Playwright: Ryan Landry. At: The Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Space #3, 2936 N Southport Ave. Phone: 800-838-3006; $20-$25. Runs Through: Oct. 30
Hell in a Handbag Productions is at it again with a brand new parody, this time taking on the Tennessee Williams classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ryan Landry originally opened a version of this show in Boston back in 2004, which now arrives in the Windy City. The Handbaggers have taken the story and run with it. This cat sinks its claws into such topics as same-sex marriage and addiction. With Artistic Director David Cerda throwing in a dash of typical Hell camp, this production has moments of bust-a-gut laughter.
Jeremy Myers plays the lead sexually frustrated character, Maggie, in drag for the first time with seductive charm and priceless facial expressions that would make Elizabeth Taylor (who played the role in the movie, of course) blush.
David takes the cake as Mae and throws it off the porch! By popping out of the window shutters like a version of the nutty '70s television show Laugh-In, the audience went wild for the nosy neighbor's antics. The Ethel to Cerda's Lucy, ensemble member Ed Jones plays a lesbian lover who makes each line sing. "The biggest polyester plantation the South has ever seen" is run by Honey West as Big Mama, finally arriving to shake up the family. West can work on the highs and lows of the character but settles into a nice rhythm towards the end of the show. Mama is not an easy part to play and West continues to please the crowds.
The awkward set was tricky for the troupe. With men in heels, ladders and steps can be a slippery slope and a tad dangerous, giving new meaning to the expression "break a leg." Director Matthew Gunnels could have trimmed the two-hour cat's tale a bit but with a healthy intermission it was a perfect time to grab a drink and join the campy second act.
Brick Pollup, played by Eric Lindahl, has the straight role and really anchors the piece with a strong performance hitting a home run by the sticky ending. While not a musical like other Handbag shows such as Poseidon or Trogg, this selection is a nice addition to the company's repertoire.
