Have you ever seen a live burlesque show?  If not, you should, especially given the current revival of burlesque and what is sometimes referred to as “pin-up culture” in a number of big cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

You don’t have to go to those places to see live burlesque, though, at least not this weekend. All you have to do is drive to Tuscaloosa. That’s where Mama Dixie and the self-described “curvey cuties” of Pink Box Burlesque (PBB) will strut their stuff, on Sat., May 30, at 10 p.m., at Little Willie’s, a blues and jazz club downtown.

Like their show at Greencup Books in Birmingham on March 27, the show Saturday night is the Tuscaloosa troupe’s tribute to the great women of the classic post-war era of burlesque, as well as to the great female vocalists of that period. “In this show we celebrate the depth of traditional burlesque culture, everything from memorable performances to legendary performers,” Mama Dixie tells Birmingham Weekly.  “Our respect for burlesque’s past is at the heart of our dedication to the PBB. It’s what draws us back to each show.”

“We’ve got celebrations of Eartha Kitt and Bettie Page, to the greats of comedy, vaudeville skits, a lot of song and dance and our live band, the PBB Orchestra,” Mama says.  “We’ve got two new performers, a mysterious and sly fox and a pin up right out of the calendars.  We’ve got a balloon act, an Elvis tribute, and, of course, high praise for Peggy Lee.”

According to Mama, the performers Saturday will include Shimmy von Braun, Sunshine Devine, Mimi Amore, Tempest Le Blanc and Tallulah De Noir.

Mama Dixie

Comic Tommy King will be part of the show, taking part in some sketches and doing a stand-up routine. King’s sketches in the Greencup show in March, which employed some of the other cast members, including Mama Dixie, did not really send me. One recurring bit, regarding a wager over who could last the longest without masturbating, borrowed it’s narrative from a classic “Seinfeld” episode. However, his stand-up routine, about the seven words you can’t say at a burlesque show, was very funny.

Sax player Christopher Johnson will lead the PBB Orchestra. The band is good, with true jazz chops. In fact, some of the best moments in the Greencup show were when the women sang with the band rather than using recorded music cues. ”We love performing live with them,” Mama says.  “They have an ever-increasing role in our shows.  They’re part of the family.”

Tempest Le Blanc

However, according to Mama, most of the music used in Tuscaloosa Saturday will be recorded, at least in part because –  like the performance at Greencup– it’s a tribute show.  “Last time it was half and half,” she says.  “We struggled to decide how to handle it.  We got a lot of feedback.  And we decided to go this time with the music of the people we’re celebrating.” Some of the music cues will be live.  “I always do ‘When You’re Good to Mama,’” she says, referring to the number from the film and musical Chicago. 

PBB hopes to return to Birmingham this summer with a show they’ve done before in which all the music is live. “In February in Tuscaloosa the music was all live and everything was choreographed,” Mama says.  “Chris did all of that.  We hope to bring that show to Birmingham.  It’s our big top show, our circus show.” 

I asked Dixie if she thinks that PBB is getting better. “Each performance is hand crafted by its performer,” she says.  ”I think with each successful performance, the ladies find their rhythm, allowing the group to create a stronger collaboration.  We work to integrate performances into each other, to deepen the cohesion of each show. to create a unique atmosphere.  We strive to make each show better than the last.”

Mama Dixie is always looking for new talent for PBB and has scheduled an open casting call in Tuscaloosa for June 14. Theatrical experience is not required, even though many of the women in the troupe have dance or theatrical training, according to Dixie. “Others stepped on stage their first time with the PBB,” she says. 

For more information about their show Saturday or the open call, call (205) 792-9565 or go to PBB’s web site at www.pinkboxburlesque.com. Little Willie’s is located at 2350 Fourth St. in Tuscaloosa. If you need directions, check the Google map below or call the club at (205) 752-2060.

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