Just Do It

Revival Burlesque Presents The Flesh Factory: A Night of Pop Art, Pasties and Perverts

by Lauren Fleming

Fri.-Sun., Feb. 13-15, 8 p.m., $15, Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., 215-427-9255, walkingfishtheatre.com

"It's like Saturday Night Live with boobs in it," says Anna Frangiosa, founder of Revival Burlesque. Frangiosa (or "Annie A-Bomb" as she's known in the burlesque world) founded the troupe in 2007 as a reaction to the generally misinformed public perception of burlesque that she found in her 11-year performing career.

"There's a lot to what we do. Burlesque doesn't mean that we don't rehearse. There's sketch comedy involved — acting, singing and dancing, too." (Thus, the SNL comparison.)

The Revival Burlesque troupe has performed at a number of Philadelphia venues but this Valentine's Day weekend, the group will be opening the doors of the Walking Fish Theatre to present their latest show, "The Flesh Factory."

Inspired by the art of Andy Warhol, the show uses soup can and pink gorilla props to create surprising acts that are both comic and creative. "It's basically a '70s Pop Art version of a burlesque show," says Frangiosa.

The Pop Art concept was proposed by one of the troupe's members, the excellently named Randi Warhol, and further cultivated by the group's secret weapon, Max Guerin, a history professor at Penn State University whose witty writing gives this peep show its chops.

Coined "the thinking man's girlie show," this saucy performance will undoubtedly stimulate your intellect — among other things.