Thompson Street Opera Company

Thompson Street Opera Company Thompson Street Opera Company reimagines what opera can be.

Thompson Street Opera Company is dedicated to producing new works for the operatic stage by living composers, with a particular interest in American repertoire. In addition to our dedication to great performances of great works, we also strive to create a welcoming and supportive work environment for all our artists. Thompson Street Opera Company supports the works of CHITAC in their efforts to ma

ke the Chicago theatre scene a safe, inclusive, and progressive community where bigotry is not tolerated.

ONE MORE SHOW! 3pm is the final performance of TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE , so be sure not to miss ...
03/22/2026

ONE MORE SHOW! 3pm is the final performance of TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE , so be sure not to miss your chance to see the show that has audiences and critics alike raving about the "exceptional voices," "boldly original" music, and "crazy fun" story.

Not convinced? Listen to this fabulous audio review (or read the prose summary) by Reno Lovison from the Chicago Broadcasting Network!

https://chicagobroadcastingnetwork.com/off-nights-a-q***r-extravaganza-in-andersonville-chicago/

Do you have your tickets yet? This heartwarming and hilarious show only runs for ONE WEEKEND so make sure not to miss it...
03/21/2026

Do you have your tickets yet? This heartwarming and hilarious show only runs for ONE WEEKEND so make sure not to miss it! Audience member Amanda Payne calls TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE "a sweet peek into the everyday drama of a q***r third space. It's giving camp, glam, and stunning voices with droll narration."

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Julie Soroko & Today is your ONLY chance to see our fabulous covers in TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT T...
03/21/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Julie Soroko &

Today is your ONLY chance to see our fabulous covers in TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE! Today's matinee is at *2pm*, so don't be late!
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Aside from landing the occasional gig and teaching with Northeastern Illinois University’s Community Music Program, Julie is an avid lover of Kurt Weill, Ralph Fiennes, and all things Jane Austen. She recently visited the official Jane Austen Centre in Bath where she had to be forcibly removed by her supportive husband, Rick, at closing time. Enjoy the music and feel free to ask her about any of the above!

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CeCe Glass is a versatile soprano recognized for dynamic performances across opera and musical theater. She is currently touring as Miss Addy in Opera for the Young’s production of The Elixir of Love.

Some of her operatic credits include Adele (Die Fledermaus), Lola (Gallantry), Fiammetta (Prima Donna), Athena (Arachne), Despina (Così fan tutte), and Wrapper (Forever). On the musical theater stage, she has appeared as Maureen (RENT), Lindsay (Godspell), and Mabel and Edith (The Pirates of Penzance).

Glass has performed with major ensembles including Opera Omaha, Résonance, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Thompson Street Opera, and has appeared at Carnegie Hall. She premiered the role of Bibi in Daron Hagen’s opera film 9/10: Love Before the Fall (2023).

As a concert soloist, she has been featured in works by Handel, Brahms, Vivaldi, Fauré, Beethoven, and Bach. She also serves as a liturgical musician with St. John Cantius and is the Theater Director at Rootz theater school.

Glass holds degrees from Nebraska Wesleyan University and Chicago College of Performing Arts.

AUDIENCES LOVE TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE - here's what opening night patron Anthony Nguyen had to ...
03/21/2026

AUDIENCES LOVE TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE - here's what opening night patron Anthony Nguyen had to say:

"Saw [Off-Nights] last night and I was thoroughly entertained! I absolutely loved the depth of the characters and the story was super fun. It's only ~1h10m, but honestly could have been a little longer. Get a mezcal old fashioned (or two!) and make sure you finish your Italian Beef potato chips before it starts!"

The Bramble Arts Loft bar is open both before and after the show!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: and TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE is our first official collab with drag artists,...
03/20/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: and

TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE is our first official collab with drag artists, and they've been absolute joys to work with! Get your tickets and come see them tear up the stage in some cute, classy, and comical dance numbers, plus finding love!

Delta Badhand is still working on her EGOT. For now, she’s just got an EGO. A member of the Haus of Cuntlery and the Haus of ***, Delta is known for her winning personality and runner-up performances. Ms. Badhand is alive, well, and living in Roger’s Park, and is available for any gig you have for her as long as it isn’t difficult or annoying or strenuous on her petite yet shockingly curvaceous figure. You can follow Delta online on Instagram () for updates on future projects.

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Beck Buechel (they/them) is a contralto, drag king, and Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiast who is deeply dedicated to q***r collaboration. Since arriving in Chicago, they have put a gender-fluid twist on as many roles as they can get their hands on. Some favorites include: L Understudy in TL;DR (Theo Ubique), Marcello in La Femme Boheme (Ouroboros Opera/Valkyrie Ensemble), Joan in Fun Home (Towle Theater), and Lancelot in Camelot (Janus Concert Series).

As Mx. O’Lydian, their motto is: If gender is a performance, I deserve a Tony Award. In 2021, they produced Savoyeurs! a virtual Gilbert & Sullivan drag show. They are a member of the Ring of Keys Network and a Board Member of Valkyrie Ensemble. They spend most of their time dreaming up ways to become a well-known niche cabaret legend. You can summon them at any time by singing a G&S tune into the night air.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Kingsley Day, Narrator & pianistWe open TONIGHT! Get your tickets now to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT ...
03/19/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Kingsley Day, Narrator & pianist

We open TONIGHT! Get your tickets now to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE and watch this multi-talented performer tie the show together with both storytelling and music.

Kingsley Day (Narrator/Pianist) has recently appeared with Blank Theatre as Doctor Tambourri in PASSION and Dr. Dreyfuss in PROMISES, PROMISES and with Theatre Above the Law as Schuppanzigh in BLACK COMEDY and the Old Man in PRELUDE TO A KISS. Other recent roles include Terry in CASA VALENTINA (Pride Arts), Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Metropolis), and Sir Harcourt in LONDON ASSURANCE (City Lit). Kingsley played all 14 of the Gilbert & Sullivan patter baritone roles with the Savoyaires and has directed the company's last six productions. His pianist/music director credits include musicals at City Lit, Theatre Wit, the Apollo Theater, and National Jewish Theater. City Lit premiered his three most recent original musicals and will premiere his new musical SCARAMOUCHE this spring. Kingsley’s reconstruction of Chopin’s posthumous F Minor Mazurka is published by Hal Leonard’s Schirmer Performance Editions, and his biographical novel MUSIC'S GUIDING HAND is published by Mentoris.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Alexander Quackenbush, DrewWe open TOMORROW! Get your tickets to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOME...
03/18/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Alexander Quackenbush, Drew

We open TOMORROW! Get your tickets to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE to see Alex eat up the stage as a mysterious stranger who has a beautiful voice but questionable poetic skill.

Chicago based baritone, Alexander Quackenbush is excited to return for a second time this season with Thompson Street Opera Company! Alexander is a dexterous performer with a strong command of multiple styles including the classical operatic repertoire, modern jazz, musical theatre and contemporary vocal literature. Recent solo appearances include Walt Whitman in TSOC’s The People vs. American Cheese, Louis in Great Lakes Operetta’s Prince Ananias, and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof with the Seagle Festival.

He has also had the privilege of participating in outreach touring across upstate New York bringing a children's opera and musical r***e to 30+ venues, and has been maintaining a private voice studio for the past six years. He has participated in table reads, demo recordings and workshops of new/in progress operas, musicals and small chamber works offering his stylistic versatility, curiosity and love of collaboration.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: .3.3 After previously appearing on the TSOC stage as a soprano, Jade is rejoining us as a mezzo, playi...
03/17/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: .3.3

After previously appearing on the TSOC stage as a soprano, Jade is rejoining us as a mezzo, playing a loveable, if dubiously-qualified, psychic medium. Don't miss her fantastic low notes-- get your tickets now at the link in our bio!

Jade Dashá is a Chicago based mezzo. Jade has been seen in collaboration with the Opera Festival of Chicago, Thompson Street Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera, Opera Steamboat, Lyric Opera of Chicago: Unlimited, Central City Opera, Opera Neo and Chicago Opera Theater. Jade has been recognized with several awards, including being named an Encouragement Winner at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2020. She additionally received the Casa Italia Josephine L. LiPuma Vocal Scholarship, the Farwell Trust Aware from Musicians Club of Women and the Adelaide Bishop Memorial Award from Central City Opera.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Brian Pember, BobGet your tickets to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE to see Brian in a...
03/16/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Brian Pember, Bob

Get your tickets to TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE to see Brian in a hilarious and heartfelt performance, including an epic high C (their first in public)!

Brian Pember, Bob, is as honored and excited as always to perform with Thompson Street for a personal record breaking 6th consecutive season. Brian is an alumnus of Westminster Choir College (‘17) where they studied with Charles Walker. They most recently appeared onstage with Chicago Opera Theater in DER SILBERSEE as 3rd Verfolger. Other credits include TL;DR (Blazer u/s) with Theo Cabaret Theater, 4Chairs Theatre’s Sondheim Tribute R***e, Evanston Chamber Opera’s THE CHALET (Daniel), and Chicago Opera Theater’s REMEDIOS VARIOS (The Tree), THE NOSE (Dandy), and THE LIFE AND DEATH(S) of ALAN TURING (Cryptanalyst). Past Thompson Street Opera Company credits include: FOREVER (Microplastic), WE'VE GOT OUR EYE ON YOU (Greek Chorus), MICHIGAN TREES (Mother of Trees), THE BOY WHO WANTED TO BE A ROBOT (Cleano), and THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH (Gerasim).

Join our friends at Court Theatre for the courageous and bold new musical—OUT HERE. Be the first to experience this fres...
03/15/2026

Join our friends at Court Theatre for the courageous and bold new musical—OUT HERE. Be the first to experience this fresh and intimate look at a family reconfiguring itself and rediscovering joy. Learn more →

https://bit.ly/musicalouthere

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Katherine Petersen (Sarah) Over the next several days, we'll be introducing you to the amazing artists...
03/15/2026

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Katherine Petersen (Sarah)

Over the next several days, we'll be introducing you to the amazing artists making this show possible! TSOC presents: OFF-NIGHTS AT THE SOMETIMES CAFE is only open for one weekend, so get your tickets NOW!

Katherine Petersen’s performances have been praised as “radiant” by the Chicago Tribune and “immaculate” by Chicagoland Musical Theatre. She performs with Lyric Opera Chicago: Unlimited, Folks Operetta, the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, and Chicago Opera Theater. Recent roles include Charlotte Osgood Mason in NO ONE'S CHILD by Regina Harris Baiocchi, Abuela/Monkey in FRIDA KAHLO AND THE BRAVEST NIÑA EN EL MUNDO, Gonda van der Loo in THE GIRL IN THE TRAIN, Rose Maybud in RUDDIGORE. Other recent roles include Margot in DIE KATHRIN, Bessie Throckmorton in MERRIE ENGLAND, Brigitta in IOLANTA, Contessa in THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, Counsel to the Plaintiff in TRIAL BY JURY, Lady of the Lake in MASQUE AT KENILWORTH, and Sylva Varescu in CSARDAS PRINCESS. Concert repertoire highlights include the solos in Britten’s "Les Illuminations", "Dona Nobis Pacem" by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Barber’s "Knoxville: Summer 1915," Villa-Lobos’s "Bachianas brasileiras No.5," and Handel’s "Messiah."

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