A Royal Comic Drama

Queen For a Day

“This program is one of the most ghastly shows ever produced.” Then the critic went on to call the show “tasteless, demeaning to women, demeaning to anyone who watched it.” Finally he called the program “cheap, insulting and utterly degrading to the human spirit.” Do you know what early television show earned this scathing criticism?  

Younger theatergoers probably won’t know about or remember an early television giveaway show called “Queen For a Day.” Originally a radio program, the show was broadcast afternoons on TV from 1956 to 1960, and ultimately revived and broadcast again through 1964. This schmaltzy game show was actually one of TV’s first reality shows. Contestants were introduced to a live studio audience who listened to each of the three women tell their personal story of financial, health or emotional hard times. More often than not, the contestants broke down and sobbed audibly while telling their tales of woe. Then the audience got to vote via an “applause meter” to determine who was the winner, and thus crowned Queen for a Day. Rewarding the poor woman’s tragic life, and her ability to move the audience, the contestant was given prizes ranging from fashionable clothing, new home appliances and dream vacations.

Hell in a Handbag’s 2024/25 Season concludes with this surreal, royal comic drama that bears the same name. Theatergoers familiar with that vintage TV reality program will probably recognize the similarities with Handbag’s latest World Premiere. Multitalented Ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith has not only written this brilliant, new play but also stars in it. Mr. Smith will be fondly remembered for playing a lot of comically camp roles in the past. They include such eccentric characters as Summer Breeze and three other roles in THE DRAG SEED, Marcia Macbeth in OUT, DARN SPOT, and bratty Christina Crayfish in MURDER REWROTE. But Tyler’s last foray as both a playwright and performer was playing Nance in last season’s hilarious Parody Musical, POOR PEOPLE. Mr. Tyler seems to have a true talent for lampooning familiar classics, like QUEEN FOR A DAY.

But this surreal comic drama plays more like a fever dream or a drug induced nightmare, although it’s a clever parody of that reality TV show that was so popular during the 50’s. His show focuses primarily on the three, real-life characters, each a queen in their own right, all brilliantly captured and portrayed in this production by three gifted Chicago actors. And in presenting their own sob stories, the audience can decide who, if any, deserves to win the prize. 

Mr. Smith’s plot revolves around what was probably the worst day for famous American fashion designer, the late Roy Halston. It’s the mid-1980’s. Disco’s dead, Studio 54, known for its rampant drug use and sexual hedonism, is on its way out. And Halston’s on-again, off-again relationship with artist Victor Hugo had ended. Then, after Halston signed a controversial licensing deal to design affordable clothing for J.C. Penney’s, the King of Fashion lost favor with all of his high end retailers. They felt he’d cheapened his once-revered name brand and so they dropped all ties with Halston.

The audience enters the intimate, 50-seat space at the Bramble Arts Loft. Through the dim lighting our eyes are opened by a delectably designed red room in a New York City hotel, created by Scenic Designer, Taylor Dalton. Gradually we notice there’s a moody young man sitting on a red couch. Dressed in his signature, well-tailored white suit, Roy Halston is surrounded by packing boxes. As he reluctantly takes inventory of what he’s bundling up, there’s a knock on his office door. 

Into the room sweeps none other than Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England and Ireland, and the only surviving child of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Nicknamed the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I never married. The era during which she ruled was named for her and Elizabeth’s 44-year reign is remembered for its great English drama, many English explorers and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But as Tyler Anthony Smith portrays this majestic monarch, we meet a short-tempered and indecisive ruler with piles of red hair and a powered white face. Queen Elizabeth I is convinced, however, that this is to be her final day on earth and she’s come to Halston with one request—no, one command: that he design her a breathtaking gown for her deathbed.

Now just when Smith’s surreal comic/drama seems like a two-hander, who should burst into the room but Halston’s bosom buddy, Liza Minnelli. The multi award-winning American actress, singer and dancer, whose famous mother was Judy Garland, was known to be one of Halston’s prime party pals. Along with Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger, Liza’s enjoyment of recreational drugs is matched only by Halston’s. Apparently oblivious to the presence in the room of Queen Elizabeth I, Liza joins her friend for a few lines of Coke, a couple musical numbers and some valued advice about her new act. She leaves Halston but later returns a couple more times to share the highlights of her new musical revue.

But what is this play ultimately about? Where’s the climax heading? In the theatre, surrealism juxtaposes situations in an odd way, usually sparking laughter while provoking thought and reflection. If the theatergoer listens very carefully to the description that Roy Halston gives of his lover, Victor Hugo, a secret will be revealed that, in the final moments of this play, will possibly make everything clear. At least that’s my interpretation. But audiences can also simply sit back and enjoy the offbeat humor and acting acrobatics of this production, tightly Directed by Stephanie Shaw.

Bravo to the three talented actors who bring this 75-minute drug-induced dream to life. Each performer is individually well worth the price of admission, but collectively they’re amazing. Handsome Will Lidke (last seen in Writer Theatre’s brilliant NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812) is not only the spitting image of the real Halston, but he absolutely inhabits this role to a T. During this play, Lidke runs the emotional gamut from A-Z, greedily grabbing every audience member from the very beginning. 

But that grip is swiftly wrestled away the moment that Tyler Anthony Smith’s Elizabeth I sashay’s into the space. As the Queen, bedecked in Rachel M. Sypniewski’s luminous Tudor gown, crowned with Keith Ryan’s beautifully-styled Wig and looking arrestingly authentic via Syd Genco’s Makeup Design, Smith is simply captivating. The emotional matchup that ensues is what makes this play so exciting and entertaining.

Then, just when it couldn’t get any better—it does! Dakota Hughes takes the stage in a tour de force performance as Liza with a Z. Enjoyed around Chicagoland in so many prior productions, this astoundingly versatile and gifted actor has played, among other roles, the crusty pianist Mr. Braithwaite, in Paramount’s BILLY ELLIOT, Lil’ Orphan Artie in Handbag’s POOR PEOPLE, spunky chambermaid Martha in Theo Ubique’s THE SECRET GARDEN, and multiple roles in YPT’s superb production of CHARLOTTE’S WEB. In Handbag’s new production Dakota IS Liza Minnelli. And not only do we see the recognizable mannerisms of Miss Minnelli, but also the vocal quality in both the character’s speaking and singing voice. I predict a Jeff Nomination is waiting in the wings for this magnificent performer.

QUEEN FOR A DAY, Tyler Anthony Smith’s latest World Premiere, is a surrealistic dream come true. The humor, the bite and the energy level of this play all revs up to an exhilaratingly exciting production. Smith’s play constantly tops itself at every turn, because the talented cast brings a renewed dynamic performance with each new beat of action. Skillfully Directed by the cleverly creative Stephanie Shaw, and supported by a gifted technical artistic team, this surreal, royal comic drama is sure to put the sizzle in your Summer Shindig.                        

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 9-August 3 by Hell in a Handbag Productions at the Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark St.

Tickets are available at the door, at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1690572.

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