It’s 1961 and the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, (you know, the one blamed for nearly bringing down the monarchy,) has returned to her hometown of Baltimore for reasons unknown. Tired of the A-list party she’s attending, she decides to visit Baltimore’s Adult entertainment district, The Block with the intention of meeting the leading burlesque performer of her time, Blaze Starr.
Blaze is infamous in her own right, having had quite the torrid affair with the Governor of Louisiana.
With seemingly little in common beyond home wrecking, at the end of this night, these ladies with the help of one another, will choose a path forward as their stars begin their inevitable fade.
Directed by Ezra Buzzington, The Duchess and the Stripper is as sharp, fast and sexy as a “grind” number at the top of a burlesque bill. Miller and Chandler are excellent as the two historical notables as is Krista Conti as Starr’s younger sister who is all ga-ga by being in the presence of royalty.
The show is brilliantly written by David Bosley and directed by Fringe veteran and mentor (as well as a truly talented actor in his own right) Ezra Buzzington. The cast was likewise perfectly set with AEA actress Blaire Chandler in the role of Wallis Simpson, Cherry Poppins queen Alli Miller as Blaze Starr and Krista Conti as Starr’s sister and assistant June Fleming. The entire show was breathtaking, and kept us on the edge of our seat from start to finish.
Fringe veteran Ezra Buzzington directs with considerable flair, what could have been a talking heads show is kept alive with detailed and appropriate business, and good use of sound and light.
The performances are uniformly excellent and solid, even at this first preview. I predict they will only get better. I highly recommend this show.
Directed by Ezra Buzzington, The Duchess and the Stripper is as sharp, fast and sexy as a “grind” number at the top of a burlesque bill. Miller and Chandler are excellent as the two historical notables as is Krista Conti as Starr’s younger sister who is all ga-ga by being in the presence of royalty.
The show is brilliantly written by David Bosley and directed by Fringe veteran and mentor (as well as a truly talented actor in his own right) Ezra Buzzington. The cast was likewise perfectly set with AEA actress Blaire Chandler in the role of Wallis Simpson, Cherry Poppins queen Alli Miller as Blaze Starr and Krista Conti as Starr’s sister and assistant June Fleming. The entire show was breathtaking, and kept us on the edge of our seat from start to finish.
Fringe veteran Ezra Buzzington directs with considerable flair, what could have been a talking heads show is kept alive with detailed and appropriate business, and good use of sound and light.
The performances are uniformly excellent and solid, even at this first preview. I predict they will only get better. I highly recommend this show.
