"The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" invites patrons to "step right up" and experience an all new summer show entitled "Hot Cha Cha" featuring a pre-performance carnival atmosphere and intermission midway games, July 6 through August 24. Before the show, patrons are treated to fortune tellers and balloon artists as well as the opportunity to take souvenir photos in two original artwork pieces by burlesque caricaturist and noted Chicago artist, Mitch O'Connell. During intermission, one audience member will also try their luck at the Grand Prize Game, an homages to the original game on the Bozo Show.
"The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" is Chicago's only weekly burlesque/comedy performance presenting a crowd-pleasing, modern spin on the classic vaudeville show. "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret features burlesque strip teases, bawdy comedy and inventive variety performers including jugglers, musicians and magicians. Every performance features a rotating cast of performers and is different each week. "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" is in an open run, Fridays at 11 p.m. at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are available at 773-404-7336 or www.GreenhouseTheater.org.
"We're really excited to kick off this summer run as our very own sexy homage to the classic carnival midway," said producer Jenn A. Kincaid. "Nothing says 'summer' like an amusement park outing, complete with stuffed-animal-winning bravado, so we're mixing up the show with some of those fun elements and some all-new surprises for the audience: glow-in-the-dark acts, new audience participation intermission antics, and a pre-show festival feel with drink specials and souvenir opportunities that promise to make the evening fun and memorable. This is a great time to check out 'The Kiss Kiss Cabaret'."
The stars of the show are the "The Kiss Kiss Coquettes" which include Bella Ciao, Deja Sue, Donnat Touch, Elisa Purls, Naughty Natanya, Titi Touche, and Walk Away Renee, among others. The Coquettes regularly perform in Chicago and around the world in shows such as "Belmont Burlesque Revue", "The Girly-Q Variety Hour", "Varietease Cabaret" and the "Viva Las Vegas: the Rockabilly Weekender". Several of the Coquettes have also been featured in the "New York Burlesque Festival", the "New Orleans Burlesque Festival", and the "Windy City Burlesque Festival".
"Hot Cha Cha" also features exciting premiere acts by new performers in the troupe, including singing strips by Bella Canto, crowd pleasing strip teases by Stella Cheeks, rock-n-roll burlesque by Red Rum, charming, classic burlesque of Ray Ray Sunshine and the bellydancing stylings of Lady India De Minuit, as well as appearances by other newcomers to the burlesque world.
Complementing the dancers are a host of hilarious variety performers including stand-up comedian Adam Burke, magic and comedy by The Amazing Tomas and "That Juggling Guy" Brad French among others. The Master of Ceremonies duties are fully improvised by the Flattery brothers; Max (portrayed by Producer, Chris O. Biddle) and Les (played by J. Ben Parker). The mood of the show is set by the Claptrap Family Orchestra featuring Ken Raabe on guitar, Jon Wolter on drums and and Mazurka Wojciechowska on the accordion.
"The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" is the brainchild of producers Biddle and Kincaid. In October 2009, they created a five-week run of a Halloween-themed burlesque revue called "Peek-A-Boo". The positive audience reaction inspired Biddle and Kincaid to commit to producing a weekly, open-run show. Rehearsals for "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" began in November, 2010 and the show premiered in February, 2011. The show often sells out and audiences are encouraged to make reservations early, to guarantee seating.
"The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" is an open run, Fridays at 11 p.m. at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. "Hot Cha Cha" runs July 6 through August 24. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are available at 773-404 7336 or www.GreenhouseTheater.org. For more information visit www.KissKissCabaret.com.
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