A Howling Halloween Edition

The Golden Girls: Bea Afraid! – Hell in a Handbag

 

David Cerda’s creativity is a never-ending pool of pop parodies and perverse playfulness. This multi-gifted actor, playwright and songwriter, who was inducted last year into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, is fully deserving of his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jeff committee. He’s a real treasure among the Chicago theatre community and, if there’s any doubt about how brilliant he is, come see Hell in a Handbag’s latest comic offering—if you can still snag a ticket!

Artistic Director, David Cerda proudly presents the third installment of the company’s crowd-pleasing parodies of the classic TV sitcom, “The Golden Girls.” This hilarious new pastiche offers two “lost” Halloween episodes from the television series’ six seasons of popular comedy programming. Following last summer’s gleeful “Volume 2: Another Helping of Cheesecake,” the newest installment includes a spoof of the beloved characters with horror films, “Poltergeist” and “The Exorcist.” Rumor has it that Handbag’s Golden Girls will now be a regular, late night offering.    

They say that everything old is new again, and, on the heels of their recent hit comedy, Adrian Hadlock has adapted his scenic design from The Artificial Jungle” into the familiar Miami ranch style home, complete with a palm-lined lanai. Rachel Lake and Jeremy Hollis have lit the show, while Danny Rockett’s sound design features a horror film-inspired musical track, in addition to the TV show’s well-known theme song and incidental music. Besides writing the script, starring in the show and serving as Executive Producer, David Cerda also created the whimsical, sexy costumes for all the characters. He’s ably assisted by Keith Ryan’s very impressive wigs, and Sydney Genco’s stylish makeup designs.

Along with some of their friends and neighbors, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia are all back once more for an Autumn of Halloween hilarity. Back in their colorful polyester frocks and retro bouffant hairdos, David Cerda reprises his role as Dorothy Sbornak. It’s difficult to imagine any other actor this wonderful at recreating Bea Arthur’s character from the TV series. With his towering presence, deep, gravelly voice and deadpan takes, Mr. Cerda is, as always, perfection.

Also back in his stylish pumps is Handbag’s incomparable comic treasure, Ed Jones, once again playing Rose Nylund. Mr. Jones can provoke gales of laughter, simply by walking into a room. He’s perfected Betty White’s innocent, wide-eyed look and makes great use of it in this production. Jones’ platinum blonde, cotton candy coif, childlike reactions and naive pronouncements are topped only by his character’s intricate and inane stories about growing up in rural Minnesota. In one of the “lost” episodes, Rose becomes possessed by a pirate ghost and then she really lets her freak flag fly.

Also returning for another go around is talented Adrian Hadlock, once again recreating his spot-on portrayal of Dorothy’s 83-year-old mother, Sophia Petrillo. The diminutive Mr. Hadlock perfectly nails everything about Estelle Getty’s performance: her walk, her staccato vocal pattern, her birdlike glare, the way she keeps a death-grip on her pocketbook—everything. Inspiring so many laughs and being so authentic, theatergoers might think that Hell in a Handbag Productions has somehow managed to resurrect the ghost of Estelle Getty.

Ensemble member extraordinaire, Grant Drager, once again plays the role of Blanche Devereaux, the oversexed Southern belle, whose Floridian flat is home to all four ladies. The svelte Mr. Drager recreates Blanche’s saucy, provocative moves while scampering across the stage in his high heels, flirting shamelessly with every man around, posing sensuously and flashing that seductive smile, for which actress Rue McClanahan became so famous. Based on the steamy charisma Mr. Drager brings to this character, Blanche is, once again, in very good hands—as she’d want to be.

Like the previous “Lost Episodes,” this special edition also features some familiar supporting actors from the Handbag company, while introducing one new face. Playing several roles, Michael S. Miller is very funny as Herbert, a handsome guest from Chicago. He also steps into the drag role of witchy next-door-neighbor, Pamela. Michael Rashid does triple duty as Esther, Ralph and hunky priest named Father Moretti. One of Handbag’s favorite versatile young actors, handsome Chazie Bly, dons his drag to portray young trick-or-treater, Daisy, while stripping down to his sexy briefs, to play Jazzy Jeff. Playing party guest Helen, along with sexy Sister Shante, Robert Williams brings sass and side-splitting comedy to this production. Mr. Williams may best be remembered as Annie, in the company’s delightful “L’imitation of Life.” And, making his much-welcome debut with Hell in a Handbag Productions, the brilliant Danne W. Taylor is side-splitting as Sophia’s Sicilian rival, Sylvia Martinelli. He also is superb while portraying a senior citizen version of famed teen detective, Nancy Drew. 

Welcomed by ensemble member Frankie Leo Bennett and, on alternate nights, Maureen SanDiego, our “hostess” encourages the audience to sing along with the famous opening number, “Thank You For Being a Friend.” She also entertains between each episode with a “Golden Girls” trivia contest, during which audience members can earn prizes. Like the summer’s offering, this production is once again skillfully staged and choreographed by guest director, Becca Holloway, and she’s done a great job of keeping this cast and these two stories in motion.

For a limited time this Fall, theatergoers can take another rollicking trip down memory lane with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia. Hell in a Handbag Productions is serving up a generous helping of offbeat, side-splitting adult humor that won’t be found anywhere else in Chicago. Beneath the period costumes, the pouffy wigs and the preposterous plots there also beats a gentle heart. It’s the same message that made the original TV series, now currently enjoyed in syndication, such a memorable, much-loved experience. Because, in the end, amid all the jokes and humor, “The Golden Girls” is a tribute to simply being a friend.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas   

 

Presented October 13-November 3 by Hell in a Handbag Productions, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-327-5252 or by going to www.handbagproductions.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.