It Pays To Advertise In PINOY... Chicago's #1 Fil-Am Newspaper
FilAm actress in “Eureka Day”—Tony-award winning satire on vaccines, fake news—on its Chicago debut
By Mariano A. Santos
Publisher/Editor
“Funny…laughter…”
Three days after the opening of Jonathan Spector’s “Eureka Day” at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago, Caroline Chu who is playing one of the five main characters in the Tony-award winning play sat down with PINOY for an interview on Friday, Jan.16, answered my question about the audience’s response on the early performances.
Caroline said the early attendees responded in a predictable way, the play being a satire. But she pointed out readily that the deeper message was not lost a bit.
In a nutshell, the play revolves around the ultra-progressive Eureka Day School of Berkeley, California that was put to test when hit with an outbreak of mumps. Chaos suddenly prevailed over their usual civil discourse, as parents and school board clashed over vaccines, misinformation, personal freedom and open-mindedness that were all trashed out. Laughable and yet…
She plays “Winter” in the local revival of the acclaimed play that had its world premiere in Berkeley, California in 2018 and Off-Broadway the following year.
Just in time when the world was recovering from the Covid plague in 2022, Old Vic did its London premier. Finally, Manhattan Theater Club in Broadway staged it in 2024—when it bagged the Tony for the Best Revival. Last year, it also won the 2025 Drama League Award as well as the Drama Desk Award for outstanding Revival of a Play.
Caroline is a Filipino American whose mother originally came from Jolo—the southernmost province of the Philippines. She has visited the place along with Zamboanga and much of the Greater Manila area several times.
With much major credit, Caroline Chu feels so privileged to be cast in this Chicago production, she is not surprised that the initial reception is very positive. While it elicited laughter, the present tension gripping the nation undoubtedly makes the play resonates even more. Think, Robert Kennedy being in charge of our health care.
Caroline who was born in Chicago and both parents raised in the Midwest (her Dad is from Iowa) earned her drama degree from Northwestern University. She is a veteran of major production that includes Shakespearean plays like Macbeth and Richard 111, classics like Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
She is the quintessential Chicago actress who renumerates about the challenges that minorities like her face in the competitive world of the legitimate stage. She admits joy knowing the great strides achieved by Filipino Americans on Broadway—like Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon), Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Blvd), for instance.
She hints and dreams of the day when Asians or FilAms, specifically, will not only confine to acting but also get involved in producing or directing—wishing that works like--David Byrne’s “Here Lies Love” get staged for the Chicago audience.
Still single, she realizes that actors confront personal struggles like family life and raising children—having forewarned, somewhat by her parents. But for art’s sake…she continues to heed casting call. Indeed, one can’t help to wish her well. Yes, may the Tony not be far behind.
Timeline Theatre Company’s “Eureka Day” is going to be at the Broadway Playhouse at the Water Tower Place until Feb. 22, Tuesday to Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, 2 pm and 6:30 pm. No Sunday performances on Feb. 1, 8, and 15. (For info and tickets visit https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ )
STEREOPHONIC MAKES ITS CHICAGO PREMIERE AT THE CIBC THEATRE 18 W. MONROE ST. NOW PLAYING THRU FEBRUA
CHICAGO (Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026) – STEREOPHONIC, the 2024 Tony Award-winning Best Play, opens its Chicago premiere today at Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a two-week limited engagement, running through February 8. Individual tickets are on sale now and range from $40 to $135 with a select number of premium seats available. Tickets may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com . Group sales of 10 or more are available now by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. See below for additional ticket information and the performance schedule.
STEREOPHONIC mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, STEREOPHONIC invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.
The cast includes Jack Barrett as Grover, Claire DeJean as Diana, Steven Lee Johnson as Charlie, Emilie Kouatchou as Holly, Cornelius McMoyler as Simon, Denver Milord as Peter and Christopher Mowod as Reg. The cast also includes Eli Bridges, Andrew Gombas, Quinn Allyn Martin, Jake Regensburg and Lauren Wilmore. Casting is subject to change.
STEREOPHONIC, which features original songs by Academy Award® nominee and Grammy Award® winner Will Butler, formerly of Arcade Fire, dominated the “Best Theater of 2023” lists, with top rankings in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Time Out New York, Town & Country, TheaterMania, Theaterly, and The Spectator. In April 2024, STEREOPHONIC became the most Tony-nominated play in history receiving 13 Award nominations. It then became the most Tony Award-winning show of the 2024 season, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Play, Direction (Daniel Aukin), Scenic Design (David Zinn) and Sound Design (Ryan Rumery).
Originally scheduled for a 14-week-only Broadway engagement, the production was extended twice by popular demand and played to sold out houses through its run.
The sensation-causing play began a West End engagement in May 2025 at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre. The U.S. National Tour launched at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA as part of STG’s Broadway at the Paramount 2025-2026 Season. The record-breaking Broadway production ended its run at the Golden Theatre on January 12, 2025, after 305 performances.
The STEREOPHONIC creative team includes David Zinn (scenic designer), Enver Chakartash (costume designer), Jiyoun Chang (lighting designer), Ryan Rumery (sound designer), Robert Pickens & Katie Gell (hair and wig designers), Justin Craig (music director) and Gigi Buffington (voice, text, and dialect coach). Casting is by Alldaffer & Donadio Casting. Geoff Maus is the Production Stage Manager.
The U.S. National Tour of STEREOPHONIC is produced by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Seaview, Sonia Friedman Productions, Linden Productions, Ashley Melone & Nick Mills. The New York premiere was produced in 2023 by Playwrights Horizons.
For more information, please follow:
StereophonicPlay.com
facebook.com/stereophonicplay
https://www.instagram.com/stereophonicplay/#
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereophonicplay
twitter.com/stereobway
WEEK TWO
Tuesday - 3-Feb 7:00 PM
Wednesday - 4-Feb 1:00 PM
Wednesday - 4-Feb 7:00 PM
Thursday - 5-Feb 7:00 PM
Friday - 6-Feb 7:00 PM
Saturday. - 7-Feb 2:00 PM
Saturday - 7-Feb 7:30 PM
Sunday - 8-Feb 1:00 PM
TICKET INFORMATION (as of 1/28/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets range from $40 — $135 with a select number of premium seats available. Single tickets may be purchased now at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway In Chicago box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Patrons can participate in a digital lottery for a chance to purchase a limited number of $25 tickets available for each performance. A limited number of $49 day-of-show Rush tickets will also be available for all performances. Rush tickets for STEREOPHONIC may only be purchased in person at the CIBC Theatre box office. For more information on special offers, Click here. Subscribers may add tickets to their subscription by clicking here or by calling (312) 977-1717. For groups of 10 or more, call Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or email GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium.
For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Follow @broadwayinchicago on Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky , and TikTok #broadwayinchicago
###
First National Tour Production Photos – Available here .
First National Tour B-roll – Available here .