The Wadsworth Atheneum played up he freakshow angle of the Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861-2008 exhibit by bringing in sword-swallowers, a strongman, and more, but largely missing from this experience was inclusion of Burlesque at the Beach, a tradition in Brooklyn since the mid-1990s.
How appropriate, then, for the Beat City Beauties — Hartford’s burlesque troupe — to unintentionally select the exhibit’s closing weekend for its most recent performance. As soon as Hysteria Sidesaddle, the “Master(ress) of Ceremonies,” picked up the mic at The Russian Lady, all guesswork was over as to why the oldest continually-running public art museum in the United States may have skipped over burlesque.
Kiki Soirée, Misery Moonshine, Gouda Neville, Tedd E Bare, Cat Coquette, and Miz Marvelous Lee returned to the stage on Saturday, joined by a new male burlesque performer who sang opera. Those who think this is just a strip show have not bothered to check it out in person. Where else do you see a convincing transformation of Tedd E. Bare into Freddie Mercury following a live haircut? Or dancing to will.i.am’s “Bang Bang” that would have been rewarding even if none of Cat Coquette’s costume came off? Or Miz Marvelous Lee singing a killer rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart”?
To find out about future performances, check the Real Hartford calendar or see what the Beat City Beauties post on their blog.
