By the time the Nude & Rude Revue wraps up the ongoing tour, the Skagway-based burlesque troupe will have knocked out 21 shows across eight cities in just six weeks.
However, Juneau locals Cameron Brockett and Taylor Vidic, Nude & Rude Revue co-producers and performers with the troupe, came across as the exact opposite of road-weary performers ahead of a busy capital city stay that will feature a handful of performances spread across Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Vidic and Brockett said over the past several years, the troupe has built up a following in Skagway, Juneau and other Southeast communities, and that’s energizing.
[An overview of a Nude & Rude Revue show]
“Even in Sitka and Ketchikan, when we would arrive there, the people who said either, ‘I came to your show last year, I loved it, and I’ll see it again,’ or ‘I missed your show last year, and I’m so glad you came back,’ heartwarming is a little over-used, but it feels real warm and fuzzy to go to these Southeast communities and be remembered,” Vidic said.
Th Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe is holding events in Juneau Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of the Guilty Pleasures 2019 tour. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for troupe members and co-producers Cameron Brockett and Taylor Vidic. (Courtesy Photo | Claire Geneva)
Developing that sort of audience seemed far from a given when their burlesque careers began a few years ago. Back then, Vidic was cautioned that once she publicly performed burlesque, it was an action she couldn’t take back.
“I was a little scared just to go on stage for the first time,” Vidic said. “The idea of what we’ve turned it into now is a little bit ridiculous.”
Both Vidic and Brockett took some time Wednesday morning to talk to the Capital City Weekly about what’s in store for Juneau as part of the 2019 Guilty Pleasures Tour and how often people reference the film “Burlesque.”
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
The Better Than Boobs Band, who provide the music for Nude and Rude Revue burlesque troupe performances, will play at Rendezvous Thursday night. (Courtesy Photo | Claire Geneva)
You’ve performed in Skagway for the past four years and Juneau for the past three. That’s longer than a lot of creative efforts last, what sort of longevity is typical in burlesque?
TV: How old is Dita Von Teese? (47, according to the Internet Movie Database.)
CB: Burlesque legends who are much older than Dita Von Teese are celebrated up to and beyond their time on Earth. There is absolutely longevity in burlesque. This style of burlesque is relatively new to this area, but this type of performance goes back eons and eons.
TV: Career aspects of it, it works for us right now. Taking five weeks to do something like this is viable. I think we’ll never know until the next cycle comes around whether it’s going to fit into our lives for another turn.
Th Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe is holding events in Juneau Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of the Guilty Pleasures 2019 tour. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for troupe members and co-producers Cameron Brockett and Taylor Vidic. (Courtesy Photo | Shelby Key)
You’ve mentioned your show is vaudevillian and nearly everyone in the troupe doubles as a vocalist. What else can people expect?
CB: I want to say tap dancing, can I say tap dancing?
TV: You can say tap dancing.
TV: A lot of comedy.
CB: Improv, audience participation with consent, musical theater.
TV: We are putting a Halloween twist on our numbers this weekend, so some numbers that are new to us, plus a chance to get a little bit spooky. A celebration of being comfortable in your own body.
CB: And considering the idea of a guilty pleasure. When you think of guilty pleasure, what do you think of?
Kind of a goofball question, but I didn’t ask it last time, and I wish I would have. How many people do you run into whose main impression of burlesque is from the Cher and Christina Aguilera movie?
TV: I saw it this summer because I needed some sparkle inspo, and it worked for that. It is a rough film.
CB: I’ve never seen the movie, but I have a story. We landed in Ketchikan, we took the last — hopefully not last — voyage of the Columbia. We get off the ferry, and we’re in the ferry terminal, and there are some folks in there waiting for the inter-island ferry to go to Prince of Wales. So our beautiful, bubbly blonde, Meowchelle Pfeifurr, they chat with her. She’s like, “We’re doing burlesque, here’s my card.” And I’m like, “I don’t know if Prince of Wales can handle us. I dunno where would we perform?” So my mind is racing. And the whole time he’s like, “The movie ‘Burlesque’ is great. If that’s what you’re doing come on over, we’d love to have you.” So that’s my experience with people being like, “Oh, you do burlesque, come to Prince of Wales.” Rather than like, “Hmm, about that.”
Know & Go
What: Nude & Rude Revue meet and greet, Better than Boobs Band performance and burlesque performances
When: Meet and greet is 4-7 p.m. Thursday, musical performance is 9 p.m. Thursday; burlesque shows are 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Bustin’ Out Boutique, 234 Front St.; Rendezvous, 184 S. Franklin St.; The Red Dog Saloon, 278 S. Franklin St.
Admission: Standing room admission for the burlesque performances costs $25, row seating costs $40, VIP seating with a table near the stage costs $65, and ultimate VIP seating with a glass of champagne, postcard and $5 in one dollar bills costs $100. Tickets are available at getrudejuneau.brownpapertickets.com.
• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.
