Caberlesque: plank reviewer's deepest desires remain unfulfilled

Caberlesque is a cross between Cabaret and Burlesque. OK, let’s see some hot and saucy stuff. Lather me with the rompiest, sexiest show.  I am ready! 

I guess there is an audience that would appreciate this cute performance around burlesque history, and I suppose if it was really late at night, and I was in a smoky dim lit underground bar, hard liquor on the table, unabashed women gyrating on the stage flirtatiously, and men in dark suits brazenly wanting to fulfill their sexual fantasies, it would have really worked for me. But the show would just not take me there.

Caberlesque time-travels with a glimpse at Berlin in 1933, forging ahead to the swinging 60’s in the red light district of Amsterdam, and then the ball keeps rolling into the New York club scene. I was confused by the historic transitions and the choice of music – too slow, too boring. The lead singer Sugar Puss, a bodacious German mama,  weaves her way through the whisky soaked whorehouses of the time, revealing naughty stories which unfortunately are ones we have all heard before (a sailor goes to Amsterdam to find a prostitute) or are quite the opposite of sexy (prostitute tired of her profession wants to have a baby).  Along with Sugar Puss we are introduced to the coquettish Marina and the teasing Prairie Fire.  Max, the suave Frenchman (with the anachronistic wardrobe) is along for the seductive ride, supporting these babes through the good times and the bad. What a guy.

The singing and execution of the tunes were good and the story interludes performed well, but I was not rocked.  Might be a great gig for an office party or business convention or an old age home. I did perk up a little when Prairie Fire performed a couple dance with a life size puppet. And what was up with the lighting, which was often too bright and colorless. At least put those techs to work with creative cabaret-like effects.

There must be something gutsy and edgy enough out there in Fringe world to fulfill my deepest desires.

For showtime information go here.

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