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Pictured: Ed Jones, David Cerda, Adrian Hadlock and Grant Drager in a publicity image for Hell in a Handbag Productions’ parody THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
Hell in a Handbag Productions has announced the lineup, along with directors and partial casting for its 2019 season, launching this winter with the return of their inaugural POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical.
The season continues with THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes – Vol. 3, followed in the summer with the world premiere of THE DRAG SEED, an unauthorized musical parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film “The Bad Seed.” The fall brings THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes – Bea Afraid Too, and THE FACTS OF LIFE: The Lost Episodes – Satan’s School for Girls featuring ensemble member Ed Jones at Mrs. Edna Garret. The season concludes with BETTE, XMAS AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS featuring Caitlin Jackson as Better Midler, and THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes – The Holiday Edition, Vol. 2.
Hell in a Handbag Productions’ 2019 Season includes:
March 15 – April 28, 2019
POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical
Book and Lyric by David Cerda
Music by David Cerda with Scott Lamberty
Directed by Derek Van Barham
Music Direction by Andrew Milliken
Choreography by Breon Arzell
Featuring ensemble members Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Elizabeth Lesinski, David Lipschutz, Stevie Love and Michael S. Miller with Katherine Bellantone, Frankie Leo Bennett, Brittney Brown, Tommy Bullington, Josh Kemper, Nicky Mendelson, Courtney Dane Mize, Elissa Newcorn, Marc Prince, Shane Roberie, Scott Sawa, Patrick Stengle and Maiko Terazawa.
It’s New Year’s Eve and a group of hardcore fans have gathered for their annual viewing of the greatest film ever – The Poseidon Adventure, the story of the capsize of the SS Poseidon on New Year’s Eve, and the handful of misfit passengers that decide to climb to the top of the ship – which is now the bottom. As the story progresses the viewers become one with the film. POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical is part parody, part homage – and a look at how movies can leave their mark on you.
February 8 – March 10, 2019
THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes – The Valentine Edition
Written by David Cerda
Directed by: Jon Martinez
at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Featuring ensemble members Chazie Bly, David Cerda, Grant Drager, Adrian Hadlock
Poor Dorothy can’t find a date for the Sadie Hawkins dance at the Miami Senior Center. When Rose sets her up with a man with a colorful past, the evening takes a turn for the bizarre. Meanwhile Sophia locks horns with her arch rival, Sylvia Martinelli and the two engage in a steamy battle of wits.
April 18 – August 25, 2019
THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 3
By David Cerda
at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Featuring ensemble members Chazie Bly, David Cerda, Grant Drager, Adrian Hadlock and Ed Jones.
Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia and their whacky friends and relatives are back for all new adventures – including the first-ever musical episode.
July 5 – August 25, 2019
THE DRAG SEED
Book and Lyrics: David Cerda
Music: David Cerda with Scott Lamberty
Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass
Featuring ensemble member Kristopher Bottrall
at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Inspired by our changing times, THE DRAG SEED is an unauthorized musical parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed. Carson is a perfect little boy who likes to dress like the perfect little girl. Carson loves drag and prides himself on being the best child drag queen in the greater Chicago area. Carson always gets what he wants, and he really wants to win the drag pageant at his very progressive school – The Josephine Baker Academy for Gifted Students. When Carson doesn’t win, he vows to get that crown – one way or another…
September 27 – November 2, 2019
THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes – Bea Afraid Too
By David Cerda
at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Featuring ensemble members Chazie Bly, Grant Drager, Adrian Hadlock* and Michael Miller.
Last year Sophia was possessed by the devil. Did anyone even notice? Stay tuned to find out what spooky adventures David Cerda conjures up for our heroines in what’s quickly becoming a Chicago Halloween tradition.
October 5 – November 3, 2019
The FACTS OF LIFE: The Lost Episodes – Satan’s School for Girls
By David Cerda
at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Featuring ensemble members David Cerda and Ed Jones.
Ed Jones stars as Mrs. Edna Garrett – the house mother with a deep dark secret in this parody of the beloved TV sitcom The Facts of Life. The Eastland seemed to be the place for the best and the brightest girls. But when a series of girls die mysterious accidental deaths, ace reporter Claudia Collins (David Cerda), who is as beautiful as she is talented – goes undercover to avenge her kid sister’s death.
November 27 – December 28, 2019
THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes, The Holiday Edition, Vol. 2
By David Cerda
at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Featuring ensemble members David Cerda, Grant Drager, Ed Jones and Adrian Hadlock.
Celebrate the season in sunny Miami, as Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia return for brand new holiday episodes of Chicago’s beloved TV sitcom parody.
December 6 – 28, 2019
BETTE: XMAS AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS
Adapted by David Cerda and Caitlin
at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago
Featuring ensemble member Caitlin Jackson
Handbag diva Caitlin Jackson recreates Bette Midler’s concert at New York’s Continental Baths. This loving recreation of the beginning of Ms. Midler’s stellar career features the fabulous songs she sang for the boys in the bathhouse, including Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Superstar – plus holiday ditties done in Bette’s inimitable style.
For more information on Hell in a Handbag visit handbagproductions.org.