Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE NORTH POLE

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the world premiere of The Real Housewives of The North Pole, a holiday parody written by Artistic Director David Cerda, directed by Tommy Bullington, playing November 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026 at The Clutch, Handbag’s boutique performance space at 4335 N. Western Ave. in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1836141.

The Real Housewives of The North Pole will feature ensemble members David Cerda, David Lipschutz, Terry McCarthy and Robert Williams with Taylor Owen Mercado, Kelly Opalko, Britain Shutters, Anna Rose Steinmeyer and Honey West. Understudies include Gretchen Greear, Brenda Holiday, Silas Kachman, Riley Partinand Hannah Tymoko.

About the Production:

The North Pole is in trouble. Santa and all the North Pole power players are indicted for fraud and it’s up to the women to try and save their families from financial ruin. But how? Years of wealth and privilege have left them with a lot of designer clothes and jewelry, but little else.

Santa’s wife, Ruth Claus (Honey West), is newly sober and juggling finances, with only her suave sobriety coach Carlos (Taylor Owen Mercado) to lean on. Enter Andy Cohen (David Lipschutz) from the Bravo network, who whisks her into reality TV stardom with The Real Housewives of the North Pole.

Ruth joins a frosty lineup of holiday divas: Mrs. Samantha Frosty (Robert Williams), Suzy Snowflake (Britain Shutters), Mrs. Gladys Dasher (David Cerda) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s wife, Clarice (Anna Rose Steinmeyer) – all ready to share holiday spirit – and actual spirits.

Rounding out the chaos: an anonymous Production Assistant (Kelly Opalko) and Cookie (Terry McCarthy), the unapologetic make-up guru. There will be plenty of cameo appearances by some of the North Pole’s most famous (and infamous) citizens, as well – thanks to magic of technology.

Dates: Previews: Thursday, November 20 at 7:30 pm, Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 23 at 3 pm and Friday, November 28 at 7:30 pm
Press performances: Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Sunday January 4, 2026

Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: There will not be performances on Sunday, December 7 or Thursday, December 25; there will be added performances on Sunday, December 21 at 6:30 pm and Monday, December 22 at 7:30 pm.

Additional shows: December 20, 6:30pm, December 21, 7:30pm

Tickets: Previews: $36.25 General admission: $44.25. VIP reserved with drink ticket: $56.25. Group and senior rates are also available. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1836141. Ticket prices include processing fees.

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a He is a501(c)(3) Not for Profit. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.