The Flaming Dames in 'Bourbon Street Burlesque' Opens February 5

In the midst of an ever growing Chicago burlesque scene, The Flaming Dames, the city's premier concept burlesque troupe, continue to make their mark with hit revues and partnerships with some of the Midwest's hottest burlesque acts. 'The Dames Storm Division', is a new greatest hits revue running a limited engagement in January at Finn McCools on Division St. and opening February 5, The Flaming Dames return with the windy city's newest Mardi Gras tradition 'Bourbon Street Burlesque' at The Spot, located in the heart of Uptown.

The Dames have also been contributing their signature style to the locally-based Vaudezilla Productions and are hitting the road for a third stint at the world famous Dirty Show Detroit on Valentine's Day weekend. When it comes to burlesque in Chicago, The Flaming Dames have been pioneering the scene since they started performing in 2003.

'Bourbon Street Burlesque' and 'The Dames Storm Division' kick off New Millennium Theatre Company's 2010 season and are the 14th and 15th Dames productions. The ladies are ingraining themselves into the famous Division Street nightlife with 'The Dames Storm Division' January 22nd and 30th at Finn McCool's. The show consists of some of the best routines from previous shows bonded together with brand new comedy material performed by Crotchy McLabia, played by Flaming Dames veteran Rebecca Miller and special guest star Backdoor Aly of Variatease Burlesque.

The girls are anxious to perform in a whole new venue for new fans or as Choreography Manager Ellen Domonkos calls them, "Flaming Firsties. Flaming Dames shows are unlike any burlesque show in Chicago. This show is funny, dangerous and super sexy. It leaves you wanting to party like a Flaming Dame"

With Bourbon Street Burlesque, the Dames are delivering the flavor of New Orleans without ever leaving Chicago. The King and Queen of Mardi Gras launch the celebration before serving up a hot new collection of Dames that include Victoria Voodoo, Zoe Zydeco, Cajun Spice, and Bourbon Street Betty.

Creator and Director Leslie Kerrigan thinks, "You'll have a good time; it's everything purple, gold, green, feathery and over the top! We wanted to keep everything crisp, clean, short, and sweet, but still maintain the signature edginess that The Flaming Dames have become known for."

But revues in January and February just scratch the surface in 2010 for one of Chicago's most active burlesque troupes. After Bourbon Street Burlesque the Dames get back to work on three new revues. First it's Nerdlesque; a send up to the classic comic book, sci-fi beauties that most fan-boys have only dreamed of on the stage running March 26 through May 7. Plus seasonal fans can prepare for another fall roundup of Halloween/Holiday themed productions. In between the ladies expect to continue collaborating with the rest of the Chicago burlesque scene and extending their stay at Finn McCool's. But this kind of schedule is second hat to The Flaming Dames who have staged over 10 new productions in the last three years and performed at events sponsored by Yelp.com, Camel Cigarettes, and Getty Images, in addition to appearing regularly at local and regional festivals like the Flashback Horror Drive-In Weekend, (Motley)Crue Fest, and Literally Sexy.

The Flaming Dames in The Dames Storm Division will be playing a very limited engagement Friday, January 22 at 9:00 pm and Saturday, January 30 at 9:00 pm. Both shows are at Finn McCool's 15 W. Division Street in Chicago and tickets are $15. For more information on Finn McCool's contact 312-337-4349. The Flaming Dames in 'Bourbon Street Burlesque' runs Friday and Saturday nights at 10:15 pm February 5 through 27 (NO PERFORMANCES FEB 12 - 13). Special performance on Fat Tuesday, February 16 at 10:15 pm. All performances are at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway in Chicago and tickets are $20. For advance tickets, reservations, and additional information visit www.nmtchicago.org or call 312-458-9083. Limited number of half price tickets available at www.goldstar.com and Hot Tix.

New Millennium Theatre Company is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres. Since 1998, New Millennium Theatre Company (NMTC) has entertained thousands of people from around the country the highly successful burlesque series, The Flaming Dames and shows like Scooby-Doo Mystery Theatre; Evil Dead: The Musical; Shakesploitation!; Cubicle: An Office Space Musical; and The Texas Chainsaw Musical. New Millennium continues to do shows that bring non-traditional audiences to live theatre and has plans to open it's own theatre space in 2011 where, "We can continue to do shows we want to see," says Artistic Director Chad Wise.

Photo Credit: Leslie Kerrigan

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