“What better metaphor for love is there than getting stabbed in the heart by a flying baby?” jokes Ben De La Creme, the emcee extraordinaire of J’Adore, the Atomic Bombshells latest offering at The Triple Door. This kind of irreverent hilarity, delivered by De La Creme’s larger than life personality, peppered J’Adore, which serves as an homage to all things titillating, campy, dipped in glitter, and preferably all three simultaneously. The Bombshells have created a free-wheeling production packed with laughs, short on clothing, and with polished choreography to boot—making a delightful Valentine for even the loneliest of hearts.
The Atomic Bombshells perform in J’Adore
Photo by Jen DeLeo
In addition to a splashy opening ensemble number, each Bombshell had a solo act with it’s own unique schtick, including everything from aerial, to hula, to tassel twirling. The catchy choreography featured samplings of many different dance styles and was always synchronized, as well as highly entertaining. Standouts of the solo acts included the luscious Tova De Luna, the newest member of the troupe, as a high-flying petit oiseau. Miss De Luna pranced delicately in silver pointe shoes before taking to the air on a metal hoop. Spinning with mesmerizing grace in contortion-like poses, she made disrobing while hanging ten feet above the ground look completely natural. The Bombshells have found a delightful new talent in her elegant act. Other highlights were Ivy St. Spectre’s “Beginning to See the Light,” which used shadows and bouncing balls of light to create a surprising and sexy little romp, and Faggedy Randy’s “Dream Date,” a 50’s malt shop number that had Randy prancing in a bow tie and neon pink undies in hot pursuit of Lou Henry Hoover.
The Atomic Bombshells perform in J’Adore
Photo by Jen DeLeo
Both of Lou Henry Hoover’s numbers struck just the right balance of the camp and wit. His pitch-perfect lip-synching to booming manly voices made his pint-size persona seem like a real-life cartoon. And while it’s the antithesis of sexy when he strips down to a bright red onesie (complete with butt flap), that’s exactly what makes it so dang funny. Lou’s longtime stage partner, Cherdonna Shinatra, also made a guest appearance emerging clumsily, albeit hilariously, out of a giant plush heart. Her arms flailed awkwardly as she stumbled to remove herself from the fuzzy red monstrosity; her attempted nonchalance throughout the absurdity made it all the more amusing. Indigo Blue, a truly consummate burlesque artist, closed the show with a sultry number involving two huge feathered fans and her signature tassel twirling.
What really sells each of these acts, though, is the performers’ complete confidence and immersion in their colorful onstage personas. And there’s more to it than simply being a ham or baring their flesh—each incorporates a fair amount of subtlety and nuance in the build up to the big reveal. The Bombshells reaffirm the artistry of burlesque, while keeping the focus on the form’s inherent humor and sensuality. It was all to the benefit of J’Adore’s audiences this weekend, who got to revel in the group’s delightful Valentine like a box of chocolates—minus the guilt.
More info about the Atomic Bombshells can be found at their website.
