Zombies on the El

Hello bunnies -

Last night marked the sixth annual Halloween edition of the Belmont Burlesque Revue.  This show has been evolving over the years, even though we still keep a few of our original acts, like MsPixy’s vampire version of “I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine.”  We sold out the Playground again, and ended up turning away a number of people that didn’t buy their seats in advance.  It’s a happy problem to have, but given the number of shows we’ve completely sold out lately, it would seem that we are in the market to move to a bigger venue.  The Playground has been our home for the entirety of our six+ year run, so moving will be bittersweet, but a greener pasture looks like it’s on the horizon.

I got to be the zombie for our opening number this year.  I had an amusing el train ride to the theater last night in my zombie makeup.  I highly recommend that everyone try this at least once.  Half the people around you cannot stop themselves from staring while the other half try their damnedest to ignore you.  An interesting little social experiment.

I also managed to up the gore factor before the show by slicing open my fingertip and bleeding all over the dressing room.  How did I do this?  By putting on my pasties.  I use double sided carpet tape to apply them which I have to cut and I managed to slam the blade of the scissors into my hand.  I have now officially given my blood, sweat and tears to burlesque.

Last night also brought a handful of friends (ironically, all in town from Georgia) back to see the show and hang out at the bar afterwards.  Amy Roeder (a former guest act at the BBR and current Second City cast member) and her husband Eric Schaefer (long time Paris Green friend from before I was Paris Green) stopped in as well as Stephen King, a delightful actor who was one of the show’s original super fans.  It’s nice to see old friends in the audience, especially lately, as we’ve consistently had our seats filled with newcomers to the show.

This week I’ve got two more Halloween shows on the schedule – Varietease Cabaret on Friday night and Vaudezilla’s Monster Burlesque Academy on Saturday night.  I’m also starting rehearsals with choreographer extraordinaire Erica Reid Gerdes on my two solo acts for the Hot & Heavy Burlesque tribute to The Wall which will take place in January.  Did I mention that I now own a claw foot bathtub for that show?  I do.  And the guy I bought it from also has a replica Liberty Bell and a 10′ tall Washington Monument in case anyone is in the market for that kind of thing.

kisses,

Paris