Multiple timeliness, a woman standing her ground, a gay man terrified for his life, the ghosts that haunt them, and what lengths we’ll go to seek justice. Greater Illinois tells two stories interwoven that examine the intersections of fear, race, homophobia, and The Greater Illinois Council, a government agency insistent on “making a brighter tomorrow today,” no matter the human cost. Greater Illinois is the story of who chooses fight, flight, or freeze and what happens when they choose.

In Small Jokes About Monsters, we meet three brothers. Ryan, the middle brother, is explaining his theory about there being three different kinds of funny people: Godzillas, Mothras and Gameras. His older brother, John, and his younger brother, Derek, interject with jokes and conversational obstructions. The dialogue is fast and funny.

Soon, we realize they have arrived in a rented beach house after their estranged father’s funeral. Their father has left them an envelope to open after his death. They joke some more. They reminisce.

Their mother arrives. Two of them are annoyed at the third brother for inviting her. What ensues is a series of conversations where truth is revealed and tempers flair. The show has a few reveals, and ultimately it’s about what we choose to do with trauma and how we use humor to cover it up.

In the end, we have witnessed a family take a step, forward or back is up to the audience.

Cindy makes a video call to Jane to discuss a problem Jane has with the rules.

The author of the play tries to recount the moment in time where his relationship ended. The other characters fight for narrative control.