A Surreal, Gay Intergalactic Adventure

I Promised Myself to Live Faster

Following a wild and welcoming opening number by a lovely chanteuse, we’re introduced to an Everyman, named Tim. He’s an affable gay young guy who needs a change. Right now, he’s just too overcome by his disappointing love life to even get out of bed. His blankets are strewn with trash, old magazines and empty Chinese restaurant takeout containers. A jovial barkeep suddenly appears out of nowhere, trying to help Tim by curiously directing him to the grungy men’s room. All of a sudden Tim finds himself tumbling through a portal, bound for a surreal, gay intergalactic adventure around the universe. 

Like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, or Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Tim meets all manner of alien beast and being during his bizarre psychedelic journey. But instead of a gingham dress and ruby slippers, Tim finds his bedclothes replaced with a kicky, shimmering spangled loincloth and a pair of snazzy sneakers that light up the night. His travels begin, and Tim finds himself on a strange planet. There he encounters three neighborly nuns who have devoted their lives to the virgin breeding and childbearing of homosexuals. However, in order to prevent the extinction Gay Men and Women around the universe, Tim must become a warrior in the Battle for the Holy Gay Flame. It’s in danger of being extinguished; if it’s put out it would spell the end of the Homosexual Race.

On his intergalactic quest, Tim runs into all sorts of fabulous creatures, including Ah-Ni, an Evil Bishop who at first appears to be his adversary. But as his adventures take Tim to the far reaches of outer space, bouncing gayly between the stars and planets, both Tim and the Bishop undergo some unexpected transformations. Amidst all the silliness, glitter and special effects, the crazy characters and bawdy adventures, this highly enjoyable play offers the message that our tomorrows are never promised to us. But, if we step outside our comfort zone and just go for it, there are bound to be unlimited rewards waiting.

Directed by JD Caudill, they demonstrate unsurpassed energy, an eye for the awesome and astonishing, and even more sensitivity than ever imagined. They’re supported by Carly Belle Cason’s powerful Violence Design, as well as Intimacy direction courtesy of Spencer Douglas Clark. This flashy, campy star trek blends science fiction with all manner of gay tropes and cultural references. 

Technical support plays a huge role in this production, and every moment is designed and created by a team of gifted theatre artists. Jonathan Berg-Einhorn designed the eye-popping interplanetary Scenic Design, filling the air with bulbous,  bubble-like effects. The tireless duo of Beth Laske-Miller and Rachel Sypniewski must’ve worked their tiny fingers to the bone designing and styling so many imaginative and glitzy Costumes for this cast. Their work is supported by Sydney Genco’s beautiful, but bizarre, Makeup Designs and Keith Ryan’s delightful ditzy Wigs. 

A dazzling Lighting Design is the gift that Liz Cooper has given this production and Danny Rockett provides all manner of music and alien Sounds for this show. Bren Coombs must be commended for the extraordinary array of unbelievable Props created for this play, and Lolly Extract/Jabberwocky Marionettes has developed a menagerie of out-of-this-world puppets that simply wow the audience.      

The talented cast is comprised of many familiar faces from Hell in a Handbag’s stable of actors, most of them doing double, triple and quadruple duty. The ensemble is led by a terrific performance by Robert Williams as Tim. He’s paired with an incredible David Cerda as the interstellar Bishop, Ah-Ni. Together these two actors tear up the Chopin stage. They’re supported by a company of accomplished, adept and very versatile actors who appear in so many different roles. It’s unbelievable how this small a cast is able to portray so many characters! They include Kim Boler, Taylor Dalton, Caitlin Jackson, Sydney Genco, Tyler Anthony Smith, Emmanuel Ramirez, Ben Stacy and the wonderful Lolly Extract.

Chicago is so fortunate to have David Cerda’s Hell in a Handbag Productions. Still going strong, even after the pandemic closed so many theaters, the company continues their 21st season of plays and musicals geared toward the LGBT+ community with this hilarious, gay sci fi extravaganza. The Windy City premiere of this glittery, tantalizing two-act tale of closeted extraterrestrials was written by Greg Moss and Pig Iron. It was originally conceived by Pig Iron Theatre Company, an interdisciplinary ensemble, “dedicated to the creation of new and exuberant performances that defy easy categorization.” And now, after its highly lauded appearance at the Humana Festival, Chicago audiences can enjoy Tim’s gay adventures lost in space.  

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 23-April 30 by Hell in a Handbag Productions at The Chopin Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to either buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/825817 or www.handbagproductions.org.

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