Twirly Whirly Burly-Q, Classic Burlesque with a Modern Twirl, Comes to Bangor

Penobscot Theatre Company is proud to present Twirly Whirly Burly-Q, classic burlesque with a modern twirl, for two performances only, May 18-19 at 8:00 pm, at the historic Bangor Opera House. The New York City-based touring troupe includes Üla Überbusen, who played two sold-out shows at the Opera House on New Year's Eve 2016. This new show combines the nostalgia of vintage burlesque and the excitement of avant-garde theater, celebrating sensuality, sexuality, and the female form.

Üla Überbusen is a burlesque performer and producer of the highest caliber. She played a featured role in the 2016 film "The Cruel Tale of the Medicine Man," and performs regularly in New York City and festivals nationwide. Awards include the Beautiful Weirdo Award from Alternatease, the New England Neo-Burlesque Festival; Judges Choice Award and Perle Noire's Favorite Act" at The Great Burlesque Exposition, and Most Original Act from the Oklahoma City Burlesque Festival.

Joining Üla in Twirly Whirly Burly-Q will be co-creators:

Rosie Cheeks, a burlesque performer, go-go dancer, and pin-up model based in New York City. A trained dancer, Rosie performed in musical theater productions, touring nationally and internationally for many years; and since graduating from the New York School of Burlesque, she has performed in burlesque festivals in the southern and northeastern United States and at various venues in New York City. Rosie is a featured performer at The Burlesque Show, a weekly production at The Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

Boo Bess, a burlesque star, emcee, actress and model who has been singing and dancing her way across stages in New York City since 2004. With a background in musical and straight theater, she has taken her theatrical style of performance art across the country. She is the regular host of Wasabassco at Bathtub Gin, a thrice weekly speakeasy style burlesque show in Manhattan, and Boo was a core creative member of Storybook Burlesque. She regularly graces the stages of The Slipper Room and City Winery NYC. This year she forayed into filmmaking to produce, direct and perform in a trailer entitled "By Night" with several other NYC-based burlesque stars.

James & the Giant Pasty of Toronto is the founder and artistic director of BoylesqueTO, Canada's Premiere All-Male Burlesque Troupe. His credits include the Burlesque Hall of Fame, the Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, New York, Boston, and Chicago Burlesque Festivals; the New York and Vienna Boylesque Festivals; Toronto, Kitchener and Ottawa Pride; The Feminist Porn Awards; and The Life Ball in Vienna. In 2014 he was featured in the television documentary "I'm A Stripper: Boylesque" (LOGO, OutTV), after scandalizing the nation with a notorious appearance on "Canada's Got Talent."

Tickets are $38 each, and subscribers to the company's current or upcoming season receive a $5 discount. Tickets for students aged 25 and under are $20 each. To purchase, call (207) 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org. The subscriber discount is available only by purchasing by phone or in person.

The show features partial nudity and mature content.

On Saturday, May 18, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, the troupe will be leading a boot camp-style class for all those interested in the craft, Tease: An Introduction to the Burlesque Artswill unpack the history of burlesque and the basics of tease. This workshop will provide an overview of the art and politics of burlesque's past and present, as well as a chance to learn to tell a story with movement, walk like a showgirl and tease like a star. Part lecture and part dance class, this workshop is great for professional performers, beginners, and those who just want to see what all the fuss is about. It is open to all gender identities and all levels of experience. Participants should bring a notebook and heels (if they have them) and wear clothes for easy movement. The class will be held at 51A Main Street, Bangor. The cost is $25 per person. To register, call (207) 947-6618 ext. 107 or email education@penobscottheatre.org.

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