CHICAGO ( Oct. 9, 2020 ) — Hell in a Handbag Productions once again takes on the classic 1970s disaster film genre with a totally ridiculous twist! Airport 1970SOMETHING is a parody that celebrates the popular '70s Airport disaster film series, edited and dubbed over with new dialogue by Handbag ensemble members and some of Chicago's favorite performers. Originally created as a special addition to Handbag's recent Drive-In Festival, Airport 1970SOMETHING is back by popular demand as a special Halloween treat!
Adapted by Artistic Director David Cerda and edited by Peter Neville,Airport 1970SOMETHING will stream virtually via Vimeo on Fridays and Saturdays from October 16 — November 14, 2020. Tickets ( $15 for 1 patron, $25 for 2 patrons, $45 for groups ) are currently available athandbagproductions.org or directly through TicketLeap.com . Patrons will receive a link to view the production on their preferred date between 6 p.m. — midnight.
Airport 1970SOMETHING features the vocal talents of Lance Baker,Tommy Bullington, David Cerda*, Grant Drager*, Jennifer Engstrom,Sydney Genco*, Mierka Girten, Alex Grelle, Ricky Harris, Caitlin Jackson*, Ed Jones*, Lori Lee*, Rob Lindley, Michael S. Miller*,Shade Murray, Michael Rashid*, Jamie Smith, Tyler Anthony Smith*,Doug Vickers, Honey West, Robert Williams*, AJ Wright and Chay Yew.
Watch the brave crew try to land a plane after flight 666 to Helena, Montana is hit by a small aircraft rendering the Captain ( Grant Drager* ) blind and gravely injured. Can the ground crew ( Michael S. Miller* and Lori Lee* ) help Nancy, the Head Stewardess ( Ed Jones* ) land the plane? Will Nancy and her boyfriend ( that she sometimes mistakes for her father ) Al Murdoch ( Michael Rashid* ) survive this test of their love? Will the beautiful and glamorous passenger, living legend Gloria Swanson ( David Cerda* ), live long enough to add a new chapter to her autobiography? What about Linda Blair ( Ricky Harris ) or Myrna Loy ( Doug Vickers ), or the nun who looks suspiciously like Helen Reddy ( Alex Grelle )? Fasten your seatbelts and board Airport 1970SOMETHING to find out.
*Denotes Handbag ensemble members and artistic associates
Performance Schedule
Friday, October 16, 2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Friday, November 6, 2020
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Friday, November 13, 2020
Saturday, November 14, 202
About the Artists
David Cerda ( Adapter ) is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, now in its 18th year. As the resident playwright, his plays include POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, Christmas Dearest, Sexy Baby, Lady X- The Musical, The Drag Seed, and many more. Cerda was in inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2016 and received an honorary lifetime Jeff Award in 2017 for his contribution to Chicago theatre.
Peter Neville ( Video Editor ) is a producer, director and editor as well as a graphic designer for his company Image Control Unit. He has produced and directed more than 40 television commercials and dozens of music videos. The winter of 2012 was the premiere and directorial debut of his feature film "Scrooge & Marley," a modern day version of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". This winter, he will be editing his first feature-length documentary "IdleWild," which is to be released in the summer of 2021. In 1999, Neville was the director for R. Rated, a comedy anthology series that aired on the Fox Network consisting of film and video shorts by Chicago area artists and comedians.
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 .
