Playgirl Melanie Daniels follows her crush, Mitch Brenner, to his secluded home in Bodega Bay. When she arrives, terror breaks loose in the form of maniacal, attacking birds in Hitchcock's 1963 ornithological thriller, "The Birds." When beautiful model Tippi Hedren was cast as leading lady Melanie Daniels, the blonde actress dealt with some mixed reactions, and her experiences provide fodder for this parody. Suzanne Pleshette, for example, was originally cast as Daniels, but was subsequently shoved into the supporting role of Annie Hayworth. And then there was Mr. Hitchcock's less-than-professional interest in Tippi. By combining off-set events, playing up the now-camp factor of the film with loads o' drag (because that is what Hell in a Handbag does best) and adding a freaky psychoanalyst named Camille Paglia (the "feminist who feminists love to hate") into the mix as Tippi's acting coach/analyst, this production packs in a lot—perhaps too much.
If you try to figure out all the additional, postmodern aspects, like having Paglia on-hand constantly psychoanalyzing the clueless Hedren, or wondering why all the supporting women are men in drag, then you'll miss the point here. Much like a school assignment, you've got to re-watch "The Birds," and even do a little research into Paglia before seeing the show—it'll be more fun that way. Of course, no need to study up on camp and drag—just enjoy their obviously entertaining qualities.
That said, Hell In a Handbag puts on a hilarious show—some moments will have you cry-laughing. Cleverly utilizing the Berger Cultural Center's coach house, the cast runs inside and out while birds attack from every which way. At times, however, Paglia seems out of place, and adds confusion rather than clever commentary. The play drags at the end, and Paglia's character becomes more annoying than intended. Despite these pitfalls, watching Ed Jones in drag as the 12-year-old brat Cathy Brenner is undeniably spectacular.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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