Everyone takes off their clothes though rarely with the vintage verve of Nadine Dubois and the cast of Lili's Burlesque Revue.
Dubois founded the troupe with seven other core members in 2004, and she and her Lili's cohorts continue to do their homework. That includes yearly pilgrimages to the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas to learn trade secrets from legendary performers.
"There's an energy that comes with the slow reveal of a piece of clothing," Dubois said. "And not everybody is good at doing it that way, just like any other art."
See for yourself as Lili's hosts 75 top local and national performers at its Best of Midwest Burlesk Festival for five shows Jan. 27-29 at the Ritz Theater. Lili's also presents its Underpants Show on the first Friday of every month at Bryant Lake Bowl.
Serving as emcee, singing and doing an occasional striptease routine, Dubois hosts Lili's shows and hundreds if not thousands of burlesque revues around the country.
A former Gustavus Adolphus student with a music and theater background, Dubois had tried acting and singing in rock bands before finding the right creative outlet in burlesque.
Dubois helps run the business side of Lili's with her fellow performers, while working in the service industry, studying floristry and being a step-mother.
On stage, Dubois often shares the story of performing for the first time before her "conservative, Republican, Lutheran parents from South Dakota" in a routine that included a pasty-twirling crescendo.
