Thinkstock / Maggie Vaughn / Shepherd Express
Burlesque in the format of late-night TV? In retrospect, it seems obvious. Burlesque is a staged variety show that pre-dates broadcasting. As broadcasting began to supplant the stage in popular entertainment, stage variety shows began to give way to TV variety shows. Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle had become giants in an age before late night television. Then came Steve Allen with the original "Tonight Show" in 1954. For the first time there was the format that has become so familiar—opening monologue, celebrity interview, music and comedy bits in a cadence and rhythm that we now expect.
As modern burlesque looks back on the kind of variety show that ultimately spawned programs like "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night With David Letterman," it only makes sense that a modern burlesque show would pay homage to late-night TV talk shows. Next month, Rockabilly Girl presents Late Night With Colleen O’Brien. Rockabilly Girl’s redhead Alice Wilson’s alter ego Colleen Gore hosts the latest Art Carnival. It’s a burlesque/variety show in which artists are given the opportunity to draw/sketch/photograph the talent before the show. Late Night will feature burlesque with Polly Amour, poetry with KJ Prodigy, magic with The Great Shandini and more.
Late Night With Colleen O’Brien takes place June 3 at the District 14 Brewery on 2273 S. Howell Ave. Since this is an early late-night, doors open at 7 p.m. for a show that starts at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
