A Romp in the Eternal City
Lily Verlaine’s latest burlesque spectacular is a lively, alcohol-fueled visit to 1960s Italy, but don’t be fooled by the laughter and glitz. Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome’s feminist underpinnings push it beyond mere entertainment. Created by Verlaine and musician, writer and entertainer Jasper McCann (the duo behind popular shows Land of the Sweets and Through the Looking Glass), Burlesco DiVino follows American choreographer Babs Lawson and Italian musician Lanzo Travaglio across Rome as they attempt to create a work of avant-garde dance for a wealthy widow.
“This show takes two women, both of whom are holding emotional crutches of some sort, and crosses their paths,” Verlaine says. “They each learn how to let go of the idea that there is an expected ‘perfect’ way they should be behaving. It’s set in the past, but the lessons they learn are very relevant today.”
The first and only burlesque show commissioned by the Triple Door, Burlesco DiVino takes visual and dramatic inspiration from two great Italian costume epics, Quo Vadis and Satyricon. Set to a wide range of Italian musical styles, Verlaine’s skilled, flirtatious choreography mixes ballet, striptease, go-go and belly dance. The cast of 18 includes notable performers such as Whim W’Him’s Tory Peil and House of Verlaine company member Dreamy Tangerine.
Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome
Sept. 21–23
The Triple Door
