Queen of Hearts

See it if you want to step out of Bushwick 2019 & into Paris c1700, then down the rabbit hole w/a sexy, saucy, inventive, talented performance troupe.

Don't see it if ur allergic to frankincense; ur offended/shocked by sexual innuendo, partial nudity (incl phallic costumes), cross-dressing, gender fluidity

Also This show is longer and isn't as tight and consistent as Company XIV's two previous productions. There are some segments that could be edited (we didn't need four consecutive numbers for the Cheshire Cats, for example), reworked (the Flamingoes number was a rare misstep) or cut completely (the anti-Trump number was unnecessary, uncreative & pandering). There also seemed to be more focus on concert singing than the cirque/circus/dance/burlesque elements that more defined previous versions. But overall, this was another rollicking good time from the fiercely original (and fit & sexy) Company XIV!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy all forms of entertainment art in a great show only diminished by long entre' acts. Singing, acrobatics and staging are tops.

Don't see it if you are looking for a typical theater musical or play - this is a variety of art forms, including burlesque, in a smoke filled baroque room.

See it if you admire beautiful bodies in exquisite costumes doing extraordinary dances and acrobatics with a wild sense of fun.

Don't see it if Smoke, incense and very loud music make you uncomfortable. There is also nudity and sexually suggestive performances,.

See it if YAS, Queen! Louche & lusty.Camp & courtly. From the shores of Brooklyn, the Austin branding is off to see Alice's baroque burlesque fantasy.

Don't see it if Tall stilettos to fill with"Cinderella" & "Nutcracker Rouge." Not up to those two. Scented room. Still not evenly balanced femmes/hommes.

Also "I don't believe in fairytales, but I believe in you & me."Mermale & Tweedledee/Tweedledum are new this year. Take the "L" to Jefferson.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a burlesque show with unoriginal music

Don't see it if You are expecting this to be a play or a musical. It’s a completely different experience

Also When I walked into the theater I was very excited, we were greeted by people in really neat costumes and it look like it was going to be a fun night. All of the cocktails and snacks were extremely overpriced. I was not bothered by that because I thought it was a really cool gimmick it felt like we were going into a nightclub. The biggest issue was the show itself. It’s three acts, entirely too long. There was nothing original about any of the music and nothing original about the show in general. It wasn’t any type of a show that flowed together it was just different things I’ll put in a pot. The best part of the night was near the end of the second act. A male and female performer were above the audience while the female performer sung. This was very well done. This had a Vegas feel to it but not as good as anything in Vegas. If you go to the slipper room you will see a lot of variety acts and that’s what this needed. More comedy and funny bits to complement the burlesque... Read more Read less

See it if This is not traditional theatre. It is called baroque burlesque ! You enjoy circus/ballet/all genres of music/ and are not squeamish re: SEX

Don't see it if You are looking for a typical musical ! You are prudish. Every single character performs with his or her bare butt visible !

See it if Go for the fun of a burlesque, cabaret, circus fun night. Great performers, super mischievous and fun.

Don't see it if You don't like smoky spaces full of incense, you don't like shows more than 2 hours long, you don't like people drinking during the show.

See it if You want a really WOW performance no exaggeration! It’s worth the trip to Brooklyn and the 2.5 hours. It’s stunning!!

Don't see it if You have a problem with incense and/or nudity and gender ambiguity.

See it if Lithe and flexible dancers, singers, and actors perform dance, cirque, and burlesque to Alice-related music from the songbook.

Don't see it if You aren’t OK with almost nude beefcake and cheesecake cabaret. You won’t take the train to Brooklyn.

See it if Hot mix of masks, harnesses, pannier cages, & codpieces. Amazing singers. Gorgeous array of 18th century court coats (no breeches).

Don't see it if you dislike loud pop music. You avoid adult entertainment even if it’s creative, celebratory, well produced, & impressively athletic.

Also Reliably spectacular production. A couple of acts are weaker/weirder than the others, but you just don’t find entertainers of this caliber allowed to be so decadent and uninhibited anywhere else. And if you’ve seen XIV productions before it’s clear that the top performers are really pushing themselves. Clever Tweedledee & Tweedledum act. Drink Me, the Cheshire cats, White Rabbit, and the Queen were my favorites.

If you haven’t seen an XIV show before, know that it’s still a performance and not a dance floor. (Proscenium layout, assigned seats, and you order drinks only during intermission or before or after the show.) No grinding or pawing at the performers or other audience members. But cheering, taking photos, and wearing your bunny ears is encouraged! This show has two intermissions during which the bars can get pretty crowded.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see incredibly talented people perform in very scanty attire. Highly skilled dancers (ballet and more) and contortionists.

Don't see it if you don't appreciate two long intermissions to encourage bar sales or incredibly uncomfortable seats. Or if near nudity offends you.

Also While the show itself is rather amazing, the stools at the back of theater, where we were given to sit, offered partial view and back ache. The audience was raucous and the bright lights coming from the phones of people around me video recording just about the whole show were very distracting and annoying.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a show that is flawless.

Don't see it if you are bothered by g-strings or pasties or going to a "gentifying" (think lower east side in the 70s) scares you too much.

Also This is the show that "Head Over Heels" pretended to be and that "Alice By Heart" could have been if it had a decent book.

Tobin Del Cuore's direction and Austin McCormick's direction and choreography and Zane Pihlstrom's sets and costumes set examples that every producer should see before launching any musical show.

The cast is incredibly talented in multiple disciplines.

2 and 3/4s hours fly by. Many in the audience were there for a second viewing. You need to take their seats.... Read more Read less

See it if you like circus type acrobats, "softcore" comic sexuality, "almost" nudity, talented performers and lighthearted entertainment.

Don't see it if you dislike "raunchy" sexuality, semi-nudity, plays that have almost no plot line, "circus" type formats that strive for only entertainment.

See it if Exquisite variety show of dancing, singing, circus acts, and burlesque all while catwalking in fantastical outfits.

Don't see it if 2 hr 45 mins with 2 intermissions in Bushwick's far for you, esp. with L construction at 10:45pm. Partial nudity makes you uncomfortable.

Also Diversity: 2 people of color in the cast, a Black male dancer and Black female singer. Many of the men may be queer.
Ticket from Show Score for $5.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy seeing incredibly talented performers in very little clothing.

Don't see it if You're a prude.

See it if You want a fun and nihilistic outing full of hot acrobatics and cabaret acts. (Stronger than their nutcracker.)

Don't see it if You’re with your parents. You want more physical acts than music (it was about 50-50)

See it if BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE DOING SEXY THINGS IN SKIMPY COSTUMES.

Don't see it if That is all.

See it if You want to see beautiful bodies, you want excellent dance routines, you like burlesque, want to hear great singing and want a nite out

Don't see it if If partial nudity, cross dressing, burlesque, blatant sexuality, & interactive acts bother you. Stay home and knit!

Also I've seen all of their shows in the past. Normally I would give a higher score, but I have to admit, something was missing with this production. It's still sexy, beautiful boys and girls, imaginative story line...but still something was missing for me. I noticed that there were some new cast members. Maybe that is what was missing for me. It is still something that is beyond unique. Eye candy for everyone....that's for sure.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an adult version of Alice in wonderland. I loved the songs and the stunts and costumes. Must see!

Don't see it if You do not like burlesque

See it if you are looking for a unique burlesque / Circus / ballet show. The Alice story line keeps it really interesting and enjoyable. .

Don't see it if you are looking for a typical musical. This is a bit raunchy at times and not for kids.

Also I have seen the nutcracker by the same company at a different location, and enjoyed this one much better. The story and the acts were really well done. The singers and dancers are all really talented. The circus acts were also really good. I would recommend this for a date or with close friends. The show wont be for everyone.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to be entertained by young, athletic. talented actors.

Don't see it if you dislike raunchy costumes and have seen too many Cirque du Soleils

See it if You like to see innovative theater that creativity combines burlesque, dancing, singing, acrobatics, and comedy, with great costumes.

Don't see it if You don’t like sexy shows that reveal a lot of skin, or theater where the actors come right out into the audience.

See it if Funny raunchy entertaining- sometimes repetitious and unnecessarily long. Two loong intermissions, likely for selling more drinks

Don't see it if Over the top and lots of barely covered bodies bother you. Annoying excessively long intermissions— one should be enough.

See it if you are comfortable with burlesque, scantly clad gorgeous bodies, and immense amount of talent

Don't see it if you are closed minded about outwards expression of gender fluidity, or nudity

See it if You like brilliant burlesque including great singing and dancing and aerial performance.

Don't see it if You are offended by nudity. You want a show with a straight forward plot.

Also I’ve seen most of Company XIV’s shows over the last 4 years and this is almost my favorite.

Alice is played by Lexxe who is a wonderfully talented singer and dancer. The Mad Hatter is the superb Marcy Richardson who can sing opera while doing aerial work on a Lyra and always is a superstar. The Queen of Hearts is played by Storm who has a voice that just goes on and on in a soul/blues tornado of wow. I mean I can’t say enough.

There is less traditional ballet in this than in most XIV shows but the choreography was fresh and different and fun.

As I think back over it I want to mention almost every scene because there wasn’t a bad scene in the evening. Austin McCormick (choreographer and creator) is I think a genius and this is one of his best pieces.... Read more Read less