{"id":1031512,"date":"2026-08-29T19:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T19:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1031512\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T19:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T19:08:16","slug":"joan-crawford-goes-to-hell-to-be-presented-by-hell-in-a-handbag-productions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1031512\/","title":{"rendered":"JOAN CRAWFORD GOES TO HELL To Be Presented By Hell in a Handbag Productions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 25th\u00a0year, is pleased to present a revival of the fan favorite\u00a0Joan Crawford<\/a> Goes To Hell, written by Artistic Director\u00a0David Cerda<\/a>* and directed by\u00a0Cheryl Snodgrass, playing\u00a0August 21 \u2013 September 27, 2026\u00a0at\u00a0The Clutch, Handbag\u2019s boutique performance space at 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at\u00a0handbagproductions.org\u00a0and\u00a0buytickets.at\/hellinahandbagproductions\/2276662.\u00a0The press opening is Friday, August 28 at 7:30 pm.<\/p>\n

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The cast includes ensemble members\u00a0David Cerda<\/a>*,\u00a0Lori Lee<\/a>*,\u00a0TJ O\u2019Brien*\u00a0and\u00a0Michael Rashid<\/a>*\u00a0with\u00a0Tyler Calhoun,\u00a0Nick Dorado,\u00a0Haley Gillman,\u00a0Gretchen Greear,\u00a0Nicholas Ian,\u00a0Ryan Kenny\u00a0and\u00a0Anna Rose Steinmayer. Special cameos by\u00a0Jennifer Engstrom<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Coco Sho-Nell. Understudies: Ensemble members\u00a0Ed Jones<\/a>* and\u00a0Scott Sawa<\/a>*.<\/p>\n

Originally produced in 1999 with Sweetback Productions,\u00a0Joan Crawford<\/a> Goes To Hell\u00a0is a roller coaster ride that explores the life of the legendary Hollywood star.<\/p>\n

The premise? Joan Crawford<\/a> (David Cerda<\/a>*) dies, goes to hell and is forced to view her life through the eyes of her daughter, Christina (TJ O\u2019Brien*) in a tale so big it needs three Joans! Part\u00a0Mommie Dearest, part biography with a dash of Joan\u2019s lifestyle book,\u00a0My Way of Life,\u00a0Joan Crawford<\/a> Goes to Hell\u00a0is the perfect summer cocktail for those with a taste for camp.<\/p>\n

The production team includes\u00a0Marcus Klein*\u00a0(Scenic Design),\u00a0Ben Argenta Kress\u00a0(Costume Designer<\/a>),\u00a0Liz Cooper\u00a0(Lighting Design),\u00a0Danny Rockett<\/a>\u00a0(Sound Design),\u00a0Maggie O\u2019Brien\u00a0(Prop Design),\u00a0DJ Douglass\u00a0(Video & Projection Design),\u00a0Syd Genco**\u00a0(Makeup Design),\u00a0Keith Ryan<\/a>* (Wig Design),\u00a0Matt Tenny\u00a0(Fight & Intimacy Coordinator),\u00a0Carol Kelleher\u00a0(Production Manager),\u00a0Jason Pikscher\u00a0(Technical Director),\u00a0Francis Brenner\u00a0(Stage Manager),\u00a0Dave Sarrafian\u00a0(Assistant Stage Manager),\u00a0Rick Aguilar* (Photography) and\u00a0Michael S. Miller<\/a>*\u00a0(Graphics).<\/p>\n

*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member | **Denotes Handbag Associate Member<\/p>\n

Previews: Friday, August 21 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 22 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, August 23 at 3 pm and Thursday, August 27 at 7:30 pm.

\nOpening\/Press performance: Friday, August 28 at 7:30 pm. Regular run:\u00a0Saturday, August 29 \u2013 Sunday, September 27, 2026. Curtain Times: Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm and 7 pm.\u00a0Please note: There will be an added Industry Night performance on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 pm. Location:\u00a0The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago<\/p>\n

Click Here to Get Tickets<\/a><\/p>\n

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