THE MORNING AFTER - A Hell in a Handbag Virtual Benefit

Chicago IL

17 December, 2020

2:50 PM

Description

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present its annual benefit "The Morning After," featuring the streaming world premiere of the smash hit musical that started it all for them, POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 6 – 9:30 pm CST. Tickets ($22–$30) include a 6 pm pre-show discussion and never-before-seen clips from past POSEIDON! productions, memories from cast and crew members of all three productions, and a raffle and silent auction featuring fabulous self-care items for you to bid on to make your quarantine bearable! Handbag will also provide links to order food and cocktails from partnering restaurants. Tickets are currently available at eventbrite.com. All proceeds benefit Hell in a Handbag Productions, Chicago's leading camp and parody theater company. The 2019 production of POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical was recorded by Peter Neville in HD with stereo sound at Chicago's Edge Theater. POSEIDON! features book and lyrics by Handbag Artistic Director David Cerda, music by David Cerda with Scott Lamberty, direction by Derek Van Barham, music direction by Andrew Millikenand choreography by Breon Arzell. The cast includes Katherine Bellantone, Frankie Leo Bennett, Brittney Brown, Tommy Bullington, Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Josh Kemper, Elizabeth Lesinski, David Lipschutz, Stevie Love, Nicky Mendelson, Michael S. Miller, Courtney Dane Mize, Elissa Newcorn, Marc Prince, Shane Roberie, Scott Sawa, Patrick Stengle and Maiko Terazawa. Pictured: (front, l to r) Brittney Brown, Michael S. Miller, Tommy Bullington, Maiko Terazawa and the cast of Hell in a Handbag Productions' revival of POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios. It's New Year's Eve and a group of hardcore fans have gathered for their annual viewing of the greatest film ever – The Poseidon Adventure, the story of the capsize of the SS Poseidon on New Year's Eve, and the handful of misfit passengers that decide to climb to the top of the ship – which is now the bottom. As the story progresses the viewers become one with the film. POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical is part parody, part homage – and a look at how movies can leave their mark on you. Handbag's original 2002 Chicago production of POSEIDON! was a critical and popular smash and extended for a five-month sold-out run in Chicago, and was accepted into The New York International Fringe Festival, where it was the most attended show of 2003, winning an award of excellence for Best Ensemble. The show was remounted in 2009 at The Chopin Theatre and enjoyed another extended run. Benefit Schedule: 6 pm: Pre-show with never-before-seen clips, and memories with the cast members from all three productions. 6:30 pm: the virtual world premiere of POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical. 7:45 pm: Intermission, raffle drawings and bonus clips. 8:50 pm: POSEIDON! ends – raffle and silent auction winners. 9:15 pm: You end up giving us all of your money! Pictured: (left to right) Frankie Leo Bennett, Shane Roberie, Elizabeth Lesinski, Katherine Bellantone, Stevie Love, Nicky Mendelson, Scott Sawa, Tommy Bullington, David Lipschutz and Michael S. Miller in Hell in a Handbag Productions' revival of POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios. The production team includes Christopher Rhoton (scenic design), Beth Laske Miller (costume design), Cat Wilson (lighting design), Danny Rockett (sound design), Adrian Hadlock (props design), Sydney Genco (make-up design), Keith Ryan (wig design), R & D Fight Choreography (violence and stunt choreography), MadisonSmith (assistant director), Noah Watkins (technical director), Andrew C. Donnelly (stage manager) and Dani Bar-Lavi (assistant stage manager). Pictured: (front) Stevie Love (with back, l to r) David Lipschutz, Shane Roberie, Elizabeth Lesinski, Nicky Mendelson and Scott Sawa in Hell in a Handbag Productions' revival of POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical. Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios. About Hell in a Handbag Productions Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to 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. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.