“A playful, messy, rom-com about a lesbian power couple revolutionizing women’s education at the turn of the 20th century?! We hit the jackpot with this one. Turner’s play lets us see how far we’ve come and how familiar the patterns of resistance toward a woman in power still feel.” — Elizabeth Kensek
An explosive queer romantic comedy set amidst the fight for women’s rights.
Galloping across four decades at Mount Holyoke, Mary Woolley and Jeannette Marks light fires in the classroom and in the bedroom. As their ambitions grow bolder, so do the cracks in their relationship. Fast, funny, and unapologetically queer, Bull in a China Shop is about changing the world, loving loudly, and refusing to play nice.
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission
Amphibian’s Tiered Ticketing Model
Tickets for this show range from $29-67, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Ticket levels for Main Stage productions are:
– Discounted: $29
– Standard: $45
– Pay-It-Forward: $67
What People Are Saying
Cast & Creatives
Kels Ervi
Kels Ervi (they/them) is a Texas-born, queer, trans-masc, nonbinary theatre artist currently based in Chicago, IL. Their interests include queer stories, devising, ensemble-driven work, stories about cross-generational connection, body-inclusive stories, classic stories reimagined, and community-based work. Up next, Kels will be directing a co-production with Amphibian Stage and Second Thought Theatre.
Kels earned their MFA from Northwestern University, creating work focused on identity, community, and loss which culminated in a thesis production of Indecent by Paula Vogel. Following grad school, Kels served as the Manager for Drunk Shakespeare Chicago & the Lion Theatre (Feb 2024-July 2025). Prior to grad school, Kels was the Associate Artistic Director for WaterTower Theatre (WTT) in Dallas-Fort Worth from 2016-2019. During their full tenure on the artistic staff at WTT (2013-2019), they directed many plays and musicals as well as produced multiple festivals including the annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival and the inaugural DETOUR: A Festival of New Work. Most notably, Kels was the conceiver, director, and co-creator of the celebrated The Great Distance Home (DFW Theater Critics Forum Award – Outstanding Creative Contribution), an imaginative and nearly wordless story about the search for life’s purpose told through movement, music, and object puppetry.
Prior to Chicago, Kels spent eight years in the Dallas-Fort Worth region where they worked with many area theaters including Dallas Theater Center, Cry Havoc Theater, Stage West, Junior Players, Echo Theatre, Uptown Players, Shakespeare Dallas, Rite of Passage Theatre Company, Festival of Independent Theaters, and Shakespeare in the Bar. Regionally, they have also worked with Goodman Theatre, Theatre For One, Cape Cod Theatre Project, and Greyman Theatre Company.
Kels Ervi
Kels Ervi (they/them) is a Texas-born, queer, trans-masc, nonbinary theatre artist currently based in Chicago, IL. Their interests include queer stories, devising, ensemble-driven work, stories about cross-generational connection, body-inclusive stories, classic stories reimagined, and community-based work. Up next, Kels will be directing a co-production with Amphibian Stage and Second Thought Theatre.
Kels earned their MFA from Northwestern University, creating work focused on identity, community, and loss which culminated in a thesis production of Indecent by Paula Vogel. Following grad school, Kels served as the Manager for Drunk Shakespeare Chicago & the Lion Theatre (Feb 2024-July 2025). Prior to grad school, Kels was the Associate Artistic Director for WaterTower Theatre (WTT) in Dallas-Fort Worth from 2016-2019. During their full tenure on the artistic staff at WTT (2013-2019), they directed many plays and musicals as well as produced multiple festivals including the annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival and the inaugural DETOUR: A Festival of New Work. Most notably, Kels was the conceiver, director, and co-creator of the celebrated The Great Distance Home (DFW Theater Critics Forum Award – Outstanding Creative Contribution), an imaginative and nearly wordless story about the search for life’s purpose told through movement, music, and object puppetry.
Prior to Chicago, Kels spent eight years in the Dallas-Fort Worth region where they worked with many area theaters including Dallas Theater Center, Cry Havoc Theater, Stage West, Junior Players, Echo Theatre, Uptown Players, Shakespeare Dallas, Rite of Passage Theatre Company, Festival of Independent Theaters, and Shakespeare in the Bar. Regionally, they have also worked with Goodman Theatre, Theatre For One, Cape Cod Theatre Project, and Greyman Theatre Company.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Bull in a China Shop is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Bull in a China Shop is a queer period comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot North of our building on South Main Street; just look for the blue mural and show poster.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 13 years of age to see this production. Please note that the content warnings for Bull in a China Shop include sexual situations and strong language.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
Winter’s Cabaret
Starring Local Favorites Amber Marie Flores, Zak Reynolds, and Music Direction by Vicky Nooe
