THE SKOOBY ON HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THIS BUSH,
OR SKOOBY DON’T GO? DEPENDS ON YOUR TASTE
Hell in a Handbag Productions‘ world premiere of The Golden Girls Meet the Skooby Don’t Gang: The Mystery of the Haunted Bush promises a highly entertaining evening with drag, raunchy humor, and beloved characters young and old. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite deliver. Still, the camp parody makes for an amusing evening despite its Zoinks! moments.
Elizabeth Lesinski, Tyler Anthony Smith and Caitlin Jackson
Tyler Anthony Smith, Ryan Oates, Grant Drager, Michael S. Miller,
Ed Jones, Caitlin Jackson, David Cerda and Danne W. Taylor
The Golden Girls Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia await the arrival of Rose’s nephew, Fred, and his friends, Daffy, Velva, Skaggy, and Skooby (references, of course, to the beloved cartoon Scooby-Doo). Rose (Ed Jones) has asked Fred (Tyler Anthony Smith) to come to town for a casual visit, but she has ulterior motives. She really wants Fred and his mystery-solving friends to help her solve the mystery of a haunted bush that’s been stalking her lately. Oh, and Nancy Drew (Danne W. Taylor) is also there — a point the gang is very excited about it but doesn’t have much of a payoff.
Ed Jones, David Cerda and Grant Drager
Caitlin Jackson and Elizabeth Lesinski
While The Golden Girls and the Skooby gang work on solving the mystery of the haunted bush, a series of hilarious chase scenes ensue, and are the most successful aspect of this show, with wonderfully timed door slams and monster reveals. It had never occurred to me that the Scooby-Doo episode format would translate so well to stage, but with David Cerda’s writing, Frankie Leo Bennett’s direction, Madeline Felauer‘s costumes, Syd Genco‘s makeup, and Keith Ryan‘s wigs, it really does. Now I want to see more Scooby adaptations.
Josh Kemper, Tyler Anthony Smith and Ryan Oates
David Cerda, Grant Drager, Ed Jones, Ryan Oates and Danne W. Taylor
Aside from the chase scenes, the characters aren’t putting a lot of effort into solving this mystery. They seem more interested in sleeping with each other (Velva and Daffy are secretly a couple, and Skaggy finds himself in bed with Nancy Drew herself). Nothing against the sexual tension, but it kills the momentum of the mystery a little. When we got back to investigating, I couldn’t remember who I was supposed to suspect.
Ben Meneses and Josh Kemper
(front) Elizabeth Lesinski, Tyler Anthony Smith and Caitlin Jackson,
(back) David Cerda and Grant Drager
While Cerda certainly writes some very funny moments, the biggest issue with this show is the comedic timing. There doesn’t seem to be an outside eye making sure jokes hit their mark. A few struggle to land with deliveries that can’t find their rhythm. Others were overcomplicated, coming across as inside jokes. If it weren’t for those meddling jokes, this could have been a hoot. That said, the play and the company seem self-aware. This is no Angels in America. They’re just having a good time with what it is: a goofy low-budget parody.
Ed Jones, David Cerda and Ryan Oates
(front to back) Tyler Anthony Smith and Danne W. Taylor
If that’s what you’re expecting, I think you’ll have a good time. The energy in the space is welcoming, and you can even try your hand at some trivia during costume changes for the chance to win a prize. What fun! With all the above in mind, if you’re a big fan of both The Golden Girls and Scooby-Doo, I think The Golden Girls Meet the Skooby Don’t Gang makes for a good goofy evening. If you’re not that demographic you might want to skip this one.
Caitlin Jackson and Elizabeth Lesinski
photos by Rick Aguilar Studios
The Golden Girls Meet The Skooby Don’t Gang: The Mystery of The Haunted Bush
Hell in a Handbag Productions
The Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago
Thurs-Sat at 8; Sun at 3; Sun at 8 (Oct. 27); Wed at 8 (Oct. 30)
ends on November 3, 2024
for tickets ($45-$60), visit at Handbag or Haunted Bush