Displaying items by tag: Cheryl Snodgrass

Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 25^th year, is pleased to present a revival of the fan favorite Joan Crawford Goes To Hell, written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, playing August 21 – September 27, 2026 at The Clutch, Handbag's boutique performance space at 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at handbagproductions.org and buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/2276662. 

The cast includes ensemble members David Cerda*, Lori Lee*, TJ O'Brien* and Michael Rashid* with Tyler Calhoun, Nick Dorado, Jennifer Engstrom, Haley Gillman, Gretchen Greear, Nicholas Ian, Ryan Kenny and Coco Sho-Nell.

About the Production:

Originally produced in 1999 with Sweetback Productions, Joan Crawford Goes To Hell is a roller coaster ride that explores the life of the legendary Hollywood star.

The premise? Joan Crawford (David Cerda*) dies, goes to hell and is forced to view her life through the eyes of her daughter, Christina (TJ O'Brien*) in a tale so big it needs three Joans! Part Mommie Dearest, part biography with a dash of Joan's lifestyle book, My Way of Life, Joan Crawford Goes to Hell is the perfect summer cocktail for those with a taste for camp.

The production team includes Marcus Klein* (Scenic Design), Ben Kress (Costume Designer), Liz Cooper (Lighting Design), Danny Rockett (Sound Design), Maggie O'Brien (Prop Design), DJ Douglass (Video & Projection Design), Syd Genco** (Makeup Design), Keith Ryan* (Wig Design), Matt Tenny (Fight & Intimacy Coordinator), Carol Kelleher (Production Manager), Jason Pikscher (Technical Director), Francis Brenner (Stage Manager), Rick Aguilar* (Photography) and Michael S. Miller* (Graphics).

*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member | **Denotes Handbag Associate Member

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: Joan Crawford Goes To Hell
Playwright: Artistic Director David Cerda*
Director: Cheryl Snodgrass
Cast (in alphabetical order): Tyler Calhoun (Various/Carol Ann u/s), David Cerda* (Joan #1), Nick Dorado (Mr. Deville/Various), Jennifer Engstrom (Celluloid Joan), Haley Gillman (Child Christina/Various), Gretchen Greear (Joan #2), Nicholas Ian (Various/Joan #2 & 3 u/s), Ryan Kenny (Carol Ann/Various), Lori Lee* (Helga/Various), TJ O'Brien* (Teen/Adult Christina), Michael Rashid* (Greg/Various) and Coco Sho-Nell (Joan #3).

Location: The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago

Previews: Friday, August 21 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 22 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, August 23 at 3 pm and Thursday, August 27 at 7:30 pm.
Opening performance: Friday, August 28 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Saturday, August 29 – Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Curtain Times: Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm and 7 pm. Please note: There will be an added Industry Night performance on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets: $29* previews, $40 VIP previews*, $39* advanced general admission, $52* VIP/reserved seating. Group rates $35* for 10 or more. VIP tickets include a refreshment and reserved premium seating. Tickets are currently on sale at handbagproductions.org and https://buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/2276662. *Ticket prices include processing fees.

About the Artists

David Cerda (Playwright) is a founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 25^th anniversary. As resident playwright, he has written many Handbag productions as well as acted in them. His play, The Drag Seed was produced at LaMaMa Experimental Theater and his Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and featured in Golden Con: Thank you for being a Fan, the world's first fan convention dedicated to all things Golden Girls at Chicago's Navy Pier. Cerda is a proud inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and recipient of a Jeff Award for lifetime achievement for his body of work and service to the community. He lives in Chicago with his partner, Christopher and Walter the Wonder Dog..

Cheryl Snodgrass (Director) is an alumnus ensemble member of HIAH and is back to direct her 11^th production at her artistic home. She directed Die Mommie! Die!, Haywire, Rip Nelson's Halloween Spooktacular, SCARRIE: The Musical, L'Imitation of Life, The Birds, The Drag Seed (at Mary's Attic, Chopin Theatre and LaMama in NYC), A Fine Feathered Murder and Scary Town. She's worked extensively as a visiting artist at Mill Mountain Theatre, Studio Roanoke and Hollins University (Roanoke, VA). Cheryl has directed for Sweetback, Glass Apple, Trap Door, The Foundlings, Tellin' Tales, Jonny Staxx Presents, Filet of Solo and Larkspur Productions. Most recently, Cheryl directed the pre-publishing premier of John Cariani's new play Darker the Night Brighter the Stars at the Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, ME and the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana at The Den. Next up, Cheryl will be returning to Penobscot Theatre Company to direct The Book Club.

About Hell in a Handbag Productions

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.

In 1956 a psychological horror-thriller film hit the big screens across America that undoubtedly shocked audiences nationwide. The film, The Bad Seed, was based on William March’s 1954 novel of the same name and also hit the stage that same year. In a time when UFOs and alien invasions caused country-wide panic, now comes a film where a sociopathic eight-year-old girl, Rhoda, murders when she doesn’t get what she wants when she wants it. Her mother, growingly suspicious of her daughter’s wicked deeds, is caught at a crossroads not knowing what to do since she also loves her more than anything in the world. The film goes on to debate whether criminal behavior is caused by one’s environment or perhaps is inherited. Sometimes a person is just a bad seed, right?

As serious and as creepy as the film is, it is the perfect material for the Hell in A Handbag theatre company to parody. Adding their own twists and turns and injecting their own unique blend of humor, the masters of camp have now given Chicago its newest comedy hit, The Drag Seed, by David Cerda. You may have guessed by the title that a drag theme is added to the story, this time the villain is not eight-year-old Rhoda but eleven-year-old Carson (Kristopher Bottral), a spoiled drag queen whose temper is turned on with a flick of the switch the moment he (in this case, “they/them,” as demanded by the child) doesn’t get what they want. The plot thickens as a trail of mysterious deaths occur throughout and Carson always seems to be found nearby.

It’s just a not-so-everyday life in the affluent suburbs where Miss Charles (David Cerda) is a live-in landlord. Miss Charles has taken a liking to tenants Miss Lingus (Ed Jones) and her dear Carson. Lee (Kelly Anchors) serves Miss Charles as the estate’s very quirky handyman and loves nothing more than teasing young Carson, who attends The Josephine Baker Rainbow Academy for Gifted Students led by Miss Ficus (also played by Anchors). It’s when fellow student Summer Breeze (Tyler Anthony Smith) wins a competition over Carson and is found dead shortly thereafter that the intrigue begins.

Carson’s mother Miss Lingus (“just call me Connie”) is at first ignorant to the clues being laid out in front of her, but slowly pieces them together and becomes conflicted since she loves her son more than a "fuck ton of kisses". Carson’s as a matter of fact behavior surrounding every death is not just a big clue, it’s downright creepy.

Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Drag Seed, is a hilarious ride that’ll keep audience members on the edge of their seats. Ed Jones is like fine wine and just keeps getting more delicious with each show. I’ve probably said that this the last time around, but it’s true once again - Jones’ performance as Miss Lingus may be one of his best yet. His knack for executing the perfect facial expression at just the right moment coupled with capturing just the right tone in his line delivery makes him a comedic force. Excellent performances flood the stage in this production with Kristopher Bottral’s all-out hilarious and highly energetic “Carson” while David Cerda is comedic perfection as Miss Charles. Kelly Anchors doubling up for the roles of Miss Ficus and Lee is yet another highlight in this show, particularly the brilliance she infuses in her role as Lee, creating yet another sidesplittingly funny character that we won’t forget anytime soon. Handbag fave Elizabeth Lesinski returns, this time as Wendy Breeze, Summer’s drunk and distraught mother, and makes the most of her role with a flawlessly camped performance of Eileen Heckhart’s character in the 1956 film version. I know – high praise all around. Yes, but well-deserved. Sydney Genco and Tyler Anthony Smith also rock their roles, making this a truly well-round effort.

Handbag stalwarts will undoubtedly be very pleased with Cerda’s newest production and newbies that attend will be sure to get hooked on Handbag’s camp theatre.

The Drag Seed is perfect mid-summer fun and is an easy show to recommend. If you get the chance be sure to check out the The Bad Seed prior to seeing this production, if for anything just to appreciate Cerda’s brilliance that much more and the character nuances that these talented actors have so brilliantly executed into their roles. If you’re unable to catch the film first, don’t worry, you’ll still have a blast.

The Drag Seed is being performed at Mary’s Attic in Andersonville through August 24th. For more show information visit www.handbagproductions.org