Vamplorette - Wicked Wenches Cabaret at Minnsky Theatre

(Originally posted on Minnesota Theater Love)

After being left at the altar, Bella Swan (from Twilight fame, and former fiancé to vampire Edward Cullen) is searching for a new mate. What better way to find one than on a reality dating show. Dracula, on the other hand, is determined to make his great comeback and so signs on to host this show. Eligible vampires from all walks of pop-culture will vie for Bella's heart in this one-of-a-kind reality show hit. Directed by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this show features every pop-culture vampire (and some none vampires) trying to find true love, a soul mate, and a blood connection.

This is the basis for "Vamplorette" - the most recent Vaudivical (Vaudeville Musical) from the Wicked Wenches playing this weekend only at the Minnsky Theatre. I had only seen one other show of theirs earlier this year - Mario Godfather - and I found it to be very funny, and a great time! The Wicked Wenches do a very specific mash-up of Burlesque/Vaudeville, and pop-culture storytelling. Their shows typically only play one weekend and tickets are HOT. Most of the time the shows sell out so I am taking this opportunity to tell you to go see the next one. But first, let me tell you about this particular show....without giving away too much.

You may think Burlesque and think only of women stripping. That is a very specific aspect of what the Wicked Wenches do. Teen Wolf (Tawny John), and Grandpa Munster (Velvet Vendetta) did a combination chair dance/strip to a Beach Boys song. Bill (Tre Buchette) and Sookie (Harlet O'Scara) both did a strip to their theme song from True Blood. Then there was Akasha (Candelora) doing a belly dance with a curved sword, Countess Bathory (Lo Blo Areolaist) and Mina (Raven De'Mure) did another duet strip, and all of these acts were great! One thing I love about the Wicked Wenches is that the cast is made of all shapes, sizes, and gender identifications. The audience is truly accepting, whooping, hollering, and making noise for every bit of clothing coming off, every cool dance move, position on the chair/pole/lyra...so supportive. Oh wait, did I not mention that there was pole dancing? The show starts with Dracula (Haywire) doing a strip to a Streisand song - a great combination of manly dancing/stripping with a twinkle in the eye. Later there is Count Chocula (the amazing Matt Davis) doing some of the most incredible, and unique moves on the pole. He was followed by Nosferatu (Cade Holmseth) playing, teasing, and dancing with fire. Fantastic! And that was all in the first act!!

Act two - well, the whole "show" is directed by Buffy (Pole'n Polly). She and Blade (the daywalking vampire made famous by Wesley Snipes) have created this show so that they can finally get rid of all vampires. And since Buffy is directing, clearly there has to be someone from her past who just shows up as a wildcard - right? Well, I was ecstatic to see him show up, and even more happy (if possible) to see him climb the pole and strip/pole dance to a song he performed in the musical episode. WOW. Did I mention how amazing the music choices are for this troupe?? I mean - have you ever thought of Lestat (the ever incredible Tif Dynamite) stripping to Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor? Or Bella (Dalliance Doll) doing a dance with a hoop to a slow version of "You're The One That I Want" sung by a man? (I believe Lo-Fang.) And, of course, Count Von Count (the always amazing Jac Fatale) chair dancing the heck out of "Song of the Count" mixed with Nine Inch Nails "Closer." I mean, I could go on...except I don't want to give it all away. Suffice it to say Blade (Coco Nostal'jah) does an incredible lyra (single hoop/trapeze) to a very unexpected song.

Beyond doing these great shows, Jac Fatale (one of the main Wicked Wenches) also runs Expertease Fitness....a school where you can learn all of these skills. What I truly love about what I've seen of this community is that there is so much support. Each performer is truly lifted up with the support of the other performers, and the audience - be it the first time they have ever performed in front of an audience, or the first time they are stripping down to a g-string and pasties. No matter how the person identifies (male, female, trans, crossdresser, gay, straight, bi, poly, or whatever) - none of that matters when they are on stage. They are so empowered to do their thing, show off their skills, and that is an amazing sight, and an incredible experience as an audience member. I always leave a Wicked Wench show, or an Expertease Fitness Showcase feeling positive about my own body, about the people around me, and about life in general. Seeing that much support is an incredible thing - and I hope you will take a chance, and dip into this wonderful pool of love.