Halston, Liza & Queen Elizabeth I (who dies in 1603) collide in this acclaimed comedy from Chicago
September 4 -14 at The Tank
“A spectacular high-concept comedy…if you want an over-the-top but wise look at the isolation of fame and power, then Queen for a Day delivers with panache.” — Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
"As delightfully wild as it is deeply heartfelt...With its heart on a puffy tapered sleeve and an unapologetically ribald sense of humor, QUEEN FOR A DAY will leave you thinking and laughing long after the night has ended." -- Zac Thriffiley, BroadwayWorld
“Outrageously funny… QUEEN FOR A DAY thrives on a kind of elegant chaos, where glamour and grief collide. The cast’s commitment to both buffoonery and pathos ensures that the absurdity never fully eclipses the beating heart at center stage.” -- Tristan Bruns, New City Stage
"Brilliant...The humor, the bite and the energy level of this play all revs up to an exhilaratingly exciting production. Smith’s play constantly tops itself at every turn." -- Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
After an acclaimed Chicago premiere, The Tank presents the New York premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY, a new comedy by Tyler Anthony Smith. Directed by Stephanie Shaw, this limited engagement runs September 4-14 at The Tank (312 W 36th St, New York, NY, 10018). Running time is 75 minutes. Tickets are $33 at www.thetanknyc.org.
QUEEN FOR A DAY stars the original Chicago cast: Will Lidke (as Halston), Tyler Anthony Smith (As Queen Elizabeth I) and Dakota Hughes (as Liza). The production team includes Rachel M. Sypniewski (costumes), Taylor Dalton (scenic, projections, lighting), Garrett Bell (lighting), Miranda Coble (sound), Maggie O'Brien (props), Sydney Genco (Makeup), Keith Ryan (wigs), Rick Aguilar Studios (photography), Andrew Milliken (11 o'clock number arrangement), and Jenna Sheehy (stage manager).
QUEEN FOR A DAY premiered in 2025 at the Bramble Arts Loft in Chicago, presented by Hell in a Handbag Productions.
Tyler Anthony Smith is a writer-actor-producer. Chicago companies Miss Smith has worked with include: Hell in a Handbag, Haven (Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Jeff Award, Performer in a Principal Role - Musical), [producing body], Curious Theatre Branch (Rhino Fest), Sweetback Productions, The Neo-Futurists and Eclipse Theatre Company. Tyler appeared Off-Off-Broadway at La MaMa via Hell in a Handbag. He/She/They is/is/are represented by DDO. Instagram: @judithnightlight @queenforadayplay
Stephanie Shaw is a noted director, performer, writer, and theater professor at Columbia College Chicago. She has been a theatre critic for the Chicago Reader, and is an alumni member of the Neo-Futurists theatre company, where she wrote and performed regularly for the group's late-night hit Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (now known as The Infinite Wrench). She is a founding member of the Chicago Solo Ensemble BoyGirlBoyGirl, and has written, performed in or directed works at numerous Chicago area theatres and venues, including Hell In A Handbag, Sweetback Productions, The Neo-Futurists, The Body Politic, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Stage Left, Lifeline, Live Bait Theatre, the Royal George, Stage 773, The Paper Machete at The Green Mill, and the Curious Theater Branch, as well as The New York Fringe Festival,The New York Estrogenuis Festival, and Mirror Box Theatre, Cedar Rapids, IA. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago.
Founded in 2003, The Tank is an Obie Award-winning, multi-disciplinary non-profit arts presenter and producer, which provides a home to emerging artists working across all disciplines, including theater, comedy, dance, film, music, puppetry, and storytelling. Led by Artistic Director Meghan Finn, Managing Producer Molly FitzMaurice, and Director of Artistic Development Johnny G. Lloyd, The Tank champions emerging artists engaged in the pursuit of new ideas and forms of expression.