Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to 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. Written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Drag Seed will play February 24 – March 20, 2022 at The Chopin Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets available at handbagproductions.org and thedragseed.eventbrite.com. The press opening is Sunday, February 27 at 7 pm.
Please note: Handbag will require proof of full vaccination and masking at all performances. The entire cast and crew is fully vaccinated and tested regularly.
Handbag is also pleased to announce that following its Chicago run, The Drag Seed will play a limited engagement March 31 – April 10, 2022 at the legendary La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City, featuring the full Chicago cast.
The revival features ensemble members David Cerda*, Sydney Genco*, Ed Jones*, Elizabeth Lesinski*, Tyler Anthony Smith* and Danne W. Taylor* with Kelly Anchors and Patrick O’Keefe. Understudies: Nicky Mendelsohn*, Elizabeth Rude and Jamie Smith.
Carson (Patrick O’Keefe) is a perfect little boy who likes to dress like the perfect little girl and they’re deadly serious about crowns and pronouns. Carson’s mother, Connie (Ed Jones), loves and accepts Carson but wishes Carson wasn’t so competitive. Carson always gets what they want, and they really want to win the drag pageant at their very progressive school – The Josephine Baker Rainbow Academy for Gifted Students. When Carson loses to Summer Breeze, they vow to get that crown – one way or another…
The production team includes Lauren Nichols (scenic design), Gregory Graham (costume design), Liz Cooper (lighting design), DJ Douglass (sound design), Pamela Parker* (props design), Keith Ryan* (wig design), Sydney Genco* (make-up design), R & D Fight Choreography (fight choreography), Abby Teel (production manager) and Drew Donnelly* (stage manager).
*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: The Drag Seed
Playwright: Artistic Director David Cerda*
Director: Cheryl Snodgrass
Cast (in alphabetical order): Kelly Anchors (Lee the Janitor), David Cerda* (Miss Charles), Sydney Genco* (Jen Fritata), Ed Jones* (Connie Lingus), Elizabeth Lesinski* (Wendy Breeze), Patrick O’Keefe (Carson Lingus), Tyler Anthony Smith* (Summer Breeze, Sonny Breeze) and Danne W. Taylor *(Ms. Ficus). Understudies: Nicky Mendelsohn*, Elizabeth Rude and Jamie Smith.
Dates: Previews: Thursday, February 24 at 7:30 pm, Friday, February 25 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, February 26 at 7:30
Opening/Press performance: Sunday, February 27 at 7 pm
Regular run: Saturday, February 25 – Sunday, March 20, 2022
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 4 pm
Industry Night: Monday, March 14 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $27 advanced general admission, $32 at the door, $50 VIP/reserved seating with drink ticket. Group rates $25 for 10 or more. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at handbagproductions.org and thedragseed.eventbrite.com.
About the Artists
David Cerda (Playwright) is a founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 20th year anniversary. As resident playwright, he has written many Handbag productions as well as acted in them. His Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and will be featured in Golden Con in Chicago, the world’s first fan convention dedicated to all things Golden Girls at Navy Pier. As a Latinx queer individual, he is a proud inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and recipient of a Jeff Award for lifetime achievement for his 25 years (and counting) of work and service to the community. He lives in Chicago with his partner, Christopher.
Cheryl Snodgrass (Director) works regularly with Hell in a Handbag. Productions include Die, Mommie! Die!, Scarrie: The Musical, L’Imitation of Life and The Birds. She has performed with Handbag in Caged Dames and The Birds, and has assisted David Cerda in developing a number of scripts. Cheryl has worked with playwright Jeff Goode directing the premiere productions of Poona the F*ckdog and Other Plays for Children, The Emancipation of Alabaster McGill and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues among others. She directed To the New Girl and Hoist for Foundlings, as well as Shadows of Birds and Lighthouses in the Desert with Glass Apple. Cheryl most recently returned from Bangor, ME after directing Who’s Holiday. Next up is the world premiere of Handbag’s A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery.
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.