STORY // ANGIE PICCIRILLO
PHOTOS // COURTESY CHERRY BOOM BOOM
Some may not remember that the original Pussycat Dolls back from the early 2000’s — yes, before they were a super pop group — started as a burlesque show in Sunset boulevard’s Viper Room, with special guests like Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. If you were like me, you likely only saw clips of the show on MTV, when Carmen Electra and Christina Applegate would host — and I would dream of being 21 and being able to see this show in-person. The OG Pussycat Dolls weren’t just your run of the mill LA strip club dancers — these girls were trained in multiple types of dance — these were REAL dancers.
Chances are if you’ve been anywhere in LA in the past ten years, you’ve seen the resurgence of Burlesque, from classic performers like Dita Von Teese, to the smaller troupes who have popped up with residencies in smaller clubs all over the city. But it hasn’t been since the wild success of the original PCD show that there has been a level of performance matching that of a Broadway show featuring Burlesque.
Thankfully, a few of those talented ladies responsible for the original PCD explosion have brought us a new burlesque show that has leveled us up from all other LA entertainment: Cherry Boom Boom: American Woman: A Rock n’ Roll a Go-Go. The show is a seamless flow of red hot ultra-recognizable American-themed pop songs, artistic style and sexy choreography, all featuring an immersive experience where each of the “boom Boom girls” dances and moves freely about the audience, sometimes hanging from the damn ceiling.
The show was created by industry veteran Robin Lindsley Allen, who has worked with icons like Prince and, of course, the Pussycat Dolls — so you can imagine the level of talent in the cast of these girls, including one of my personal faves, a Los Angeles based choreographer/dancer/actress everyone simply calls, “Jersey.” Jersey hangs from the ceiling doing an acrobatic number to Janet Jackson’s “Black Cat,” while other girls dance with cigarettes hanging from their lip, and spraying whipped cream all over the audience — finally, all end up joining forces to none other than Lenny Kravitz’ “American Woman.”
If you’re like me, and have a deep appreciation of what it takes for someone to be a fierce, real performer — then the Cherry Boom Boom’s are here to steal the spotlight back. And if you’re in LA, you should likely get into this thing early, as its’ likely going to become as huge as its’ predecessor… if not bigger.
Upcoming Shows
Nov. 8 – Harvelle’s in Santa Monica, CA
Nov. 16 – Harvelle’s in Long Beach
Dec. 6th – Sayers Club in Hollywood
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