A Sentimental Journey with the Atomic Bombshells
When I first saw the Atomic Bombshells Lost in Space production, I adored the sights and sounds of it. It was as if someone reached back through space and time, a Twilight Zone-esque travel, to a high school version of myself and said, “this obsession with Esquivel, you are not alone. One day you will find your people.” Back then, as my peers listened to Brooks and Dunn (I was from Oregon, after all), I was scratching the surface of space age pop and other vintage wonders.
With a flood of shows out there in nerdlesque-land that specifically reference science fiction staples like Star Wars and Star Trek (or, ahem, the X-Files) a production like Lost in Space is a breath of fresh air. It reminds us nerdlesque fans that pop culture reference need not be entirely apparent.
Producer and founder of the Atomic Bombshells Kitten LaRue spells it out this way, “Other than just a couple of appearances from iconic characters from the sci-fi genre (Barbarelllllll-aaaa!), I strove to create a show that is it’s own weird and wonderful world, where the Bombshells themselves are iconic characters. A show that loosely references beloved genres and aesthetics, while also creating it’s own language, narrative, and unique imagery.”
LaRue reports that sci-fi and B-movie fans will be dazzled but the show should work for everyone who is a fan of fabulous. I asked Kitten inspiration for the production and for J. Von Stratton’s jaw-dropping wardrobe. She wrote, “I’ve always been obsessed with the music, visual aesthetic, and shiny candy-colored optimism of Jetson’s era retro-futurism. I was inspired by the bizarre, beautiful, and incredibly progressive (at the time) sounds of Esquivel and Joe Meek, the outrageously absurd yet glamorous space vixens of 1950’s and 60’s B movies (Zsa Zsa Gabor in Queen of Outer Space anyone?), classic space-exploration television shows, and an incredible 8×10 photo I received from burlesque legend La Savona when I performed with her at the BHOF Legends night several years ago, in which she was dressed like a sexy space princess lounging on Saturn.”
Per usual, the cast is impressive. In a city that caters to every burlesque taste and level of talent, this is the kind of show you know you can recommend to anyone. There is no risk. There IS 600 tons of dry ice, though (or so says the producer). Take your mom! Take your boss! Take me! The production starts tomorrow November 12th and runs through Saturday. Get tickets now!
