You’ll wish you fell down the rabbit hole too.
Glamorous, funny, and outrageously sensual, Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann’s burlesque version of the classic tale “Alice in Wonderland” will have viewers blushing and cheering all night long. For just one week, the Triple Door turns into an exclusive nightclub where Alice makes her way through bawdy creatures and titillating monsters to find and defeat the evil Queen of Hearts.
When a wandering Alice (Dreamy Tangerine) finds a double of herself in a mirror (Cookie Bellini), she steps through the glass to find the White Rabbit (Jasper McCann) waiting to show her around and expose her to the seductive wonders of the land. Nearly every character from the childhood bedtime story makes an appearance, from the voluptuous Caterpillar (Lily Verlaine) to the mischievous Knave of Hearts (Paris Original), but their performances are far from innocent. Each striptease is accompanied by alluring music and a combination of ballet and jazz dance choreographed to each sultry beat.
Yet while audience saw every bit of each character, not a trace of a story was to be found. Though a good plot is probably not what most viewers bought their tickets for, the White Rabbit simply introducing the audience to the ecdysiasts got repetitive by the second act. There were some scenes that showed promise of a story, like when Alice fought the Jabberwocky, but most were just the dancers whipping the crowd into a frenzy, not that I’m complaining!
Only three roles had voices to guide Alice through Wonderland: the White Rabbit, Eat Me, and Drink Me (Isobella Bloom). Their mics cut through the rowdy audience, but were a little too loud during their songs. However, everyone’s piercing face expressions, from charming winks to exasperated eye-rolling, were clearly visible from the farthest row, making for an excellent watch.
If you’re up for a night of sexy, elaborate, and fantastical fun with music and comedy, stop by ready to change your perception of the innocent, blue-dressed girl.
Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland, by Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann. The Triple Door, 216 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101. Apr. 28-29 7:00 & 10:30 p.m., Apr. 30 5:00 & 8:00 p.m. Tickets: https://tickets.thetripledoor.net/eventperformances.asp?evt=82 Info: http://verlaineandmccann.com/shows-and-tickets/burlesque-alice-in-wonderland/