Swords clash, secrets unravel, and two women fall in love aboard a pirate ship in "yo ho.," a world premiere now running at The Edge Theater Off Broadway in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, just south of the Evanston border.

Babes With Blades Theatre Company, a Chicago ensemble known for stage combat, opened the production on Sunday, July 19, and performances continue through Saturday, August 29. The 45-seat black box theater sits at 1133 W. Catalpa Ave.

Written by playwright SMJ and directed by JD Caudill, both ensemble members, "yo ho." follows the real historical figures Anne Bonny and Mary Read — two pirates who disguised themselves as men aboard the ship Revenge. In this telling, they reveal their identities, fall for each other, and fight to protect their secrets from a crew loyal to the sexually charged Calico Jack.

The production blends what its creators call "historical fantasy and introspective sexual and gender exploration" with physical comedy and telenovela-style camp. Third Coast Review gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars on Monday, July 27, praising the "comical camp and wonderful queer representation."

Fight choreographer Carly "CB" Cason, a founder of Counterfeit Combat with over a decade of stage combat experience, designed the swordplay sequences that mix suspense with humor throughout the two-hour show.

"This hilarious and saucy comedy is perfect for the summer," Artistic Director Hayley Rice said in a May 27 press release announcing the cast. She called the script fresh, exciting, and "perhaps a little steamier than Babes' offerings of the past."

Rachel Sleek Bañuelos plays Anne Bonny opposite Sierra Buffum as Mary Read, with Stef Brundage as Calico Jack. The 10-person cast also includes William Delforge, Schnaude Dorizan, and Brittani Yawn.

Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The production offers open-captioned performances on Saturday, August 15, Sunday, August 16, Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21. A sensory-friendly performance is scheduled for Sunday, August 2. Streaming is available Thursday, August 27, through Saturday, August 29, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $35 general admission and $28 for students and seniors, available at BabesWithBlades.org.