THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE KELLY GIRLS VIA THE FACTORY THEATER FEBRUARY 17 - APRIL 1, 2023

 THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 

THE KELLY GIRLS 

FEBRUARY 17 - APRIL 1, 2023

WRITTEN BY SHANNON O’NEILL AND 

DIRECTED BY SPENSER DAVIS

The Factory Theater’s 28th Season Continues with the Story of Political Upheaval in 1960s Ireland. Debuting at its Rogers Park home and Includes a Launch Party, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 from 6 - 9 p.m.

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the second production in its 28th season, the world premiere of The Kelly Girls, February 17 - April 1, 2023 written by Shannon O’Neill and directed by Spenser Davis. 

The new season continues with The Kelly Girls Launch Party, Thursday, Jan. 19 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Chief O’Neill’s, 3471 N Elston Ave., and includes entertainment, raffles, and the opportunity for special ticket purchases. 

Previews for The Kelly Girls are Friday, Feb. 17, Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. The press opening is Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. and the performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. plus two Thursday performances March 23 at 8 p.m. and March 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets for The Kelly Girls are $25 and may be purchased through the box office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

In 1960s Belfast, conflicts between various political factions threaten to tear Northern Ireland apart from the inside, sisters Fianna and Regan Kelly feel compelled to engage in the fight for their homeland. But when they join the ranks of the Provisional IRA and find themselves committing acts of brutal terrorism and guerrilla warfare, both young women are forced to question how much they’re willing to destroy in the name of unity. Playwright Shannon O’Neill follows up her critically acclaimed “May the Road Rise Up” with this story of political upheaval and taking a stand.

The Kelly Girls cast includes Amber Washington*✝ (Fianna Kelly), Brittney Brown*~ (Regan Kelly), Anne Smith*^ (Dierdre Kelly), Patrick Blashill+ (Hugh Feeney ), Ben Veatch+✝ (Shane Kelly), Mandy Walsh** (Aiofe Connolly), Rob Koon+ (Gerry Adams), Joshua Servantez+ (Denny), Vic Kuligoski+✝ (Oscar), Elliot Sagay+ (Brendan Hughes), Dani Pike* (Fiana U/S), Katy Campbell* (Regan U/S), Ann James* (Dierdre Kelly U/S), Travis Barnhart+ (Hugh/Shane Kelly U/S), Chase Wheaton-Werle+~ (Brandon U/S), Jill Iverson* (Aiofe Connolly U/S) and Jerome R. Marzullo+ (Gerry Adams U/S), Collan Simmons+ (Denny/Oscar U/S).

The Kelly Girls production team includes Shannon O’Neill~ (playwright), Spenser Davis~ (director), Janyce Caraballo (assistant director), Shelby Burgus✝ (stage manager), Becca Halloway~ (production manager), Manuel Ortiz✝ (set design), C.W. Van Baale~ (master electrician), Ben Carne (lighting designer), Rachel Lambert (costume design), Hannah Foerschler (sound designer), Lauren Grace Thompson (dialect coach), Jennifer Mickelson (intimacy designer) and Chris Smith (fight choreographer).

~ denotes Factory Ensemble

✝ denotes Factory Artistic Associate

**Denotes Factory Theater Ensemble Emeritus

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)

ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER

For more than 25 years, the Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble are ambassadors of a good time, making certain that Chicago remains heartily entertained.

The Factory Theater,1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the second production in its 28th season, the world premiere of The Kelly Girls, February 17 - April 1, 2023 written by Shannon O’Neill and directed by Spenser Davis. The new season continues with The Kelly Girls Launch Party, Thursday, Jan. 19 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Chief O’Neill’s, 3471 N Elston Ave., and includes entertainment, raffles, and the opportunity for special ticket purchases. Previews for The Kelly Girls are Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and  Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. The Press Opening is Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. and the performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. plus two Thursday performances March 23 at 8 p.m. and March 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets for The Kelly Girls are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

World Premiere! THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES The Obligatory Holiday Special Via Hell in a Handbag Through December 30, 2022

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

World Premiere!

Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents

THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES

The Obligatory Holiday Special

By Artistic Director David Cerda

Directed by Spenser Davis

November 26 – December 30, 2022 at The Center on Halsted

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've adored Hell in a Handbag Productions original comedies for decades! David Cerda has a penchant for penning parodies and legs to die for. The hellions at Handbag Productions do incomparably hilarious drag parodies of classic films, but our hands down handbag favorites are always The Golden Girls. Grab a few friends and get thee to The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Obligatory Holiday Special. Don't miss this!

Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to ring in the holiday season with the return of its favorite seniors in The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Obligatory Holiday Special, playing November 26 – December 30, 2022 at The Hoover-Leppen Theatre at The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia and their whacky friends and relatives return in all new episodes, written by Artistic Director David Cerda* and directed by Spenser Davis. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/775153. 

The production stars original cast members David Cerda*, Grant Drager*, Ed Jones* and Ryan Oates as the Geriatric Fab Four, joined by Lori Lee*, Terry McCarthy*, Michael Miller*, Michael Rashid*, Coco Sho-Nell, Jamie Smith and Danne W. Taylor*. 

The holidays take an unexpected turn for the gals when they find out that the infamous Shady Pines Retirement Community is on the verge of closing, leaving most of Sophia’s friends homeless for the holidays. Can the girls step in and save the day in time for Christmas? Will Rose be able to make it to St. Olaf in time for the ever-popular Herring Bowl Parade? These questions, and many more you never asked will be answered this newest installment of The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes.

The production team includes Robert-Eric West (Costume Design), Liz Cooper (Lighting Designer), DJ Douglass (Sound Designer), Devon Green (Props Designer), Sydney Genco* (Make-Up Design), Keith Ryan* (Wig Designer), Christopher Rhoton (Scenic Design Consultant) and Veronica Kostka (Stage Manager).

 

COVID safety: Masking is recommended, but not required. COVID guidelines may change in accordance with public health guidelines.

*Denotes Handbag Ensemble Member

Cast (in alphabetical order): David Cerda* (Dorothy), Grant Drager* (Blanche), Ed Jones* (Rose), Lori Lee* (Host, Clara), Terry McCarthy* (Nurse Ursula) Michael Miller* (Councilman Hardin), Ryan Oates* (Sophia), Michael Rashid* (Esther Shapiro), Coco Sho-Nell (Wanda), Jamie Smith (Bob Hope) and Danne W. Taylor* (Nancy Drew).

 

Location: The Hoover Leppen Theater at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago

Previews: Saturday November 26 at 7:30 pm, Sunday November 27 at 3 pm and Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 pm

Regular run: Sunday, December 4 – Friday, December 30, 2022

Curtain Times: Thursday, Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be added performances on Sunday, December 18 at 7 pm and Wednesday, December 21 at 7 pm; there will not be performances on Saturday, December 3, Saturday, December 10, Saturday, December 24 or Sunday, December 25.

Tickets: $24 previews, $29 advanced general admission, $34 at the door, $48 VIP/reserved seating with drink ticket. Group rates $24 for 10 or more. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/775153.

About the Artists

David Cerda (Playwright) is a founding member and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now celebrating its 20th year anniversary. As resident playwright, he has written many Handbag productions as well as acted in them. His play, The Drag Seed was recently produced at LaMaMa Experimental Theater and his Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and was featured in Golden Con: Thank you for being a Fan, the world’s first fan convention dedicated to all things Golden Girls at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Cerda is a proud inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and recipient of a Jeff Award for lifetime achievement for his 25 years (and counting) of work and service to the community. He lives in Chicago with his partner, Christopher.

Spenser Davis (Director) is excited to be back at Hell in a Handbag, where he previously directed 'the Girls' in their virtual "Lockdown!" special. An award-winning director and playwright, he was the 2020/21 Maggio Directing Fellow at the Goodman Theatre, where he worked alongside Bob Falls on Rebecca Gilman's Swing State and Adam Rapp's The Sound Inside. Regionally, he's worked at South Coast Repertory, the Colorado New Play Festival, and Street Corner Arts in Austin, TX. Chicago directing credits include Labyrinth, Plainclothes (with Kanomé Jones), At The Table, From White Plains, Mare and A Phase (Broken Nose Theatre); The Spin (Interrobang Theatre Project); May the Road Rise Up, Adventures of Spirit Force Five and the upcoming Kelly Girls (The Factory Theater); and Blue Stockings (Promethean Theatre). His production of At The Table was named "One of Best of the Decade" by Storefront Rebellion and "One of the Year's Best" by the Chicago Tribune. His honors include the Jeff Award for Best Director, the B. Iden Payne Award for Best Director, the Elizabeth George Commission, the M. Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award and being named finalist for the Harold & Mimi Steinberg New Play Award from the American Theatre Critics Association. He's currently developing projects for television with Orion/MGM, among others. He’s represented by both William Morris Endeavor + Heroes and Villains Entertainment.

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.