Federal agents circle the Catlow Speakeasy. Sallie has her eye on the Jewel Baron’s loot. The “Commodore” is hiding in plain sight—and one abandoned suitcase is about to send the whole town chasing the wrong prize.
The Catlow Theater is out of commission for violating the Prohibition Act. Nearby, Speakeasy Sallie runs the only entertainment in town, promoted by the renowned fan dancer Lady Lane. Behind the hidden door, the showgirls rehearse and bootleggers work their angles.
A flamboyant thief hits the Jewelry Exchange. Max uses his speakeasy connections to lie in wait for the Baron, then arranges a one-off cash drop. Sallie plans to con the thief out of his loot while a corrupt Constable, U.S. Marshal and undercover agent Izzy Einstein close in.
Max’s bootlegging operation threatens to spoil the exchange. The elusive “Commodore” conducts shadowy business in plain sight of the Marshals. Lawmen encircle the square, but nobody can be sure who is playing whom.
Norma—the town floozie and former vaudevillian—arrives at exactly the wrong time. Her abandoned suitcase full of clothes is mistaken for the cash. The switch becomes a decoy for the ages, sending the Baron on a wild goose chase for the jewels.
“A perfect storm of charades” closes around the Catlow Speakeasy.
A thief, a speakeasy queen, disguised lawmen, vaudeville stars and opportunists collide at high noon. The production’s characters draw inspiration from real figures of the era, then spin them into a fictional Catlow caper.
Runs the hidden club, trains its showgirls and watches its guarded alley entrance. She charms the Constable, suspects Izzy is a cop and schemes for the Baron’s loot.
Kristen Theilen O’Neill · inspired by Belle LivingstoneA flamboyant thief fresh from robbing the Jewelry Exchange. He waits for a cash suitcase while trying to recover jewels misplaced among Catlow disguises.
Billy Doody · inspired by Charles “Pretty Boy” FloydAn elusive operator who hides in plain sight. The Marshals track his shadowy maneuvers while everyone else chases the Baron and the cash.
Uses his speakeasy connections to anticipate the Baron’s move and set the cash drop—while his bootlegging operation risks blowing every cover.
A former vaudevillian playing the town floozie. Her staged mishaps—and a decoy cash suitcase—turn the investigation inside out.
Julie Beal · inspired by Mary “Texas” GuinanThe vivacious burlesque sensation who helps Sallie promote the speakeasy and brings glamour to its clandestine stage.
Helen Gould Beck · inspired by Sally RandPoses as a businessman while hunting the Commodore. A romantic distraction draws him into the chase for the cash suitcase.
Christopher W. Paschal · inspired by Bass ReevesA Prohibition agent disguised as a circus showman, armed with a fake petition and a plan to cuff the secret stage’s visitors.
Marcus Pallan · inspired by Isadore EinsteinTakes Sallie’s kickbacks, ignores inconvenient crimes and discovers that a socialite is gathering evidence against him.
Gary Peterson · “The Constable”A showgirl who lures paying patrons inside, then crosses paths with undercover federal agent Moe Smith.
Maria-del-Mar Evelyne Myatt Wikkeling · inspired by Josephine BakerA songstress whose suitcase is mistaken for the coveted cash. Her charm distracts both the Baron and the Marshal.
Leikyn Bravo · inspired by Clara BowA rich suffragist socialite determined to expose the corrupt Constable—and recover a mink scarf stolen by the Hustler.
Nancy Hays · inspired by Anne Tracy MorganJoins the Ringleader and Marshal in trying to penetrate the speakeasy, only to be caught by Josephine’s charm.
Johnny Simms · inspired by Samuel J. BattleSallie’s acrobatic performer uses her act to entrance patrons—and provide the perfect smokescreen for a jewel heist.
Artemisia Omani · “Twistin’ Tease”A dapper opportunist lurking near the cash drop, hoping to snatch the prize between the lawmen’s rounds.
Emmitt Beecham · “The Hustler”The boutique owner robbed by the Baron, determined to expose him despite the Constable’s comic obstruction.
Clarice Lafayette · “Jewelry Artisan”A refined singer newly fond of the speakeasy. A showgirl draws him into the game—and onto the run from the cops.
John Cossio · inspired by Enrico CarusoA no-nonsense baker pursuing the Hustler over stolen loaves, rolling pin in hand and patience exhausted.
Tia Howell · inspired by Ida Bailey AllenA Roaring ’20s vaudeville spectacle built around mystery, mischief and audience-facing theatrical fun.
The production is billed as a live murder mystery and vaudeville “show of the ages,” inviting the audience into the caper.
1920s costumes, hats and props are encouraged—not required—to bring the speakeasy atmosphere into the house.
The production contact page identifies the Catlow Movie Theater at 116 W. Main Street in Barrington as its stage-production home, while individual locations remain listed as TBD.
Tickets are described as forthcoming on the production website and Instagram when performances materialize.
The official production website currently lists locations as TBD and describes tickets as forthcoming. Its contact page says “Weekends & Weeknights” but names no dates. The Catlow’s official site also shows no public 2027 performance calendar.
This is a dated snapshot, not a live schedule. Last researched October 2, 2026.
