Ever dream you went to a Broadway show, only to discover, when you got there and took your coat off, that you weren’t dressed underneath?
We got to live out this dream the other night…
…courtesy of a friend of ours who also happens to be the writer and director of a show currently knocking ’em dead on the Great White Way, Cynthia von Buhler.
Countess von Buhler is the brilliant and beautiful painter, sculptress, author, and theatrical impresario responsible for restaging the “Midnight Frolic” of master showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. A century ago, Ziegfeld bucked social norms by presenting late-night entertainments on the Great White Way filled with half-dressed showgirls and other scandal-worthy elements (such as racially integrated casts, featuring performers like Josephine Baker).
That’s all on the positive side of the ledger. He also bedded any number of his leading ladies and chorus girls, several of whom later came to untimely ends, such as Olive Thomas, dead of mercury bichloride poisoning while on her honeymoon in Paris. Was it murder, suicide, an accident…? Who can really say?
Well, Cynthia can. In her latest interactive theatrical extravaganza, she both recreates Ziegfeld’s most risqué show and takes the audience to the Paris hotel room where Olive Thomas met her terrible fate. The death is staged three ways — once as accident, once as suicide, once as murder — while out front Eddie Cantor and Fanny Brice and Josephine Baker whip the crowd into a frenzy. There are singers and dancers, and aerialists suspended from a giant chandelier…
Drinks flow freely, dinner is served, and what exactly is that white powder the flower seller keeps urging you to sniff…?
And for one very special performance, there were also a dozen topless women in the audience, joining in the fun.
We got to rub elbows with all the performers, see the show from the best seats in the house, crack open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and take part in a demonstration where one of our number was placed in a coffin and transformed into a revolting corpse. (We got her back, safe and sound, before the night ended.)
Actually, come to think of it, the night never did end, not really — after the show, we accompanied cast members to an all-night spa for massages, steam, soaks, and scrubs, and before we called it quits, PM had given way to AM. Just like it says in “Lullaby of Broadway”: When a Broadway baby says good night / It’s early in the morning…
We left the camera in the locker room while at the spa — what happens in Koreatown stays in Koreatown — and even at the theater the low-light conditions and constant motion proved a challenge for documenting our adventure. But here are some glimpses of the fun we had.
You’re just going to have to imagine the rest.
You may want to change “white power” to “white POWDER”, if I am interpreting your post correctly. Last I checked you were not a racist group!
Oh, my. Typos don’t come much worse than that one.
Fixed.
I once saw appetizing TITbits, instead of tidbits, on a Chinese restaurant menu, so it could have been worse. I tend to type “be back in a sex” (instead of sec) a lot, but that shows you how often I type the word sex!
I am guessing sniffing white power would mean sniffing his underarm while he wears a dirty wifebeater!
“Titbits” is actually a correct (albeit archaic) alternate spelling. Just FYI.
looks like ya’ll had a great time ..that’s coo. thank you..
Titbits is sorta correct? DAMN! I guess you should know, since your website is basically reading and tits, but I would never have guessed that one. Learn something new every day!
I think “titbits” is a perfectly good colloquial word. It is certainly understandable and kinda cute.
Sorta reminds me of an old George Carlin skit where he starts talking about Tater Tits.
My eyes have been opened. I see the future, and its bare-breasted evening wear. Fashion with breasts and torsos…it works so well.
What a fabulous show. Imagination working overtime here! 😉
Hi.
That must have been a good experance.. ya’ll are doing great work to make the people aware..
Thank You
Allen Burleigh
You ladies really get around town. You are beautiful in body and mind and are the best ambassadors for your cause. Keep up the good work.
thank you that was great
What do the long black beaded necklaces signify—cast members? OCTFPAS members?
Oops. Strike that. Apparently only one person—in the green wrap—wears that necklace; at first glance it appeared at least one other person was as well. Is the wearer a cast member or a member of your group?
Green wrap…? I see black, I see red, I see gauzy cream…no green.
Hmm. This may be a tomahto/tomato situation, or a need for an eye consult, but the gauzy wrap worn by the woman on the left in Figure 14 looks a light green to me. But you already answered the question: a Twenties show. I like it. Delightful, as always.
Loved the beautiful see-thru fabric one of you stunning ladies wore. Topless, see-thru material, and black panties….CAN’T GET MUCH BETTER.
That the play is set in the 1920s.
Which one in the best show? On stage or yours? Both, you are getting better and better!
What a wonderful evening! It could only be better if one were able to enjoy the evening totally nude. Love what you do!
Olive Thomas’s death was the first of the Hollywood scandals. It was one of the reasons Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was later hung out to dry by the Hollywood establishment.
This sounds like an amazing show — any chance of it touring?
Not that we’re aware, but what a great idea!
I agree that if there are topless women performing on stage, the women in the audience should have the freedom to be topless as well. However, I think this is a bit of unrealistic demonstrativeness in that you almost never see male audience members topless. Toplessness only makes sense in situations where it would be appropriate for all of those involved to be topless: sunbathing, swimming, relaxing out of doors, etc. While it might be legal and fun to be topless in, say, a fast food restaurant, it might not be appropriate. Being topless at McDonalds is more about making a statement than it is about expressing freedoms.
Oh, absolutely — this one wasn’t about freedom or equal rights, it was just a fun extra adventure. We were invited this time; we wouldn’t say that Broadway shows should generally be required to accept topless patrons in the audience.
I love how you share the art of a beautiful woman on and off the stage. Please keep up the good work. I would love to attend one of your events. Thanks for the Symmetry
Lovely long necklace worn once again by my favorite participant in the maroon/red blouse, elegantly draped about her. Bravo to you all for sharing this fun event !
Well, if they ever do a show about Dita Von Teese, jet necklace should audition!
What a cool event!
This is awesome.
Yes, that looked a lot of fun and a way to keep things going as your weather turns against you. Now please be aware that here in Adelaide, South Australia, we are coming into spring with a nice, relaxing 35deg. C – low 70s F in old money. And at our Maslin’s Beach you may discard as much clothing as you wish – or keep on whatever you choose. And your dollars buy lots more of ours at the moment. Travel broadens the mind just as reading does. So when may we expect you?
Oh, gosh, you don’t know how tempting that sounds! And just think how easy airport security would be if we were already naked…
I am in love with the woman in the third photo after the text, such a beautiful smile!
A smile like that is enough to make me ignore the fact she’s topless – almost!
I have noticed a trend which smacks of very good photographic training and/ or experience: the tendency to show the (mostly right) breast in a “side shot” (which beautifully portrays the beautiful nipple in its beautiful outline). Is this an extraordinary accident? Or well-timed and orchestrated photography? (Not that we care, either way. You make reading and all other things culture-infused, a pleasure…)
Nothing orchestrated about it. We take lots of photos and then just select the ones we like best to put up. A trained photographer might be able to achieve the same result with fewer pictures taken, but this approach works well enough for us.
Thank you for sharing your escapades. Clearly, you all are having fun.
Slightly off topic under this specific post, feel free to answer privately, or on here. Is the female topless-allowed law specific to the five boroughs of NYC ? Or is inclusive of all of New York State ? Is it legally allowed in NJ, or CT ?
To be clear, I’m not asking about specific beaches like the one at Sandy Hook, or Fire Island. I’m wondering if a woman is allowed to be topless anywhere in New York State primarily – NJ & CT if you know.
Thanx
Anywhere in New York state. Not legal in New Jersey. Not sure about CT.
You had a hell of a fun night, keep it up.
cool beans