In "Vamp II," a Halloween-themed "concept burlesque" revue from New Millennium Theatre Company, the Flaming Dames function as a team, whereas most such shows really just assemble the unique acts of individual performers into a showcase. For spectators, this may seem a "potato/po-tah-to" issue, but the latter strategy does allow greater artistic flexibility for dancers and offers a "variety sampler" for viewers, while the team approach perhaps better suits a theme in this case, Halloween.
The Dames Fiona Fang (Jessica Rae Olsen), Stella Strange (Amee Binder), Veruca Venom (Ellen Domonkos), Scarlett Night (Andria Emerick) and Missy Massacre (Jessica Rich) feature a typical variety of body types (plentifully voluptuous to rangy) and cavort individually, in duos/trios and all together. Routines focus on vampirism, voodoo, spider webs and such, with plenty of biting and eerily sexy blood dripping from chins. The humor of between-tease skits by Vampire MC (Kristofer Simmons) and Zombie MC (Rebecca Miller is superior to most corny (yet appropriate) burlesque, thanks largely to Miller's commanding, feed-off-the-spotlight presence.
The Dames employ feats of athleticism and acrobatics beyond most troupes. Whether suggestive gymnastics from a suspended hoop is sexier than traditionally feminine strip and wink is subjective "different," not "better" or "worse" but Emerick's knife-play tease is beyond smokin'. (Then again, stand-out Emerick could make blowing her nose ooze with sensuality.)
But there are drawbacks to the team approach. "Vamp II's" matching black/white outfits (with black tassels beneath) bring less costume variety and, perhaps because there's so much talent here, the Dames get a little carried away; the show clocks in at nearly two hours, whereas most revues clip closer to an hour, perhaps due to short T&A attention spans
Is this quibbling? Too much bodacious tatas? Fewer costumes? After all, they just come off!
Just check it out. You'll love it to death.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
Map it