“This is not your father’s burlesque show,” intones host Atlanta Georgia (Marlena Kalm) to the assemblage who stare at the three preening women who are outfitted in sky-high heels, racy bodices and flirty skirts of the schoolgirl-gone-bad-kilt and tutu variety.  With glittery winks and flicking hips these three women ooze dangerous sex appeal and edgy one-liners (I’m like a happy meal … I come with toys).  They are daring and flirty and dirty and in control – demanding that the squeamish leave the building so that they can get on with the show. “We know how you like it …” they taunt, “And we know why you keep it a secret from Wifey.”

Welcome to Daughters of Lot (written by Alexis Roblan and directed by Rachel Kerry) where the Bible Belt meets the Garter Belt, where Feminism has as many meanings as Eskimos have words for snow and where women run the gamut from young and innocent to young and jaded.  If you’re looking for a man here you’ll find him only when he’s being channelled by one of the women, when he’s being serviced (unseen) by one of his daughters backstage, or when you look to your left at the guy sitting next to you.

Daughters of Lot (L-R: Naomi Bland, Rebecca Gray Davis, Marelena Kalm | Photo credit: Nicholas Grant)

As Atlanta plays ringmaster to One (Stav Meishar) and Two (Caitlin Mehner) the three women proudly bring forth a daring exhibit: the real daughters of Lot who arrive like relics, wrapped in artifacts, inside big dresses but they are nonetheless excited to be there once they get over the rift in the fabric of time.

There’s a lot going on here so let me boil it down to the most important take-aways.  Three narratives are presented and intertwined but they all deal with one theme and all weigh the same issues to see how the scales balance: is Woman a victim or is she the victor? (It should be noted that “Atlanta” means “balance”.)

Story one is the very constructs of the play: burlesque and all its forms – from the theatrical to the modest and reserved.  Regardless of attire a woman teases and beguiles — offers up her most private moves and rituals for an audience.  By doing so has she conquered them?  Or is she theirs to use up and toss aside?  Second story:  The actual story of Lot’s daughters.  There has always been some debate as to who did what to whom after they fled Sodom & Gomorrah.  Mother, turned to salt, could no longer service their father.  Did the daughters take it upon themselves to “know” their father … to save the human race?  Or did the father simply continue a practice he’d started long before they fled?  Then there’s the third story of Atalanta (or Atlanta – there are 2 versions which are told to the daughters of Lot).  The story is basically one of a young maiden who is not interested in marriage and plays at being a boy to get away from her suitors.  A race is held – the winner will get her hand.  She enters the race herself hoping to claim herself at the end, only to get distracted by some apples (maaaaagic apples).  Long story short, in the end she marries the guy who won the race.  Happy ending?  That’s a matter of perspective.  In fact – it’s all a matter of perspective.  Which is the one big theme: victim or victor?

Two (Caitlin Mehner) holds down Atlanta (Marelena Kalm) as One (Stav Meishar) jeers | Photo credit: Nicholas Grant

Throughout the hour Daughter 1 (Naomi Bland) and Daughter 2 (Rebecca Gray Davis) play the straight man, as it were, and allow Atlanta and crew to zip them (and us) through a cliff notes version of what it feels like for a girl, always driving home the point of balance.   Bland and Davis do a wonderful job at convincingly portraying newly-hatched women who are window shopping in the Mall of  Female Stereotypes where each conceivable brand of woman is, in turn, either celebrated or bashed.  However, no matter what lessons Atlanta and her One and Two can provide for the Daughters the story of Lot must play out as it should.  While the idea of who the aggressor is  - at least from this tale’s context – seems fixed,  the question of their perspective having been polluted becomes a weightier question thanks to the new stories that have been interwoven with theirs.

This play was originally longer and cut to fit FRIGID’s 1 hour time-frame, which I knew going in.  I’m not sure that Daughters of Lot works best as a one hour show; possibly making it even a bit shorter might have worked, though when taking out important moments it’s difficult to know which will resonate with the audience and which won’t – and ultimately you want to leave the audience with a thoughtful piece of theatre, not a hacked-up poetry reading, so it’s impossible for me to say what- other than the original format -would best serve this play.  I would very much enjoy seeing the full, uncut version in order to experience the original pacing and impact.

When these women announce at the top of the show that this is not your father’s burlesque show – and not for the squeamish – they’re correct.  I doubt there was a man in the audience who expected to be challenged so directly by women wearing so little.  I could tell it made some of them uncomfortable.  Frankly, this story should have made people uncomfortable starting a long time ago.  Go back and read the original if you need a refresher and then go see Daughters of Lot for a new perspective.

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• Daughters Of Lot: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour – Seven Act Scratch (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Starting Tonight! Frigid Hangovers Begin At The Kraine Theater
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Fear Factor: Canine Edition – Puppy Love (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Wondering what to do with the last week of the year?  Maybe 2010 hasn’t been steamy enough for you and you need a little more sexiness before counting down to 2011?  If that sounds like your kinda heat – especially in this snowy weather, then get yourself to the  2010 BURLESQUE BLITZ!  For Four Nights Only (December 27th through the 30th) at the Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) you can catch the hottest Burlesque in New York City.

I’ll be getting my fill of all things glamorous, glittery and gorgeous while being seduced by sweet sirens, beautiful boys and delicious drag queens.  Come to some or come to all – but don’t miss what promises to be the hottest week of December!

The 2010 Burlesque Blitz will run December 27-30 at 10:30pm in The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery). Tickets to all shows ($15) may be purchased online at  or by calling 212-868-4444.

Monday, December 27 @ 10:30pm: Bastard Keith presents A Tale of Two Bastards: A Jewlesque Fable

” A Tale of Two Bastards is a holiday treat from the mind of MC, bon vivant and man of action, Bastard Keith. An homage to his favorite classic musicals, this tale of crime, mistaken identity and old-time burley gathers the talents of Darlinda Just Darlinda, Minnie Tonka, Madame Rosebud, Gal Friday, ace magician Matthew Holtzclaw, and Keith himself.”

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Tuesday, December 28 @ 10:30pm: Misty Meaner, Stormy Leather & Go-Go Harder present Meaner Harder Leather… Burlesque With A Twist

“In the spring of 2010, Misty Meaner and Stormy Leather’s love affair gave birth to a beautiful, baby-butt smooth boy, Go-Go Harder. Since then, this trio of sexual ambiguity has literally been taking NYC by the family jewels. Uniting Drag, Burlesque and Boylesque, MEANER HARDER LEATHER brings you one of the most exciting shows in Manhattan! With your GLAMMY NOMINATED hosts, a variety of classic and scandalous performances, and a roster of talented guest stars, it’s sure to leave your seat wet and your heart curious… Hosted by Misty Meaner, Go-Go Harder & Stormy Leather. Guest starring The Bendable Christopher Bousquet; The Shimmering Chanteuse of Burlesque, Melody Sweets; The Chocolate Queen With a Touch of Cream, Mocha Lite; The Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold, Richert Rocket, with Lacey Knickers as your stage kitten.”

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Wednesday, December 29 @ 10:30pm: The Sweet & Nasty Burlesque Mystery Hour presents The Case of “The Fallen Starlet”

“On Wednesday night, tune your radio dial to the Sweet and Nasty Burlesque Mystery Hour for heart-pounding suspense and jaw-dropping burlesque, presented live onstage. This month The Naked Detective Nasty Canasta and her helpful housegirl Sapphire Jones solve the case of “The Falling Starlet,” with the vocal and visual talents of Gal Friday, Tigger!, Victoria Privates, Miss Ruby Valentine and the sound-effects wizardry of Michael Johnson.”

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Thursday, December 30: GiGi La Femme & Doc Wasabassco present Revealed Burlesque’s Holiday Bonus

“REVEALED is a burlesque show unlike any other. It’s a seduction, a tease, an epiphany, a dare, a conspiracy of pleasure. Hosted by devilishly charming master of ceremonies Bastard Keith, each show stars pin-up queen GiGi La Femme and a rotating ensemble of the most beloved burlesque performers in New York. Fresh editions of Revealed feature new performer debuts, surprise guests from around the world and innovative performances representing the state of the art in risqué entertainment. Come out and experience an evening of salacious striptease and skin, where the climax of each number leaves everything…Revealed. This special edition showcase will feature delectable performances by: The Girl Dreams Are Made Of GiGi La Femme; The Seductive Siren, Harvest Moon; The Borg Queen of Burlesque Kobayashi Maru; The Shining Jewel Of Burlesque, Sapphire Jones; and in her Revealed debut, Cheekie Lane! Hosted by the charming and inebriated Bastard Keith and his Sensational Stage Kitten Sidekick, The Girl Who Fell To Earth, Madame Rosebud!

Related Posts:

• Wasabassco Burlesque – Celebrating Seven Years And Still Going Strong
• Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On GiGi La Femme
• Revealed Burlesque Lives Up To Its Promising Name
• Early Risers / Night Owls … Come With Me – Help Save UNDER St. Marks
• Friends Of Dorothy – An Oz Cabaret (Fringe Festival 2010)