Photo Flash: Hell in a Handbag Stages Chicago Premiere of THE DIVINE SISTER
Hell in a Handbag Productions presents the Chicago premiere of THE DIVINE SISTER, the hilarious comic homage to nearly every Hollywood nun film ever made, by the divine high priestess of camp Charles Busch and directed by Shade Murray. THE DIVINE SISTER will play through July 10, 2016 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (yes, an actual church!), 1650 W. Foster Ave. in Handbag's home base, Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets for THE DIVINE SISTER and Handbag 2016 Season subscriptions are currently available at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006. The press opening is Friday, June 10 at 8 pm.
THE DIVINE SISTER features Handbag ensemble members David Cerda as The Mother Superior, Ed Jones as Sr. Acacius and Chad as Mrs. Levinson/Timmy with newcomers Charlotte Mae Ellison as Agnes, Maria Stephens as Sr. Walburga and Mrs. MacDuffie and Levi Holloway as Jeremy and Br. Venerius.
THE DIVINE SISTER is an affectionate parody of nearly every nun movie to come out of of Hollywood. Lifting from films like The Song of Bernadette, The Bells of St. Mary's, The Singing Nun and Agnes of God, THE DIVINE SISTER tells the story of St. Veronica's indomitable Mother Superior (David Cerda) who is determined to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. Along the way, she has to deal with a young postulant who is experiencing "visions," sexual hysteria among her nuns, a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, a mysterious nun visiting from the Mother House in Berlin and a former suitor intent on luring her away from her vows. Funny, clever and sweet, THE DIVINE SISTER springs from the mind of Charles Busch, creator of the camp classics, Die, Mommie, Die!, Psycho Beach Party and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.
The production team for THE DIVINE SISTER includes: John Holt (scenic design), Cat Wilson (lighting design), Kate Setzer Kamphausen (costume design), Mealah Heidenreich (props design), Matt Reich (sound design), Mierka Gierten (casting and production advisor), Jamie Crothers (associate producer), Mitch Anthony (technical director) and Victoria Rector (stage manager).
Photos by Rick Aguilar
Maria Stephens and Ed Jones
Maria Stephens, David Cerda, Ed Jones and Charlotte Mae Ellison
Charlotte Mae Ellison and Ed Jones
Ed Jones, Chad and David Cerda
Charlotte Mae Ellison and David Cerda
(front) Charlotte Mae Ellison, (second row, l to r) Maria Stephens and Levi Holloway and (back row, l to r) Ed Jones, David Cerda and Chad
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