Joan Crawford News

Tonight, January 14th, WHO KILLED JOAN CRAWFORD? will begin a month-long world premiere run at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors, featuring a cast that includes Barry Marcus, Kevin Reilley, Andy Rogow, Troy Stanley and Christian Vandepas, under the direction of Leeds. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the 2015 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration, Sunday, January 10, 2016. Join us at The Call nightclub! Plus the top ten shows running right now. Holiday plus Celebration!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gotta Dance' makes announcements, and 'My Way' and 'Christmas Dearest' extend. 'A Midwinter Mummers Tale' sells out, as'Guys And Dolls' rounds out the year. DePaul hosts a new children's musical, Northwestern hosts the Sarah Siddons Society, and 'Nunsense' aims for series regularity. And vote for the BWW Chicago Awards!

Transport Group presents ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, starring Jackie Hoffman (On the Town, Difficult People, Hairspray) as Princess Winnifred and John 'Lypsinka'Epperson (Lypsinka's The Boxed Set, The Passion of the Crawford) as Queen Aggravain. The production opened last night, December 13. Let's see what the critics had to say...

'I remember reading something about Joan Crawford, which wasn't very flattering, and for some reason I thought of the title 'Who Killed Joan Crawford?' saysCarbonell Award winning, Tony Award nominated playwright-director Michael Leeds. 'I liked it so much, I decided to back it up with a play!'

Transport Group's revival may be the best reason to venture down to the Lower East Side since Yonah Schimmel learned how to make a knish.

Almost 80 students from The Dolores Mission School gathered for a wonderful opportunity to visit Hollywood and tour the recently decorated Hollywood Museum, enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations by Dr Christmas (Bob Pranga), as well as hear inspirational stories with interesting messages from local politicians and personalities. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The prince of Chicago Camp, David Cedra is back with a laugh-out-loud homage to Charles Dickens' immortal A Christmas Carol, CHRISTMAS DEAREST.

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST plays now through December 30, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is tonight, December 4 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST plays now through December 30, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is this Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play tonight, November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday musicals are at 100% in our big suburban theaters! Plus two of our annual 'Christmas Carol' offerings, a new show called 'Tinsel!,' 'Gypsy' and 'Oliver!' for those not yet ready to celebrate things, and the return of 'Christmas Dearest' from Hell In A Handbag at Mary's Attic. Happy Holidaze!

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are available at www.handbagproductions.org. The press opening is Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm.

The 2015-16 premiere of THEATER TALK, now in its 24th year, focuses on a campy Off-Broadway hit, DROP DEAD PERFECT, with its star Everett Quinton and director Joe Brancato, plus the ambitious exhibition, THE HIRSCHFELD CENTURY, celebrating THE ART OF the late caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, with Hirschfeld's widow Louise Kerz Hirschfeld and the exhibition's curator and author of its companion book, David Leopold.

The 2015-16 premiere of THEATER TALK, now in its 24th year, focuses on a campy Off-Broadway hit, DROP DEAD PERFECT, with its star Everett Quinton and director Joe Brancato, plus the ambitious exhibition, THE HIRSCHFELD CENTURY, celebrating THE ART OF the late caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, with Hirschfeld's widow Louise Kerz Hirschfeld and the exhibition's curator and author of its companion book, David Leopold.

Tweiss Productions and Nicholas James Opalenik/Event Horizon Productions have announced the cast for their upcoming musical Hell's Belles that will premiere in Times Square this October. Hell's Belles has a book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys and music by Steve Liebman. Hell's Belles will begin performances at The Elektra Theatre at The Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street) on October 3, opening October 24 for a limited run through December 27, 2015. The show features direction by John Znidarsic, music direction by Mary Feinsinger, and musical staging by Eugenio Contenti.   Tickets are $39, $69, $99 and can be purchased by visiting HellsBellesTheMusical.com or by calling 866.811.4111.

Expanding on its commitment to add classic TV series to its vintage movie lineup, Sony Pictures Television Networks' digital broadcast channel getTV has acquired all 26 episodes of 1963's 'The Judy Garland Show,' from World Nation Live Entertainment

Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce details for its annual benefit, THE HANDBAG SAMPLER, offering audiences a delicious assortment of campy characters that have graced the Handbag stage over the years! THE HANDBAG SAMPLER will take place Sunday, October 18 from 5 pm-10 pm at DANK HAUS German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM!, a horror trilogy by David Cerda inspired by classics like Creepshow, Night Gallery and Tales From the Crypt, directed by Wm. Bullion. SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM! will play tonight, September 24 - October 31, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is Sunday, September 27 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM!, a horror trilogy by David Cerda inspired by classics like Creepshow, Night Gallery and Tales From the Crypt, directed by Wm. Bullion. SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM! will play September 24 - October 31, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is Sunday, September 27 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!