Burlesque is back!
Sex, glamour, circus, live music, ballet, and burlesque. The one thing that ties them all together is a performance group known as Company XIV. After a long hiatus from performing live shows, the burlesque group that we have come to adore and love makes a triumphant return with their classic holiday show, The Nutcracker Rouge. This show takes the classic ballet, The Nutcracker, and reinterprets it with an erotic, dark, and sensual lens.
The story is similar to the classic tale we know and love. Clara enters the stage with the infamous nutcracker doll, and soon after is transported to the land of sweets. However, this land of sweets has been reimagined to fit the sexual burlesque theme. Imagine the black licorice forest, but now the main character of that land is a black licorice dominatrix. These are the types of characters that director Austin McCormick has created for us to enjoy. Throughout the performance, Clara meets these transformed characters and slowly discovers herself and her inner sexuality. The show ends with the famous Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairies. It is here that Clara’s search comes to an end and she finally meets the nutcracker she was searching for. Stripping away her clothes, Clara performed her last dance with the nutcracker, and in doing so, embraces her sexuality and inner desires.
One of our favorite things about Company XIV is how diverse the cast is with their talents. There is no other place where you can see classical ballet meet circus tricks like contortionism and aerial acrobatics. And to top it off, the live singing is incredible. From a drag artist performing opera all the way to a deep and seductive belting from the narrator, you will be sure to get your life with this show.
Another charm that Company XIV has is the costuming and designing for each character. It is a feat to make an entire outfit made of sequin look expensive and tasteful. The way each sparkle hit the light was absolutely captivating and really added another layer to this performance and the telling of the story. Each character’s costume was unique and had so much detailing put into it that there are times you wish the performers didn’t strip and kept the costumes on so you can appreciate the detailing a little more.
The show has weekly performances scheduled and will run until January 30th, 2022. Single tickets range from $85-$295, and Champagne Couches for Two People can range from $395-$745 and include champagne. Visit CompanyXIV.com to buy tickets and check out showtimes
