Staff read bad reviews with dramatic flair at The Understudy bookstore and coffee shop in Andersonville

The staff of The Understudy theater bookstore and coffee shop in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood posted a dramatic reading of their bad Google reviews this week.

The Understudy says on its website that it offers "something for everyone." The bookstore and coffee shop is described as a place "for people looking to get lost in a good book, enjoy a passionate conversation, or cozy up with a delicious cup of coffee."

The "passionate conversation" element seemed to be a problem for at least one Google Reviews critic. Others took issue with the music and the staff's attire:

"Good Lord, the staff was so loud, like scream laughing, and lack of awareness of how much they were howling/singing behind the counter."

"It is too loud. Headphones are needed in obnoxious 2000s music playing. So much Fergie. Not a coffee shop vibe."

"The café shop/bookstore interior is beautiful, but the staff were a bit chatty and deranged, walking around in what I think is bra."

Only on Wednesday, April 1, the bookstore is also selling a T-shirt with those bad reviews printed on it. The negative review T-shirt pop-up event will be at The Understudy, 5531 N. Clark St., between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Understudy also hosts regular events. At 10 p.m. Tuesday, visitors can make their own collage magnets using sticker photos from their own phone galleries.

The bookstore also hosts floral arrangement classes, a comedy open mic, the Kokandy Book Club salon series celebrating theater, music, and community, among other events.