November 13, 2006

Burlesque Against Breast Cancer Benefit

Burlesque Against Breast Cancer
By Justin Quinn Pelegano

Nov. 13 – In this town these days, $25 will barely cover the movie tickets you’re using to woo Little Miss/Mr. Big Thang. And you can forget about popcorn. Or soda. Or candy. (Basically, bring your own fun in your back pack.) And live theatre -- in this, the theatre capitol -- will make an even bigger dent in your wallet, and chances are they’re not even selling popcorn. Blowhards! But what if I was to tell you that for one night, tomorrow night, $25 could buy you a little sexy, a little funny, and a whole lot of great times? What if I was to tell you that same $25 could get you access to some of the hottest burlesque performers around, a chance to win one whole pound of cookies (Orville Redenbacher be damned), and an invitation to kick cancer where it hurts?

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Hollywood Follies: Burlesque Against Breast Cancer is back, and it’s every bit worth the price of admission…yes….$25. This Tuesday, November 14 @ 8pm, Chelsea’s Cutting Room plays host to the titillating brainchild of event co-chairs Cori Werner Neustein and Ilise “Lady Aye” Carter. On the bill are several of NYC’s most talented burlesque and sideshow performers including The World Famous Bob, Miss Dirty Martini, Jo Boobs and Albert Cadabra. There’s even a fire eater! Now come on, that’s just plain awesome. There’s drinks to be had, a raffle to be won, and there’s even a silent auction featuring a whole menagerie of items; from lingerie to make-up sessions, from hand-made pasties to a Dutch-made lip-shaped urinal. It’s gonna be hot.

And it’s all going to benefit a great cause: CancerCare (www.cancercare.org) – a nonprofit organization that provides invaluable information and professional services to anyone affected by cancer. It’s an issue that hits close to lifelong friends Neustein and Carter; Ms. Neustein’s mother, Maribeth (nicknamed Miss Hollywood), lost her 25-year battle with breast cancer on June 21st 2005.

“I love working on this [event],” says Carter, who will be emceeing this year’s show. “It’s fun, I get to work with my friends…the burlesque scene is like one big pajama party…and it honors Miss Hollywood. We’re tremendously blessed in terms of all the talent we could get to donate their time.”

Not to say that putting on Burlesque Against Breast Cancer has been without its hiccups. The biggest obstacle, it turns out, was finding a cancer charity willing to accept the proceeds from Tuesday night’s ticket sales and auction bids.

“Because of the nature of the performances, we’ve had several charities turn us down,” Carter explains. “That shocked the hell out of me. I couldn’t believe that anyone in NYC would have a problem with burlesque, but a lot of national and smaller charities wouldn’t work with us. I think a lot of people don’t understand the nature of burlesque. I mean, my parents sat in the front row last year. There isn’t anything offensive about it. It’s cheeky, cute, and fun. But we found CancerCare and they have been great.”

Despite encountering those misguided rebuffs, last year’s event turned out to be a tremendous success both artistically and in terms of fundraising. This year’s BABC is poised to eclipse those high marks.

For tickets, information and photos from last year’s event, visit:
http://www.evilkid.com/misshollywood/pages/hollywoodhome.html

Miss Hollywood Follies: Burlesque Against Breast Cancer II
Tuesday, November 14 @ 8pm
The Cutting Room
19 W. 24th Street, NY, NY 10010
Official Website / Buy Tickets
Tickets also available at the door

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