A risky sexperience for all at the BurleyQ By Prema Chandrathil Staff Writer      Sexy acts, sexy girls, and seedy dives is what “Burly-Q!—The Burlesque Sexperience” is about. The show is a recreation of the 1960’s when Burlesque shows were slowly becoming extinct and pure strip dancing was taking over. This is a throwback to a time when Chicago was a hotspot for Burlesque; for many years traveling shows would play at the Vic and Admiral Theaters. “Burlesque is like a circus on stage, bawdy comedy, and funny magicians and in the background were the dancers,” said Megan Pedersen.      “Burly-Q,” directed by Michael Flores and co-produced by Pedersen, is set in the afternoon at the Kit Kat Club, a somewhat seedy Chicago nightspot. Throughout the afternoon, various performers stop in to audition for the upcoming show. Comedian Jason Powers plays Harry and is a regular act in the show. Magicians, comedians and country singers also drop by the club. Katherine Lee plays Kandy Kane, who is a young dancer trying to break into the business. Her idol is Stormy, played by Sarah Masters, a veteran burlesque stripper who has become a star in this risky business.      These two strippers represent the past and the future of strip dancing. “Back then women were god-like and they were sexual; it wasn’t just about getting money from the men like today’s raunchy, in-your-face dancing,” Masters said.      Kandy Kane, dressed up as a Catholic schoolgirl, symbolizes the new generation of dancers. “It represents a different culture. It took less to excite people back then,” said Ronald B. Meyer, who plays Jack, the manager of the Kit Kat Club.      Both women perform strip dances. Stormy plays up the innocence and playfulness of stripping while Kandy undresses while gyrating on a chair, exposing the raunchy side of stripping. “I take great delight in being on stage dancing. It’s very sexual and very empowering to be a woman,” Lee said.      This hour and a half show explains Burlesque and how it evolved into modern stripping. And just like in a real Burlesque show, the variety acts will be changing weekly. Future shows include singers, magicians, ventriloquists and comedians.      The show will continue to run at The Playground Theater until April 28 at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in A & E: Hogan Returns to crocodile territory The Redhead Piano Bar and other places to carry a tune A risky sexperience for all at the BurleyQ The "reality television" invasion is here to stay Classic cartoons explode on big screen Dave Matthews Band does it again Tomcats: A funny movie about sex! Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site