 |
|
     |
 |
they're all gonna laugh at you...CAST
PATRICIA AUSTIN (Diana Goins; Dance Captain) is excited to play with
ADAM COOK (Scooter; Marketing) is pleased to be a part of SCARRIE -
ED JONES (Margaret White) is an ensemble member with Handbag,
KYRA LEWANDOWSKI (Candy Burns) This is Kyra’s first time working
with Handbag, so please
ROBYN SENCHAK (Chris Hargensen) thanks you for coming to see SCARRIE
- The Musical.
KEVIN SIMMONS (Steve Austin) Most recently, Kevin has been seen AARON SMITH (Drummer) grew up in the wilderness surrounding Peoria, IL, where he spent the 80s annoying neighbors by playing in loud punk and rock bands, and annoying his parents by watching The Wizard of Oz over and over. After graduating from Bradley University and Morehead State University, he eventually moved to Chicago where he began singing in Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus in 1997. Aaron has performed with Feast of Fools Cabaret and in the (mostly) queer band Flesh Hungry Dog. This is his first time in the Handbag.
JOEY STEAKLEY (Carrie White) received his BFA from Southern
CREWDAVID CERDA (Book, Lyrics, & Music) is the Artistic Director for Hell In A Handbag Productions and has written and appeared in Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer; How ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ Happened, and POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical (New York International Fringe Festival Best Ensemble Award and most attended show). In his tenure as Co-Artistic Director of Sweetback Productions he wrote and appeared in The Birds (co-written w/Pauline Pang), Joan Crawford Goes to Hell!, the Jacqueline Susann monologues in Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls, Touched by Jayne Mansfield, Queen of the Roundup(Lyrics and Music) and the original late-night Carrie parody, sCarrie! The Musical. Some of these shows have been produced in Baltimore, NYC, and Omaha. Yes, Omaha. David was most recently seen as Miss Fern in Corn Production’s The Bad Seed - The Musical!!, the NewTown Writers’ Solo Homo 3, and various Feast of Fools shows as an egomaniac who thinks he’s Joan Crawford. Thank you Taylor E. Ross, Jackie Anderson, Ryan H. Mackey, David Zak, Charles Busch, Curt Columbus, Margot Bordelon, the entire cast & crew, and Christopher Yourex. Please forgive any omissions as I am writing this a month before the actual opening and may want to retract some of these thank you’s. Okay, is my bio longer then Merrie Greenfield’s? TAYLOR E. ROSS (Music, Bass Guitar) is a composer, musician and owner of his own music production company, Third Wish Music. Taylor is the Band Director for Feast of Fools Cabaret and Fausto Fernos. He has also composed and performed original music for performance artists Bill Harding, Joan Jett-Blakk (Terrence Smith), Gurlene Hussey (Doug Stapleton), Gurlette Hussey (Randy Eslinger) and Gene Poole (Bill Harding). Ross composed music for many independent films: The Lesson directed by Mindy Hilt; Lick Bush In ‘92 directed by Elspeth Kydd and Gabriel Gomez; When They Come Alive directed by Robert Colucci and Stashu Kybartis; and Lying Together directed by Arthur Stone. MARGOT BORDELON (Director) is thrilled to be making her Chicago directorial debut with Handbag. She is a recent transplant from Seattle, where she attended Cornish College of the Arts and co-founded Double Shot Productions, a company focused on producing highly-stylized physical comedy. For Double Shot she directed Charles Busch’s Psycho Beach Party, and two original pieces which she authored: Call in the Family and Mystery at Camp Chestnut. She spent the 2002-2003 season at the Seattle Repertory Theatre assistant directing Copenhagen, Sugar Plum Fairy, Boy Gets Girl, and Things Being What They Are. Other credits include Ball, All the Rage and The Swimming Pool Landscape, to name a few. In May she completed a nine month Artistic apprenticeship with Steppenwolf Theatre Company. BOBBIE BAGBY (Choreographer) is excited to be working with Handbag. She has extensive choreography experience. As an actress, Bobbie's Chicago credits include Hello Again (Apple Tree), Sunset Boulevard (Marriott Lincolnshire) and High Society (Theater at the Center). Regional credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, Children of Eden, Evita, Oklahoma!, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas for Missouri’s Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater. Bobbie has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Theatre Conservatory of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University (CCPA). Favorites from CCPA include Pal Joey and Something for the Boys. Thank you, Mr. Ford and Mr. Cook. JONATHAN MERCADO (Vocal Director) is honored to make his Handbag debut with SCARRIE - The Musical. He is often seen conducting church choirs throughout the South Side and South Suburbs, where he holds roughly 9 years of experience. Jon is a student at The Theatre Conservatory of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, earning his BFA in Musical Theatre. NICK SANDYS (Violence Director) is delighted to be working with the Handbaggers again, having coordinated combat for ...Baby Jane last year. His fights have most recently been seen at The Goodman, Timeline, Shattered Globe, Notre Dame, Lyric Opera of Chicago (where he is the resident fight director), The Theatre School at DePaul (where he is adjunct faculty), and at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company (where he is also an Artistic Associate). MATTHEW KOLLAR (Scenic Designer) is excited to be working for the first time with Handbag. Matt is a graduate of Loyola University, where he received a BA in Theatre. Since (and prior, for that matter) graduation, Matt has worked on countless productions in various areas for many different theatre companies. Matt would like to thank Handbag for this opportunity. He would especially like to thank Margot and Jackie for bringing him into the fold, his fiancée Laura for her constant presence in his life, and his family for always being there. BILL MOREY (Costume Designer) is happy to be working with Handbag again, having costumed ...Baby Jane. Other recent work includes Porchlight's Elegies, A New Brain (After Dark Award), and Company. He is an artistic associate at the Bailiwick, where he has costumed many shows, including The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told; Q; Being Beautiful; Bonnie and Clyde; Southern Baptist Sissies; and, strangely enough, Naked Boys Singing. He is also an artistic associate at the Griffin Theatre, where he costumed Fifth of July and Frindle and designed the sets for All the Way Home and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle. DOUG MACDONALD (Lighting Designer) Doug's come back yet again for the fun and abuse that is working with Handbag. You may have caught Doug's work for the Chicago Cultural Center's Summer Operas and last season at Opera Theatre North. Doug would like to thank his wife Liv for all her support and love. JOHN E. BURANOSKY (Prop Designer) Working in various theatrical capacities, John has been involved for nearly 30 years. Some of his favorite roles include Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), The Kralahome (The King and I), Baby John (West Side Story) Drake (Annie), and most recently The Steward (Into the Woods). All the great men-in-servitude roles. His favorite directing credits include Something’s Afoot, A…My Name is Alice, and Sunday in the Park with George. He has worked with Handbag on …Baby Jane and Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer. John resides in Chicago with his dog Zofie and works at the Notebaert Nature Museum. Thanks to David and all the Handbaggers for this opportunity, and to his family and friends for their patience, love and support. ROBERT STEEL (Sound Designer) Recent sound design and original music credits include Dead Man Walking and Arcadia (University of Notre Dame); Necessary Targets, The Sign of the Four, and Vincent in Brixton (Apple Tree); Our Country’s Good and Skyscraper (Piven Theatre), Camp Nimrod for Girls (Live Bait); ...Baby Jane (Handbag); Drink Me (Seanachai); The Golem (Chicago Jewish Theatre); Human Interest Story (Walkabout); Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare on the Green); The Bumblinni Brothers Show (Actors Gymnasium); The Rivals (City Lit); Tiebele and Her Demon, Warriors, Black Milk, Madame DeSade, and Woyzeck (European Rep); and America Hurrah!, Another Day, Coyote Ugly, Schadenfreude, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Angels in America, and Mad Forest (DePaul University/Barat Campus). He also composes for video and film, and is a recipient of an After Dark Award and awards from ASCAP and the Illinois Arts Council. LUDWIG (Wig Mistress) has been a long-time friend of the creative freaks at Handbag. He has appeared in Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls; Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer; Screw X-mas, as well as the original sCarrie! The Musical years ago with Sweetback. He has also spent many hours behind the scenes creating beautiful hair and makeup. He will always be a big fan and slave to the Handbag!!! JACKIE ANDERSON (Executive Producer) couldn't be more thrilled to work with such a wonderful crew and in this capacity for Handbag, her producing debut. Her stage management credits include the Jeff-nominated Camp Nimrod for Girls at Live Bait; the Chicago Humanities Festival; ...Baby Jane and Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer with Handbag; The Exploded View and The Credeaux Canvas with SmashTheatre; Dracula with the now-deceased Defiant Theatre; and most recently the Jeff-recommended Black Nativity with Congo Square. Jackie had the opportunity last summer to work as a production assistant at Ravinia Music Festival. Thank you, Ms. Cerda, for your trust. Hollaback to the DZ's, Lease, Lydia & big ups to BG. And finally, to Adam James, her favorite gay high school boy, who has the other half of her brain: thank you for staying calm even when only stuttering comes out. SERENA CARVAJAL (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be stage managing with Handbag for the first time. She is a Chicago native and holds a BA in Theatre from Millikin University. Most days you can see her working as Emerald City’s Company Manager, by night making her way stage managing such credits as Medea (Such Stuff Productions) and the tour of Where the Wild Things Are (Emerald City). Other favorite credits include The Jungle Book (Lincoln Square Theatre) and The House of Yes at (Last Chance Theatre). To Nick for all his support and never limiting his imagination. MICHAEL S. MILLER (Art Director/Graphic Designer) was last seen in Rudolph, the Red Hosed Reindeer. Before that ...Baby Jane and POSEIDON! With a background in art direction/graphic design, he's helped promote all of Handbag's productions to date. With his hands back in the Handbag marketing end, he's giving SCARRIE - The Musical the same graphic boost that he's given all of their previous works of art. “I'm just glad to be a part of this production. Hi Mom and Dad.” ARIELLE AUGUSTYN (Marketing Assistant, Special Events) is delighted to be working with Handbag. She recently graduated from The Theatre Conservatory of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where she worked on numerous shows, such as Street Scene, The Gut Girls, and Tserk-Us. Elsewhere, Arielle has also enjoyed such roles as Bet in Oliver, Gertie in Oklahoma!, and Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace. She would like to thank her teachers, family, friends, and Alex for all their love and support throughout the years. |
|
|
Home | Blog | Company | Contact | History | Support ©2005 Hell In A Handbag Productions Website credits
|
 |
RACHAEL
KAY ALBERS (Norma Watson) is thrilled to be a part of SCARRIE - The Musical.
She was last seen as Robin in Godspell at the McAninch Arts Center. A
senior at Columbia College Chicago, she is majoring in Theatre with a
minor in Marketing. Rachael also does PR for the Hipshot Theatre Company.
the
Handbaggers again. In her last playdate she portrayed Sponge Babs and
Caroline in their annual production of Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer.
Other Chicago credits include the Jeff-nominated production of A Midsummer
Night's Dream (First Folio Shakespeare), Macbeth (Polarity Ensemble),
Cinderella (Emerald City), Phedre and Andromache (Keyhole Theatre), Twelfth
Night (Theatre-Hikes), Taming of the Shrew (Talisman Theatre), Abraham's
Calling, Heartbreak Waltz, Offending Shadows and Hfob-n-Ffos (TriArts,
Inc., where she is also an ensemble member). Much love to Tripp.
JAMES
BOULD (Mr. Shiplace) has been in Chicago for three years and is elated
to finally get his big break. Thank you, Handbag. He was born in Long
Island, NY, and raised in Port Charlotte, FL (of recent hurricane fame).
He later attended Florida State University, where he received his BA in
Theatre. That’s a brief history of James. For more details go up
and ask him.
The
Musical with all of his pals. Adam has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The
Theatre Conservatory of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt
University and has had the opportunity to work with many Chicago theatre
companies, including Lifeline, Neo-Futurists, Metropolis Performing Arts
Centre, Prop Thtr, Royal George, Lyric Opera, Hypocrites, Journeymen,
Chicago Jewish Theatre, Open Eye Productions and many more. Regionally
he has appeared in Chicago, featuring John Davidson. Thanks to Bobbie,
Margot and um-uh-uh-oh-um-eh… Jackie!
MERRIE
GREENFIELD (Mrs. Snell) is happy to be in a Handbag show with a short
title. An ensemble member from its inception, she created Lara/Linarcos
in the original POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical (winner – Best
Ensemble, NY International Fringe Festival), and Bette Davis’s busty
daughter BD in How “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” Happened.
Other David Cerda plays include the now-legendary The Birds (Camille Paglia)
and Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer (Mrs. Donner/Misfit Dolly). Most recently
she was seen in the Neo-Futurists' The Last Two Minutes of the Complete
Works of Henrik Ibsen, Live Bait's Of Diamonds and Diplomats, Sarah Siddons
in The Lost Shakespeare Play workshop with WNEP Theater (also Artistic
Associate). Next up, she will do something for the Neo-Futurists' summer
staged readings, and sleep. She thanks Margot for the opportunity and
kindness, Ed Jones for his brilliance, David Cerda (of course), and everyone
involved in the production, even though she wrote this before she met
most of them. XO to Greg, the fam, her friends and, sincerely, you. Bio
fun: Can you find the number of Y’s in this bio? Guess 15? Correct!
TIM
HOWARD (Billy Nolan) is thrilled to be the bad boy, after appearing as
Prince Jason in Emerald City’s Cinderella. Handbag credits include
drooling on himself as Teddy in POSEIDON! (Chicago and NY International
Fringe Festival); Chip and Trailer-Trash Barbie in Rudolph, the Red-Hosed
Reindeer; and Jack in …Baby Jane. Other favorite roles include Harry
Heavyset in Bailiwick's Pinafore! (Jeff nomination: Best Musical), Mr.
Snow in Carousel; Major General in The Pirates of Penzance; Tom in The
Time of Your Life; and Mark in A Chorus Line. Special thanks to David
Cerda, and love to Tim.
and
has appeared in their past productions of POSEIDON! (Chicago and NY International
Fringe Festival), …Baby Jane, and their annual holiday show Rudolph,
the Red-Hosed Reindeer. Other Chicago credits include work with Feast
of Fools Cabaret, ARFTCo., Bailiwick, The Playground, Neo-Futurists, Great
Beast, Single Box Turn Productions, European Repertory, Royal George and
Lyric Opera.
MICHAEL
KINGSTON (Principal Morton) is insanely ecstatic to be working with the
Handbag gang again, having first appeared for them as Sam the (Surly)
Snowman in the heartwarming X-mas extravaganza Rudolph, the Red-Hosed
Reindeer. He just completed a very successful run of The Last Two Minutes
of the Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen for the Neo-Futurists. Previously,
Michael appeared in two Porchlight Music Theatre productions - Dr. Dreyfuss
in Promises, Promises and Larry in the Jeff-Award winning Company. Other
credits include Here Comes the Sun (Raven Theatre); The Cradle Will Rock
(Timeline Theatre); Women and Water (Eclipse Theatre Co.); Rumpelstiltskin
(Emerald City); Table Settings (Close Call Theatre); Richard II (Gilead
Theatre Ensemble); Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Apollo Theatre); as well
as directing Lucia Mad (Tinfish Productions) and Noon (Close Call). Michael
especially wishes to thank the Sistahs for their love and support, and
Patricia Victor for mentoring.
RYAN
LANNING (Tommy Ross) is very excited to be a part of this, his first Handbag
production. He moved to Chicago after receiving his BMA from the University
of Michigan, and has since appeared in several productions with Light
Opera Works in Evanston, as well as creating the roles of The Lover in
Transplant Theater Company's All That He Was and Sammy in This Time for
Envision Productions. When not on stage, Ryan is active in the Broadway
United Methodist Church choir, and most recently produced and performed
in a successful fundraising effort titled Broadway Does Broadway. Thanks
to family and friends for support, love, and patience! www.ryanlanning.com
be
gentle, speak softly and don’t make any sudden movements. Kyra was
last seen as Peggy in New Leaf Theatre’s Jeff-nominated production
of As It Is In Heaven, as well as Jennifer in the short film The Novice,
which was an official selection at the Black Point Film Festival. She
thanks her long-distance friends and family for loving and supporting
her. Much love and thanks to Shaun, as well, for everything he does and
is. “Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter!”
MAX
MCKUNE (“Creepy Carrie” Kid - Voice) Max started on stage
early, when his Mom was 8 months pregnant with him and had to fill in
for an actress in Plan 9 From Outer Space. His Dad, playing Bela Lugosi,
chased his Mom around the stage. At 6 months, Max crawled over Dawn Davenport
during rehearsals for Female Trouble, David Cerda let him hang off his
legs during rehearsals for Queen of the Roundup, and Max could be seen
in Sweetback’s annual productions of Screw Christmas. Max is currently
starring as Mr. Mistoffelees in his school’s production of Cats.
Robyn
is glad to be back on stage after a year hiatus in which she has been
adjusting to her full time job in corporate America, which she enjoys
thoroughly. Robyn is a Purdue graduate, and has done shows in Chicago
with American Eagle, Emerald City, and Circle Theatre. She is very glad
to add Handbag to the list. P.S. - Robyn and Trista used to work together
at Leona’s, and are STOKED to be singing and dancing on the same
stage!!!
VERONICA
SHEAFFER (Sue Snell) was most recently seen at the Chicago Cultural Center
in Dream Theatre’s The Cage, and with the side project in Maggie:
A Girl of the Streets. She has appeared in numerous stage productions
in Chicago and NYC, and has done on-camera and voiceover work for VH1,
Comedy Central and ESPN. Veronica studied with the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts as well as the British American Drama Academy.
wearing
Vaseline and chaps (Spaghetti Western), naked (Six Degrees of Separation),
masturbating while whipping himself (Sweeney Todd), and breakdancing while
failing to solve his problems through violence in a contemporarily-conceptualized
production of West Side Story. He sends a “holla, yo” to Michelle
Holdt, Gale, Panama, and Erich Fromm. He also sends his deepest gratitude
and joy to the ebullient, talented, delightful cast and production team
of SCARRIE - The Musical for being ebullient, talented, and delightful.
This, like everything, is changing his life.
TRISTA
SMITH (Miss Collins) graduated from Southwest Missouri State University
with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a beer belly that made her brother jealous.
While her first two years in Chicago were spent writing and performing
in a duet cabaret show, she recently returned to her first love of musical
theater with St. Peter's Umbrella (Theater Building Chicago). This is
her first Handbag production, and she is so excited to have the opportunity
to blow a whistle on stage. Thanks, Handbag!
Methodist
University in 2002. His portrayal of the title role in Hedwig and the
Angry Inch at Kitchen Dog Theatre earned him a 2004 Leon Rabin Award for
Best Actor. The show also won Best Musical. Locally he has enjoyed working
with Strawdog, Emerald City, and The House Theatre. Joey would like to
thank Leo for the love, but really only hopes to make Stephen proud.
JAYA
SUBRAMANIAN (Debbie Vahashapetilon) is excited to be making her debut
with Handbag. She was scouted as a good lefty tampon thrower and the rest
is history. Jaya is a founding member and the Managing Director of Rasaka
Theatre Company. She was last seen as Lalli in their staged reading of
Women of the Dust at the Storefront Theatre. Other recent productions
include Sepna in Ugly Baby at Around the Coyote Festival, and Priya in
a staged reading of The Waiting Room. Love to her friends and family for
being supportive in her sanitary endeavors. Extra love to Ben for “teaching
me how to throw a good one.”
