Editor’s Note: The 32nd Annual International Fringe Theatre Festival will be held May 16-29, 2023 at different venues in and around Loch Haven Park and downtown Orlando. Freeline Media will be previewing the shows right up to the festival date.
ORLANDO — It’s been said many times that vaudeville never truly goes out of style, and perhaps that’s true with burlesque as well. That’s certainly true for the Corsets & Cuties dancers and performers, who are making a return visit to the Fringe Festival in May. As the show’s producer/director Lady Jaimz Dillman points out, there’s a new theme this year.
Sizzle.
“It’s time for another round of Best of Orlando-listed Corsets & Cuties to take Fringe once again,” Dillman notes, in a show that will be performed during the two week festival at The Abbey in downtown Orlando for four performances.
“The Cuties are thrilled to be downtown at The Abbey venue with enough space to finally feature the full variety of talents that make up this diverse cast,” she noted, adding that the “class clowns of the Central Florida burlesque scene” are all promising “something for everyone! From singers to dancers to aerialists, guest stars, and more, audiences will have a chance to win giveaways from generous sponsor,
Premier Couples Superstore.
“Make sure you bring your singles to tip the performers, your sense of adventure, and dress cool — things are sure to heat up!”
What’s the Background Story to this Play?
Freeline Media reached out to Jaimz to dance up a storm of enthusiasm for this upcoming show.
Freeline Media: What’s changed over the years for burlesque — and what hasn’t?
Jaimz Dillman: We’re thrilled to say burlesque has become more accessible to a wider variety of performers. Before, it seemed only a certain body type or gender was the norm and over the past few years — especially in Orlando — that barrier has been broken with so many varied troupes around town featuring anyone who has the desire to get on that stage and strut their stuff!
What hasn’t changed is the true feeling of burlesque at its heart — the art of the tease. There are just so many more ways to convey that sentiment now and we’re here for it!
FM: How was the Corsets & Cuties show first developed?
JD: We started Cuties as a way to feature those of us who still had a strong desire and talent to perform but maybe no longer fit in the cookie-cutter restraints of traditional casting at area theaters and theme parks. All bodies and personalities are beautiful and the audience sees that reflected in our ever-changing lineups.
FM: In this politically charged age of ours, are there any deeper meanings to this year’s show?
JD: This year’s show has a personal meaning to us. Sizzle invokes images of all things hot. Whatever that means to you, and at whatever stage in your life, anything can be smoldering and sexy. And we’re acting on our right to express that feeling, so Fringe gives us the freedom to do just that. Take the audience on the steamy ride for an hour away from all the nastiness of the world trying to stamp out the flames.
FM: Tell us about that scantily clad stuff.
JD: Oh, there’s plenty of that coming up at The Abbey! We’re super excited to be in a space we can finally showcase our aerialists and their skills. Not to mention some amazing guest stars, singers, dancers, and giveaways from sponsor Premier Couples Superstore. Audiences are sure to have a good damn time.
FM: Any costume-related surprises on the way this year?
JD: The show will feature whatever each cast member thinks of as sexy, alluring, and provocative — however they interpret those thoughts …. and if you know anything about a Cuties show, there’s bound to be something everyone will talk about afterward. So you’ll have to show up to see who shows out. And we never give anything away — for free … hahaha. Bring your sense of adventure, and those dollar bills, downtown to The Abbey and join Corsets & Cuties as we Sizzle!
Where Do I Dress Up for this Show?
Corsets & Cuties Sizzle! will be performed as part of the Orlando Fringe Festival at The Abbey Orlando, 100 S. Eola Drive, in downtown Orlando. Tickets are $15 along with a Fringe button, and available at the Orlando Fringe website.
The schedule for this show is:
- A BYOV preview performance on Monday, May 8 at 8 p.m.
- Press preview on Sunday, May 14 at 10 p.m.
- Friday, May 19 at 10:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 26 at 8:40 p.m.
- Saturday, May 27 at 11 p.m.
- Sunday, May 28 at 7:10 p.m.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
