A Flaming Good Time

Joan Crawford Goes to Hell

In continued celebration of their 25th year of creative and hilarious parodies and productions, a company that often features drag performances and LGBT+ storylines in their plays and musicals, Chicago is being treated to a revival a fan favorite from 1999. Jeff Award-winner David Cerda, the founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, wrote and stars in JOAN CRAWFORD GOES TO HELL, a funny, festive and far-out comedy that offers theatergoers an absolute flaming good time.

The hilarious comedy is a veritable roller coaster ride of scenes, each one more outrageous and preposterous than the last. At the top of the show, Joan Crawford, one of Hollywood’s most famous and notorious drama queens of the silver screen, has died and landed in hell. The play’s satanic antagonist, Mr. Deville, (played with fiendish glee by Nick Dorado) greets Ms. Crawford at the entrance, a landscape filled with furious flames and fireballs. He forces the diva film star to look back at her life through the eyes of adopted daughter, Christina. Part “Mommie, Dearest,” part snatches from Ms. Crawford’s autobiography, My Way of Life, the show is camp and constantly over the top.

This revival production is beautifully performed by some of Hell in a Handbag’s favorite players, as well as a few welcome newcomers. The titular role is so big and demanding that it needs three Joans to tell the story. The incomparable David Cerda, famously known for his many prima donna performances, is positively stunning, sexy and sensational as the first Joan, the deceased diva in hell. He portrays a woman who always beat the odds and was unapologetic about who she was. And talk about chewing the scenery! There are teeth marks all over Marcus Kein’s stylish set design. And, through a superbly created video and projection design by DJ Douglas, a couple other impersonations of Joan Crawford also appear, offering cameo appearances by Jennifer Engstrom and Coco Sho-Nell. 

But in some very shrewd casting, Mr. Cerda is matched on stage by Gretchen Greear, as Joan #2, and Nicholas Ian, as Joan #3. Ms. Greear returns to Hell in a Handbag, after appearing in THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE CHEESE PYRAMID and THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE NORTH POLE. She also happens to be a very talented burlesque performer at Chicago’s famous Stars and Garters nightclub. Gretchen powerfully portrays Joan as a sexy siren and film star with some top notch choreographic capability. Nicholas Ian is only just making their dazzling debut with Hell in a Handbag, however they’ve been enjoyed at many other Chicagoland theaters. Nickie was seen in RIDE THE CYCLONE at Paramount, GODSPELL at Music Theater Works and in THE SECRET GARDEN at Theo Unique. So in the role of Joan Crawford we get three stellar performances, each filled with melodrama and passion, from a trio of top actors who absolutely own the stage.

In addition to the three Joans, we are treated to two Christina Crawfords. Lovely, petite Haley Gillman (STEAMWORKS: THE MUSICAL, at Annoyance Theatre) makes her Handbag debut as Christina #1. A fine, talented actress, Ms. Gillman brings both the humor and horror to her portrayal of Joan Crawfords pretty, young daughter. TJ O’Brien, a familiar face at Hell in a Handbag productions, (RUDOLF THE RED-HOSED REINDEER, SCARY TOWN) recreates the role that he originated in the 1999 production. As Christina #2, O’Brien narrates the demonic tale with a hilariously exaggerated Southern drawl and the frozen facial expression and demeanor of someone who has endured abuse and trauma for years. Both actors each make the character their own side-splitting, psychotic creation.

The supporting cast is equally funny and full of flair. Ryan Kenny makes a great Carol Ann, Joan’s fiercely devoted assistant, maid and confidant. The actor also plays additional ensemble characters, as well. Playing both Barbara Bennett, a real-life actress of the day, as well as Al Steel and a strange woman named Helga, and others, is the fabulous comic actress, Lori Lee. Masterful Michael Rashid plays debonaire “Uncle” Greg with relish, a character who’s having a relationship with Ms. Crawford. Nick Dorado returns to the stage as the famous producer of MGM Studios, LB Mayer. Tyler Calhoun does a fine job playing Miss Anchors and other ensemble members, and Anna Rose Steinmayer wears three hats as ensemble member, dancer and understudy.

The production is capably directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, marking her eleventh production with Hell in a Handbag. With the same skill and panache that she demonstrated in staging and guiding shows like SCARRIE: THE MUSICAL and DIE MOMMIE! DIE!, Ms. Snodgrass keeps the story moving and her large cast on their toes. The production is costumed in perfect period style by Ben Argenta Kress, capped by Keith Ryan’s expressive wig design. And Syd Genco’s madcap makeup designs complete the look of each character, especially the bright red lipstick and arched eyebrows of the three onstage Joan Crawfords. A special nod to Danny Rockett’s spot-on sound design, along with some specialized props, courtesy of Maggie O’Brien.

As Summer in the city slowly draws to a close, Hell in a Handbag is back to provide Chicago theatergoers with one final, funny, far-out and festive comic treat, to which we can toast with a Singapore Sling. It’s a bawdy and  ballsy production in typical camp Handbag style, with David Cerda’s masterful creativity taking centerstage as the queen of the silver screen. At JOAN CRAWFORD GOES TO HELL, one thing is certain: audiences are going to be in for a flaming good time!  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 21-September 27 by Hell in a Handbag Productions, at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or go to either www.handbagproductions.org or https://buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/2276662 

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

Photos by Rick Aguilar Studios