A World Premier to Die For

Murder ReWrote

One of Chicago’s most multitalented young creatives, Ed Rutherford is likely known to many theatergoers as the Producing Artistic Director of eerie Black Button Eyes Productions. With a definite fascination for murder, mysteries and all things supernatural, Mr. Rutherford has penned many fascinating and often horrifying melodramas and musicals, including the Jeff nominated “Mary Rose” and the ghoulish “Nightmares & Nightcaps.” As a prolific director, Ed has guided such wonderfully frightening productions as “Coraline,” “Shockheaded Peter,” “Evil Dead, the Musical,” Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” and many others. Working together with the cleverly camp Hell in a Handbag Productions, Ed Rutherford has collaborated with Jeff Citation winner and prolific composer and lyricist, George Howe, to create this wild and witty parody of one of television’s most popular and long-running series.

Everyone of a certain age has at least heard of, and has probably watched, “Murder, She Wrote.” The televised mystery series ran from 1984-1996. It was a lighthearted drama that featured the character of Jessica Fletcher, an elderly amateur sleuth and world-famous mystery writer. She resided in the tiny town of Cabot Cove, Maine, where murders occurred as often as trips to the market. Perfectly portrayed by Angela Lansbury, the multitalented and award-winning star of stage, screen and television, this widowed and retired English teacher was far more perceptive than the local police. By carefully looking at all the clues and asking just the right questions, Jessica was able to solve every murder case that confronted the authorities. In this way, Mrs. Fletcher reminded mystery readers of her English counterpart, Agatha Christie’s lovable Miss Marple.

In Hell in a Handbag’s latest consciously campy comedy, brilliantly Directed by Anthony Whitaker and Musically Directed and accompanied by Andrew Milliken, a murder is about to be committed. Bessica Jeatrice Feltcher, or BJ as she’s affectionately known, arrives in town to visit her nephew, Grady.  She considers him the smartest of all her nieces and nephews because he’s her only relative who ever learned how to drive. Together they head over to the luxurious mansion of June Crayfish, where the simple-minded Grady is employed. 

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to Joan Crawford, June coincidentally also has an adopted, blonde daughter named Christina, a spoiled youngster given to melodramatic manic outbursts. June’s household staff includes her faithful, longtime assistant, Carol-Ann, and a questionable Eastern European cook named Helga. When a murder is committed at the end of Act I, June’s life is suddenly turned upside-down by Detective Marigold, sleazy burlesque club owner Sal Ciabatta and even her psychotic pet kitty, Muff-Muff. But fear not: Bessica Feltcher is on the case, along with the audience’s added participation. In an inventive and exciting twist, a la “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” theatergoers are asked to use their cell phones to vote with which of five suspects they think committed the murder. It’s promised that a different suspect could be arrested at the end of each performance.          

Magnificent Britain Gebhardt is making her Handbag debut, but the talented actress, with the belting voice of a young Ethel Merman, is no stranger to Chicago theatre. Seen in “Head Over Heels” (Kokandy Productions), as Sue Snell in “Carrie 2: The Rage” (Underscore Theater) and as Sister Mary in “Disaster!” (Chicago Theatre Workshop), Ms. Gebhardt opens the show and takes control of solving the mystery to the very end. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of this lovely, extremely talented musical actress in the near future.

Gifted David Cerda, HIAH Production’s multitalented Artistic Director, is the natural choice to play faded film star, June Crayfish, once again in the style of Joan Crawford. Stunningly portrayed, Mr. Cerda dazzles in Madeline FeLauer’s gorgeous costumes and Keith Ryan’s character-correct wigs. As always, like when he plays Dorothy Zbornak in “The Golden Girls” parodies, David  hams it up to the max in every scene. Bathing luxuriously in Liz Cooper’s superb spotlighting and illumination, Mr. Cerda is, as always, the consummate star.

Forsaking his familiar “Golden Girls” persona as sexpot Blanche Devereaux, talented Grant Drager humorously plays nephew Grady Feltcher like an obedient puppy dog. Handbag favorite Ed Jones, known primarily for his hilarious portrayal of “Golden Girl” Rose Nylund, is wonderfully mysterious as June’s devoted helpmate, Carol-Ann. Tyler Anthony Smith, seen in countless Handbag productions, chews up the scenery as bratty young Christina Crayfish. 

The hardworking ensemble is comprised of Mark Bartishell playing Helga, and others; Caroline Kidwell as Officer Marigold, and others; Matt Patrick as Sal Ciabatta, and others; and Cathy Reyes McNamara as the operator of Lolly Extract’s creative puppet, Muff-Muff, along with others. And, all of the ensemble members play multiple roles in several wacky and whimsical, very adult commercials that have been built into the script.

There’s no denying that when it comes to LGBT+ parodies of 20th century pop culture, Hell in a Handbag is in a class all their own. The witty writing team of Ed Rutherford (book & lyrics) and George Howe (music & lyrics) have given Chicago audiences a world premier to die for! It’s a brand new tuneful satire to enjoy as the summer theatre season sadly draws to a close. Hopefully, if judged by the unbridled enthusiasm of the opening night audience, this will be just the beginning. Let us all hope that Bessica Feltcher, particularly as hilarioulsy portrayed by talented Britain Gebhardt, will return to solve another “Murder, Rewrote” mystery…maybe even more!  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 10-September 16 by Hell in a Handbag Productions at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Den box office, by calling 773-697-3830 or by going www.bit.ly.MurderReWrote, www.thedentheatre.com or www.handbagproductions.org.

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