Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents Its Newest Golden Girls Parody

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to conclude its 22nd season with the world premiere of The Golden Girls Meet The Skooby Don’t Gang: The Mystery of The Haunted Bush, bringing together two beloved Handbag parodies in one chilling Halloween tale. The girls – Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, Sophia (and their whacky friends) – enlist the help of America’s favorite 30-something teenage detectives to help solve a mystery in this all new episode written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Frankie Leo Bennett. The Mystery of The Haunted Bush plays October 10 - November 3, 2024 on The Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or bit.ly/hauntedbush.

Rose’s (Ed Jones) nephew Fred (Tyler Anthony Smith) is coming for a visit with his amateur sleuth friends, Daffy (Liz Lesinski), Velva (Caitlin Jackson), Skaggy (Josh Kemper) and their dog Skooby (Ben Meneses). While Rose is excited, she’s also hiding the real motive for inviting them: she’s being haunted by a big, scary bush – or is it a tree? There’s seems to be some confusion about that.

Meanwhile, the Skooby gang is in awe of their idol and Sophia’s (Ryan Oates) best friend, Nancy Drew (Danne W. Taylor), particularly Skaggy, who takes things a step further. Can the gang help the girls solve the mystery of the haunted bush before it devours Rose? Will Velva and Daffy reveal their special secret? Will Dorothy (David Cerda), Blanche (Grant Drager) and Sophia survive the spooky hijinks?

Join Miami’s favorite roomies in a spine chillingly ridiculous tale, that combines Handbag’s signature biting humor with a heart.

The production stars David Cerda (Dorothy), Grant Drager (Blanche), Ed Jones (Rose), Josh Kemper (Skaggy), Caitlin Jackson (Velva) Elizabeth Lesinski (Daffy), Ben Meneses (Skooby), Michael S. Miller (Rita Claxton), Ryan Oates (Sophia), Scott Sawa (Stan), Tyler Anthony Smith(Fred) and Danne W. Taylor (Nancy Drew).

Previews: Thursday, October 10, Friday October 11 and Saturday, September 12 at 8 pm
Opening/Press performance: Sunday, October 13 at 7 pm
Regular run: Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, November 3, 2024
Curtain Times: Thursday, Fridays and Saturday at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be added performances on Sunday, October 20, Sunday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 30 at 8 pm.

Tickets: $29 previews, $38 advanced general admission, $45 general admission, $48 at the door, $60 VIP/reserved seating with drink ticket. Group rates $35 for 10 or more. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or bit.ly/hauntedbush.

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.