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    Theatre Review: Shadowbox Live’s Burlesque Behind the Curtain a steamy show

    Stacie Boord as Della Clayton in Shadowbox Live's Burlesque: Behind the Curtain.

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    Last night, steaminess filled Shadowbox Live as they opened their newest original stage 2 production and sequel to last year’s Burlesque de Voyage.

    The show offers a mix of the old with the new; there are a few cast changes, most noticeably JT Walker III, a large presence in the original as an assistant manager type, disappears in the sequel giving Busty Slingshot (Julie Klein) more hands-on time with the troupe. Dani (Amy Lay) is now one of the headliners of the ensemble, rather than the bright-eyed neophyte of the original. Despite its success, Busty, wants to grow the troupe into something bigger and decides to hire former child star Della Clayton to head the show. The rest of the show centers on her debut performance, with glimpses of what happens both onstage and, naturally, behind the curtain.

    Stacie Boord does a wonderful job playing the self-absorbed, chronic-hair-touching twit Della Clayton, so well, one wants to yell terrible names at her. When Busty brings Della into the troupe, tension runs high in a female-centric and hyper-competitive backstage environment. Names are called; gossip ensues. It gets a bit catty. Lay once again adds that touch of innocence yet sincerity with Dani. Her rendition of “Homeward Bound” with backup vocals by Noelle Grandison is truly moving, especially for those who saw last year’s production. Another new addition, Billy DePetro’s Alexei, a stagehand, strongman from generic Eastern Europe instills at least a simple laugh every time the audience encounters him.

    The music, as usual, remains well performed, especially with the Burlesque Behind the Curtain Band: Matthew Hahn, Patrick Kenney, Matt Buchwalter, Kevin Sweeney, and the refreshing Nicole Rachelle on saxophone and flute. Stev Guyer’s version of “Who Did that to You,” in which a band of women and Guyer track down and beat a man known for domestic abuse stands out from the show. However, Jeff Simpson’s smooth cover of “You Look Like Rain” truly stops the show. Simpson’s voice drips with pheromones as the saxophone moans and the burlesque dancers bare breasts (with pasties—a move not attempted in last year’s production) in this sultry, bluesy number.

    Ladies of Burlesque: Behind the Curtain. From left to right: Amy Lay, Morgan Mosley, Nikki Fagin, Stacie Boord, and Edelyn Parker.

    Katy Psenicka brings her best with the more imaginative choreography and staging; each dance piece fully engages with a unique story while fitting into the burlesque show. Costumes, created and designed by Drema Sargent, Leah May & The Stitchin’ Witch, Amy Lay, Linda Mullins, and Nick Wilson exemplify detail, sensuality and, in some cases, utter absurdity (think clowns). On opening night, a few technical glitches arose, mostly with microphones, as the vocals often overpowered the band when songs began, but the audience could barely hear the actors in the backstage scenes. Also, lighting became troublesome when scenes seemed too dark to see the actor’s face and feel the full resonance of a joke. Comedies just need brighter light.

    Director Stev Guyer and writer Jimmy Mak worked to create an original comedy and dance piece for this stage 2 production. While the show can stand alone, its inherent nature of a sequel takes some things for granted, mostly character development. Many of the characters in …Behind the Curtain were introduced and grew in Burlesque de Voyage, so it seems natural to mildly pick up from there and reference a few points from the past. Even though the audience does not need to see Burlesque de Voyage to enjoy …Behind the Curtain, the fact that the sequel is grounded in another show does make for a weaker story, especially the ending, where not every character or situation receives closure, including Della Clayton. Sequels for plays rarely occur, probably for this very reason, and if they do exist, they often run in tandem with the original. Perhaps, that could make an enticing remount of the original.

    Burlesque Behind the Curtain provides two hours of some of the best Shadowbox Live dance numbers, the expected powerful vocals, and some pretty solid comedy. Go on a sultry date night with the ladies and gents of the Burlesque de Voyage troupe.

    Burlesque Behind the Curtain runs until October 10, at Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front Street. Wed. & Thurs. at 7:30 pm. Tickets $30; $20 for students & seniors.

    Photos provided by Shadowbox Live.

    More information can be found online at ShadowboxLive.org.

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    Lisa Much
    Lisa Much
    Lisa Much is a recent transplant to Columbus as of June. She comes from Chicago having freelanced as a stage manager and prop designer. She holds a BA in Sustainable Theater from Green Mountain College in Vermont.
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