Come see Meet the Author in bookstores around Chicago mid-May to mid-June on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Shows will be at 7 pm unless otherwise indicated. Shows will be free without taking reservations unless otherwise indicated. We're talking to many bookstores and as dates get confirmed, we will post them here.

5/16/24 -https://tangiblebookschicago.com/ (Bridgeport)

5/22/24 - https://www.thelookingglassbooks.com/ (Oak Park)

5/23/24 - https://www.unchartedbooks.com/ (Andersonville)

5/29/24 - https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/ (Andersonville)

5/30/24 - https://www.bookcellarinc.com/ (Lincoln Square)

6/06/24 - https://madstreetbooks.com/ (West Loop)

6/12/24 - https://www.kibbitznest.com/ (Lincoln Park) Kibbitznest show starts at 6:30 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm. It is a ticketed event. $5 in advance or at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance with a $1.79 service charge at https://meettheauthorkibbitznest.bpt.me/

Meet the Author is a one-act play by Chicago playwright Joe Janes

that takes place in a bookstore.

Casey Stumpner is an aspiring writer trying desperately to be seen by others as the next Tom Clancy or James Patterson. He has spent all his money to get his book into print and has managed to talk his way into doing a book signing at a little independent bookstore in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't go well. The bookstore owner begrudgingly presents the book signing that her partner Seth booked because he liked Casey’s press release. Nate, the only person in the world who has read all of Casey’s books, is there not to support, but to troll. The book that Casey thinks will put him on the map is Thrust & Perry: Pig in a Blanket of Death. An action erotica spy novel. Whatever the heck that is. Meet the Author is about trying to live one's dreams and failing miserably.

Joe Janes (playwright/Casey) is an Emmy Award winning writer who also teaches comedy writing and improvisation at Columbia College and The Second City. His most recent production was Macbeth By The Sea which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 to rave reviews and will be performed at The Den Theatre in Chicago this fall. More information can be found at www.joejanes.net and www.macbethbythesea.com.

Andrea J. Dymond (director) is a Chicago-based freelance director specializing in developing and directing new work; Andrea was Resident Director at Victory Gardens Theater, where she directed 11 productions, including 7 world premieres, and helped to develop and launch The Ignition Festival of New Plays. She also does research and production dramaturgy, directs at new works festivals; and has served as thesis play advisor for MFA playwrights at Carnegie Mellon University; and, as a director at NNPN’s MFA Playwrights Workshops, at the Kennedy Center. This is her fourth collaboration with Joe Janes. Their other productions were Our Christian Nation, The Greatest Theatrical Event…EVER!, and Macbeth By The Sea.

Law Tarello (Nate) is a Television and Broadway Actor, most notably as the recurring role of Correctional Officer Dan Dietz on the NBC/Dick Wolf drama, "Chicago P.D." His professional theatre roles include William Barfeè in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and Brian in "Avenue Q". He is also a faculty member at The Second City. Law is represented by Paonessa Talent. You can find his stand-up clips, improv comedy instructionals, and comedic musings on Instagram @ImprovLaw. 

Magica Bottari (Paige Turner/Joan) is thrilled to be a member of this esteemed cast! Her most recent stage time has been solo, doing stand up comedy in both Chicago and New York City. Recent screen credits include the indie film Anchor, which will be in festivals soon, and NBC's Chicago Fire, as a firm but fair teacher, which she also is in everyday life.

Martin Duffy (Seth/Sacred Meow) is Chicago born & bred.  Marty is a graduate of The Players Workshop of The Second City, The Second City Training Center, and the Columbia College Theater Department. He has portrayed Shelly “The Machine” Levine in the Pointe Theater production of Glengarry Glen Ross, Cousin Teddy in Arsenic & Old Lace at the Desplaines Theater and numerous roles in Davin Cromer’s Miracle on 34th Street. He is delighted to be returning to performing after a break of some 20 years.

Here’s a link to an article about us in The Chicago Reader.