By Farrah Turenne
Want to check out something freaky? I mean, freaky-deaky freaky?!
Then head down to the new Riverfront Theater to catch the mind-bending extravaganza that is La Soiree.
Among other amazing things, you’ll see a lady do a disappearing trick with a little red handkerchief that re-appears in the most startling places, and another woman who plays the kazoo in a most unusual fashion.
La Soirée combines cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow, strip tease, and contemporary variety in a dynamic collective of some of the most outrageous, hilarious, beautiful and downright bizarre acts you will ever see.
The sexy, funny, dangerous world of La Soiree, which has enchanted audiences across the globe in Edinburgh, Paris, Sydney, Stockholm, Dublin, Montreal, and New York, ends its Chicago run on Sunday, August 5.
Meet The La Soirée Artists:
Yulia Pykhtina
Forget what you think you know about hula hooping; the beautiful Yulia Pykhtina has something to show you. Born in Kiev in the Ukraine, Yulia lives and breathes the mystery of the Near East and is said to have left many a broken heart in her wake. Captivating, graceful and impeccably poised, Yulia turns the ancient art of hula hooping into a spectacular display that is both erotic and exotic.
Mooky
Canadian-born Mooky Cornish, renowned for her side-splitting physical comedy, is one of the funniest ladies working on the international circuit today. This quirky comedienne has entranced over a million spectators worldwide in both North America and Europe, recently starring in Cirque du Soleil’s most recent hit show, Verekai. The multi-talented Mooky is a pianist, puppeteer, mask maker, accordion squeezer, and chicken trainer.
Nate Cooper
Cooper delivers a jaw dropping performance – try to imagine Charlie Chaplin tap dancing on roller skates while juggling razor sharp machetes and you will only be scratching the surface of what Cooper has in store.
The English Gents
Denis Lock and Hamish McCann are two delightful and devilish “English” gentlemen who perform inconceivable feats of acrobatic skill, strength and balance, all while casually puffing a pipe and sporting the stiffest of British upper lips. The act mixes their highly-skilled stunts with a dry English wit, unexpectedly climaxing with the two hilariously baring near-all for Queen and country.
Bret Pfister
Supple, sexy, skilful and stunningly handsome, Bret Pfister brings the finest of New York’s cabaret talent to La Soirée. He blends awesome physical skill and a cool insouciance into his exquisite, punked-up aerial ballet.
David O’Mer
Hailing from Berlin and originally trained as a gymnast, David has been a cornerstone of this dysfunctional family for many years. His now world-famous incarnation as “Bath Boy” leaves audiences damp and breathless in admiration – the combination of wet jeans and awe-inspiring aerial ballet is once-seen, never-forgotten.
Le Gateau Chocolat
Le Gateau Chocolat is an opera-singing diva with a penchant for being wrapped in body hugging lycra and a passion for laughter. This delicious confection is a killer baritone who delivers outrageous yet moving renditions of everything from pop-rock to opera. A real showstopper, Le Gateau Chocolat has a warmth that will see the whole world addicted to chocolate.
Amy G
The irrepressible Amy G is a full-on show topping showgirl: she has the legs, the skates, the ukulele, and what she can do with a kazoo will astound you. A physical comedienne, actor, and musician of prodigious anatomical gifts.
Susannah Martinez
Her cult striptease act with its mischievous disappearing hanky is a jaw-dropping sensation! From high-brow to low-brow and from live art to loquacious party tricks, Martinez treads where few performers dare to go.
About Riverfront Theater
The Riverfront Theater is Chicago’s newest destination for music, theater, dance, spectacles and more. Audiences were first introduced to the venue last summer, during the successful 16-week run of Peter Pan.
All performances take place in the 22,000 square-foot, temperature-controlled tented auditorium along the scenic Chicago River. Alongside the performance venue is River’s Edge, a pavilion tent and promenade area overlooking the Chicago River, where patrons can enjoy refreshments while taking in the view from this urban garden oasis.
La Soiree tickets, $39-$85, are available at the Riverfront Theater box office, 650 West Chicago Avenue, www.RiverfrontTheater.com; and through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com or 888/556-9484.
Parking is located on Chicago Avenue, next door to the venue, with direct access to show. Additional parking is located at 811 North Larabee and 950 North Kingsbury. Because of its bawdy nature, La Soirée is recommended for mature audiences.
