Elizabeth Lesinski News

Catch the hilarious parody musical POOR PEOPLE! presented by Hell in a Handbag at The Chopin Theatre from May 2 to June 16, 2024.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will continue its 22nd season with the world premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical, an homage to many of the characters, songs and tropes of those very expensive Broadway and West End musicals about the less fortunate.

Get the latest news from Hell in a Handbag Productions as they reveal their thrilling lineup of three world premieres for the upcoming 2023/24 season. Learn about the dates and venues for these highly anticipated shows and make sure you mark your calendars.

The music... the mem’ries... the magic... the dog cloning! This Halloween season, Hell in a Handbag Productions is kicking off its 2022-23 season with the world premiere of FRANKENSTREISAND by Tyler Anthony Smith and directed by Stephanie Shaw, playing September 29 – October 31, 2022 at The Raven Room. See photos here!

Hell in a Handbag Productions has announced its 2022-23 season. The 21st season kicks off with the world premiere of FRANKENSTREISAND, conceived and written by ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed by Stephanie Shaw, playing September 29 – October 31, 2022.

The music... the mem’ries... the magic... the dog cloning! This Halloween season, Hell in a Handbag Productions kicks off its 2022-23 season with the world premiere of FRANKENSTREISAND by Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed by Stephanie Shaw, playing September 29 – October 31, 2022 at Redline VR.

Due to popular demand Kokandy Productions’ hit Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ’90 Musical has added two additional weeks of performances, extending through Sunday, August 21, 2022 at The Chopin Theatre (Studio), 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Check out clips from the production here.

Due to popular demand Kokandy Productions’ hit Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ’90 Musical has added two additional weeks of performances, extending through Sunday, August 21, 2022 at The Chopin Theatre (Studio), 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.

Check out photos from Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ’90 Musical, a flirty and fun, nostalgia-packed show laced with hits from ‘90s including No Doubt, Jewel, Britney Spears, Garbage and many more. Get a first look at photos!

Kokandy Productions is launching its Tenth Anniversary Season this summer with the Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ’90 Musical, a flirty and fun, nostalgia-packed show laced with hits from ‘90s including No Doubt, Jewel, Britney Spears, Garbage and many more. 

Chicago's acclaimed Hell in a Handbag Productions makes a long-awaited return to New York with its 20th anniversary production of THE DRAG SEED, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed. Written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, THE DRAG SEED begins performances March 31 at La MaMa.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will continue its 20th anniversary season with a revival of its popular comedy The Drag Seed, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will continue its 20th anniversary season with a revival of its popular comedy The Drag Seed, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to return to the stage, marking its 20th Anniversary Season with new and familiar works that embrace Handbag's mission of the preservation and celebration of camp and parody – exactly what we need right now!

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the campy comedy Out, Darn Spot!, written by and starring ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed, filmed and edited by Stephanie Shaw. The Shakespearean send-up will stream February 12 – March 21, 2021 (Thursdays, Fridays & Saturday at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm) via Vimeo.

The 2019 production of POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical was recorded by Peter Neville* in HD with stereo sound at Chicago's Edge Theater. POSEIDON! features book and lyrics by Handbag Artistic Director David Cerda*, music by David Cerda* with Scott Lamberty, direction by Derek Van Barham, music direction by Andrew Milliken and choreography by Breon Arzell.

David Cerda scores another camp hit with the timely and topical THE DRAG SEED

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2019 season with the world premiere of THE DRAG SEED, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed, inspired by our changing times, written by Artistic Director David Cerda*, with direction by Cheryl Snodgrass. THE DRAG SEED will play July 5 - August 25, 2019 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at dragseed.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. 

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2019 season with the world premiere of THE DRAG SEED, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed, inspired by our changing times, written by Artistic Director David Cerda*, with direction by Cheryl Snodgrass. THE DRAG SEED will play July 5 - August 25, 2019 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2019 season with the world premiere of THE DRAG SEED, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed, inspired by our changing times, written by Artistic Director David Cerda*, with direction by Cheryl Snodgrass.