Thu. October 8, 2026
CHICAGO, ILL. -
Celebrating a quarter-century of bringing bold camp and theatrical ridiculousness to local stages, Hell in a Handbag Productions has officially announced its milestone 25th Anniversary Season. The celebrated LGBTQ theater company, fresh off its recent induction into the 2026 Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, has curated a three-show lineup designed to honor its rich history of pop culture parody.
The 2026-27 anniversary season kicks off this holiday season with the world premiere of It’s a Horrible Life – A Golden Girls Lost Episodes Musical Parody. Written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Ryan Kennedy, the production marks the first musical installment in the company's popular Golden Girls parody series.
Running from Dec. 3, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027, at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont Ave.), the story follows Dorothy (played by Cerda) as she navigates a string of holiday disasters and questions her place in the world after a botched audition for the Miami Senior Center. An angelic intervention soon proves just how vital she is to her roommates. The cast features ensemble members Kelly Bolton, David Cerda, Grant Drager, Ed Jones, and Scott Sawa, alongside Britain Shutters, Danne W. Taylor, and Honey West.
The celebration continues in the winter with the return of a company favorite, Caged Dames. Running from Feb. 11 to 28, 2027, also at Theater Wit, the musical parody penned by Cerda draws inspiration from classic women’s prison films of the 1940s and 1950s, notably the Eleanor Parker classic Caged. The production transports audiences back to 2006 when the show debuted, following an innocent young woman navigating the harsh realities of the Calumet City, Illinois Women’s Penitentiary.
Rounding out the landmark season next summer is the Chicago premiere of KHAN!!! The Musical! (A Parody Trek-Tacular). Running from Aug. 7 to Sept. 19, 2027, at The Clutch (4335 N. Western Ave.), the sci-fi romp features music, lyrics, and a book by Brent Black, and was co-conceived by Alina Roth. Blending elements of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: The Next Generation, the production offers an original score designed to entertain Broadway enthusiasts, die-hard Trekkies, and casual theatergoers alike.
Reflecting on the company's silver anniversary, Cerda shared a humorous look back at the journey.
"I suppose 25 years is a long time for a theatre company, Cerda said. Some days it feels that way. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I am proud of what we have done as a company and will continue to create art until I get that damn MacArthur Genius Award. I want this season to celebrate who we are and continue to bring joy to people."
In addition to its mainstage productions, Hell in a Handbag will host special readings and community events throughout the year to commemorate its 25-year legacy.
Season subscriptions and single tickets for the upcoming anniversary season are currently available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit handbagproductions.org.
For the complete article (non-reader view with multimedia and original links),
Tap here.
Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com