Xmas Unwrapped: Doff we now our gay apparel
After a powerhouse first year of sold-out shows, critical awards, and company growth, the shrewd women of Shrewd Productions are returning to their debut effort, the holiday burlesque Xmas Unwrapped!
By Hannah Kenah, Fri., Dec. 8, 2006
Shrewd Productions took 2006 by storm. The company introduced itself to the Austin theatre scene in 2005 with Xmas Unwrapped! A Holiday Burlesque, which played to sold-out houses. Its spring production of Cyndi Williams' Where Are They Now? garnered six Austin Critics Table nominations and took home two awards, including Best Production of a Drama. It juried a nationwide search for short scripts and produced eight of them in Cheater. The company doubled in size, adding four new members to the four founders. Now, the Shrewds are bookending their powerhouse first year with a remix of Xmas Unwrapped! Their particular breed of burlesque combines sexy, smart, and a dash of sass, complete with naughty elves, bar girls serving hot cocoa, Shanon Weaver and Michael Whelan as emcees, and a veritable feast of pasties!
Andrea Skola is one of Shrewd Productions' four co-artistic directors. When she isn't producing/directing/designing for the Shrewds, she serves as technical director of Hyde Park Theatre, sings for the band Crystal Flavola, and holds down a day job at the Chronicle. Skola took time out of her insane schedule to discuss the Shrewds' first year and their latest installment of Xmas Unwrapped!
Austin Chronicle: What inspired Shrewd Productions to do burlesque at Christmas time?
Andrea Skola: During the holidays there are many events that cater to a younger crowd. Xmas Unwrapped! is definitely an evening that gives adults a chance to get out and have a good time! Not to mention that we didn't have any city funding for our first season, so the fundraiser had to be rather … lucrative.
AC: Did the four of you have previous experience as burlesquers?
AS: We all have experience with dance and movement, comedy and improv, but none of us had ever done a burlesque show. In that regard, this was a great opportunity to exercise new muscles. We did a good deal of research regarding burlesque, but in the end we gave it a bit of a "Shrewd treatment" based on our collective and individual interests.
AC: Any memorable moments from last year's run of Xmas Unwrapped!?
AS: Pasties! Pasties! And more pasties! … They can be quite a challenge. Last year they chose some inopportune times to pop off the dancers. But you have to hand it to the ladies for handling it so well. Now that I think of it, I wonder if the audience even knew that the pasty wasn't fantastically rigged to pop off at that very moment!
When asked how long they would stick with the burlesque format, Skola says, "As long as it's fun." Then she had to take off for a session of band practice between Xmas Unwrapped! rehearsals. It's hard to argue with hard work. So join the crowds at Hyde Park, because whether you're into whips or Donna Reed, this night of sassy seasonal burlesque is sure to leave you begging for more.
Xmas Unwrapped! A Holiday Burlesque runs through Dec. 16; Thursday-Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8 & 10pm; at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. For more information, call 535-6643.
