We live in an increasingly “meta” timeline which is never not ironic given our ability to expand our horizons via a handheld supercomputer.
Perhaps there’s really nothing new under the sun, and we’re all forever destined to repeat the same circuit over and over in an infinite ouroboros until arriving firmly, ahem, within one’s own self. That being said, who’s in the mood for a party?
Those who answered that they are may come on out to the lovely California Theatre on Thursday, July 17, from 7:30–9:30pm and take in RAW Bohéme, a bawdy, modern opera-themed vaudeville show that makes a hat tip to, among other famous bohemians, this very paper—the North Bay Bohemian (and, for that matter, a birthday salute to its editor, Daedalus Howell).
RAW Bohéme is a more risqué version of Cheryl King’s popular “Forbidden Kiss LIVE” performances which take place throughout the year at The California and feature burlesque, comedy, song and dance, improv and magic. This one, an adults only affair, is going to be heavy on the burlesque but is certain to include all of the aforementioned entertainment as well.
King says the notion of bringing together seemingly disparate angles into one evening came together via happenstance. “We often celebrate birthdays of our cast members or people in our audience, and I do The Drive 95.5 [radio program] with Daedalus (Howell) the week preceding each show. I mentioned we’d be celebrating my birthday and local artist/songwriter Karenna Slade’s birthday at our Tropicana-themed show in June,” she notes.
While dates for the shows are locked down far in advance, when King mentioned the next show would be July 17, wheels were set in motion. “Daedalus mentioned that his birthday was right after my July show, on the 19th. I said, ‘We should tie in the Bohemian,’” King recalls.
And just like that, what’s certain to be a special evening was hatched. The lineup includes newcomer pole performer Shad, making his Forbidden Kiss debut; burlesque performers Thotty McNaughty, Mae D’Lovely, Kim and Krystle; opera-themed comedy from Casper Nomi; Heather Heliger; musician Malia Abayon; and Underground Improv members Russ Andrews, Cheryl King and Reggie K. Singer.
When asked how she manages to pull together such a wide array of acts into one pleasing, entertaining evening, King considers several things that go into creating a memorable and unique event. “I choose themes and book my acts several months in advance, so that I can exercise curatorial choice,” she says.
But, of course, one has to give the audience what they want, so, she notes, “We do have audience favorites, like Karenna Slade or Titus Androgynous, or Thotty McNaughty, or Underground Improv, but I want the audience to be able to look forward to people they have not yet seen. I am always looking for new people.”
While there’s much to be excited about regarding RAW Bohéme, the twist of dressing like “a famous bohemian” proves daunting in terms of suggestions because—let’s be honest—anyone dressing like Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac or Virginia Woolf would simply look like one’s favorite neighborhood bartender, barista or bookstore clerk. The most obvious and celebratory move is to cop our humble leader, Daedalus Howell’s regular outfit, but, as everyone has been telling him for years, the collared shirt-and-a-blazer-look is way past its expiration date.
Since that idea is clearly a wash, we’ll close with King’s “elevator pitch” as to why one should come out to an evening that, for some, might be out of their comfort zone.
To this, she says, “It’s tasteful and edgy, funny and significant, outrageous and tender, and very real and present. The community spirit of performers and audience members is a large part of what makes the show work. They come, knowing they’ll feel that community, and that they can let their hair down, put on a fun costume and be solidly entertained for a couple of hours.”
Forbidden Kiss’s ‘Raw Bohème’ plays at 7:30pm, Friday, July 17, at The California, 528 7th St., Santa Rosa. Tickets $19 to $29; more info and reservations at caltheatre.com/forbidden-kiss-live.
