Inaugural AG After Dark So Much Pride

“I’m literally breathlessly excited”

“I’m gonna lose my mind, to be honest.” 

Overheard in the audience, the excitement was palpable as Evanston’s Actors Gymnasium put on its’ very first pride show, celebrating queer identity in the month of June. AG After Dark: A Queer Circus Cabaret was a one-night-only event, hosted by the hilarious (and talented)  Lezbian Minnelli & Amira Slick. 

Pre-show, a stagehand sassily escorted ‘talent’ to a seat in the audience, brewing a few giggles and lots of excitement. The venue on Noyes St. is surprisingly spacious and perfectly allowed for the variety of big talent on display to fill the room. While Evanston does have official Pride events, these are geared towards families/all ages; The Queer Circus Cabaret was a 17+ event.

Griffin DiStasi (on pole) gave a personality filled, gravity defying and gender-nonconforming performance that left the crowd breathless. Following that, Lezbian & Amira introduced the next performance as an homage Loie Fuller- a Chicagoland born pioneer of modern dance & theatrical lighting; dancer Lydia Tewksbury’s performance in silk was unlike anything I have ever seen before, made all the more beautiful and ephemeral with spectacular lighting design by Ryn Hardiman. 

On trapeze, Ky Rambo served silly, sweaty and sexy, part workout routine, part strip tease. 

Similarly sexy, A Hermanson’s lyra performance thoroughly impressed the audience. Kaitlyn Andrews on rope had an infectious smile that brought queer joy to everyone who got the chance to see it. Katie David & Madie Doppelt brought the laughs (and truly so many bowling pins), juggling to a sweet and tender tune. 

Next, squid the kid gave a sensual performance on straps, somehow managing to flirt with the entire audience while demonstrating incredibly impressive feats of strength and dexterity. Popping up from the audience in a sparkly cowboy ensemble, Jean Wildest woo-ed several chairs (but not the audience members in them) before finding the ideal ride- and ride it they did!

Rounding up the night, Xavier Probst, a long time AG performer & circus artist moved with a fluid grace on lyra, before a grand finale lip-synch act by Lezbian & Amira. By the end of the show, the audience gave the performers a standing ovation. Here’s hoping the success of this show brings more Queer Circus Cabarets (and hopefully sooner than next pride!). 

AG After Dark: A Queer Circus Cabaret was performed on June 14, 2025, at the Actors Gymnasium. Sound Design and Stage Management by Lois Chermansky; Co-Produced by Kaitlyn Andrews & Madie Doppelt in conjunction with Actors Gymnasium

Program