Consider My Heart Stopped

Sat, February 28, 2026 @ 9:00 PM CST • Free


Description
Consider My Heart Stopped is a show about the evolution of grief and the search for identity after losing a parent. Bren Tran—a queer, Asian American comedian from Chicago—shares how he literally became an adult overnight when his dad passed. He reflects on honoring his father’s legacy, caring for his aging immigrant mom, how he became enamored by the show Heartstopper ("Why am I like this?" IFYKYK), and so much more. Blending sharp Midwest wit with the gentle, deliberate tension of Tig Notaro—and just the right amount of gay panic—this special delivers humor, heart, and a messy, hopeful rebirth.

Bren Tran is a queer, Asian American comedian from Chicago. He's a Bob Curry Fellow from the Second City and creator of You Win Some, You Dim Sum, a Best Comedy Show '25 Nominee (Chicago Reader) where comics and audiences gather to celebrate their small wins with big laughs. He is fresh off of a run at one of the Big 4 Venues (Gilded Balloon) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his show HOLE IN THE WALL L'HOPITAL, which is a tribute to his dad who recently passed. When he's not performing, he's writing scripts and making films of his own - his short film Jury Duty was featured in the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival. If you like dumb jokes, be sure to follow him on Tik Tok or Instagram: @brenftran. 

THE PLAYGROUND THEATER
501(c)3 nonprofit | 100% donation-based
Accessibility: The Playground Theater is located at 4416 N Clark street on the 2nd floor, up one flight of stairs.
Food & Drink: The Playground Theater is a water-only venue with filtered water available for guests. If you'd like to grab a bite or bev besides H2O, visit our downstairs buddies, MY BUDDY'S! Food and drink (other than water) must be finished before entering The Playground.

FAQs
FAQ 1. Where can I wait for the house to open?
Great question! Our buddies, My Buddy's, is a full-service bar and restaurant located on the first floor of the building. Enjoy dinner before or after the show! 

FAQ 2. Can I bring food and drinks from My Buddy's into The Playground?
TLDR: Nope. The Playground is a water-only venue, with free filtered water available for guests during the show. Food and drink from My Buddy's, or any outside food/drink other than water, is not permitted in the venue. We're all about the H2O and the A-R-T here at The PG, bay-bee!

FAQ 3. BYOB?
Be Your Own Boss? HELL to the YES. Bring your own booze? Hell to the NO! Get ready to DRINK! WATER! We're keeping Chicago laughing AND hydrated. We GOT you!

FAQ 4. Is everything really FREE at The PG?
Yes and, no. You will never have to pay to see a show at The Playground, but The Playground does have bills to pay. Donations help. Even though we have to run a business, it's none of our business what you can afford to give, if anything. It's more important that you come be a part of this thing! And bring a friend!
 
Supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council 

Location

The Playground Theater - 4416 N Clark St, FL 2

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