Vaudeville, burlesque coming to Riverhead
A Coney Island burlesque troupe will be bringing strip-teases, magic acts and live music to the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for an adult-only stage next month.
“Mondo Vaude” will be produced by Chris Jones and Bob Barta, who have both played gigs as musicians for decades.
“We were brainstorming about putting together a show at the Vail-Leavitt, and Chris began talking about Coney Island performers he had met while in Brooklyn,” Mr. Barta said. “From that point, it took on a life of its own.”
The show will feature a master of ceremonies from the Coney Island USA Sideshow School, a magician who has appeared on Good Day New York and Fox 5 News, and a pair of award-winning burlesque performers named Little Brooklyn and Creamy Stevens.
“[It’s] adult-themed entertainment, but it’s not raunch or porn or anything,” Mr. Barta said with a laugh.
The women are co-producers of the popular Starshine Burlesque in Brooklyn and are coming to the East End for the first time.
“Not only have we never had burlesque at the Vail before but I haven’t been able to find anything going back decades,” Mr. Barta said.
The show also star Kryssy Kocktail, a Brooklyn native who performs as a sword swallower and blade box girl with the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.
Live music will be provided by the Moto-Wrays, an instrumental group that specializes in retro surf rock, and the Sunnyland Jazz Band, a Long Island-based group of versatile musicians specializing in the New Orleans and Chicago-style traditional jazz popular in classic burlesque.
The show will be held on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets cost $39 each and are available at www.mondovaude.com. Tickets at the door will cost $44 each, if any tickets are available. No one under 17 years of age will be admitted. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and beer and wine will be served.