FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Book & Lyrics by David Cerda (w/Cheryl Snodgrass)
Music by David Cerda & Scott Lamberty
Directed by Matthew Gunnels

Where: The Chopin Theatre – Main Stage, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL

When: Previews: Thursday June 18 & Friday June 19
Opens: Saturday June 20

Runs: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00pm & Sundays @ 3:00pm thru July 26

Special No show July 4; Pride Performance Saturday June 27 @ 9:30pm, June 28 at 6pm (post parade)
Nights: Industry Night Performance Monday June 29 @ 8:00pm

Cost: Previews: $15
Regular Run: Thursday $20; Friday, Saturday, Sunday $25

For reservations call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800- 838-3006 or purchase tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/59012
For more information go to handbagproductions.org or call 312-409-4357.

Chicago, IL – Who will survive the most anticipated remount of Hell in a Handbag Productions history? Hell in a Handbag Productions is proud to present their most requested show…the one that started it all…POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical.

Written by Artistic Director David Cerda (adapted from the Stirling Silliphant screenplay) and directed by Porchlight Theatre and Emerald City Artistic Associate Matthew Gunnels, POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical is both a musical parody and a loving homage to the classic 1972 film, The Poseidon Adventure, the grandmother of all disaster films. The play celebrates and lampoons the beloved cult classic through comedy and music. When a tidal wave capsizes the SS Poseidon luxury liner on New Year’s Eve, a group of scrappy passengers must climb to the bottom of the ship (now above them) before the ship sinks. The perilous journey of these colorful characters, both humorous and tragic, makes for an edge-of-your-seat adventure. Watch the story unfold with a party of hardcore Poseidon Adventure fans who provide personal commentary and touching insight on how film resonates in our collective conscious, resulting in very real shared experiences. And you thought it was just a silly disaster film.
The original run of POSEIDON! was a smash hit with both audiences and critics. After a 5 month sold-out extended run in Chicago, the production was accepted into The New York International Fringe Festival, where it was the most attended show of 2003, winning an Excellence Award for Ensemble Performance.

Bios and hi-res press photos will soon be available at www.handbagproductions.org or contact David Cerda at info@handbagproductions.org or darc9@yahoo.com.

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Dr.Caravello/Skippy……………………………………………………Shaun Nathan Baer
Teddy/Ben…………………………………………………………………David Besky
David/Too-Tanned Lady………………………………………………David Cerda*
Tracy/Indian Lady…………………………………………………………..Marie Clawans
Reverend Scott……………………………………………………………Derek Czaplewski*
Anthony/Helmsman…………………………………………………….Sherman Edwards
Deborah/Bun……………………………………………………………….Annie Gloyn
Richard/Linarcos…………………………………………………………Jason Grimm
Lt. Mike Rogo…………………………………………………………………Michael Hampton
James Martin………………………………………………………………….Dan Hickey
Nonnie Parry………………………………………………………………….Ed Jones*
Jennifer/Bandmember……………………………………………………..Megan Keach
Belle Rosen………………………………………………………………..Steve Kimbrough*
Brooke/Passenger………………………………………………………..Elizabeth Lesinski*
Susan Shelby…………………………………………………………………Allie Lind
Acres………………………………………………………………………………David Lipschutz
Martha/Captain……………………………………………………………Michelle McKenzie-Voight
Manny Rosen…………………………………………………………………Michael S. Miller*
Otis/Crewmember #1…………………………………………………..Scott Sawa
Lara/Nurse………………………………………………………………….Adrienne Smith*
Linda Rogo……………………………………………………………………Trista Smith*
Robin Shelby………………………………………………………………….Andrew Swan
Jim/Purser………………………………………………………………………..Doug Vickers

Understudies: For Susan Shelby and Linda Rogo- Megan Keach; For James Martin - David Besky; For Reverend Scott- Shaun Nathan Baer; For Lara/Nurse- Elizabeth Lesinski

Settings
David’s living room- present and the SS Poseidon, 1972
*Hell in a Handbag Ensemble Member

POSEIDON PRESS PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE on our Flickr site- contact David Cerda at darc9@yahoo.com if you have trouble downloading these. All photos by Rick Aguilar- must give credit for publication. Graphics by Michael S. Miller All photos copyrighted