Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The eclectic, arousing QUEEN OF HEARTS is quintessential Company XIV

• By drediman
• May 7, 2019
• No Comments

Marcy Richardson in Company XIV’s “Queen of Hearts” at Théâtre XIV. Photo by Mark Shelby Perry.

Going to Company XIV shows is very much akin to the Cirque du Soleil experience – you’ll never forget the first time. And if Queen of Hearts happens to be your introduction to Company XIV’s singular brand, you could hardly go wrong. As a repeat customer of theirs – I’ve now seen about half a dozen of the company’s arousing shows – I’ve never been less than thoroughly entertained, even if I’m not quite as stunned as I was during my first foray into their world (that would be Nutcracker Rouge, Company XIV’s risqué and eclectic version of the quintessential holiday ballet, a number of years ago).

The company’s latest show is their spin on Lewis Carroll’s ever-popular “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. In many ways, the source material – hallucinatory, episodic, and seductive – is an ideal match for Company XIV’s vaudevillian aesthetic. In comparison to other XIV shows, Queen of Hearts really doesn’t try to break the established mold. And why should it? The acts on display are as sexy and astonishing (yes, in that order) as anything I’ve seen from the troupe. Not surprisingly, they’re all stamped with artistic director Austin McCormick’s distinctive blend of sexy baroque everything (you name it – circus, burlesque, cabaret, theater, dance, magic – it’s most likely in there somewhere).

And in terms of sheer quantity, variety, and polish, there’s an embarrassment of riches here. Indeed, you’ll get your money’s worth and your senses titillated with Queen of Hearts, which runs a meaty two-and-a-half hours (with two intermissions) at Théâtre XIV, Company XIV’s intimately immersive, aptly named venue in Bushwick. Just to give you a sense of the dazzling range of the show, one of my favorite acts features an un-miked opera singer (Marcy Richardson, who plays a strip-teasing Mad Hatter) singing a pop song while performing mind boggling circus acrobatics. And as with all of their shows, the production values and design elements are top notch – the inventive, flesh-revealing costumes and niorish lighting, in particular, are stunning.

RECOMMENDED

QUEEN OF HEARTS
Various –  Circus, Burlesque, Cabaret, Theater, Dance, etc.
Théâtre XIV
2 hours, 30 minutes (with two intermissions)
Through August 18