“Queen For a Day” reviewed by Frank Meccia

★★★ out of ★★★★ Hell in a Handbag Productions returns with another campy, clever, and delightfully offbeat piece in Queen For A Day, now playing at the intimate Bramble Arts Loft in Edgewater. Written by Tyler Anthony Smith and sharply directed by Stephanie Shaw, this 75-minute whirlwind is a fever-dream comedy that blends British monarchy with Studio 54-era fashion and celebrity excess.
The concept alone is hilarious: what if Queen Elizabeth I paid a visit to legendary fashion designer Halston—on the day he lost everything? From the moment the audience steps into the small 46-seat loft space, they are immersed in Halston’s chic 1970s world. As the play begins, Halston (played with haunting stillness and vulnerability) sits in his iconic all-white suit and dark sunglasses, silent and motionless, setting the tone for a surreal, possibly imagined encounter.

Then comes the knock at the door, and in sweeps the Virgin Queen herself, played with royal aplomb by playwright Tyler Anthony Smith. With powdered face, elaborate red wig, and sharp-tongued flair, Smith’s Elizabeth is a queen in every sense—poised, biting, and completely captivating. She declares she will die in the next 24 hours and demands one final, fabulous gown. What follows is a campy yet poignant meditation on identity, legacy, and personal reinvention

The heart of the piece lies in the explosive and sometimes absurd banter between Halston and Elizabeth, covering everything from fashion and failure to virginity and personal delusion. Enter Liza Minnelli—Halston’s ever-loyal muse—played by Dakota Hughes in a coke-dusted, high-energy performance that’s equal parts caricature and affection. Hughes’s Liza is daffy, fierce, and vulnerable, serving as a bridge between fantasy and reality in Halston’s deteriorating world.

Stephanie Shaw’s direction keeps the pacing tight for most of the show, though the ending does stumble a bit. Like in Smith’s previous work, Poor People, there’s a tendency to stretch the final moments past their emotional peak. Still, the journey is worth it, with enough sharp laughs and poignant insights to keep the audience engaged.

A standout element is Rachel M. Sypniewski’s costume design. The Queen’s gown is lavish and period-perfect, while Halston’s suit is a stunning nod to 1970s minimalism. (Confession: I had a similar outfit back in the day!) Scenic Designer Taylor Dalton and Stage Manager Jenna Raithel do wonders with the limited space, transforming the loft into a fully realized fashion office dreamscape.
“Queen For A Day”  runs through August 3 at the Bramble Arts Loft (5545 N. Clark). Performances are :

Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm,

Saturdays at 4:00pm and 7:30pm, and

Sundays at 4:00 pm.

Tickets are $35, with VIP reserved seating at $43, available at www.handbagproductions.org.
For anyone over 50, it’s a nostalgic, smart, and delightfully twisted trip.

For everyone else, it’s a fabulous, funny night of theater you won’t want to miss.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at ” Queen For a Day”.