Keith Ryan News

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.

What did our critic think of REVIEW: MERCURY'S MAGICAL PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Mercury Theater Chicago?

Due to popular demand, Hell in a Handbag Productions’ hit parody A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery has added five additional performances, extending through Saturday, August 13, 2022 at The Chopin Upstairs Theatre.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is concluding its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery, by Artistic Director David Cerda*, directed by Cheryl Snodgrass. Get a first look at photos here!

Hell in a Handbag Productions will conclude its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery, by Artistic Director David Cerda*, directed by Cheryl Snodgrass.

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 conclude its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery, by Artistic Director David Cerda*, directed by Cheryl Snodgrass.

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 will continue its 20th anniversary season with the return of one of its most popular holiday musicals: Christmas Dearest, featuring book and lyrics by Artistic Director David Cerda*, music by Cerda and Scott Lamberty and direction by Derek Van Barham. 

Hedda Gabler is giving Lorraine Bracco a run for her money in Tyler Anthony Smith's People Do Do Such Things, October 7-10 at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, located at 1383 N. Milwaukee in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will welcome back audiences this fall with the return of Chicago’s favorite drag seniors in its long-running parody The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5 – SEX!, written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Madison Smith.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will welcome back audiences this fall with the return of Chicago's favorite drag seniors in its long-running parody The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5 – SEX!, written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Madison Smith.

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.

Hell in a Handbag Productions has announced one additional week of performances of its streaming holiday hit The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, now playing through January 17, 2021.

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.

Hell in a Handbag Productions will celebrate the holidays with the return of America’s favorite funnyman, Rip Nelson (Ed Jones*), in the star-studded world premiere of The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, streaming from December 4, 2020 – January 9, 2021 via Vimeo.

Hell in a Handbag Productions celebrates the holidays with the return of America's favorite funnyman, Rip Nelson (Ed Jones*), in the star-studded world premiere of The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, streaming from December 4, 2020 – January 9, 2021 via Vimeo.

Hell in a Handbag Productions celebrates the holidays with the return of America's favorite funnyman, Rip Nelson (Ed Jones*), in the star-studded world premiere of The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, streaming from December 4, 2020 – January 9, 2021 via Vimeo.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hell in a Handbag Productions is kicking-off summer with its very first digital online production: THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 4 - LOCKDOWN!, written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Spenser Davis.