” A Christmas Dearest” reviewed by Frank Meccia

Highly Recommended **** The first time I saw this production was when it was performed at Mary’s Attic above the old and gone Hamburger Mary, I laughed so hard I felt I had to go to confession out of guilt for watching this. And now after Covid, David Cerda resurrected this holiday play to new heights.

Being on a much bigger stage then before, his Director Derek Van Barham brought new life into this already great show. To be honest, I don’t remember so many musical performances like this before, but everyone was great. And of course, the star of this show is David Cerda playing Joan Crawford, and let’s be honest, nobody does Joan like David does. In this production it’s 1953 and Joan is desperate to reignite her dwindling career with a new film, “ Oh, Mary “ a big Hollywood musical adaptation of the life of the Virgin Mary, ( This is where my Catholic guilt comes in ), but the stress of this show has turned her into a tyrant or we should say an Ebenezer Scrooge

Davis has found away to rewrite every character from Charles Dickins into this show, of course with new names to fit this show. Joan’s personal assistant Carol Ann played by Ed Jones is so perfect in Tempo and showing the warmth of this character. Joan being so stressed is visited by 3 ghosts to help change her evil ways, the first played by LB Mayer shows her how she was loved in her past Christmases, Christmas Present is played by Tyler Anthony Smith as Olive her best friend now gone, and of course the Ghost of Christmas Future Betty Davis played by Caitlin Jackson, she was perfect in the role, she had Ms. Davis’s mannerisms down perfect. The entire cast is flawless in this production, from Mark Barty’s portrayal of Christina to Nicky Mendelsohn excellent rendition of Teeny Teena, everything in this production screams that we are going to see great things from Hell in A Handbag productions and from David Cerda.

“A Christmas Dearest” is playing at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (How Ironic) 1650 w. Foster Ave Chicago. Parking is a mess just like at other places, which means street parking. Ticket prices are $32 – $50 and it will play thru December 31st with performances:

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 4 p.m.

Go to www. Hellinahandbasketproductions.com.

P.S. Handbasket Productions is turning 20, their benefit party is Sunday December 19th at 3pm at the Chicago Yacht Club. Special guest their own Divine Miss M !! There are going to be some great prizes at this benefit, from trips, to vacation homes to theatre.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click “A Christmas dearest”.