I know how imaginative Dopers are so I thought I’d put out a call for help for some ideas for a burlesque troop audition that I’m going to on Tuesday. I don’t have time for an elaborate set or costume, but I do want to think up something creative and fun.
I’m looking online and finding a few different things, but so far nothing has struck my fancy. Song ideas and costume ideas would be appreciated. Nothing is too crazy, so give me whatcha got!
Thanks!!
You might find some ideas by watching the film The Night They Raided Minsky’s. It contains several skits and musical pieces from 1920s-style burlesque.
Um, I’ve got nothing to add, but I would like to request some pictures…for…posterity.
We need to see the quality of the dance and its…inhabitants…and…stuff…
Pics?
Oh yeah, I DON’T recommend “Cherry Pie” for a song.
Just…throwing that out there…
This site is offering workshops in various burlesque routines. One of the possibilities offered is a Japanese themed routine performed in silhouette behind a paper screen.
How about being a Dancing Slavegirl of Mars?
To wit:
Looks like the costume would be easy and cheap. Maybe some kind of robot/bellydance.
For plenty of costume inspiration go to http://www.dragoncon.org and go to the fan’s pics from previous cons. That’s where I got this pic. You could also go as Police Tape Girl. She’ll be visible on a lot of sites.
Don’t know where you would find the music this quickly, but this can be done as a solo beginning with the line: “Life upon the wicked stage…”
You would have to do a little editing, but it’s been done before.
It can be delivered in a very flirtatious dumb pouty chorus girl style and is hilarious when done well.
It’s been forty-four years since I’ve seen it done, so I don’t think it would be in danger of being over exposed.
For a brief overview of ideas forcostumes, try this Flicker Group:
Some of the pics are NSFW, though most are. The thumbs should get you in no trouble, in any event.
For some reason the song “Looking for Trade,” from the abysmal by campy movie Shock Treatment, comes to mind. Also, the dirtiest song in the world, “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” written by Cole Porter and immortalized by such as Eartha Kitt and Marilyn Monroe.
Cowgirl costume would be easy enough to put together and, uh, “works” for me. Saw Melissa Bang-Bang twirl a rope at the Peekaboo Revue in Philly a couple of years ago.
And, yeah, links to pix would be much appreciated 
Maybe you could start of dressed like this: like this. Then do a song about “losing my head over you.”