The Palladium’s deep dive into Classic Burlesque continues this weekend in the Palladium’s intimate Side Door Cabaret.
The first three installments were one-night-only, but ticket demand was so strong, we added a second showing of A Night of Classic Burlesque – Vol 4. Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s shows are almost sold out, so don’t finish reading this blog before getting your tickets.
Our burlesque series is presented in partnership with ND Theatricals, which is actually our pal, Nathan Dougherty. Nathan is not only the pianist and one of the singers in the shows, he is the producer as well, bringing in talent from around Florida.
These shows feature the art of strip tease, but also comedy, music and lots of surprises.
I could tell you more, but Bill DeYoung, of St. Pete Catalyst, just wrote a great piece about Nathan and his burlesque extravaganza’s. So read on below. Or follow this link to the Catalyst site.
But first, get your tickets before they are gone by following this link.
‘Classic Burlesque’ returns to the Side Door this weekend
By Bill DeYoung/St. Pete Catalyst
You say you need Mark Twain to arrive at your event riding a camel? Or Scarlett O’Hara playing a trombone while she twirls a hula hoop?
Nathan Daugherty might just be your go-to guy.
The Clearwater native is the founder and creative/artistic director of ND Theatricals, a multi-faceted production company that provides musical theater, plays, concerts and one-off mini-shows including interactive “atmosphere entertainment” for galas and receptions.
“We try to be full-spectrum and do as much as we can in the entertainment business,” says Daugherty, whose Rolodex includes contacts for stilt walkers, jugglers, clowns, aerialists and animal acts, as well as actors, musicians, singers and dancers.
Daugherty is the 21st century Suncoast equivalent of the hard-nosed, cigar-chomping big city “theatrical agent” seen in countless ‘40s and ‘50s movies (“all right, kid, show me what ya got – and make it snappy”).
No cigar, though. And he’s anything but hard-nosed.
Daugherty is himself a performer, a talented singer and pianist, and an actor. ND Theatricals, for him, was a natural progression – since he was a kid, he’s been infatuated with the business of show.
All roads lead to “A Night of Classic Burlesque,” July 7 and 8 at the Palladium Theater Side Door Café (yes, despite the title, it’s a two-nighter). This will be the company’s fourth such event at the Palladium (all previous editions sold out).
There is a live band, the Burly Bandits. Daugherty himself is part of the group, playing the Palladium’s Steinway grand piano.
“I used to produce burlesque shows in this area that were very modern, using backing tracks,” he says. “Which was great, but I wanted to go back to the old vaudevillian classic style. Where you’d have an emcee that comes out and tells jokes between each scene and each song.”
That’s right, there’s more to this stage show that the bump-and-grind of (moderate) striptease. It’s an adaptation of classic burlesque, which featured bawdy comedy, an endless stream of groan-inducing jokes, daredevil acts, songs and surprises.
“We wanted to pivot after every single scene,” Daugherty points out. “We wanted to do our best to keep the audience excited and wondering what’s coming up next.”
Along with the Burly Bandits, Friday’s lineup of talent includes Marina Elaine, Lola La Colombe, Animalia, Vanity A’Loura, Miss Daddea D. Vicious, The Distinguished Daredevils, Mary Strawberry and Karma Kandlewick.
Saturday’s performers: Marina Elaine, Rogue River, Ktwo LeMew, Emma Jewel, Madame Dior, Indie Sinclair, Mary Strawberry and Karma Kandlewick.
“With burlesque,” says Daugherty, “I want there to be a story in the song, more than just ‘I’m taking my clothes off’ and that’s it. Tampa Bay has some of the best burlesque I’ve ever seen because they think about their costumes and the stories in their songs. I want my performers to really feel it. To really own it.
“I want the theatricality to be a part of it. Because back in the vaudeville and burlesque days, that’s all it was.”
Daugherty and his wife Taryn – she’s the CEO of ND Theatricals – have collaborated on a musical mystery play, Murder at the Jazz Club. “We’re doing it at a winery in Clearwater in August – a little tryout, and if it goes well, we’re going to try and get it into some fringe shows, and possibly even a longer run somewhere else.”
The next “Night of Classic Burlesque” at the Palladium has already been booked, for November. This one, in the larger Hough Hall, will have a “circus” theme.
Perhaps Mark Twain on a camel will make an appearance after all. With show biz, you never know.
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