Displaying items by tag: The Clutch

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of Scary Town, Artistic Director David Cerda's semi-autobiographical tale about growing up, seeing things differently and questioning your very existence – as told through the lens of a little brown bunny. Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, Scary Town will play April 9 – May 11, 2025 at Handbag's intimate artistic home The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Tickets are currently on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1618086. 

Merry Town is the happiest town where all the animals live in harmony and wear cute outfits. Deven Bunny has lived there all his life and has always been taught it's the best place ever. But he's not a child anymore (he's turning 13) and suddenly he starts seeing things differently. When Deven discovers a deep dark family secret, it changes everything he thought knew about everything. Part Richard Scarry storybooks, a dash of soap opera and a loving touch of David Lynch for good measure, Scary Town is an adult children's play about growing up in a lie and living not so happily ever after.

The cast includes ensemble members Grant Drager*, Ed Jones*, Stevie Love*, Scott Sawa* and Danne W. Taylor* with Colin Callahan, Sophia Dennis, Al Duffy and Jerod Turner. Understudies include: Kelly Anchors, Wendy Hayne, Brandon Nelson, TJ O'Brien and Jack Oleg.

Comments Artistic Director and playwright David Cerda, "I've wanted to tell my story for what seems like forever, but I kept putting it off because I didn't want to write a traditional dysfunctional family drama. I wanted to capture the melodramatic nature of my life where ridiculousness is reality, and reality is ridiculous. Sharing my childhood story through the lens of some of my favorite storybook characters helped me discuss some complex and painful experiences without dragging everyone into an abyss of despair. I know people expect to laugh when they see one of my shows and I hope they do – but I also want to tell my truth, which isn't always pleasant."

The production team includes Marcus Klein (Scenic Designer), Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer), Liz Cooper (Lighting Designer), DJ Douglass (Sound Designer), Maggie O'Brien (Props Designer), Jabberwocky Marionettes (Puppet Designer), Syd Genco* (Makeup Design), Keith Ryan* (Wig Designer), Tom Daniel (Technical Director), Michael S. Miller* (Graphic Designer) and Veronica Kostka* (Stage Manager).

*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: Scary Town

Playwright: Artistic Director David Cerda*
Director: Cheryl Snodgrass
Cast (in alphabetical order): Colin Callahan (Deven Bunny), Sophia Dennis (Betsy Bunny, Trixie Bunny) Grant Drager* (Mrs. Fox, Benny Bunny) Al Duffy (Penelope Porcupine), Ed Jones* (Mrs. Wanda Water Buffalo), Stevie Love* (Mrs. Betty Bunny), Scott Sawa* (Officer Aardvark, Uncle Brian Bunny), Danne W. Taylor* (Granny Bunny) and Jerod Turner (Willie Worm). Understudies include: Kelly Anchors, Wendy Hayne, Brandon Nelson, TJ O'Brien and Jack Oleg.

Location: The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60618

Previews: Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 pm, Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 pm and Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm
Press performances: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 13 at 3 pm
Regular run: Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, May 11, 2025
Curtain Times: Thursday, Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm & 7 pm. Please note: there will be an added performance on Monday, May 5 at 7:30 pm (Industry Night); there will not be a 7 pm performance on Sunday, May 11.

Tickets: Previews: $22. VIP reserved previews: $30. General admission: $35. VIP reserved: $43. Tickets are now on sale for all performance at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1618086.

About the Artists:

David Cerda (Playwright) is a founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 23^rd  year anniversary. As resident playwright, he has written many Handbag productions as well as acted in them. His play, The Drag Seed was recently produced at LaMaMa Experimental Theater and his Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and was 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 23 years (and counting) of work and service to the community. He lives in Chicago with his partner, Christopher.

Cheryl Snodgrass (Director) is an alumni ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag and returns to her artistic home for Scary Town. This is her ninth directing project with HIAH (Die Mommie!  Die!, Haywire, Rip Nelson's Halloween Spooktacular, SCARRIE: The Musical, L'Imitation of Life, The Birds, The Drag Seed and A Fine Feathered Murder) and her sixth David Cerda scribed show. Cheryl has worked extensively as a visiting artist at Mill Mountain Theatre and Studio Roanoke (Roanoke, VA). She has also directed for Sweetback, Glass Apple, Trap Door, The Foundlings, Tellin' Tales, Jonny Staxx Presents, Filet of Solo and Penobscot Theatre Company (Bangor, ME). 

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.