By BLYTHE LANDRY
If you haven't yet heard of Paris Green, boy have you been in the dark, or at least, possibly crying yourself to sleep in the dark anyway.
Paris, who so fabulously fits her name, is gracing Chicago and regional stages as one of the most fashionable performers in the resurgence of the classic burlesque movement of Chicago.
As founder and performing director of Chicago's Belmont Burlesque Revue, Paris Green is no stranger to "letting it all hang out," so to speak, but after conversing with her for five minutes, it becomes obvious that there is oh so much more to her than meets the eyes … .literally.
Green's success with the Belmont Burlesque, going strong for six years, is the most recent "notch on her belt" in what seems like a lifetime of personal and theatrical successes.
And, of course, a little bit of being in the right places as the right times.
"I've always been interested in the arts," Green said. "Certainly when I was younger and took ballet and took jazz. But even though I was a dancer, most of my focus was on music. I played the piano and the clarinet."
There was also some synchronized swimming in there for good measure ( and Paris actually attributes some of her burlesque success to studying the dance art of such famed performers as Esther Williams ) .
"But the burlesque interest, which was really a culmination of the dance and the music, was really sparked when I played the pit for Gypsy in a kid orchestra."
"Gypsy Rose Lee was an icon in the burlesque world, and of course, I fell in love with the woman in the show who wore the gladiator outfit and played the trumpet. I wanted to wear costumes like that and be part of this whole thing."
And pursue her dreams of wearing ( and not ) those amazing costumes, Green certainly did.
She went on to study theater and theatrical design at Northwestern University where she did a lot of work for student groups and the theatrical interpretation center.
Green also studied improv and comedy at Improv Olympic and Annoyance theater.
And all of these experiences began to culminate in about 2003 when a friend of hers from WNEP theater asked her to drum something up for an "around midnight series."
"I'd always wanted to do a burlesque show," she added.
And to make a short story shorter, the crowds loved it and, because Green doesn't seem to miss any beats, The Belmont Burlesque Revue was launched.
And while the masses keep on flocking to the Revue's monthly midnight gig at The Playground Theater in, you got it, Boystown, Paris makes sure to give credence to both her astounding cast of the show and the roots of her art.
"A lot of performers in the Revue weren't able to find what they wanted doing traditional sketch comedy or theater here, but each of the women and men in the show is either a classically trained dancer or comedian or actor in his/her own right. We are all doing this for the love of the art. It is really a labor of love for our cast and crew."
For example, she pointed out that Ms. Pixy, who has been with Paris form the beginning of the Revue, used to do improvised rap battles at the Beat Box.
Another thing Paris makes sure to distinguish is the importance of having men in the show. "In traditional burlesque, which, in the short version was one offshoot of vaudeville, there were comedians, magicians [ and ] MC's, and they were always guys."
"I also think it makes the art of the girls' performing more accessible when there are guys onstage. I think it is easier for men in the audience to feel they are "allowed" to take part and enjoy that way, because for as much as burlesque can be seen as a strong scene for female sexuality and feminism, it is supposed to be fun too..there is a wink and a nod thing."
But in light of all of Paris' knowledge about burlesque ( which extends back to the 1890s ) , she also makes a point to re-emphasize the importance of the sense of fun and inclusion about the art.
"Burlesque is for anybody and everybody. It is an inclusive art and something that can offer everyone in the crowd a really good time."
And that, my friends, is why you should definitely not miss Paris and her crew of fabulous talents, costumes, humor and, well, buxom bodies the next time they are in Boystown.
Belmont Burlesque is performing Friday, Feb. 13, at The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, at 9 p.m. For a full schedule of shows and stories about Paris and all of the cast and crew of Belmont Burlesque Revue, go to www.belmontburlesque.com .
