Big hair, laughs, and lots of skin are three of the main reasons to see What’s in the Box?! the Burlesque and Belly Laughs production, created and directed by Justin Purvis, in this year’s Capital Fringe Festival. However, you would have to see all ten performances to know all of the reasons why you should see this adults only show.
Rick Tender, with his big personality and hair makes the audience apart of the show early on as MC for the night. He explains the theme of the show is one the seven deadly sins and the few other evils of that nature. The sin is pulled out of an actual box each night by an audience member at the top of the show and the Improv group and the Burlesque dancers are given minutes to come up with their routine for the night.
Tonight we indulged the theme of “vices” and the show thematically revolved around lots of mentions of drugs, sex, and alcohol.
The Begonia Improv Troup tagged each other in and out of hilarious little sketches with only a few stools to support them as props in their little world. The half a dozen comedians could have gone all night and the audience cheered them on like they would have allowed and enjoyed it.
In between the two Improv sets were the Burlesque performances by three very beautiful dancers who teased the audience with their slinky outfits and temptress dance moves.
No two performances of this show will be alike, there will be a different theme every night, and that is the excitement in the spirit of Improv and never knowing what the crowd will respond to. Yet if the audience responses like they did tonight the Burlesque and Belly Laugh performers are looking at a good run this year.
Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission.
What’s in the Box is playing through July 27, 2013, at Source Theatre -1835 14th Street NW, in Washington, DC. For performances and tickets, visit the Capital Fringe page.
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2013 Capital Fringe Show Preview: ‘What’s in the Box?!’ by Justin Purvis.
