FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hell in a Handbag Productions presents the World Premiere of
LADY X
Written by David Cerda
with Derek Czaplewski, Cheryl Snodgrass & Adrienne Smith
Directed by Derek Czaplewski
Where: Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark Ave. (Clark & Balmoral) Chicago, IL 60640
When: Previews May 6 & 7; Opening Night Saturday May 8
Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until June 19
No performances May 22 & June 12
Special added performances Sunday May 23, Sunday June 6 and Wednesday June 16
All shows begin at 7:30pm
Cost: All preview performances $10
$15 Thursdays; $20 Fridays, Saturdays
For reservations call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800- 838-3006 or visit online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104390. (Do not contact Mary’s Attic for tickets.)
For more information, visit www.handbagproductions.org or call 312-409-4357.
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Chicago, IL – Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere production of Lady X, a shocking expose´ ripped from the headlines of yesteryear! In keeping with Hell in a Handbag’s tradition of camp and parody, Lady X takes on the black and white crime melodrama films of the 30’s and 40’s. Based on the Bette Davis feature, Marked Woman, Lady X is the story of seedy nightclubs, the menacing gangsters that run them and the loose women that keep the customers coming back for more! Staged in the art deco atmosphere of Mary’s Attic, above Hamburger Mary’s in Andersonville, Lady X will give theater-goers a glimpse into the world of the ‘clip-joint’ from days gone by.
Mary Dwight (Handbag ensemble member Annie Gloyn) is a gorgeous dame and a tough cookie who knows the score (and then some). Mary spends her nights as a ‘clip-joint hostess’, making the customers feel welcome, whether it’s sharing a drink with them - or the evening. Mary’s got all the angles figured out, until Scarlett Fontanelli (Handbag Artistic Director & playwright David Cerda) enters the picture. As deadly as she is beautiful, Scarlett will stop at nothing to gain control over this world of underground crime. While Frank Graham (Handbag’s Megan Keach), a young idealistic Assistant District Attorney, will stop at nothing to bring Scarlett and the Fontanelli syndicate to its knees. Frank wants justice for decent citizens everywhere and for his sister Barbara, a casualty of the Fontanelli family business.
Other memorable characters include Handbag ensemble members Elizabeth Lesinski as Emmy Lou, the dim southern belle gone bad; Michael Miller as the greedy mob lawyer; and Ed Jones as Estelle Porter, the world’s oldest goodtime girl. Lady X also features Michael Hampton, Libby Lane, David Besky, Chad and Joanna P. Lind.
Directed by Handbag ensemble member Derek Czaplewski, fresh from last year’s smash revival of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, Lady X promises to be a wild ride you won’t soon forget. Come see David Cerda and Hell in a Handbag’s first original world premiere in three years! You don’t want to miss a tale so startling…so lurid…that only Hell in a Handbag Productions would dare tell it!
LADY X CAST (In order of appearance)
Gabby Marvin- Libby Lane
Estelle Porter- Ed Jones
Emmy Lou Higgins- Elizabeth Lesinski
Mary Dwight- Annie Gloyn
Val- Chad
Scarlett Fontanelli- David Cerda
Ape- Michael Hampton
Ralph Crawford- Michael S. Miller
Man #1- David Besky
Louis- David Besky
Betty Dwight- Joanna P. Lind
Casey- Chad
Frank Graham- Megan Keach
Sheldon- David Besky
Gordon- Michael S. Miller
Judge- David Besky
Crandall- David Besky
Radio Announcer- Michael S. Miller
Surprise Witness- Chad
Lady X pre-production and production press photos- click on any one to go to our Flickr account to download hi-res photos or contact us at press at handbagproductions dot org
ALL PHOTOS BY RICK AGUILAR AND ROBERT HILLIARD, MUST CREDIT FOR PUBLICATION
