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FUN LINKSChicago TheaterARFTCo and also in Los Angeles...and also in Baltimore...Blogs We LoveA Hole In The Head People We LoveAndi World POSEIDON!The Official Carol Lynley Home Page Handblog Archives
10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003 And also...David interviews Margaret Cho |
read the handblog...10/31/2005My Way of LifeTonight is the FINAL night to catch THE TWILIGHT GALLERY with our Halloween MARATHON! Join Joyce Dewitt, Patty Duke, Suzanne Somers, William Shatner, Joan Crawford, Tom Bosley, Lindsey Wagner, and all of your favorite Handbaggers (that were able to be in the show) starting at 8pm at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. Call 773/327-5252 to reserve your tickets NOW!!!!posted by David on 10/31/2005 10:20:00 PM | Link |
10/29/2005My Way of LifeJesus Tree.posted by David on 10/29/2005 07:16:00 AM | Link |
10/28/2005My Way of Life Proof. Hanging with Melanie Daniels in the limo..., See Tippi Hedren's ROAR Foundation here..., 
posted by David on 10/28/2005 04:24:00 AM | Link |
10/27/2005My Way of LifeThat Karen really wanted to win the neighborhood Halloween decoration contest!posted by David on 10/27/2005 07:39:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeThat's what friends are for, right, Georgie? Why hasn't anybody said anything about her horrible underliner? She looked kind of Goth....,posted by David on 10/27/2005 07:36:00 PM | Link |
My Way of Life Hear what you missed on the Feast of Fools Podcast!
posted by David on 10/27/2005 05:13:00 AM | Link |
My Way of Life Trista Smith, the artist formerly known as Miss Collins soon to be Ethel Merman in Judy's Scary Little Christmas having a grand old time at Hell in a Handbag's TV Dinner benefit night!
posted by David on 10/27/2005 05:09:00 AM | Link |
10/26/2005My Way of LifeOne more thing- if you couldn't make it last night it's not too late to DONATE ONLINE.Thank you. posted by David on 10/26/2005 10:43:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeBoy am I tired today. I just had my flu shot today (I''m sure the government implanted a tracking system in me) and we had our gala benefit last night. Considering the weather and the World Series we had a really nice turnout. Nothing like performing for the people that really love ya'!We did The Diary, EYES and Night Cher at 20,000 Feet, and I can confidentlly say all three shows went super well. It's one of those things you just feel. The official Ed Jones Fan Club was in attendance last night. I'm glad for him. Rick Karlin provided wonderfully tasty TV dinner style meals, but without the crappy TV Dinner taste, and Hugh Mathis and Alissa Cummings did a great job organizing the benefit. We have a choreography rehearsal for JSLC tonight, so I'd better snort something to keep alert. posted by David on 10/26/2005 10:25:00 PM | Link |
10/25/2005My Way of LifeOUR BIG ANNUAL HELL IN A HANDBAG BENEFIT IS TONIGHT!!!It will be so much fun! TV Dinner style home made comfort food cooked by the Fabulous Rick Karlin. Silent auction with some great items including personally signed just for Hell in a Handbag items from Tippi Hedren. Cocktails. THREE Twilight Gallery episodes! Night Cher at 20,000 Feet- adapted by Tim Howard. based on the classic Twilight Zone episode starring William Shatner. Derek Czaplewski* is Bob Wilson, a man just released from a sanitarium after suffering a nervous breakdown on the same type of plane he finds himself on now. Things seem to be going fine until Mr. Wilson spots a legendary Diva on the wing of the plane giving the performance of a lifetime. Directed by Brian Lobel, Night Cher At 20,000 Feet also features Trish Austin, Michael Kingston, Cate Mannion and Veronica Sheaffer. EYES- adapted by and featuring David Cerda* as Miss Claudia Menloathe, in the role originated by Joan Crawford under the direction of Steven Spielberg from the original Night Gallery pilot. Miss Menloathe is a wealthy, blind, imperious woman, who will do anything for 12 hours of sight, no matter what the consequences. EYES also features Derek Czaplewski*, Jaya Subramanian, John Walski, and Red Orchid Theater's Doug Vickers as Mr. Howard Cunningham, the hapless donor whose HAPPY DAYS are over. EYES is directed by Marika Mashburn of The House Theatre. The Diary- a Night Gallery episode adapted by Ed Jones* and directed by Brooke Allen*. Brigitte Ditmars* (taking on the role originated by Patty Duke) plays Holly Schaeffer, a vicious gossip columnist who receives a mysterious diary from washed up movie queen Carrie Crane (Ed Jones*) who's life has been destroyed by Holly's poisonous tongue. The diary takes on a life of its own with entries written in Holly's handwriting that predicts very unpleasant events. But Holly didn't write them! The Diary also features Trish Austin, Alex Gunn, Ryan Lanning, Jaya Subramanian and Doug Vickers. *indicates Hell in a Handbag Ensemble member..., Tickets are 30.00 each or two for 50.00 Where? Theatre Building Chicago- 1225 W. Belmont Ave. (Belmont and Racine) When? Food/Cocktails- 6pm, Showtime- 8pm, Dessert-9:30pm See you there! posted by David on 10/25/2005 05:37:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeFunny, David Kodeski and I were just talking about Rosa Parks Saturday. Her people sent one of the stranger rejection letters for the Live BaitTheater Doodle benefit which I volunteered for Saturday. Something to the effect that they couldn't participate because theywereanot-for-profit corpration...Huh? Couldn't they just say she's 92, she doesn't know what day it is.,.., I think Kodeski called her a bitch. I'm sure he was joking....,posted by David on 10/25/2005 06:06:00 AM | Link |
10/24/2005My Way of LifeLast week we started rehearsals for Judy's Scary Little Christmas, a really fun holiday show that we think our audiences will love. The premise is Judy Garland is filming a holiday special in 1959 with a calvalcade of stars from that time. Big names like Ethel Merman, Liberace and Joan Crawford. I'm not allowed to mention the other guests...,It's a very clever script- funny, but touching as well, which is why we decided to make it the first 'outsider' show we've ever done. My first rehearsal was the music for the big finale, 'Make It Shine', and I actually had to sing. Not talk sing, but sing. Thanks to Peter Storms, our wonderfully patient Musical Director and the very helpful Jennifer Connelly, who's playing Judy Garland, I was able to muddle through it with my dignity intact, and I was actually okay. It was fun. They handed me this sheet with a bunch of bars and dots on it. Apparently this is called 'sheet music' and the dots represent musical notes. The level of the notes on the bars indicate what notes you sing the song in. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true! I will be bringing a tape recorder to future musical rehearsals..., posted by David on 10/24/2005 05:35:00 PM | Link |
10/21/2005My Way of LifeSo I've been a shitty Blogger as of late. I know it. The links have gone downhill, my insights have not been so insightful, even the news hasn't been that earth shattering. The purpose of the Blog is to 'Dish with David' about Hell in a Handbag Productions and all the 'goings on', but honestly, who wants to read about the 'goings on' when things aren't going quite as well as you would like them?I would be remiss if I didn't share a few things with you. The Twilight Gallery, despite a few bumps in the road is still great fun and worth seeing. Is it uneven? Yes. Did we learn lessons? Yes. Lessons were also learned in SCARRIE-The Musical and How 'Whatever Happened to baby Jane' Happened. However, you would be doing yourself a great disservice by missing Ed Jones take on the role of Suzanne Somers and Cher. Or seeing Derek Czaplewski channel William Shatner or Doug Vickers as a down on his luck Howard Cunningham. Or Brigitte Ditmars 'out Pattying' the Patty Duke of the 70's. Or Jaya Subramanian say 'Oh no she didn't'. Or Rus Rainear as a creepy curio shop owner. How about some Hillary Sanzel as a transvestite hooker? Okay, what about Steve Hickson channeling Audra Lindley in Mrs. Roper meets David Lynch making love to Michael Kingston? Me as an all singing, all dancing, blind Joan Crawford.Do I have your attention now? SATURDAY- Spent the day with Tippi Hedren. Yes, that Tippi Hedren. I can now confirm the long-standing rumors that we are officially good friends. I really needed that Saturday. It was this gay boys dream come true to sit and have lunch with Tippi, ride in a limousine with her and meet and talk to fans and having Tippi introduce me as 'the playwright' David Cerda in her creamy Melanie Daniels voice which is actually her voice. Tippi loves Pauline Pang's and my adaptation of 'The Birds', and we spoke extensively about it and just about everything else in the world. It was like... being on Mars...., posted by David on 10/21/2005 06:50:00 PM | Link |
My Way of Life Brigitte is shocked that you haven't seen The Twilight Gallery yet! The Diary is hysterical and deserves your attention, so get yer ass over here now! Who you gonna believe, me or some broad you don't even know?
posted by David on 10/21/2005 05:23:00 AM | Link |
 Yummy!
posted by David on 10/21/2005 05:11:00 AM | Link |
10/20/2005Hello Friends, Pop Culture Aficionados, Acquaintances and People I've Never Met-On Tuesday, October 25, our theater company, Hell in aHandbag Productions will be holding our annual benefit. This is our biggest and only official fundraiser, and we count on our loyal audience members and aficionados of good, decent, camp and parody to support us. As you can imagine, we're not knee-deep in grants due to the type of theater we do and the size of our ensemble. The benefit includes, FOOD, BOOZE, and a SHOW all for one low price! 30 bucks a head, 2 for 50.00. You can't beat that with a stick! Well, you could I suppose, but it would be awfully difficult to hit the '5'. If you can't make it you can donate online as well,right here! Here are the details: Special Hell In A Handbag Benefit October 25 Doors open @ 6pm and includes food, drinks, raffle,silent auction and performances of selected episodes Benefit Showtime @ 8pm Benefit Admission: 30.00, 2 tickets for 50.00 For benefit reservations call Hell in a HandbagHotline (312)409-4357 Where? Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont posted by David on 10/20/2005 08:59:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeLets send positive vibrations to Shelley Winters! Contrary to Steve Hickson's theory, my recently sending her the cast recording of POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical did not cause this..., I think...,posted by David on 10/20/2005 05:20:00 PM | Link |
10/19/2005My Way of LifeTONS to report. But for now, enjoy dance diva He-Man, compliments of Hillary.posted by David on 10/19/2005 05:18:00 AM | Link |
10/13/2005My Way of LifeJust a reminder that we're having our Annual Benefit on October 25, Tuesday starting with food and cocktails at 6pm, a show at 8 and dessert afterwards. It's a TV dinner comfort food theme and there will be fabulous raffle and silent auction prizes! It will be at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont.We could really use your support this year more now then ever. Times are tough. We had to let Helga go..., For benefit reseravtions call the HIAH Hotline at 312/409-4357 and leave a message. If you feel an overwhelming need to donate now simply click here thanks to the magic of Paypal. Your donation is tax deductible! posted by David on 10/13/2005 05:10:00 PM | Link |
10/12/2005My Way of LifeSmurf-O-Cideposted by David on 10/12/2005 07:50:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeThe Christian Coalition and FAMILY Values.posted by David on 10/12/2005 05:05:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeYesterday I saw Handbag's very own Timmy Howard in Grand Hotel at the Drury Lane Water Place Theater. A fun energetic cast does their best to shake some life in to the rather lackluster music.Two weekends ago I saw Joey 'Carrie White' Steakley give a heartbreakling performance as Toto in 'The Great and Terrible Oz', a fun show with a great cast. The energy and imagination at The House Theatre is to be commended. They give 111%. Our opening weekend went reasonably well. I should have gotten the hang of the sound board by this Friday. Yes, I'm doing sound on Fridays, and it's a pain the ass since the booth seems to be akin to the cone of silence a la' 'Get Smart'. The best part is playing 'space commander' with Brooke in the booth. I fucked up the Night Cher sound cues because apparently they weren't loud enough. My fade ins were too slow, and I missed the 'Dark Lady' sound cue because I was turning up the wrong lever. Ed Jones thought it was some sort of conspiracy, and I have to admit-it was. Please don't forget our annual benefit is on Oct. 25 at 6pm. 30.00 a head or two for 50.00. Food, booze and entertainment!!!! posted by David on 10/12/2005 04:20:00 PM | Link |
10/10/2005My Way of LifeI FINALLY got around to send Shelley Winters a copy of POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical. I sent a really nice letter to her as well from the company. For those of you who have been following Ms. Winters she was ill for quite some time but is on the mend and has even started going back to her old restaurant. There was a news item that she was trying to get money released from her daughter, who had control over it so she could marry her longtime companion, but he announced he wasn't going to go through with the marriage because of the rift it would create between Shelley and her daughter. It's like, 15 million bucks, so that would be quite a rift. I hope Shelley can't get '(In the Water) I'm a Very Skinny Lady' out of her head.posted by David on 10/10/2005 10:18:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeSo we finally got though opening weekend and I didn't die. Quite honestly it was more like our dress tech rehearsal at points and a few things need to be fixed but hey, that's showbiz. There are some great shows to be seen for all of our Handbag fans. Ed Jones as Cher and Suzanne Somers. Brigitte as manic Patty Duke. Doug Vickers as Tom Bosley/Howard Cunningham. Derek Czaplewski channeling William Shatner. Veronica Scheaffer's 'dream' . And of course myself climbing the catwalk of the theater as blind Joan Crawford. Who could ask for anything more?posted by David on 10/10/2005 06:53:00 PM | Link |
10/06/2005My Way of LifeWe were in tech until 3am last night. I feel like hammered shit.posted by David on 10/06/2005 10:30:00 PM | Link |
10/05/2005My Way of LifeAh, the joys of a late night show on top of another show. This means you have limited rights and the mainstage show can basically decide on certain things. What you can touch, what you can't touch, where you can walk, sit and breathe. Luckily our main concern -stage space- is not a concern at all. As a matter of fact the existing set works quite well for most of The Twilight Gallery's six episodes. Except for the airplane interior/drawing room, but people can use their imaginations, can't they? We are sharing a dressing area with 2 other companies simultaneously. Luckily MacCabaret probably won't be there during our changes, since I think (from what I remember) they wear the same costumes throughout the show. Too bad, I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of them undressed. Please say a prayer for Brigitte. She's doing a great job.posted by David on 10/05/2005 08:49:00 PM | Link |
10/04/2005His Match Game is over, You heard what I said!Farewell Mr. Russell, the Password is..., DEAD. posted by David on 10/04/2005 09:11:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeThe descent into the madness of opening The Twilight Gallery is a roller coaster of emotions. Joy, anger, indifference, and knowing when enough is enough and knowing you've done all you can. But it's getting done and it should be a wild ride.So, come see us! We open Friday. Remember, there are 3 different episodes a night. Friday- NIGHT CHER AT 20,000 FEET THE MOST UNUSUAL PICTURES COME AND KNOCK AT MY DOOR Saturday- THE DIARY A CRITICAL JUNCTURE EYES posted by David on 10/04/2005 06:00:00 PM | Link |
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