Starting out as a class 14 years ago for 11 women, Telluride Theatre’s annual fundraiser has grown into a winter of education, creation and rehearsals, culminating in home-grown performances. The week of events resurrects the raucous and raunchy variety shows of Telluride’s vaudeville era, featuring dancing, comedy and beautiful local women. 40+ people are participating in Burlesque this year. Telluride Theatre’s Beginning Class teaches newcomers the art of Burlesque throughout the winter, starting the first week of January. Over eight weeks of classes, participants learn to shimmy, shake, strut, strip and tease. They will “graduate” in the “CHEAP THRILLS” performances Friday March 21 & Saturday March 22!
Sasha Cucciniello and Melissa Sumpter have taught the class together for all 14 years. “It has become a rite of passage. A celebration of sensuality, the body and a huge community building — a way to bond, have fun and explore a different side of themselves,” said class founder and show director Sasha Cucciniello. “People who take this class all take it for different reasons. But everyone comes out changed. We all do. Burlesque taps into the sensual, beautiful, individual, confident side of ourselves. It is an honoring of who we are.”
“CHEAP THRILLS” is a showcase of their work; each student creates a character, devises their own piece and even makes their own pasties as part of the class.
On Thursday March 27, Friday March 28 & Saturday March 29 “THE HOUSE OF SHIMMY SHAKE,” the “advanced” Burlesque performers (some who have been performing for 14 years), present a new original Burlesque show: “WELCOME TO TELLURIDE!”
“Twelve years ago, we started producing the advanced show to give performers the opportunity to continue and expand on their craft. It has grown and grown…and now we create our own polished show each year. The ‘HOUSE OF SHIMMY SHAKE’ is its own troupe with serious, dedicated Burlesque performers,” Cucciniello said. “Every year we choose a different theme. This year we went in a whole new direction, diverting from pop culture to celebrate our tiny town and all things box canyon. “WELCOME TO TELLURIDE” is a burlesque love letter to our town. We have been having such an incredible time making this show for everyone.”
“WELCOME TO TELLURIDE” is directed by Sasha Cuciniello, co-directed and choreographed by Kelsey Trottier and features over 30 local performers.
Seating is limited each night. Tickets for “CHEAP THRILLS” start at $35 and at $45 for “HOUSE OF SHIMMY SHAKE.” “CHEAP THRILLS” has already sold out, and limited seats remain for the Thursday March 27 “HOUSE OF SHIMMY SHAKE” performance. Tickets are on sale now at
link