Burlesque- and Vaudeville-style performance has become “retro hip” in recent years. If you’re curious, “Sexy Santa’s Spectacular! Spectacular! (Burlesque’s Naughty list)” is a great primer, an excuse to get “naughty” in the name of holiday revelry and, although the show clocks in at a mere hour, it’s a theater outing bargain.
“Sexy Santa” is a sampler of the local scene. The lineup changes each installment (don’t expect performers mentioned here in future shows) and includes acts from groups including Belmont Burlesque, Varietease Cabaret and Vaudezilla Productions.
Of course, any burlesque show includes stripping. But unlike, say, the Admiral Club, these acts are as much about artistry as titillation (nothing against…er, creative ways of grabbing bills) and dancers are never entirely nude, stripping to panties and tassels. (Although “pasty malfunctions” do occur.)
This is also a great couples' date show. The range displayed for the reviewed performance was arguably empowering to women—any body can be burlesque sexy, from the plentifully voluptuous Paris Green to the waif-like Lady Jack. Each dancer artistically interprets a mix of sexuality and seasonal song in her own way. Lady Jack shows that women, in their everyday attire, may be hiding a good dose of sexy. From androgynous, laborer-like attire, she strips into a sexy Rudolph. Pearl Pistol begins her act naked and makes the art of dressing into Mary’s manger attire hot.
There are comedy sketches, too. (Written by Keith Emroll and directed by Emroll and dancer Red Hot Annie.) Expect some corny—references to “chestnuts” and “Yule logs” and flying cream pies—but they fit the over-the-top aura and are often laugh-out-loud. (The casts songs about their restaurant/retail sponsors are comedy gold.)
Although they don’t strip, men are involved in the show—Emroll, the Rev. Doug Dowell of St. Louis (a character?) and Manny More, who hosts the show, appears in sketches and belts out carol parodies.
While some acts/sketches repeat, the stars shift enough to make “Sexy Santa” worth repeat viewing—Dec. 20 feature Miss Tamale, for example, is noted for employing flaming objects. (See http://www.gorillatango.com for upcoming show rosters.)
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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