As part of its 20th Anniversary season, Hell in a Handbag is presenting a revival of its popular comedy The Drag Seed, an unauthorized parody of the 1956 psychological horror-thriller film The Bad Seed. Written by Artistic Director David Cerda and directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Drag Seed will play Chicago’s Chopin Theatre February 24 – March 20, 2022.
Mother Connie (Ed Jones) worries about daughter Carson (Patrick O'Keefe)
Following that run, The Drag Seed will play a limited engagement March 31 – April 10, 2022 at the legendary La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City, featuring the full Chicago cast of David Cerda, Sydney Genco, Ed Jones, Elizabeth Lesinski, Tyler Anthony Smith and Danne W. Taylor with Kelly Anchors and Patrick O’Keefe.
Things seem to be looking up for little Carson (Patrick O'Keefe)
Carson (O’Keefe) is a perfect little boy who likes to dress like the perfect little girl and they’re deadly serious about crowns and pronouns. Carson’s mother, Connie (Ed Jones), loves and accepts Carson but wishes Carson wasn’t so competitive. Carson always gets what they want, and they really want to win the drag pageant at their very progressive school – The Josephine Baker Rainbow Academy for Gifted Students. When Carson loses to Summer Breeze, they vow to get that crown – one way or another…
Carson (Patrick O’Keefe) is determined to get what she -- we mean -- THEY want
The production team includes Lauren Nichols (scenic design), Gregory Graham (costume design), Liz Cooper (lighting design), DJ Douglass (sound design), Pamela Parker (props design), Keith Ryan design), Sydney Genco (make-up design), R & D Fight Choreography (fight choreography), Abby Teel (production manager) and Drew Donnelly (stage manager).
Carson (Patrick O'Keefe) sparkles and shines
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 Golden Girls Lost Episodes parody shows have been produced around the country and will be featured in Golden Con in Chicago, the world’s first fan convention dedicated to all things Golden Girls at Navy Pier. As a Latinx queer individual, he 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.
Connie (Ed Jones) doing some research trying to understand her child better
publicity images by Rick Aguilar Studios
The Drag Seed
Hell in a Handbag Productions
The Chopin Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.
February 27–March 20, 2022 (previews Feb. 24-26)
Thurs-Sat at 8; Sun at 4 Mon at 7:30 (March 14 only, Industry Night)
for tickets ($25-50), visit Handbag and The Drag Seed
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.
