It would be a sin to not see this show
Company XIV, most known for their dramatic and provocative burlesque shows, hits the stage with the world premiere of their new show “Seven Sins.” This show is a reinterpretation of a story everyone has heard before, the creation of Adam and Eve, the fall of man, and the rise of the seven deadly sins. And like every show from Company XIV, they take this classic biblical story and turns it on its head. During this show, guests are immersed in a story of elegance, temptation, mystery, and grandeur paired with the same glitz and glam that a typical Company XIV show brings.
The story of Adam and Eve is something that everyone has heard of at some point in their lives. God creates Adam and then later Eve. Eve falls to temptation and eats the forbidden fruit which leads to the fall of man and the creation of sin. With that being said, Company XIV and Austin McCormick take this story to the next level. Even from the beginning with the introduction of Adam and Eve, the costuming, music pairing, and casting were spot on. You first see Adam and Eve as they were created and you immediately get this sense of softness and delicateness from them. Adam starts off alone and you see this emptiness and longing from him that is communicated only through the slightest facial expressions and longing looks out into the audience. And once Eve is created, Adam seems more fulfilled and lively. These intricate and intense feelings were communicated so seamlessly and is a testament to the talent and acting prowess that the cast members have. But that isn’t to say there isn’t the usual Company XIV humor and comedy that comes with it. As soon as Eve eats the forbidden fruit, the nudity comes out and leads to a theatrical and comedic performance by both Adam and Eve along with some dildos (obviously). On that note, Austin McCormick’s interpretation and imagination of those two characters is spot on and even in the smallest moments, you as the audience member see depth in these characters.
Going into the show, the seven sins are introduced, each having distinct features and characteristics. Furthermore, the interpretation and embellishment of each sin’s characteristics was smart and made for such a good show. Each time a new sin appeared, it was overtly apparent which sin they were. And the pairing of music, costuming, and dance style for each sin was perfect and allowed for a seamless flow of the plot.
Even though this story has been told over and over throughout our lives, the magical part of this Company XIV show, in particular, is how whimsical and quirky it is to the point where you simply don’t know what to expect. And one aspect of the show that left a deep impression with us is the final number performed by Adam and Eve. The musical number with this scene was “This Bitter Earth” by Dinah Washington, and the amount of emotion it evoked in audience members was stunning. The elegant and beautiful movements by both dancers paired with a song that is all about desperately seeking love is something that will move you to tears. And it’s crazy to think that at a burlesque show, one could even be moved to tears. But here we are and that is something that comes with the territory of attending a Company XIV show. These shows aren’t just typical burlesque shows. Their shows are works of art. A culmination of imagination, hard work, and remarkable talent.
We cannot rave enough about this show and it is definitely a performance of theirs that will go down in history. Company XIV brings dancing, singing, and acting to the next level and their shows are one of the best-hidden secrets New York has to offer.
This creation which is directed, choreographed, and directed by the remarkable Austin McCormick, runs from February 14 to October 31 at Theatre XIV located in Bushwick. Tickets start at $85 and go all the way up to $595 depending on how VIP you want to be and can be purchased by visiting http://CompanyXIV.com. And this show was actually the introduction of their new VIP selection which guests are served tableside with delectable treats and cocktail pairings during the show, making this performance even more interactive than it was before.