Storybook Burlesque brings your Cinderella like you've never seen it before

By Meredith Deliso

This ain’t your Disneyfied version of Grimm’s fairy tales.

Storybook Burlesque is adding some pasties and overt sex appeal to the same old “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” in a new show inspired by the brothers’ dark tales.

“We like to see how far we can take something and still make it recognizable and entertaining,” said troupe member Victoria Privates. “Storybrook Burlesque to me means being able to interpret one piece of literature in a wide variety of ways. And we always like being a little cheeky.”

For her, that means a “straight up classical burlesque” take on the lesser-known story, “The Moon.”

“It’s just sparkling and pretty, like the moon,” said Privates.

Other stories getting a sensual spin include “The Frog Prince,” “Rumpelstiltskin,” “Cinderella,” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Host Cyndi Freeman, aka Cherry Pitz (pictured), will also dress up like a sexy fairy godmother.

It should go without saying, but this fairy tale adaptation is not for kids.

Storybook Burlesque presents “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” at the Coney Island Sideshow Theatre [1208 Surf Ave. at W. 12th Street in Coney Island, (718) 372-5159], July 21 at 9 pm. Tickets $12 at the door. For info, visit www.storybookburlesque.com.


Photo by Stefano Giovannini

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Oh, doctor! Seuss get sexy!

By Meredith Deliso

If you don’t want your childhood corrupted, stop reading now.

Otherwise, Galapagos Art Space has a show for you!

The ladies behind Storybook Burlesque, which creates sexy shows out of the most sacred of texts (the Bible, anyone?) turn their sights toward Dr. Seuss, with a whimsical show at the DUMBO space tonight.

“Because we usually do literary themes, we keep an ongoing list of fun ideas we’d like to explore, and this one was definitely on our list,” said producer Magdalena Fox (pictured). “We thought it would turn into a really fun, playful show.”

Fox will don the iconic striped hat — as well as some tight black Spandex — to bring “The Cat and the Hat” to life. Though by the end, she’ll have transformed into a purring kitty kat.

Other familiar tales getting turned into risque numbers include “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” “The Lorax,” “If I Ran the Circus,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T,” and “Sneetches,” as they’ll be told through aerial tricks, silks and raunchy moves.

Fox and company expect to ruffle a few feathers with this gleeful corruption of children’s classics, and that’s all part of the fun.

“Some people always get upset, it’s just how it works,” said Fox. “I’m sure some people will say we ruined their childhood, but it comes with the territory.”

“Storybook Burlesque presents: The Books of Dr. Seuss” at Galapagos Art Space [16 Main St. at Water Street in DUMBO, (718) 222-8500], Feb. 10 at 8 pm. Tickets $15. For info, visit www.storybookburlesque.com.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

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