Keith Ryan News

It's not Halloween without a Handbag show, so Hell in a Handbag Productions' Artistic Director David Cerda is conjuring up a special treat: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: Bea Afraid! - The Halloween Edition.

BWW REVIEW: Unrestrained Laughter in THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere holiday production SnowGirls - The Musical, a parody of the classic cult film Showgirls, featuring a book by Derek Van Barham, music by Artistic Director David Cerda* with Scott Lamberty and Jeff Thomson, direction by Jon Martinez and music direction by JD Caudill*.

This fall, Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to explore THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE, the final play by the legendary master of camp, Charles Ludlam. Who better to direct this criminal tale of lust and murder than Hell in a Handbag's longtime partner in crime, Shade Murray of A Red Orchid Theatre. The Handbag production marks the first time in over 25 years this campy classic has been performed in Chicago.

This fall, Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to explore THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE, the final play by the legendary master of camp, Charles Ludlam. Who better to direct this criminal tale of lust and murder than Hell in a Handbag's longtime partner in crime, Shade Murray of A Red Orchid Theatre. 

It's not Halloween without a Handbag show, so Hell in a Handbag Productions' Artistic Director David Cerda is conjuring up a special treat: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: Bea Afraid! - The Halloween Edition.

This fall, Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to explore THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE, the final play by the legendary master of camp, Charles Ludlam. Who better to direct this criminal tale of lust and murder than Hell in a Handbag's longtime partner in crime, Shade Murray of A Red Orchid Theatre. The Handbag production marks the first time in over 25 years this campy classic has been performed in Chicago.

New American Folk Theatre is pleased to present the world premiere of SCRAPS, the story of the Patchwork Girl of Oz, many years after her celebrated adventures in L. Frank Baum's Oz book series. Written by Co-Artistic Director Anthony Whitaker* and directed by Co-Artistic Director Jamal Howard*, SCRAPS will play September 1 - 29, 2018 at The Den Theatre (2A), 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

This fall, Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to explore THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE, the final play by the legendary master of camp, Charles Ludlam. Who better to direct this criminal tale of lust and murder than Hell in a Handbag's longtime partner in crime, Shade Murray of A Red Orchid Theatre. 

It's not Halloween without a Handbag show, so Hell in a Handbag Productions' Artistic Director David Cerda is conjuring up a special treat: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: Bea Afraid! - The Halloween Edition.

"Wild Women of Planet Wongo" (Wongo) extends its summer invasion at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division through July 28. This immersive sci-fi musical comedy spoofs madcap 60s B movies while placing the audience into the middle of the experience. "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" was written by Ben Budick, Steve Mackes and Dave Ogrin and is directed by David Rigano. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. The show is recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets range from $20 to $40. Visit www.PlanetWongo.com for tickets and information.

This summer, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia for THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 2. Following last year's sold-out, seven-month run, Handbag's parody of the beloved TV sitcom returns with all new adventures written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Becca Holloway. THE GOLDEN GIRLS will play June 19 - September 7, 2018 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are now on sale brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. 

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce casting for THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE, the final play by the legendary master of camp, Charles Ludlam.

This summer, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia for THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 2. Following last year's sold-out, seven-month run, Handbag's parody of the beloved TV sitcom returns with all new adventures written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Becca Holloway.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the final production of its fifth anniversary season: the Tony Award-nominated musical GRAND HOTEL, playing April 15 - May 27, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Featuring a book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest and additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, the Kokandy production will be directed by Artistic Producer John D. Glover, with music direction by Aaron Benham and choreography by Brenda Didier. Single tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.

"Wild Women of Planet Wongo" (Wongo) invades Chicago starting June 8 at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division, following a long-term successful New York run. This immersive sci-fi musical comedy spoofs madcap 60s B movies while placing the audience into the middle of the experience. "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" was written by Ben Budick, Steve Mackes and Dave Ogrin and is directed by David Rigano. The first block of tickets are on sale on April 20 for shows June 8 through July 14. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. The show is recommended for those over 16-years-old except for Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. which is strictly 21-years-old and over. Tickets range from $20 to $40. Visit www.PlanetWongo.com for tickets and information.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to kick off its 2018 Season with a revival of its 2013 hit L'IMITATION OF LIFE, a dead on parody of the 1959 film Imitation of Life about race, mothers and daughters - and looking fabulous! Adapted by Ricky Graham and Running with Scissors and directed by ensemble member Stevie Love*, L'IMITATION OF LIFE will play March 31 - May 6, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org (through Stage 773) or by calling (773) 327-5252. 

Akvavit Theatre is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of the madcap Danish comedy BAD GIRLS: THE STYLISTS by Astrid Saalbach, translated by Michael Evans and directed by Co-Artistic Director Breahan Pautsch, playing March 21 - April 14, 2018 at the new Strawdog Theatre Company, 1802 W. Berenice in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at chicagonordic.org. The press opening is Thursday, March 22 at 8 pm.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the final production of its fifth anniversary season: the Tony Award-nominated musical GRAND HOTEL, playing April 15 - May 27, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Featuring a book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest and additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, the Kokandy production will be directed by Artistic Producer John D. Glover, with music direction by Aaron Benham and choreography by Brenda Didier.

It's Pompeii meets Heathers as New American Folk Theatre presents the Midwest premiere of Johnny Drago's 1980s-infused comedy HOT PINK, OR READY TO BLOW, directed by Derek Van Barham, playing March 10 - April 7, 2018 at The Den Theatre (2A), 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at newamericanfolktheatre.org or by calling (773) 697- 3830. The press opening is Monday, March 12 at 7:30 pm.