The “Mama D’s” burlesque shows at Playhouse on Park are a special thrill. Grounded in old vaudeville jokes, striptease bump-and-grind, and honking jazz music, they also manage to be strikingly contemporary. The naughtiness is not nostalgia — it’s now. The shows are refreshing for the diversity they show not just in the dances and other variety show routines, but in how they don’t conform to any prevailing idealized idea about what is sexy, or funny.
This scintillating sex-and-silliness series has inspired great loyalty on both sides of the stage. Devoted audience members know just what to expect, and there are always familiar faces in the ensemble cast. Since she works regularly with many of the performers, director/choreographer Darlene Zoller — “Mama D” herself” — is able to create some intricate ensemble dances. Dance rules, but the shows are also studded with solo song-and-dance numbers and lots of coarse comedy.
Playhouse on Park places a vague plot on “Mama D’s Gay Nineties Romp, Aug. 16 to 25: “A little miscommunication sends the cast into frenzy as they try to make sense of some questionable costume choices which can only be solved by taking them off — while singing and dancing of course.”
MAMA D’S GAY NINETIES ROMP romps Aug. 16 to 25 at Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. The theater says the show is “for adults only” and is a BYOB event. 860-523-5900 Ext. 10 and playhouseonpark.org/
