Shadowbox Live's BURLESQUE BIOGRAPHIE Begins Today

Shadowbox Live tips its hat to the good ole days of bawdy comedy and tantalizing striptease with the latest in the popular Burlesque de Voyage series, Burlesque Biographie, opening tonight, August 14th at The Shadowbox Live Building, 503 S. Front Street.

Burlesque Biographie revolves around main character Busty Slingshot, played by Shadowbox Live metaperformer Julie Klein, as she tells her colorful history. The show unfolds in flashbacks detailing Busty's career in burlesque, starting with an unassuming young woman waiting tables in a cabaret, and leading all the way up to a confident burlesque star running the popular touring troupe, Burlesque de Voyage.

"In this fictional world we've created, Busty is truly a legend in her field," says Klein. "Of course she has some interesting stories to tell, as all performers do. Sharing that journey with the audience is such an interesting and exciting way to allow people to become even more familiar with an already beloved character."

And every step of the way, the audience is treated to old school burlesque comedy and dance, featuring choreography that blends traditional striptease and modern music.

"This year's burlesque story gives me an opportunity to move through time with the choreography," says Chief Choreographer Katy Psenicka. "Because the story is a retrospective, the choreography moves through time, using classic structure, but retrofit into modern music."

Much like true historical burlesque variety shows, many of the costumes created by the Shadowbox Live costume team, under the direction of Art Director Amy Lay, are eye-catching, extravagant, and often quite intricate.

"When you're designing clothes that are meant to be taken off, it can pose quite the challenge," says Lay. "My team and I begin with concepts and themes, but then we have to adapt and alter everything to fit within the choreography. It's got to look great while it's on and when it's coming off!"

Ribald comedy and sexy striptease set the perfect stage for the telling of a celebrated career of a much-loved character. Join Busty Slingshot and Shadowbox Live for Burlesque Biographie!

Shadowbox Live presents a Stage 2 production: Burlesque Biographie, opening on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 PM, and running Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM through November 30, 2014. Tickets are $25 / $20 for students, seniors, and military. For more information and reservations, call the Shadowbox Live Box Office at 614-416-7625 or go online at www.shadowboxlive.org.

Shadowbox Live is the largest resident theater company in America, producing over 400 shows per year.

A non-profit 501c3 performance troupe, Shadowbox Live employs 60+ full time ensemble members immersed in the Shadowbox Live philosophy of "everyone does everything," including arts administration.

These Shadowbox Live metaperformers self-produce a wide range of shows, as well as run the company on a day-to-day basis.

For over 20 years this creative team has produced world-class performances, spanning the artistic spectrum with sketch comedy, rock 'n 'roll, original rock operas, traditional musicals, drama, dance theater and new media; always putting emphasis on the unparalleled live experience.

Shadowbox Live is a healthy, vibrant, self-sustaining arts organization that generates the majority of its funding from its patron base, and leads the way as an artistic tour de force in Midwest.