Gypsy Rose Lee Performing in Milwaukee at the Milwaukeean Club (1123 W. Vliet Street), 1946, 6 x 8 in., Private Collection.
Burlesque: the word calls to mind a titillating abundance of skin coupled with the nominal decency of pasties and stringy undergarments. But burlesque enthusiasts insist that the genre should not be confused with pornography. To prevent such confusion, cultural critic H.L. Mencken coined the term “ecdysiast” (from the ancient Greek term meaning “to take off”) as a replacement for “stripper.” After many years of residing in the no-man’s land between high art and base impulses, a new exhibition opening at the Charles Allis Art Museum on April 10 proves that burlesque has finally won the public acceptance of a cultural institution.
“More on Less: The History of Burlesque in America From Lydia Thompson to Amber Ray,” explores the two-sided history of burlesque in American culture. With the visual aids of photographs, authentic historical and contemporary costumes, advertisements, playbills, posters, vintage footage, sheet music, art and autobiographies, the exhibition surveys the history of burlesque from its earliest stars to the political backlash that marginalized the art until its resurgence with Neo-Burlesque.
The opening reception for “More on Less” takes place on April 10 from 6-8 p.m. with a members preview from 5:30-6 p.m. During the reception there will be a brief performance by Milwaukee born and bred contemporary burlesque icon Amber Ray, who has given new impetus to an old art form by supplementing her thorough knowledge of the history of burlesque her interests in freak chic, theater, high fashion, old Hollywood and feminism.
