig.
We hang on to his every word as he introduces us to our main characters and tells us about them all.
Alexander Quackenbush and Jade Dashá
A Case of Love, Loss, and Drag Royalty
The nightly performers at the Sometimes Cafe are Daffy and Joe, a drag queen and king played by Delta Badhand and Mx. O’Lydian, who have a dancing comedy act that the regulars come to know and love. The two regulars, the medium Madame Nappu and Drew the poet, find themselves drawn to the performers. And the owner, Bob (Brian Pember) stares lovingly at his longtime live-in girlfriend, Sarah Spangle played by Katherine Petersen. They perform their own love duet with the song that becomes the cafe’s unofficial theme.
And soon they all become intertwined. Drew asks the Pianist to be the accompaniment to his new love song. Daffy goes to see Madame Nappu at her office, searching for a sign. And Sarah and Bob are always in their neverending cycle of she runs away, he chases her, they stay together forever.
Kingsley narrates the action that he's observed and then makes his way over to the piano to accompany each of our actors as they sing what's in their hearts. And since this is Thompson St. Opera Company, everything is done in the operatic style. Each sings about their idea of love, whether they're actually in love, have a wandering eye for love, or waiting for love to knock on their door.
Jade Dashá
The After Party Thoughts
Off Nights At The Sometimes Cafe is a nice bite size opera that combines storytelling with, what else, but opera. It's all about the interpersonal relationships of the people who work at the cafe and the regulars. The chosen style of having the actors pantomime in the background while the Pianist narrates the action felt a little awkward at times because it didn’t feel like genuine interactions in the background. But overall the show is a a little queer rom-com that anyone who loves love will love.
So come for the story and stay for the opera because every time our actors opened their mouths to sing it felt like pure, smooth silk enveloping us in the cabaret. For those that aren't a fan of opera or love stories, then this might not be for you. But if you're an opera fan and love modern stories, especially ones that are all about queer love, Off-Nights At The Sometimes Cafe would be a good fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
Kingsley Day
When
Now through March 22, 2026
Where
Bramble Arts Loft
5545 N Clark St. 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60640
Runtime: 70min, no intermission
Tickets
$40
Tickets can be purchased through the Thompson Street Opera website
Photos
Julia Timko
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Beck Beuchel aka Mx. O’Lydian
CAST
Katherine Petersen (Sarah Spangle)
Brian Pember (Bob)
Jade Dasha (Madame Nappu)
Alexander Quackenbush (Drew)
Kingsley Day (The Pianist at the Cafe)
Mx. O’Lydian (Joe)
Delta Badhand (Daffy)
Cece Glass (cover Sarah Spangle)
Julie Soroko (cover Madame Nappu)
CREATIVE
Claire DiVizio (Director)
Kingsley Day (Music Director)
Jordan Ricks (Choreographer)
Chiron Finn (Stage Manager)
E Tylkowski (Lighting Designer)
Sarah Thompson-Johansen (Costume Designer)
Kota Terrace (Production Manager)