Behind the Burly Q - 9781620876916

Burlesque was one of America's most popular forms of live entertainment inthe first half of the 20th century. Gaudy, bawdy, and spectacular, the showsentertained thousands of paying customers every night of the week. And yet thelegacy of burlesque is often vilified and misunderstood, left out of thehistory books.

By telling the intimateand surprising stories from its golden age through the women (and men!) wholived it, Behind the Burly Q reveals the true story of burlesque, evenas it experiences a new renaissance. Lovingly interviewed by burlesque enthusiast Leslie Zemeckis who produced the hit documentary of the same name, are former musicians, strippers, novelty acts, club owners,authors, and historians--assembled here for the first time ever to tellyou just what really happened in a burlesque show. From Jack Ruby and Robert Kennedy to Abbott and Costello--burlesque touched every corner of American life. The sexy shows often poked fun at the upper classes, at sex, and at whatpeople were willing to do in the pursuit of sex. Sadly, many of theperformers have since passed away, making this their last, and often onlyinterview. Behind the Burly Q is the definitive history of burlesque during itsheyday and an invaluable oral history of an American art form. Funny, shocking, unbelievable, and heartbreaking, their storieswill touch your hearts. We invite you to peek behind the curtain atthe burly show.

Includes dozens of never-before seen photographs: rare backstage photos and candid shots from the performers' personal collections.