EMA Review: A NIGHT OF… BURLESQUE Irresistible ★★★★★

By Erik Engman

Author, Clown and Improvisation Teacher, Theatre Critic, EatMoreArtVegas.com

IG: ErikReviewsVegas

Just shy of their fifth anniversary, A Night Of… Burlesque, produced by Mollie de Menthe, has moved from Vegas Theatre Company to the brand-spanking-new THIRD Street Arts & Media Incubator, and they’ve come a long way! Started in 2022, right after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, this rag-tag show opened as modestly as a burlesque show can at the Red Dwarf Las Vegas punk rock tiki bar. (Try their Detroit pizza. Seriously.) It was free and fabulous, but, soon enough, they outgrew that space and needed bigger accommodations. They found themselves at the Oyo Hotel showroom on Tropicana, but like a too-tight bustier, it wasn’t quite the right fit. That's when they found their home in the Arts District as VTC. But even then their talent demanded a bigger and more spectacular space. And after seeing their THIRD Street debut, I could see it was the perfect decision to plant themselves here. 

Walking into THIRD Street, you can see at once that the space was an old cinema. But the crew has miraculously transformed it into a “legitimate stage.” The venue was packed, the audience was excited, dollar bills were flying through the air, and the positive energy was palpable. I have seen this show before, and thankfully it hasn’t lost any of its power in the move. Quite the contrary, it is bigger and bolder than ever. 

The show began with the gorgeous and beguiling hostess-with-the-mostess Victoria Jade. She is the perfect captain to steer this ship, what with her sharp wit and dangerous curves. Her snark steals the show at every turn. The first performer was the producer herself, Mollie de Minthe, who stunned the crowd and ventured deep into the audience to a mix of K Flay and Rosin Murphy. Next was Glitter Ginger, whose dancing to “Careless Whisper” captivated the audience and brought the comedy by handing out tiny kazoos for the sax solo. My clown heart was full! Next up was the sultry and spooky Miss Betty D, their usual stage kitten, here in her stage debut. She was elegant and glamorous as she moved and grooved to Depeche Mode’s “I Feel You.”

After intermission, we were transported back to old Vegas as the marvelous Miss Elle Diamond shook her dice to a clever mix of Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas” and Brittany Spears’ “Toxic.” After a pause for the obligatory raffle, Raquel Reed brought the Halloween vibes in full force as she spun her web of desire to “Dark Eyes” by Marquis & The Rhythm Howlers. And finally, the icing on the cheesecake was the one-and-only Victoria Jade, showing everyone how it’s done, bringing down the house with Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” with a special shout-out to the purr-fect stage kittens Andrew Wood and Professor Risque. 

This show celebrates the strength and power of women. In fact, most of the audience were also women cheering them on with gusto. Combine that with Shannon Calcutt’s wonderful show Things I Shouldn’t Tell You, which played right before this, and it was a mighty night of feminine fortitude. I experienced a night of passion, honor, and love. You can’t help but be swept up in the fervor. And, come on! Kazoos!

As you can tell, I highly recommend this show. A Night of… Burlesque is monthly on the second Thursday of the month and has a rotating cast of Vegas’s best and bustiest talent. Their next show on Thursday, Nov. 12, is their Five-Year Anniversary party! You can’t miss this! Here’s to another five years, and many, many more! Don’t bring your kids, though! It’s strictly 18+ for adult content. 

What: A Night Of… Burlesque

When: The Second Thursday of every Month, 8 p.m.

Where: THIRD Street, 814 S. 3rd St.

Tickets (including fees)/website: GA $37.37; VIP Table for Two $104.31, https://thirdstreet.vegas/

RATING: Irresistible ★★★★★

Producer: Mollie de Menthe. Lights/Sound: Justin DiMatteo.