The folks over at Centerstage Chicago have pulled together a little primer on Chicago burlesque and guess who's at the top of the list? Why it's the Belmont Burlesque Revue, of course! Check out what they had to say about us and many of the other fine productions and classes from around the city.

The Belmont Burlesque Revue was picked this week as a Critic's Choice by the Chicago Reader!

You only have two more weeks to see this "festive late nighter" before it's gone until next year. Our guests include Dan Telfer, Brad French and Jared Logan. As always, the Amazing Tomas will be on hand to bring you mysteries and delights and we'll have new holiday treats from our Bombshells!

Get your tickets today!

Hey! We're in the Chicago Tribune in an article about "quick culture":

Pretty girls in the heart of Boys Town: The Belmont Burlesque Revue offers quickie late-night slapstick fun (they've been known to break out the old Benny Hill guy-in-gorilla-suit-chasing-comely-lasses-in-lingerie bit) on various Saturdays at the Playground Theatre, 3209 N. Halsted St., 773-556-8238, http://www.belmontburlesque.com .

For the full article, click here (you may need to register with chicagotribune.com)

We had a reviewer in house at our March 2007 show from Centerstage Chicago! Here's a few of the things he had to say:

"Whether slowly shedding a skimpy fireman getup or peeling back velvet gloves and evening gowns, the Bombshells prove that coquettish fun beats pole-grinding sleaze for sexy any day."

"'Man of the Hour' Jack Midnight (Mark Henderson, the guy in the tux) emcees the event. When he's not introducing the girls, serenading the guests with surprisingly good standards or taking slugs from a bottle of Jim Beam, he's insulting dimwitted stagehand Second Cousin Joe (Chris Biddle). In reality, both are seasoned improv vets who trade boozy patter and zingers with perfect timing like a low-rent Martin and Lewis."

"The troupe's charm and salacious enthusiasm make it well worth the price of admission."

Hooray!

To read the entire review, check it out at Centerstage Chicago.

TimeOut Chicago has picked Belmont Burlesque as a must-see seasonal event in it's traditional vs. nontraditional holiday preview featured in Issue #91, on newsstands now!

For a look at the other traditional and nontraditional ways to celebrate the holidays this year, pick up a copy of TimeOut Chicago at your local newsstand or follow this link to TimeOut Chicago online.

Check out what Mark Braun of the beloved underground Mark's Bettie Page Page had to say about us!

"Chicago's BELMONT BURLESQUE is sweet, silly and some wonderful tease. Presented once a month, bring along something decent to drink (your master of ceremonies will be checkin' what ya got in the bag) and bring attitude. On the night that we were there, it was almost as if they knew there were a couple of real reviewers off to the corner (yeah, we were) and managed to squeeze into the tiny Playground Theater which ain't known for a massive floor plan. God's honest truth: Michelle L'Amour, whose eye-popping appearance on NBC's stupid "America's Got Talent" got David Hasselhoff to blush, performed her classy fan dance to perfection. The amazing Tomas, one hip slight-of-hand man is damned funny, and the girls are as cute as they are dedicated. About an hour; for ten bucks, you're in for a treat! We'll be back next month along with some of our hooligan friends!"

Visit Mark's Bettie Page Page for Bettie Page gossip and news from Mark and friends!

We made the Chicago Reader's The List: Critic's Choices and other good bets. Enough of you thought we were a good bet that we sold out and (unfortunately) had to turn people away. We hope you'll join us for our next show!

Here's what Ray Koltys of Ray's Guide to Chicago Burlesque has to say about us:

UPDATE 5/23/04: Last night's show continued Belmont Burlesque's tradition of having some fun with the medium of intimate vaudevillian burlesque. Bombshell regulars Paris Green, Ms. Pixie, and Naughty Natanya pulled off a short series of vignettes dressed in formal gowns that drew laughs, and culminated in Natanya peeling from hers accompanied by classical music, leaving us breathless. Interspersed were guest performances by the hilarious magician Tomas, Red Hot Lenhof (a fire eating beauty who put out Jack Midnight's fire), and the always stunning Michelle "Toots" L'Amour. The evening was completed by Jack Midnight belting out a couple of songs and of course, the banter between Jack and Uncle Al. My date and I laughed as much as much as were mesmerized. Upgraded to highly recommended.

ORIGINALLY REVIEWED 3/15/04: After a few months off, the monthly Belmont Burlesque Revue has returned in full force. This is a true amateur show, in all the best senses of the word. The performers, mostly members of local theater companies, are clearly in it for fun. With a small house and admission of $10, nobody is making any money, but you'd never know from the energy they put into it.

Hosted by the Jack-Daniels-swilling Jack Midnight and chaperoned by the curmudgeonly Uncle Al, the show features the fabulous Belmont Bombshells in group and individual dance and peeling numbers, each artful (and in at least one case, intellectual) in its own way, along with the acidic, but funny comedy of duo Himmerick and Gerdes, and acts by guest performers. The March performance included the amazing Michelle "Toots" L'Amour, and singing by the mysterious and beautiful "Madame X."

The small venue made for an intimate show in which the friendly, though sometimes mockingly antagonistic rappor between Jack and Al was entirely appropriate, and drew lots of laughs. The peculiarities of the Playground added to the show, as well. At one point a performer exited stage left, whereupon Jack made a comment about it being, "nothing anyone in this neighborhood hasn't seen before," -- the only way back to the dressing room is outside and around the building.

This was everything I could ask for in a burlesque show, and I plan to be a regular, looking forward to see what they come up with every month. Recommended.