Murray Hill and the World Famous Pontani Sisters in ‘This Is Burlesque.’ Photo: Don Spiro.
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By Jonathan Warman
Friday, August 08, 2008
[title of show]
You gotta love the gay boys at the helm of “[title of show]”—writer/performers Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen—for their sheer chutzpah if nothing else. A little indie-ish show like this on the Great White Way? Are you crazy? For that very reason, I think that Broadway is exactly the place for this show; it’s the same reason I liked “Spring Awakening” more when I saw it on the Main Stem. The world of off-off-Broadway and off-Broadway has been rife with experiments like these for decades, and they vanish without a trace. In the big world of Broadway, however, their little statements resonate all the louder.
“[title of show]” takes a whimsical but intimate look at the joyful, risky process of artistic creation, as two struggling writers and two struggling actresses (Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff) make a new musical about making the very same new musical. It’s very much the work of young artists: Full of energy and ambition, but not structurally airtight. Given their four years on the show, however, the structure is more than tight enough to pass muster on Broadway. “Via Galactica” this ain’t—and if you get the reference, this definitely a show for you.
“[title of show],” 8 p.m. Mon., Tue. & Thu. Sat., 3 p.m. Sat. & Sun. and 7 p.m. Sun. at the Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St., $36.50-$101.50, 212-239-6200, titleofshow.com.
This is Burlesque
This is the kind of show that just goes better with a cocktail. Conveniently, the shots flow freely at an on-stage bar during intermission. The cozy Tribeca space Corio cultivates an early 20th century feel, which suits this intimate, revue-style tribute to the craft of Gypsy Rose Lee and Blaze Starr. Harking back to speakeasies and vaudeville, this show pays homage to the magic and roots of burlesque.
Lesbian fave (just don’t call him a “drag king”!) Murray Hill hosts, and he’s the funniest I’ve ever seen him. His timing has gotten a lot sharper, his shtick considerably less corny (he lets his suit and glasses take care of that part these days). I’ve long been a fan of Angie Pontani (“The Italian Stallionette”) and The World Famous Pontani Sisters. They deliver as always—both in Angie’s athletic solos and their tightly choreographed group numbers—adding a witty dose of creativity to all the bump and grind.
The tap-dancing sister Helen Pontani does the costumes for the show, which achieve gaudy splendor with truly minimal means. Peek-a-boo Pointe is touted as “the fastest tassel twirler from east to west,” and rightfully so. The show draws a wildly diverse crowd—there were purse girls, Europeans and assorted homos the night we went. Good for the gays? You bet, what with hot, self-possessed nearly naked women for the lesbians, abundant campiness and sequined glamour for the gay boys.
“This Is Burlesque,” 8 p.m. Thu.–Sat and 11 p.m. Sat. at Corio Supper Club, 337 West Broadway, $25, 212-868-4444, thisisburlesque.com.
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