Hysterical Productions (with Violet Surprise)
WE HAVE TWO TICKET OPTIONS: EITHER LIVE or STREAMING a pre-recording (starting by August 31 at 2 pm and going through November 28). See two choices at bottom of page to purchase tickets.
Donation recommended for streaming recording, and tickets to live performances are on a sliding scale, with a $30 ticket encouraged.
Same line-up for each of the four performances. Expected duration of show is about 2 hours with intermission.
SCHEDULE & ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:
--VIRTUAL: Link to a recording of performance available by August 31 at 2 pm through November 28, 2026. Watch the recording on your own schedule. We will email to all existing streaming ticket holders by August 31 at 2 pm. This gives us time to edit in a version with audio description and one with captioning and one with ASL.
--LIVE: Performances at Piven Theatre Workshop (first floor), 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL (ADA-compliant with a chair lift and two ramps) running on:
- Friday, August 28 at 7 pm (featuring ASL)
- Saturday, August 29 at 2 pm (masking encouraged for audience)
- Saturday, August 29 at 7 pm (MASKS REQUIRED. Performers masked in transparent respirators. KN95 and N95 masks provided to audience.)
- Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm (features both open captioning and Audio Description)
NOTE: If you need to reserve a seat near the ASL or captioning, or need a receiver for Audio Description, please email Paula at paulakamen@gmail.com or call/text 773-203-3158
Producers are Violet Surprise Theatre, Paula Kamen/Hysterical Productions, and Terri Lynn Hudson (consulting producer for accessibility)
The practical stuff:
The theater is located just west of the Noyes Street el stop on the Purple Line. Just east of Ridge Avenue
Metered parking in lot and on Noyes. Free parking in residential areas, that may require extra time to get. Small lot at Noyes building with metered parking, including handicapped parking near entrance.
Ramp entrance on west side of building near Noyes Street. Second ramp entrance with chair lift on northeast side of building, near Actor's Studio & Fleetwood Jordain space.
Recommended for ages 13 and up, but it's really up to parents.
Our philosophy....
RADICAL ACCESSIBILITY AS A PRIORITY
Most of the live performances offer different accessibility features. We offer asynchronous streaming across all time zones, to watch the show from home on your schedule, which we know can be unpredictable for people with chronic illness. We also offer unique opportunities to actors, directors, and playwrights with invisible disabilities, all of whom are paid (not a lot) to encourage participation. That includes immunocompromised actors (and one director) working from home to pre-record two monologues (and one disembodied voice of an online insurance agent in a scene for The Body Play, starting the second act) for the show.
FEMINIST FOCUS ON INVISIBLE DISABILITY: For centuries, a way to diagnose a woman (or person of a historically marginalized gender) for hysteria is if they were dramatic and seeking attention about their otherwise invisible disability. With HystericalFest, we are turning the tables, embracing the forbidden, literally "acting out." Comedy reflects the absurdity of our experiences, and theater provides a way to literally relieve isolation, build community, and confront stigma.
THE LINE-UP: (in order of appearance)
"1900s Women Bonding" by Catherine Weingarten, directed by Carrie Lee Patterson
With Blaire Prince and Allison Fradkin
In this short comedy inspired by "The Yellow Wallpaper," two housewives in the 1900s bond over having hysteria and wonder if they have any control over their fates.
"Invisiblish" by Donna Latham, directed by Destiny Walker
With Terri Lynne Hudson (remote)
Josie's disability toggles between invisible and visible. As she climbs up treacherous stairs after a workout in a basement weight room, she wields a wry sense of humor after an ablest MAHA dude disses her.
"The Side Effect (or Fecal Attraction)" by Paula Kamen, directed by Fay Florence-Steddum
With Lili Daskais and Nat Kier
An absurd look at the desperation and isolation of invisible illness. A woman realizes her boyfriend, who she was just about to dump, can relieve her Crohn’s symptoms with pills made from his unusually rich and premium-grade poop. All is well until she realizes one unfortunate -- and ridiculous -- side effect.
"Task Paralysis" by Pearlie Blue Leaf, directed by Melody DeRogatis
With Morgan Braithwaite and Kristin Schmitz
Sadie has always struggled with executive dysfunction, chalking it up to her just not trying hard enough, until an unexpected visitor appears and enlightens her.
"Proud of My Name" by Bruce Karp, directed by Destiny Whitaker
With Yiidum Charles-Wiwa (remote)
With an unusual name, Beneatha is already subjected to rude comments by her contemporaries. During a police incident, because a woman of color is involved, she is treated badly, roughed up, and ultimately dismissed, with no apology once the truth of her disability is made known. A kind older black man comes to her rescue and helps her feel seen.
"The Body Play" by Madison Wetzell, directed by Iris Sowlat
(Parts One and Two, scenes from full-length play that had its world premiere last year at Cleveland Public Theatre)
With Lili Daskais, Kathryn Henzel and Morgan Braithwaite
Something is very wrong with Amy's Body. One protagonist is played by two actors: a detached, neurotic Mind and her chaotic, screaming Body. A meditation on the absurdity of chronic illness and being alive.
"My Friend Endo" by Emily Golden, directed by Kayla White
With Sarah Silva-James and Aly Mackenzie
This is the story of a woman trying to establish care with a doctor. She's been assured many times that her stomach pain is nothing to worry about -- just an ordinary part of being a woman. But... finally...this doctor notices something that might explain her pain.
"A Blind Lesbian Walks Into a Bar" by Iris Sowlat, directed by Angeli Primlani
With Iris Sowlat
Iris Sowlat's true story about the intersection of her visual impairment (achromatopsia) and being a lesbian.
"Heard Mentality" by Allison Fradkin, directed by Alicia Hall
With Allison Fradkin, Nat Kier and Kristin Schmitz
This play takes a universal experience, in this case a first date, and allows the audience to experience it through the eyes (and ears) of someone who is hearing-impaired, showing how pre-date jitters and insecurities about making a good first impression, which everyone relates to, can be amplified if a person has a disability.
"Live a Little" by Allie Costa, directed by Myesha-Tiara McGarner
With Aly Mackenzie and Blaire Prince
In this heartfelt examination of the way we judge others and ourselves, a hospital administrator trying to hide her chronic illness has an unexpected conversation with a bubbly young nurse that leaves a lasting impression on them both.