Photo Flash: Hell in a Handbag Productions Hit Parody LADY X: THE MUSICAL Extends

Due to popular demand, Hell in a Handbag Productions hit world premiere LADY X: THE MUSICAL, will add two additional performances on Friday, June 16 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, June 17 at 7:30 pm at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets for all performances are currently available at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006.

Based on Handbag's 2010 play of the same name, LADY X: THE MUSICAL takes on the black and white crime melodrama films of the '30s and '40s. It's the story of seedy nightclubs, the menacing gangsters who run them and the loose women that keep the customers coming back for more! Co-directed by Steve Love and Tommy Bullington with music direction by JD Caudill and choreography by Love, the campy new musical parody features a book and lyrics by Artistic Director David Cerda and music by Cerda and Scott Lamberty. Join Handbag for a glimpse into the world of the 'clip-joint' from days gone by filled with sassy dames, crooked hoods and the regular Joes trying to make a buck.

LADY X: THE MUSICAL features Chazie Bly, David Cerda, Laura Coleman, Sydney Genco, Adrian Hadlock, Michael Hampton, Caitlin Jackson, Ed Jones, Josh Kemper, Elizabeth Lesinski, Steve Love, Michael S. Miller and Christea Parent.

Mary Dwight (Christea Parent) is a gorgeous dame and a tough cookie who knows the score (and then some). Mary spends her nights as a 'clip-joint hostess,' making the customers feel welcome, whether it's sharing a drink with them - or the evening. Mary's got all the angles figured out, until Scarlett Fontanelli (David Cerda) enters the picture. As deadly as she is beautiful, Scarlett will stop at nothing to gain control over this world of underground crime. But Frank Graham (Laura Coleman), a young idealistic Assistant District Attorney, will stop at nothing to bring Scarlett and the Fontanelli syndicate to its knees. Frank wants justice for decent citizens everywhere and for his sister Barbara, a casualty of the Fontanelli family business.

Join Mary and her unforgettable pals, the not so bright Emmy Lou (Elizabeth Lesinski), Estelle (Ed Jones), the good natured tramp with a penchant for funnels and all the good time gals in a tale so startling... so lurid... that only Hell in a Handbag Productions would dare tell it!

The production team for LADY X: THE MUSICAL includes: Roger Wykes (set design), Kate Setzer Kamphausen (costume design), Rachel Lake (lighting design), Timothy McNulty (sound design), Mealah Heidenreich (props design), Keith Ryan (wig design), Sydney Genco (makeup design), Cheryl Snodgrass (dramaturg), Michelle Kidd (stage manager) and Liam Doring (asst. stage manager).

(left, front to back) Caitlin Jackson, Sydney Genco, Elizabeth Lesinski and Ed Jones with (right, l to r) Chazie Bly and Adrian Hadlock in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(front) Steve Love with (back, l to r) Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Ed Jones, Elizabeth Lesinski, Adrian Hadlock and Christea Parent in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(front, center) Laura Coleman with (back, l to r) Christea Parent, Sydney Genco, Ed Jones, Elizabeth Lesinski, Michael S. Miller, David Cerda and Chazie Bly in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(front) David Cerda with (back, l to r) Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Elizabeth Lesinski and Ed Jones in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(front) Steve Love with (back, l to r) Ed Jones, Elizabeth Lesinski and Michael S. Miller in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(front) Christea Parent with (back, l to r) Caitlin Jackson, Elizabeth Lesinski and Ed Jones in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
(left to right) Caitlin Jackson, Michael S. Miller and Josh Kemper in Hell in Handbag Productions’ world premiere of LADY X: THE MUSICAL. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.