LEARN MORE ABOUT UP NEXT…

Up Next was conceived as a six-part mini-series celebrating Andersonville karaoke culture. The pilot, eponymously named "Up Next" takes you into the world of "Gorgeous" a regular at Meeting House Tavern, who struggles to reconcile the monotony and loneliness of their everyday career with the glamor and community of the karaoke club they escape to at night.

Created by Grant Lewis & Katy Murphy, the episodes will follow various casts of characters - regulars and one-night-only fans - brought together by the shared venue of Meeting House Tavern. An iconic karaoke bar in the center of Clark Street, known for being a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ Chicagoans.

PILOT - UP NEXT

A closeted outsider in their everyday life as a remote worker, Gorgeous learns to shine when they step into the spotlight at Meeting House Tavern. Our pilot was inspired by a regular we spied on our own excursions to Meeting House Tavern as young adults. This person would always show up and show out in a classic Black dress and subtlely applied shimmer make-up. Always supportive of the other singers, they frequented the bar on their own. The bartender, bouncer, and host always embraced them as one of the "regulars."

EP. 2 - THE RULES

A group heads out to karaoke in the wake of their mutual friend’s father's tragic death. This episode's protagonist, Katelyn, is a self-declared karaoke EXPERT and defines what she considers to be the definitive "rules" of a successful night out at karaoke. Her friends learn to support her in the way she needs, as opposed to projecting their own feelings of what grief should look like onto her. 

EP. 3 - FIRST DATE

Jason, a sometimes neurotic, but always endearing young man is invited to karaoke for a first date after matching with another man on a dating app. Horrified by the prospect of such a vulnerable act on the first date, he ultimately learns that the ones who inspire us to try the things that scare us are often the ones most worth waiting for.

EP. 4 - WHITE WOMAN'S BACHELORETTE PARTY

Five women and an inflatable husband doll crash Meeting House Tavern for a night of drunken revelry and unhinged chaos in the lead-up to their ringleader, Carrie-Ann’s much-anticipated nuptials. One part buddy comedy, one part girls gone wild, one part learning to stand up for yourself in the group; this episode gives our regulars a run for their money when their usually safe space is invaded.

EP. 5 - UNPLUGGED

A thriller-themed episode that follows Mickey, an Instagram influencer and viral web blog columnist on Valentine’s Day whose phone is stolen by another patron of Meeting House Tavern.

EP - 6 - BEHIND THE BAR

A deep dive into a day in the life of Jack, Meeting House Tavern’s beloved and adorable bartender. After a bad break-up in February, he gets excited by a new spark with his former roommate’s brother. But can this new flame survive the notorious Chicago St. Patrick’s Day?