David Cerda (born June 13, 1961, Hammond, Indiana) is an American performer and playwright based in Chicago. He is currently the artistic director for Hell in a Handbag Productions, which he co-founded in 2002. His campy, highly theatrical plays have made him a notable presence within the Chicago theater scene. He has written and appeared in many of his works, including a transgressive adaptation of Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer, How ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ Happened and POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical[1] which won the New York International Fringe Festival Best Ensemble Award and was the most attended show of the festival that year.[2][3]

David Cerda
David Cerda in 2019
Born (1961-06-13) June 13, 1961 (age 63)
OccupationPlaywright

Cerda’s theatre group has araised money for Chicago LGBT non-profits such as Season of Concern, AIDS Legal Council, Howard Brown, the Legacy Project, Windy City Alliance for the Deaf, and Groceryland.[4]

Selected works

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Hell in a Handbag has produced over 70 original plays, of which Cerda has written several.[5]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Hell in a Handbag Productions: Poseidon". Archived from the original on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
  2. ^ a b "Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical Wins FringeNYC Award". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. ^ a b Douglas, Colin (2019-03-24). "It Ain't Over Until the Fat Lady Swims | Chicago Theatre Review". Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "DAVID CERDA – Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  5. ^ "David Cerda: Pioneer of Camp Theater Hell in a Handbag Productions in Chicago". AMBER LIVE | The Drag Queen Comedy Talk Show. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  6. ^ Helbig, Jack (2019-07-17). "There's nothing bad about The Drag Seed". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  7. ^ Velasquez, Diana (2021-11-05). "'The Drag Seed' brings satire, killer drag queens to the stage". The Pitt News. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  8. ^ "The Drag Seed | Theater in New York". Time Out New York. 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  9. ^ "Hell in a Handbag casts world premiere of 'Snowgirls — the Musical'". Chicago Tribune. 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  10. ^ Douglas, Colin (2018-12-08). "Reindeer Games and Jazz Hands | Chicago Theatre Review". Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  11. ^ Cerda, David (2019-03-19). "Upside Down with David Cerda. An "Inside" look at POSEIDON!". PerformInk. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  12. ^ Forbes, Harry (2019-11-04). "Poseidon! An Upsidedown Musical". Backstage. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  13. ^ "Chicago - Poseidon! An Upside-Down Musical - 1/2/03". www.talkinbroadway.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  14. ^ Morgan, Scott C. (2009-07-01). "THEATER REVIEW Poseidon! - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  15. ^ Reid, Kerry (2019-03-29). "Poseidon! is still shipshape". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  16. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (2022-10-27). "THE GOLDEN GIRLS: THE LOST EPISODES, THE OBLIGATORY HOLIDAY SPECIAL to be Presented by Hell in a Handbag". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  17. ^ "Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer Returns". Best Gay Chicago. 2014-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
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