It’s Friday night and this little kitty is in bed at 10:30. Incongruous with the glamorous lifestyle that you think I have? Well my darlings, it is for you that I retire early to get every bit of beauty sleep that I can. I am saving all my love for you.

Sunday night marks our first annual 80s retro burlesque/dance party at Revival, our beautiful home in Toronto. Revival is a former Baptist church, and now we shake our bums there on Sunday evenings. We were all very excited to tackle the 80s, and had such a hard time narrowing down our selections that we’ve decided to make this show theme a yearly event. The most amusing part, to me, is how few of the Coquettes actually have any memories of the 80s. Not because of their coked-out dalliances at Studio 54. Mostly because a considerable number of them were zygots at that time.

This evening was our dress rehearsal, and I am delighted with how everyone is looking in their high cut legs, their spandex, their leg warmers. The man props were equally dismayed and delighted with their costumes for the opening number(think Borat meets Ziggy Stardust). I got to see our aerial acts for the first time this evening, and I was completely blown away. The song choices were perfect, and both are electric with emotion and intensity. If there’s one thing we do well, it’s taking sexual energy and injecting it with artistry and feeling.

There are so many laugh out loud moments in ‘Where’s the Beef?’, which I’m sure comes as no surprise. We have some really strong comic talent in our company, and the 80s seems to have inspired some classic numbers. There will be more audience participation in this show than ever before.

Old friends return as surprise guests. New friends cut their teeth on our stage. Some cast members will join us as audience members because exciting new life changes have put their bump and grind (onstage at least) on hiatus. Our buns were saved by some last minute heroes (Will O’Hare who will be our videographer this time around, and Carl Tucker who is our lifeline at our new sponsorship partner PRG). Our Carpenter (Dave Lapsley) has completely blown us away by busting out at least three skill sets that we had no idea he possessed. Co-founder of the troupe Kathryn Romanow (Lilli Bubalotovich) was BORN to choreograph this era. Dana Bondy (George Gates) dazzles with some fierce choreo for herself and the ladies too. We have more amazing volunteers than ever before and every single member of our collective has poured their heart and soul into taking you back. I love these people. Every day they inspire me.

Join us under the disco ball as we slow dance awkwardly to the strains of Chicago or Air Supply. Laugh with us, move with us, remember the glory of the 80s with us. It’s our last show until Halloween my friends, and we want to launch the summer season with you.

Avec Amour,
La Minouche