Hotsy Totsy Burlesque: Press

The Home for Wayward Girls and Fallen Women

reviewed by Megin Jimenez

Aug 9, 2008

In our world of commercially driven sexuality, where it's now normal to surgically remake your body into an idea of perfection, and hardcore porn is just a mouse-click away, burlesque—tassels and all—may just be the most subversive act around. The Home for Wayward Girls and Fallen Women invites us for a much-too-brief hour into a pan-sexual, post-feminist party. Here, seduction coexists comfortably with the absurd, and each and every body, because of its singularity, offers tantalizing possibilities.

The setting is the basement of the Home, a speakeasy-cum-reformatory for bad girls. Tucked away in a lush Spiegelworld circus tent behind the bustling tourist mall that is essentially the South Street Seaport, the goings-on in here do indeed feel illegal. The conceit that ties the performances together is ostensibly a fundraiser; the cause varies with each date, as do the host and performers. On this particular evening, host Cherry Pitz (Cyndi Freeman, also the producer and co-creator), looking as beautiful as a drag queen, is seeking to bail out a sister in the slamma'. Channeling the spirit of 1950s baby-voiced vamps who are just misunderstood ("That's not what I meant! You have such a dirty mind!"), she bares a little more creamy skin with each new act ("Ooooh! My back is so naked!").

Stripteases of all moods ensue, ranging from the classic feather fan dance of Veronica Varlow to the hilarious Miss Brooklyn as a sexy lady clown letting loose (yes, giant floppy shoes and all). The boys are invited, too—TIGGER! (James Ferguson) transgresses as a Catholic priest who energetically bares more than his soul. Meanwhile, Martha Stewart and the FBI threaten to shut down the high jinks, but soon can't help but be drawn in. For the audience, hooting and hollering is mandatory (good "Burletiquette," as the program declares). It is this inclusiveness, as well as a historical awareness and a sharp sense of humor, that makes the revue such fun. It's a feeling of having stumbled into a bar outside of the space-time continuum, where the best bits of sexy 20th century aesthetics (early jazz, false eyelashes, garter belts) have been gathered together for some smart and sensual dancers to play with.

While future shows will feature different story lines and casts, I'm pretty certain they will make it as hard to leave this enticing place as it was on opening night.

Written/created by: Cyndi Freeman and Joseph Naftali
Directed by Burke Heffner
Presented by Hotsy Totsy Burlesque

**** (four stars) If the likes of Rubie Fizz, Legs Malone and Cherry Pitz tickle your fancy, this Fringe show is for you. Cyndi Freeman has cleverly put together a night of fun, featuring different acts every night. A virgin to burlesque, I was especially impressed by Nasty Canasta's raunchiness and RunAround Sue's preshow go-go. The Jewish jokes were flowin', and everyone in the audience seemed to be having a grand time—including my roommate and I, who were chugging wine and eventually shouting, “Take it off!” with the rest of the crowd. I left thinking that no one should lick swords like the host did, but as for the girls…hey, if you got it, flaunt it.

"Cyndi Freeman has cleverly put together a night of fun... and everyone in the audience seemed to be having a grand time."

Cherry Pitz... (is) a one-woman comic extravaganza.

(Cherry Pitz) is a gem: a pink-wigged, leopard-print, hip-girating gem.

(Cherry Pitz') scintillating, stimulating, and sexy presence filled the theater with a tingling and tangible energy.

(Cyndi Freeman's) instincts, charm, and inventiveness as a performer are first rate.

Freeman is a glowing laser beam that you can't help but glue your eyes to throughout the whole show.

Spoofing pulp fiction seems like a redundant exercise since the genre is already steeped in irony, but bravura performer Cyndi Freeman sends up the form in a way that manages constantly to surprise and provoke.

Schaffer the Darklord merges geeky rap and stand-up comedy without descending into too much wackiness or self-parody.

As fan of hip hop at its purest, I love to see genuine artistry, lyricism, charisma and independent spirit - something Schaffer has.

STD, as he's called, is the coolest dork yet.

Think of Schaffer as a cross between Eminem and the evil mirror universe version of They Might Be Giants, with a healthy dose of twisted, dark humor and catchy rhythms.

It should be noted that musically, STD comes correct: his beats, samples, and flow pass the test even without the clone sex, cats, and vengeful zombie Jesus Christs. The man deserves a plaque.

Dirty Martini is one of the best in burlesque!

Dirty Martini performs an inspired Sally Rand style fan dance.

Jo "Boobs" Weldon...one of the lights of the burlesque revival

Jo Boobs gives it to ya old school, with some of the most skilled tassel spinning around.