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The Boston Babydolls will perform "Burlesque: By Women, For Women" on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $12, and no men will be admitted.
OK, men can read this to whet their appetite for burlesque, but they're not invited to the Boston Babydolls Ladies Only burlesque show at Coolidge Corner. The Babydolls are recreating the heyday of burlesque, when shows "for ladies without escorts" sold out.
Bostonist asked Miss Mina some questions about burlesque and life as a Boston Babydoll, and we asked the only guy allowed near the stage on Ladies Night - Scratch, the Babydolls' businessman/director/all-around-person - about what's going to happen during the big event.
First, on the life of a Babydoll, is Miss Mina:
1. What initially drew you to burlesque?
I really love the glamour of burlesque. I was one of those little girls who would dress up in party dresses and sparkly jewelry and pretend to be a princess. Now I get to do that professionally. I've always preferred the styles of the '30's and '40s to those of today. Boston Babydolls Burlesque is a re-creation of that 'golden age' that never really existed. The Boston Babydolls live in a universe that's a blend of all the best of the 1920s through 1950s -- without the war, the racism, the inequality of the sexes, or all those things that we know are really part of those historical eras.
2. What's the best thing about being a Boston Babydoll?
It's a tremendously supportive environment full of professional performers. Each of The Boston Babydolls brings interesting and different talents into the troupe with them, and that's inspiring. We look out for each other. I know that if one of us is having a really bad day, someone else will pick up the slack -- whether that means helping finish a costume, stepping in to perform, or just giving a kind word. I've been in troupes where the work ethic wasn't as strong. If one of The Boston Babydolls says she's going to do something for the troupe, I know it's going to get done.
More of Miss Mina's interview after the jump!
Second, with the male perspective of Ladies' Night is Scratch:
1. Where will you be during "Burlesque: By Women, For Women" show? Will The Boston Babydolls let you backstage?
Don't you worry about me, I'll be around. I may be needed to lug some heavy set pieces, but if not, I'll be up in the lighting booth. It'll be weird for me to sit in the audience at a Boston Babydolls show.
2. How will the performance of "Burlesque: By Women, for Women" be different from a show for mixed-gender audiences?
Well, we've got a different M.C., of course. Beyond that, I believe Miss Mina is planning to do a little burlesque lesson, which is something we wouldn't ordinarily do. Typically when there's a lot of hooting and hollering at one of our shows, it's the women who are doing it. I suspect an audience of all women may be very rowdy indeed.
More of Scratch's interview after the jump! And the banner for the show comes from the Boston Babydolls' official site.
The rest of Miss Mina's interview:
3. How does burlesque dancing empower women? And, how can watching a burlesque show empower women?
This is going to sound a little argumentative; I get asked this question and a lot, and I just don't think it's relevant. Burlesque doesn't empower anyone (woman or man) any more than any other type of performance art does. There's something 'empowering' about taking the stage and revealing a part of yourself , but all good performers do that. That's why audiences attend. Burlesque dancers are just a little more literal about it. But really, what the audience gets out of the performance is up to them. It's great when someone (man or woman) feels empowered after watching a Boston Babydolls show, but it's also great when they feel entertained, titillated, or just plain happy.
4. We hear you've got an internship program. Is that true?
It is true. We take interns in multiple disciplines, from performance to costuming to the business of theatre. They're great. If things work out, some day an intern can be a full-fledged Boston Babydoll. It's very exciting helping them along on that path.
5. And what's the deal with Scratch?
Scratch and I are partners. People think he only handles the business side, but really he does everything: he performs, handles the details of all our shows, graphics, designs set pieces, helps with costumes and choreographies...everything that needs doing. He's our director. Since I'm often on stage, I can't give direction on numbers I'm in. Plus he's got more theatrical experience than all The Boston Babydolls put together. There wouldn't be a Boston Babydolls without him.
And the rest of Scratch's interview:
3. Burlesque in Boston has received an impressive amount of attention. We were surprised by how many troupes are in town. How do the groups help each other out? Or is there a healthy rivalry?
There's no rivalry. We're all very different. The Boston Babydolls have performed on the same bill as several of the other troupes. Since The Great Boston Burlesque Exposition, there's been a lot more crossover and communication.
4. How are the Boston Babydolls different from the other troupes in town?
We specialize in re-creating a 'golden age of burlesque that never existed' – a very glamourous, classic version of burlesque. We present a fantasy blend of the the 1920s through the 1950s. Other groups focus on other missions and styles.
5. What do you think of modern versions of burlesque, like the Pussycat Dolls? Is that burlesque or a bastardization?
Once upon a time, The Pussycat Dolls really did burlesque. What they do today, no matter how successful it is, isn't burlesque. There's nothing wrong with it – except that it's what most people associate with burlesque these days, and their performance style really has more to do with the modern "girl groups."
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