The St. Olaf Way

The Golden Girls: The Cheese Pyramid

Since I’ve been such a fan for so long, it’s hard to believe that Hell in a Handbag Productions has been entertaining Chicago audiences now for a quarter of a century of fun! David Cerda’a delightful company of actors, often appearing in drag, have presented a number of original entertainments, most of them parodies of movies, plays and TV shows that are familiar to many theatergoers. One of Handbag’s most popular tropes is THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES. This gives Artistic Director, playwright and actor, David Cerda, a wide range of possible plot lines and an endless supply of comic characters and situations to explore.

Once again, magically transported back from the mid-1980’s, come that fabulous female foursome, Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia. Along with them come members of their family and friends. They’ve arrived again in Chicago this summer to present another brand new, heretofore unaired episode, from this beloved television comedy. This is the latest parody from Jeff Award-winner David Cerda, whose sassy, spot-on satires spoof that television show. Here he presents our favorite Floridians, these delightful middle-aged Miami Mamas, who’ve become famous for solving their personal problems over a late night nosh of cheesecake. 

In this, the company’s 25th year of saucy, audacious Golden Girl storylines, Mr. Cerda focuses mainly on Betty White’s character of Rose Nyland. Always the star of every GOLDEN GIRL LOST EPISODE, Handbag superstar, Ed Jones once again masterfully portrays lovely, naive Rose with those deer-in-the-headlight eyes, that signature toothy smile and the huge mass of platinum blonde hair. It’s always worth the price of admission just to spend a few hours with Ed Jones’ perfectly-polished senior citizen. In this episode, Rose has become worried about not having enough money for her retirement years. So she has innocently become trapped in a strange and suspicious multilevel pyramid scheme that involves selling cheese from Minnesota, in the St. Olaf Way.

Rose is rescued by her friends, Dorothy (played with intelligence by David Cerda), sultry Blanche, (beautifully portrayed by talented Grant Drager) and Sophia, Dorothy’s opinionated Italian mother. Over the years of Golden Girl parodies, the role of Sophia has been portrayed by gifted drag performers Adrian Hadlock and Ryan Oates. Actress Kelly Bolton has also enacted the saucy Sicilian senior citizen a few times as well, and she returns for the current production. The three gals work together to hatch a plan that will save their gullible friend, Rose. 

Actively pulling the entire audience into the story, the Golden Girls decide to unload the many crates of fromage by throwing a huge cheese and wine party. They’re heartily helped by Scott Sawa, as Stan Sbornak, Dorothy’s ex-husband. While Mr. Sawa has been seen before as Stan the schmuck, this episode gives him his greatest opportunity to show his stuff. And previously enjoyed in Handbag’s production of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE NORTH POLE, Gretchen Greear plays villain, Inga Ostenkogen. She’s excellent and always pushes the envelope as the loud, brash head cheese of the Pyramid. Watch this actress carefully because I predict we’ll be seeing much more of her in future productions.

But the funniest character in this Lost Episode, played by one of the cleverest and sharpest talents in the Handbag stable of actors, is Madame Zuhara. She’s portrayed by the incomparable Danne W. Taylor, and employs the actor’s typical dry delivery and raunchy humor. I’d enjoy an entire Golden Girl episode focusing on this zany character. With a cigarette dangling from her lips and a liquor bottle always within reach, Mr. Taylor is a pip. Every look, each line and all those wild gestures are totally hilarious, because Danne really knows what he’s doing in any part he plays. Over his 35 years in the Chicago Theatre, along with the many wonderful roles he’s performed with HIAH Productions, Mr. Taylor’s also been enjoyed at Pride Films & Plays, Bailiwick Rep and Mary-Archie. Danne’s hilarious portrayal of an elderly Nancy Drew, as well as his award-winning role as a famous Playwright in HIS GREATNESS, are my two favorites. Mr. Taylor definitely has the talent and credentials to back up everything he does on any stage. 

There are many behind-the-scenes creatives who’ve helped bring this production to life. Talented director Brigitte Ditmars cleverly stages her production in this intimate venue. She makes good use of the whole theatre, with the aisles often filled with moving actors. Ms. Ditmars keeps the pacing perky, although at times the actors stray a bit from the script, killing the comic rhythm. Marcus Klein has a done a great job of creating a scenic design that works well on the tiny stage. Kudos, also, to Peter Neville of Image Control Unit for producing the many videos seen in the flatscreen TV. When kept to a minimum, they enhance the play; but when overused, they tend to slow the pace. Ben Kress has designed some great costumes. In particular, Rose’s Dutch girl-inspired Cheese Queen is beautiful and funny, and Madame Zuhara’s glittery caftan, cloche and gloves are perfection! All the makeups have been designed with finesse by Syd Genco, and Keith Ryan’s wigs are some of the understated stars of this, and every Handbag production.

This very funny, often adult-rated comic creation, ranks up there with David Cerda’s other hilarious, LGBTQ+ Hell in a Handbag creations. Never subtle, always totally over-the-top, this new parody of THE GOLDEN GIRLS is perfect for a light-hearted summer entertainment. Not only is this lost episode fast-paced, funny and filled with R-rated fun, but there’s even an opportunity to get your photo taken with the cast after the show, especially with the newest cast member: sweet, little Walter the Wonder Dog. The one disappointing aspect on opening night was that the show’s running time was much longer than advertised. But regardless, theatergoers can don their caftan, cut themselves a serving of cheesecake and settle in at The Clutch for an evening of cheerfulness and cheese, the St. Olaf Way!

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 8-June 21 by Hell in a Handbag Productions at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to www.handbagproductions.org and www.buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/2078392

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

Photos by Rick Augilar