by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS
For most of us, the arrival of autumn means breaking out hoodies and knitted sweaters. It’s quite the opposite, however, for “Olympia’s Own” TUSH! Burlesque, performing its latest extravaganza Falling for Tush! in the Capitol Theater Sept. 24.
“The entire troupe is performing in the show. It’s our first show back in the Capitol Theater in a long time,” says Bettie Beelzebub, a founding member of Tush! “We have a great group act that we’ve been rehearsing like crazy. It’s a huge final act with all the members, heavily choreographed, which is something we try to do for all our big shows.”
“We have a very special guest,” notes Ms. Hattie Hotpants, also a founding member and the recurring “hostess,” or mistress of ceremonies, for the troupe. “The Luminous Pariah is coming from Seattle. He’s one of my favorite performers, hands down. Talk about coming from a theatrical background and using those elements in synchronicity with dance. He’s stunning. His aesthetic is incredible. His physique is just chiseled.”
The show is “a sensual tribute to autumn,” Hotpants explains. “Valerie Veils, one of our newer members, has led the choreography. I think she’s done a wonderful job. We work as a collective that operates through a number of teams, and she’s on the choreo team.”
“When we’re auditioning,” Beelzebub adds, “we look for performers who have amazing creativity and costuming ideas and character and presence. We learn by watching other performers, seeing what works, what doesn’t, what we like and what we don’t. Go watch all the burlesque! I think there’s great burlesque everywhere now.”
What: Falling for Tush!
Where: Capitol Theater,
206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia
When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24
How much: $18-$23
Learn more: 360-754-6670 | Olympia Film Society