Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce its 25th Anniversary Season, featuring three "camptacular" shows guaranteed to delight lovers of their signature theater style. For a quarter-century, Handbag has served Chicago audiences its unique brand of camp and ridiculousness – earning a fiercely dedicated following and a recent induction into the 2026 Chicago LGBT+ Hall of Fame. Season subscriptions on are on sale here.
Hell in a Handbag opens its 2026-27 Season this holiday season with the world premiere of Artistic Director David Cerda's* It's a Horrible Life – A Golden Girls Lost Episodes Musical Parody, the first musical installment in the company's long-running Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes parody series. Following a string of holiday mishaps and a disastrous audition for the Miami Senior Center's production of It's a Wonderful Life, Dorothy (David Cerda*) begins to question her very existence. An angel intervenes, revealing that her roommates wouldn't last 20-minutes without her.
Directed by Ryan Kennedy, the cast also includes Kelly Bolton*, Grant Drager*, Ed Jones*, Scott Sawa*, Britain Shutters, Danne W. Taylor* and Honey West. It's a Horrible Life will be presented at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Single tickets are on now on sale here.
The season continues this winter with the return of the Handbag favorite Caged Dames, Artistic Director David Cerda's* musical parody inspired by the women's prison films of the '40s and '50s, particularly Caged starring Eleanor Parker. Originally produced in 2006, Caged Dames tells the story of Mary Parker, an innocent young woman who, through a series of unfortunate events, lands in the big house – the Calumet City, Illinois Women's Penitentiary – and learns all about the cold hard facts of life – the hard way. Caged Dames will also be presented at Theater Wit.
The final show of Handbag's 25th Anniversary Season is out of this world (see what we did there?) Next summer, Handbag is proud to present the Chicago premiere of KHAN!!! The Musical! (A Parody Trek-tacular) featuring music, lyrics and book by Brent Black and co-conceived by Alina Roth.
This funny and clever parody/love letter is based on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: The Next Generation with an entirely original score. The beauty of the show is that it's fun for Trekkies, Broadway fans and "normies" alike – and you don't have to know anything about Star Trek to enjoy it! This spaced-out summer romp will be staged at The Clutch, Handbag's intimate boutique space at 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.
Handbag will also continue to present readings and entertainment throughout the season celebrating 25 years of absurdity,
Hell in a Handbag Artistic Director and Co-Founder David Cerda* comments, "I suppose 25 years is a long time for a theatre company. Some days it feels that way. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I'm proud of what we have done as a company and will continue to create art until I get that damn McArthur Genius Award. I want this season to celebrate who we are and continue to bring joy to people."
*Denotes Handbag ensemble member
Hell in a Handbag's 25th Anniversary Season:
December 3, 2026 – January 4, 2027
It's a Horrible Life – A Golden Girls Lost Episodes Musical Parody
By Artistic Director David Cerda*
Directed by Ryan Kennedy
Featuring Kelly Bolton*, David Cerda*, Grant Drager*, Ed Jones*, Scott Sawa*, Britain Shutters, Danne W. Taylor* and Honey West
at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets now on sale here.
February 11 – 28, 2027
Caged Dames
Book and Music by Artistic Director David Cerda
at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
August 7 – September 19, 2027
KHAN!!! The Musical! (A Parody Trek-Tacular)
Music, Lyrics and Book by Brent Black
Co-Conceived by Alina Roth
at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago
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.
