Hell in a Handbag SNOWGIRLS Review – Trading Stripper Poles for Candy Canes

Hitching a ride to find your way to a new life isn’t out of the ordinary. But hitching a ride on a sleigh up to the North Pole? Now that’s something you don’t see every day. Trading in a ride in a pick-up truck for a sleigh along with switching human dancers for dancing reindeer are only a few of the alterations SNOWGIRLS makes in their winter wonderland parody of Showgirls.

 

Hell in a Handbag Dances at the North Pole

Seeing the original movie Showgirls before embarking on the SNOWGIRLS journey is, in this writer’s view, an absolute must.  Like most parodies, SNOWGIRLS banks heavily on inside jokes from the film. But to make this ripe for the holiday season, we’re exchanging Las Vegas for the North Pole, alcohol for eggnog, and topless dancers for topless reindeer.

Hell in a Handbag Productions SNOWGIRLS
(left to right) Amelia Bell, Harper Leander and Sharon Rae Ryan

Our star reindeer with a mysterious past, Snowmi, played by Harper Leander, hitchhikes her way to the North Pole where she has dreams of becoming a star dancer. It’s not all candy canes and gumdrops though. The seedy underbelly soon shows itself as Snowmi finds herself working as more stripper than dancer. Through some connections she lands herself an audition for a role in the top topless musical revue - lead by the devious and sexually charged Ice Krystal played by Sydney Genco.

Hell in a Handbag Productions SNOWGIRLS
(left to right) Brittani Yawn, Marissa Williams and Patrick Stengle
Hell in a Handbag Productions SNOWGIRLS
Harper Leander

Will Snowmi falter and never achieve her dream of becoming a star? Or will she stop at nothing to get what she wants?

Elevating A Cult Classic

For many, the original Showgirls already feels like a parody of itself having reached cult status for being one of those so-bad-it’s-good movies with overly dramatic moments and acting. But it seems to be the perfect show for Hell in a Handbag to create an even campier version.

Up in Mary’s Attic, we’re surrounded by festive garland and snow sparkles on the stage. Though we’re in places where nudity is expected, SNOWGIRLS keeps it PG with no real human body parts on display, just some carefully crafted reindeer nipples over brown turtleneck jumpsuits.

The show is chock full of innuendos and other dirty jokes accompanied by original music by David Cerda. The cast plays up each of these lines as well as those hyperbolized iconic moments from the movie, putting all their energy into creating this wild and funny dark side of the North Pole.

SNOWGIRLS might not be the best fit if you’re looking for a more serious musical or if you’re someone who isn’t a fan of parodies. But if you love these cult classic movies made funnier or are looking for a high energy night out, this show is for you

Hell in a Handbag Productions SNOWGIRLS
Erin Daly
Hell in a Handbag Productions SNOWGIRLS
(left to right) Harper Leander and Brittani Yawn

RECOMMENDED

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

Watch this video showing the TOP PICK PLAYS of 2019

CAST:

Sydney Genco
Grant Drager
Terry McCarthy
Amelia Bell
Erin Daly
Keila Hamed-Ramos
Harper Leander
Max McKune
Sharon Rae Ryan
Patrick Stengle
Marissa Williams
Brittani Yawn

CREATIVE:

Derek Van Barham
David Cerda
Scott Lamberty
Jeff Thomson
Jon Martinez
JD Caudill
Kate Setzer Kamphausen
Cat Wilson
Keith Ryan
Drew Donnelly
Kat Moraros

When:

Now through December 30, 2018
Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 6:00pm
Please note: there will not be a 6 pm performance on Sunday, December 2 due to the Handbag Gala.

Where:

Mary’s Attic
5400 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640


for more information please visit Brown Paper website or by calling (800) 838-3006.

Photos Rick Aguilar Studios

Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago

Alexis Bugajski Photo: Liz Lin

About the Author

Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.

Editor's Note:  Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski

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