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Regional Reviews: Chicago The Real Housewives of the North Pole Also see Kelly's review of White Christmas and Karen's review of A Christmas Carol
Company founder and Artistic Director David Cerda wrote this funny, lovingly detailed parody, in which he also stars as Gladys (Mrs. Dasher). Except that the other reindeer dames on stage are always grabbing the spotlight away from Gladys, and from each other, in jealous defiance as the show zips along. Mr. Cerda's script frequently caught me by surprise with flashes of great humor. Tommy Bullington directs, keeping comedy and character on point in a lively one hundred and thirty-five minute pageant, including intermission. It goes by very quickly, save for the occasional brief "hold" between scenes, to allow for the next crazy group of costume changes and the actors to be rushed out on the stage once more, thanks to their fearsome designer Marquecia Jordan. The cast includes the beloved performer Honey West, touching as Mrs. Claus, clinging to sobriety despite the machinations of "Real Housewives" creator Andy Cohen (played perfectly oily here by ensemble member David Lipschutz). He has descended upon the North Pole just after a scandal that landed Father Christmas in jail. There's a glorious psychological cross-pollinating between the show and the show-within-a-show. The fundamentals of each blend perfectly together. There are hardly any actual singing drag moments, but there's a steady stream of confessional scenes (shown on flat screen TVs) that resemble drag solos. These add up to a flood of juicy gossip, ready to be squeezed into our brains. In drag, grievance just seems like second nature. And the "Real Housewives" series give us strange lessons in sociology and, just maybe, an unexpected sense of belonging as well, like any good drag show. When you put them together, it's a magical kind of synergy, like the two generations of performers on stage. The young actors take to it like penguins on ice. Britain Shutters is amazing as the dimwitted Suzy Snowflake (wife of Jack Frost). And Anna Rose Steinmeyer is very smart and funny, jamming together wildly disparate psychological elements in her head, just for a laugh, as Clarice (Mrs. Rudolph). Early on, Gretchen Greear is weirdly funny as a TV news anchor, acting as prologue. And of course, each of the housewives comes up with her own ridiculous get-rich-quick scheme during the course of the show. Taylor Mercado Owen is excellent as the sexy elf Carlos, Mrs. Claus' confidant, and the target of the fictional Mr. Cohen's affections. Mr. Owen and Mr. Lipschutz get a great surreal moment in a spat over cue cards. Kelly Opalko gives us a deep focus on character, riding the fine line between stoicism and absurdity as the TV show's lowly production assistant. Ensemble member Robert Williams is great as Samantha (Mrs. Frosty the Snowman), a strong Black woman who's always on the verge of being slain in the spirit, at least when it'll draw focus. And ensemble member Terry McCarthy is very good as a grizzled make-up lady (also appearing as the mysterious "Man in Black"). One technical note: the TV screens overhead could be more center-stage, in my opinion, though the videos and technical cues are perfect. I never thought it would come to this, but it suddenly seems like Hell in a Handbag might just go on for another 86 productions, beyond this 86th show. It feels like the perfect midway point, and a quantum shift to make it all come true. The Real Housewives of the North Pole, Hell in a Handbag Productions, runs through January 4, 2026, at Clutch Theatre, 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago IL. For tickets and information, please visit www.handbagproductions.org. Cast: Production Staff: * Denotes Hell in a Handbag Ensemble Member ** Denotes Member, Local 110 of the union of Moving Picture Machine Operators
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