Photo Flash: Promotional Shots for Hell in a Handbag's THE BIRDS, Begin. 8/8

Hell in a Handbag Productions will remount of one of its most popular shows ever at The Coach House at Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd. (Sheridan and Granville). Originally produced under Sweetback Productions, The Birds is not just a ridiculous parody of the classic Hitchcock film, but a look inside the mind of newcomer Tippi Hedren guided by author and American social critic Camille Paglia with a touch of David Lynch thrown in for good measure. Check out a first look below!

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds tells the tale of Melanie Daniels, a blonde socialite who, decides to pursue the very dashing bachelor/lawyer Mitchell Brenner after a chance meetingin a pet shop. Melanie follows Mitch to Bodega Bay, a sleepy Oceanside town near San Francisco. Her arrival marks the beginning of a series of bird attacks on the town, and movie history was made.

Hell in a Handbag's The Birds receives the full parody/homage treatment audiences have come to expect. In addition, the audience is playfully immersed in the show as " invited guests of MR. Hitchcock" to watch filming on location near Bodega Bay (our own Lake Michigan). As filming progresses, the audience experiences Tippi's difficulty in distinguishing the film's reality from her own.

Handbag ensemble members Ed Jones, Alex Grelle, Elizabeth Lesinski, Michael S. Miller, and David Cerda are part of the large cast of characters. Newcomer Catherine McCafferty will take on the role of Tippi Hedren/Melanie Daniels, with Michael John Lea (another Handbag newcomer) as Mitchell Brenner/Rod Taylor. Rounding out the cast areDaniel Sappington, Phil Caldwell, Alex Fisher, Jamie King, Steve Love, Leslie Ruettiger, and Margo Chervony as Dr. Camille Paglia.

Directing the show is Jeffery Shields with David Cerda. Shields has worked with Handbag behind the scenes for numerous productions and jumped at the opportunity to work on the show. "I saw the original movie years ago and it immediately became one of my favorites. "I knew that a Handbag take on The Birds would be nothing short of spectacular" says Shields, adding "Having a stellar cast, amazing design team and hilarious script makes this production a dream come true".

Previews are set for Aug. 8, 9, 10, with an official opening night of Aug. 11. Performances are set for Thursdays-Sundays. The Birds will close Sept. 15

Admission is $19-$35. For reservations, call (800) 838-3006 or go to Brown Paper tickets online http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/391879

Graphics by Michael S. Miller; Photos by Rick Aguilar Studios

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