“The Buttcracker” reviewed by Frank Meccia

**** This is going to be an interesting review to write. A sold-out sensation for over 5 years, The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque is playing till December 30 at the Greenhouse Theatre in Chicago. But first (No pun intended), let us dwell into a little history. Burlesques has been a history of Chicago since the World Faire, and the Columbian Expedition of 1893.” American Burlesque is a genre of variety show derived from elements of Victorian burlesque, music hall, and minstrel shows. Burlesque became popular in the United States in the late 1860s and slowly evolved to feature ribald comedy and female nudity. “Chicago had several Burlesque theatres, even today we have 4 in the city. The famous one was the Follies Theatre that was torn down in 1979, and later became the grounds for the Harold Washington Library. The most famous of the dancers in Chicago was “Little Egypt” Miss Fareeda Mahzar who was known for her dance with the feathers. Many of the dancers were constantly arrested in the early days because of decency laws. That came to an end in the 80’s. The Buttcracker does a great tribute to her in one of the numbers.

Now back to the play. This is the magic of Burlesque, directed by Sarah Scanlon and Choreography by Willy Laqueue, to take a cast of 9 and then create a musical dance number highlighting the Nutcracker, I am sure Pyotr Tchaikovsky never envisioned this for his ballet, but it works. Instead of taking place in a winter country scene with children, this play take place in an office celebrating its winter holiday , Claira played by Amelia Roque put together the celebration for the party, and wanted everything to go right, she brings to the celebration a special guest the amazing Drosselmeyer played by Harlem Nyte to perform a sexy, sultry act, that offends the boss and she is fired. Being upset and crying the Drosselmeyer for a final trick makes a Nutcracker appear out of an empty gingerbread house, and Clara is transported to the magical land of Snow and Sweets. Here she meets the Sugar Bum Fairy played by Chaotika XOXO, and the other Fairyland Soldiers and Rats. All of which do a great musical number trying to keep up with the music of the Nutcracker. The surprise of the show is the second act, which will be different with every show. Every Nite amazing soloist will perform in the show, each one responsible for their costume and props and keeping within the tradition of the original ballet. The soloists for our show were Miss Nyon, Vivi Valens, Mocha Mocha2.0, Lady, Ginger, Slightly Spitfire, curated by Burlesque artist Sio Bast. They were all able to show off the art of Burlesque and the surprises that go with it. The show does not allow children. You must be 18 and older.

The show is done in a cabaret style in the front, With regular theater seats in the rear. You really need to come early for this show. During the first hour there is everything you want to know about burlesques, funny displays, and a great area for pictures. At your table local magicians will perform their trade. “The Buttcracker ” will continue thru December 30th. The schedule for performances is:

Thursday at 8pm,

Friday at 8pm

Saturday at 3 and 8pm

Sunday at 3pm.

o performance on Christmas eve. The show is 1 hour and 45 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets start at $20 and up. Every night expect a special event, from Holiday PJ to ugly sweater contest to special guests from the North Pole.

For ticket information go to greenhousetheatre.org, or info@thebuttcrackerburlesque.com. The Greenhouse Theatre is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Buttcracker”.