THE KISS KISS CABARET Burlesque Runs Friday Nights at Chicago's Greenhouse Theatre

Chicago's only weekly burlesque/comedy show, "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret" ("Kiss Kiss") enters a second year of dance and performances which change weekly. This late-night variety show harkens back to the classic era of burlesque complete with strip teases, bawdy comedy and performers including jugglers, musicians and magicians. "Kiss Kiss" 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.

"I love what burlesque has to offer the audience," said Chris O. Biddle, creator and director of "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret". "I can't think of any other art form that mixes comedy and sensuality the way burlesque does. Our show is a modern performance, yet it pays homage to the past. If you went back in time to the 1920's and saw a show at Minsky's burlesque in New York City, you would see a show similar to what 'The Kiss Kiss Cabaret' offers."

"Kiss Kiss" is the brainchild of Biddle and producer Jenn A. Kincaid. In October 2009, they created a five-week run for a Halloween-themed show called "Peek-A-Boo". The positive audience reaction inspired Biddle and Kincaid to commit to an open-run show. Rehearsals for "Kiss Kiss" began in November, 2010 and the show premiered in February, 2011.

The hallmark of the show is the "The Kiss Kiss Cabaret Coquettes" including Bella Ciao, Alexa Luthor, Minnie Minx, Naughty Natanya, Elisa Purls, Walk Away Renee, Deja Sue and Donna Touch among others. The Coquettes have performed 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".

Complimenting the dancers are a variety of 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 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 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. For more information visit www.KissKissCabaret.com.

Founded in 2008, The Greenhouse Theater Center, NFP, continues its commitment to maintain a theater building and artists' space rich in the Chicago theater tradition. Located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's prominent Lincoln Park neighborhood, it was the original home for such theater luminaries as the groundbreaking Body Politic Theater and Victory Gardens Theater. For directions and more information, visit wwwGreenhouseTheater.org.

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