October 18, 19, and 20

Fri/Sat at 8pm and Sun at 5pm

The Venus Cabaret Theater

3745 Southport Ave

Chicago

Broadway’s hunky gay ex-Mormon dad Claybourne Elder, star of Company, Sunday in the Park…, and HBO’s “The Gilded Age,” presents “I Wanna Be Bad,” a hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly filthy evening that’s part cabaret and part stand-up. Using his favorite music from Sondheim, the Great American Songbook, Whitney Houston, and beyond, Clay explores sex, fatherhood, and what exactly happens when you eat the body of Christ. Come see why critics call him “handsome and intense” (Rex Reed, Observer), “tough and tender” (Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News) and “stupid funny as he is drop-dead buff” (Robert Hofler, The Wrap).

Claybourne Elder currently plays John Adams on HBO’s hit series The Gilded Age and was most recently seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company starring Patti Lupone. He is a Grammy, Screen Actors Guild Award, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominee and is known for his performances on Broadway in Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song and Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl. He began his career originating the role of Hollis in Sondheim’s Road Show, he also originated the role of Ollie in Tennessee William’s One Arm. Other credits include: Do I Hear A Waltz at City Center, Allegro at Classic Stage, Two by Two (Starring Jason Alexander), Venice at the Public Theatre, Georgio in Passion, Tony in West Side Story, Joe in Angels in America, Curly in Oklahoma, Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He also played Pete O’Malley in the CW’s The Carrie Diaries. His solo show has played to sold-out crowds across the country and in London. Recently he launched an initiative called City of Strangers to provide free tickets to Broadway shows for people who might not have the means. They have given away over 3,000 tickets and have gained unexpected attention nationally being featured on This American Life, CBS This Morning and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

@claybourneelder