Company XIV’s Snow White

This is the third production (maybe fourth?) of Company XIV’s that I’ve seen in the last couple of years. I love them. I think they’re great. However, Snow White may have been my least favorite production thus far. That may be because I’m not terribly familiar with the story of Snow White and the Huntsman, which I believe this was taken from (rather than from the Disney movie).

As always, the pole dancing sequence and cirque du soleil sequences were wonderful. Jaw-dropping. The costumes were elaborate and eye-catching, covered with sparkles as per usual.

Nutcracker Rouge will continue to be my favorite Company XIV production, but Snow White didn’t disappoint either.

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I’d told Justin about this crazy bulesque/cirque du soleil/ballet show that was based on Cinderella and performed by one of my favorite off-Broadway theatre companies, Company XIV. He said he was down to see it and we went last Wednesday. Nutcracker Rouge is a holiday tradition of mine and I knew Cinderella would be just as thrilling. 

Cinderella didn’t disappoint. It was sexy, raunchy, beautiful, and thrilling. There was burlesque, and the can-can, and pole dancing. The performers and the performances were mind-blowing. More than once my dude inhaled sharply and exclaimed, “oh my god!” 

It was three quick but totally enjoyable acts and worth being out late on a “school” night for. I would definitely recommend this latest fairytale by Company XIV. 

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to see Nutcracker Rouge again. The fantastic Company XIV was bringing their fantastic burlesque version of the classic back to their own space this year. I am happy to say that this is now one of my holiday traditions. 

I brought my friend who is a fan of burlesque and we both sat back and watched as a very saucy spin was put on a very well known children’s tale. The cast was back in full force: perfect choreography, lovely singing.

Extra thanks to the table of gentlemen sitting next to us who gave us their extra bottle of champagne at intermission (I think they assumed we were on a date, but we were not). The only thing that could make Nutcracker Rouge more fun is a bottle of bubbly.

Take everyone you know this year or next year to see this. It’s so. much. fun.  

Ballet was always my favorite dance class to take (to no one’s surprise I was never very graceful unfortunately), but I never actually got into going to the ballet. I saw The Nutcracker a couple of times growing up but that was it. When I was offered tickets to see the risqué version, Nutcracker Rouge, at the Minetta Lane Theatre, I was totally excited.

Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Austin McCormick, the beginning was a little over the top and had essentially nothing to do with the plot but it was amusing nevertheless. Once the general plot and characters (the one everyone knows) were introduced, it was an absolute blast. The Turkish Delight, the Candy Cane Girl, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Licorice Boys (ohmigod!). They were all perfection, exactly how you think a more adult version of The Nutcracker should go. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t waiting for the moment when the main character, the chaste Marie Claire (played by Laura Careless), would strip away her huge formal gown to show the audience how she’d been perverted by her new friends. The moment definitely delivered.

The combination of gorgeous dancers, circus performers, and the two emcees (Jeff Takacs, pictured above, and Shelly Watson) were the perfect ingredients for a fantastically enjoyable evening of unconventional ballet. It will be especially helpful in getting you more into the holiday season. A burlesque version of The Nutcracker sounds almost so logical that it boggles my mind that it hadn’t been done sooner. If you’re around to check it out (and you enjoy burlesque, of course), I’d highly recommend taking in Nutcracker Rouge. 

Full disclosure: Tickets were generally provided by the production.