On the heels of its hit production Miracle!, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2015-16 season with BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, a musical tribute to the legendary Bette Midler starring Caitlin Jackson, directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik with music direction by Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow.  BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS will play July 17 – August 21, 2015 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org.  The press opening is Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm.

Join Handbag Diva Caitlin Jackson as she pays tribute to the Divine Miss M’s legendary cabaret act at the equally legendary Continental Bathhouse in New York City. Featuring a live band, this loving recreation of the beginning of Ms. Midler’s stellar career will feature the fabulous songs she sang for the boys in the bathhouse, including Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Superstar, and of course, Chapel of Love done in Bette’s inimitable style. Well, nearly inimitable. Handbag transforms the newly remodeled Mary’s Attic into the legendary Bathhouse (just tell your great Aunt Gertie this is where young men went to clean up back in the day) complete with hot dancing boys wearing strategically placed towels… and steam… lots of steam.

The production team for BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS includes: Zachary Gipson (set design), Kate Setzer Kampausen (costume design), Mikey Moran (sound design), Mealah Heidenreich (props design) and Jacqueline Widman (stage manager).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS

Director/Choreographer: Christopher Pazdernik

Music Director: Jeremy Ramey

Cast: Caitlin Jackson as Bette Midler and Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow with Adam Fane and TJ Crawford as The Bathhouse Boys.

Location: Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago

Dates: Previews:  Friday, July 17 at 8 pm

Press performance: Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm

Regular run:  Friday, July 24 – Friday, August 21, 2015

Curtain Times: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm.  Please note: there will not be performances on Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 22.  There will be added performances on Thursday, August 13 and Thursday, August 20 at 8 pm.

Tickets: Preview: $12. Regular run: $20 in advance, $22 at the door. Limited VIP reserved seating with drink $35. Big Gay Group Rate: $16 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org.