Red Theater to Stage World Premiere of Brynne Frauenhoffer’s ‘CHURCH HURT’

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Alice Wu, Sara Sadjadi, and Laura Michele Erle will star in the production at The Edge Off Broadway in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood.

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Red Theater has announced the cast and production team of the world premiere of Church Hurt by Brynne Frauenhoffer and directed by Jessica Love , running October 24 - November 21, 2026 at The Edge Off Broadway in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave.

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"When Mar gets hired at the church she grew up in, she's reunited with her onetime youth group besties Faith, who has become head of People Operations, and Julie, who serves as an outspoken volunteer with progressive goals. Though the three once bonded over Relient K songs and scripture, now they must reconcile very different faith journeys in the intervening years. Old wounds and new points of view disrupt ministry efforts as queerness and the non-denominational movement collide." - New Play Exchange

The production features Alice Wu as Faith, Sara Sadjadi as Mar, and Laura Michele Erle as Julie. Understudies include Mindy Shore for Faith, Sara BenBella for Mar, and Hailey Hance for Julie.

Comments Artistic Directors Clare Brennan and Wyatt Kent, 'Church Hurt is our third world premiere from a Chicago playwright in as many seasons, and we're so fortunate to be collaborating with Brynne for the first time. This tight-knit narrative features two stalwarts of the storefront scene, as well as Sara Sadjadi's debut on Chicago's stage after a season with Door Shakespeare and Milwaukee Rep. With director Jessica Love back at the helm after her incredible work on last season's The Pilon, this production will pull you into this story of queerness, faith, female friendship, and stress-tested trust.'

The production team includes Emily Marrazzo (assistant director), Sarah Patisaul (stage manager), Rose Johnson (scenic design), Suzanne Barnes (props design), Amina Gilbert (lighting design), kClare McKellaston (costume design), Kate Schnetzer (sound design), Skyler Simpson (poster design), Faith Decker (photographer), Daniel Bird Tobin (audience experience dramaturg), AJ Mueth (technical director), Becca Holloway (casting director), Cailyn Murray (casting associate), Hunter Baumann-Cole (director of production), Wyatt Kent and Clare Brennan (co-artistic directors).

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/CHURCH-HURT-Will-Make-World-Premiere-at-Red-Theater-20260928)._