I was really impressed by the new Shakespearean send-up Out, Darn Spot! starring Tyler Anthony Smith as Lady Marcia Macbeth. Smith is a very talented actor and writer to have pulled off what is essentially a one-man show that never fails to elicit all kinds of emotions, from the deepest, darkest depression to high campy humor throughout. The play is in essence an episode of Macbeth’s late 1960s lifestyle show but done in Handbag style. Also featured within the production are a handful of hilarious throwback commercials that perfectly poke fun of the era.

David Cerda, Hell in a Handbag Artistic Director, makes a delightful appearance as writer Jacquline Susan and is as funny as ever. Caitlin Jackson also puts in some great scenes as kidnapped singer, Leslie Gore. Jackson has such an amazing singing voice, 

I still recall her portrayal of Bette Midler and I was hoping that she would be allowed to sing a portion of one of Leslie Gore's songs like "These Boots Are Made for Walking" or "You Don't Own Me" but perhaps the licensing of those songs was prohibited. 

Stephanie Shaw who directed, shot and edited this video performance did an amazing job capturing Tyler Smith's many moods and looks. Shaw also nails the colorful and psychedelic special effects common to TV and video of that period for all the supporting characters and interior scenes. In one particularly disturbing and haunting section Smith appears to be in a film similar to "The Shining" at the top of a very scary staircase which evolves into a "broken mirror" image of Smith, sans his beautiful period wig, in which he appears to deconstruct his entire character in order to show how deep the layers of depression, pathos and repression of 

sexuality affected housewives back in the 60's.  

This is a particularly timely piece right now as so many of us are trapped at home alone for extended periods of time, like the housewives of the 1960’s. Tyler Anthony Smith conveys with a single piercing  look directly into the camera - just how very lonely and distressing this situation is,  especially when your spouse is not providing you with the sexual or even platonic affection that every human being needs to survive this kind of home lockdown.

Although I sincerely miss the wonderful live shows from Hell in A Handbag, that I've enjoyed for so many years, I am pleased to see this great quality of absurdist, even avant-garde, theater created in a video format for audiences to discover and watch time and time again. The show has so many twists and turns and the monologues are so richly written, I would need to watch it again to absorb it all. 

Although the dark comedy and multilayered Out, Darn Spot! might be a slight break from the pure camp stage comedy that one usually sees from HIAH, it is a successful and important production that could be used as Tyler Anthony Smith's calling card for years to come. 

Out, Darn Spot! will stream through March 21, 2021 (Thursdays, Fridays & Saturday at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm) via Vimeo. Tickets ($17) are currently available at handbagproductions.org or directly through Eventbrite.