Casting Announced for Hell in a Handbag's SKOOBY DON'T World Premiere

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere SKOOBY DON'T, David Cerda's uproarious parody of a beloved cartoon classic, directed by Derek Van Barham. Just in time for Halloween, follow the adventures of four adults - Scaggy, Fredd, Velva and Daffy - who wear the same clothes everyday while driving around in a van with their talking dog, 'solving mysteries.'

SKOOBY, DON'T will feature Christopher Wilson as Skooby, Josh Kemper as Scaggy, Will Kazda as Fredd, Caitlin Jackson* as Velva, Elizabeth Lesinski* as Daffy, Ed Jones* as Cher, Caitlin Boho as Chaz Bono, David Cerda* as Kris Jenner and Chazie Bly* as Caitlyn Jenner with Jamie Smith*, Rachel Hadlock* and Grant Drager*. *Denotes Handbag ensemble members

SKOOBY DON'T will play September 29 - November 4, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006. The press opening is Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 pm.

When Velva's aunt needs help, the gang comes to the rescue! Velva never mentions that her aunt is multi-platinum recording artist and Oscar winner, Cher (ensemble member Ed Jones). Cher is also joined by Chaz Bono and Kris and Caitlyn Jenner for a whacky mixed-up adventure you won't forget - no matter how hard you try! SKOOBY DON'T is not only a parody of the classic Skooby Doo cartoon but also explores social and gender political correctness and inner and outer identity and appearances. The big mystery here is if Skooby and the gang can navigate social moors in this modern world.

The production team for SKOOBY DON'T includes Cat Wilson (lighting design), Kate Setzer Kamphausen (costume design) and Mealah Heidenreich (props design).

David Cerda (Playwright) is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions. He has written and appeared in POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical, The Birds, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, SCARRIE The Musical, Caged Dames, Lady X, How Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Happened, TROGG! A Rock and Roll Musical, Christmas Dearest, Scream, Queen! SCREAM!, The Rip Nelson Halloween Spooktacular and Sexy Baby. His plays have been produced around the country. He has also worked as a songwriter/lyricist with Amazon Films on an animated project and as an actor with various theater companies throughout the city of Chicago.

Derek Van Barham (Director) is the Artistic Director of The Ruckus and an Artistic Associate with Pride Films & Plays. Directing: Miracle! (Hell in a Handbag), Angry Fags (PFP/Steppenwolf Garage), Some Men (with David Zak), Kill Your Boyfriends (an original piece), and Songs from an Unmade Bed (Jeff nomination). Movement: Coraline the Musical (Black Button Eyes), La Chingada (Inappropriate Theatre), Matawan (The Ruckus) and pieces for Salonathon. This year, Derek was named one of Windy City Times' "30 Under 30," honoring individuals from Chicago's LGBTQIA communities. He currently improvises at iO Chicago with the team Baby Wine. He holds an MFA from CCPA/Roosevelt University.

Founded in 2002, Hell in a Handbag Productions is Chicago's only theater dedicated to camp and the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit Corporation.

For additional information, visit www.handbagproductions.org.

Pictured: The cast of Hell in a Handbag's world premiere SKOOBY DON'T: (top row, l to r) Chazie Bly, Caitlin Boho, David Cerda, Grant Drager, Rachel Hadlock and Caitlin Jackson and (bottom, l to r) Ed Jones, Will Kazda, Josh Kemper, Elizabeth Lesinski, Jamie Smith and Christopher Wilson.

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