Gypsy Rose Lee at Minsky’s it was not, but Le Scandal (supposedly the longest running burlesque show in NYC) at the West Bank Café was an entertaining  tribute to the basement burlesque & cabaret shows of yesteryear. Since I was not involved in the planning of this portion of ML reader Erin’s bachelorette party, I had no idea what we were in for. Though I could have produced this show myself in my spare room (a rather budget production, but not budget for the audience), the cast of Le Scandal, - Natasha the sword swallowing belly dancer, rafi the mystic scorpion, feather wielding striptease artist Lady Valentine, Bunny Love the buxom blond that may or may not have been a man (jury is still out) – managed to keep the acts classy while the MC Ms. Bonnie Dunn bridged the gaps with suggestive melodies and quick-witted banter. I’m not sure what was more entertaining, the talent of the cast or the genuine surprise that these unassuming performers, who were more “the burlesque cast time forgot” than Zeigfeld’s Gal’s, even had talent.  Trendy as it is right now, a burlesque show was not exactly on my things to do list, but I was excited for the experience having recently finished Christopher Isherwood’s “The Berlin Stories” – inspiration for Cabaret – that illustrates the grotesque nightlife, entertainment & energy in Berlin on the cusp of Hitler’s Germany. All in all it was a lovely start to the evening, made even sweeter by MY MAJOR AWARD (photo above). I’ll leave out how I won such a prize but if my current gig doesn’t work out look for me on 42nd Street… “and we’ll have a real good time yes sir…”

Gypsy Rose Lee at Minsky’s it was not, but Le Scandal (supposedly the longest running burlesque show in NYC) at the West Bank Café was an entertaining  tribute to the basement burlesque & cabaret shows of yesteryear. Since I was not involved in the planning of this portion of ML reader Erin’s bachelorette party, I had no idea what we were in for. Though I could have produced this show myself in my spare room (a rather budget production, but not budget for the audience), the cast of Le Scandal, - Natasha the sword swallowing belly dancer, rafi the mystic scorpion, feather wielding striptease artist Lady Valentine, Bunny Love the buxom blond that may or may not have been a man (jury is still out) – managed to keep the acts classy while the MC Ms. Bonnie Dunn bridged the gaps with suggestive melodies and quick-witted banter. I’m not sure what was more entertaining, the talent of the cast or the genuine surprise that these unassuming performers, who were more “the burlesque cast time forgot” than Zeigfeld’s Gal’s, even had talent.  Trendy as it is right now, a burlesque show was not exactly on my things to do list, but I was excited for the experience having recently finished Christopher Isherwood’s “The Berlin Stories” – inspiration for Cabaret – that illustrates the grotesque nightlife, entertainment & energy in Berlin on the cusp of Hitler’s Germany.

All in all it was a lovely start to the evening, made even sweeter by MY MAJOR AWARD (photo above). I’ll leave out how I won such a prize but if my current gig doesn’t work out look for me on 42nd Street…

“and we’ll have a real good time yes sir…”