Burlesque meets opera meets comedy at The California Theatre when producer Cheryl King, creator of the popular Forbidden Kiss burlesque shows, gathers a colorful cast of performers for this special birthday tribute to North Bay Bohemian editor Daedalus Howell and the intrepid spirit of the Bohemian archetype. Everything from pole dancing to improv will be featured in this raucous celebration on Friday, July 17.
Since its doors opened in 2022, The California has become the venue to showcase a variety of productions, and Forbidden Kiss founder and resident MC Cheryl King has been there since the beginning, utilizing the eclectic performing space as a home for her inventive variety shows, produced by her company, Stage Left.
In doing monthly radio spots with Bohemian editor Howell to promote Forbidden Kiss, King quickly realized their shared affinity for all things starving artists, as well as a shared birthday month. Thus, the theme of Raw Bohème was born. She says, “I mentioned the Bohemian connection as a possible show theme, and he (Howell) suggested Raw Bohème, a play on La Bohème. And since I love puns and great opera, I thought it worth considering. He and the North Bay Bohemian are fairly good representations of the local culture, so the theme had staying power.”
But Forbidden Kiss isn’t some escapist bacchanal for the masses. Participating artists have freedom to explore anything they want, giving potency to the notion that art is a necessity during turbulent times. King explains of the performers, “They choose their music and their approaches with social critique and commentary in mind … almost every month has a burlesque routine where social issues are addressed.”
Audiences who attend Raw Bohème are in for more thought-provoking fare. Says King, “The show is a mashup between the bawdy nature of our vaudeville show, and both La Bohème and Rent. And there’s a little Weimar Republic energy … in terms of bold, provocative and highly experimental satire, social criticism and daring self-expression. The world of La Bohème and the Weimar Republic shared a vibrant yet tragic intersection: Both were eras of fierce artistic experimentation that flourished right at the edge of societal collapse.”
King promises a great time for all. “Entertainment is key—our job is to entertain,” she says. “We want to provide an outlet for joy, for surprise, for vicarious pleasure.”
Stage Left Studio presents Forbidden Kiss’ ‘Raw Bohème’ at The California Theatre, 528 7th St., Santa Rosa. Friday, July 17, 7:30pm $17–$27. 707.664.7529. caltheatre.com.
