I was thinking back to when I created my first Burlesque Number with Effie’s Club Follies, a comedic burlesque troupe in Athens, GA. The first thing I remembered was being so damn terrified of being on stage by myself that I created a group number with at least 7 other people in it. Somehow, that was easier to me than to just create a number with just me, by myself, up on stage.
I really love this number –
Riding out on stage on my beautiful stick pony to “Horse With No Name” while enjoying the “vibrations” of the ride. Then transitioning to Marricone’s “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” as I dismount my steed and enter the “saloon.”
The saloon was filled with people, “Stuck in the Middle With You” is playing. There is a Wanted poster with my pic on it, the bar has my big ol “Licker” bottle and there is a poker table with an empty seat. The saloon patrons are pointing at me and whispering to each other that I am the Wanted Woman on the poster. I strut around and give them snarly faces.
I then take the empty seat at the poker table and we all began to play STRIP poker.
I win some and lose some and clothes start coming off all around the table. Of course I venture to the bar to take a big swig of my “Licker” periodically! Then the game gets real and I believe there is a cheater at the table, in fact I KNOW there is a cheater at the table… trouble ensues, the cheater loses their hand and reveals (with lovely star pasties) that they are actually the sheriff (oh shit, remember, I am a wanted woman!) We agree to keep playing and the stakes are high. I am a serious poker player and I ALWAYS win the big pot on the table because….. well, I have two aces up my….I mean, on my BOOBS!
The first time I heard the crowd laugh as I was enjoying the “vibrations of my stick pony” was the greatest feeling to me! I almost lost my place in my number. I love making people laugh and to hear a whole room at one time was exhilarating, intoxicating and I knew I wanted to do it again, over and over.
I haven’t performed since 2017 and was okay with that at the time. I had moved to a town that probably would not support burlesque (their loss) and was busy with my day job. Now I find myself unemployed, having just started a business in the burlesque world and am seeing shows slowly start back up….I am so inspired by all the amazing performers, and getting that the itch to maybe, possibly, get back on stage again. (post-covid, if there will be such a thing)
IDK if it will happen, but I do know, I can’t stop coming up with new numbers or revamping some of the old ones (the Maude Lebowski, Queen of Hearts, June Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver, even Beatrice Pottsmith, who is a whole other story.) I just know I am pretty damn excited to be thinking of it again!
Huge Thanks to all the AWESOME and TALENTED burlesque performers for bringing me back to life.
Hugs & Kisses,
Misty