The Chanp

FIRST THINGS FIRST -  tickets for the 2018 St. Lou Fringe are now on sale. Go to http://bit.ly/2pfYgnr and buy, buy, buy!       

So anyway, the winner of Act Your Pants Off by audience acclaim was Melissa Allen. Steamy, bursting with energy and, well, not at all shy. It was AYPO, after all, and she was one of the few performers who removed more than shoes and socks. She is also an aerial artist and will be performing at the festival next month.

The Cast: Paul Cereghino

One of the major actors on the STL scene, Paul Cereghino provided the demo for how the AYPO concept works: recitation, memory lapse, ask for help, get help, take off clothing. I think he borrowed one of Lola van Ella's accessories..            

Declyne of Civilization

The other MC, judge and general disruptor at Act Your Pants Off was Desire' Declyne.  I once heard her give a full-blown performance of the finale of Hello Dolly at one of these shows and it was a mind blower.  Here, she takes an audience member into her ample busom in what seems to be some kind of blessing. (Wait, now - are she and her the right pronouns?) She strikes a pose and has a good laugh with Lola van Ella. It is impossible to say which of the two has the greater stage presence.            

Let Me Entertain You

A bit more Lola van Ella from Act Your Pants Off. At one moment she looks like the goddess of spring, the next the provocative mistress of ceremonies with the whole cast. How does she just turn on a smile like that?              

The One, The Only . . .

Lola van Ella, St. Louis' favorite ecdysiast, She sings. she dances, she's funny and she has a perfect sense of timing. And she can curl your toes. There's not a lot of fabric left when she finishes her act, but, you know, that's how she makes her living so if you want the full view you will have to attend one of her shows. And if you would like to learn how to do it, sign up for one of her classes.You'll never regret it.

A bit more of this tomorrow, I think.