Roxie Moxie. Photo: David Peterman
Roxie Moxie, founding member of The Lollie Bombs (Dallas), and later Stripped Screw Burlesque (Seattle) talks big glittery ponds, sexual role-reversal, inside jokes, and surviving marathons.
Q: You got your start in burlesque as one of the founding members of The Lollie Bombs. Can you share a few stories with us on the early days of burlesque in Dallas?
Those early days were so much fun – mostly, I think, because we had no idea what we were doing. We made a lot of it up as we went along. Not everything we created was stellar, but because we were free to explore the avant-garde side of burlesque, some of it was really ground-breaking and unique. We used spoken-word poetry and even conceived a number where we formed a giant human spider that crawled around the stage as Lawless sang about the “unrighteous government.” It was weird and silly and fun, but I suppose my favorite story is of the time Angi’s balloon-popper broke and she had to tear apart the balloons with her hands instead. Now THAT is dedication to your craft.
Q: In regard to your early days, you are quoted as saying in your interview with RAW that “I told [The Lollie Bombs] I would be in it as long as I didn’t have to strip”. Obviously you have changed your mind about the stripping part. In your mind, is doing a full reveal essential to calling yourself a burlesque performer? Why or why not?
I suppose that depends on how you define “full reveal.” A burlesque reveal is less about showing your body and more about showing the audience something special. Something they didn’t expect. I don’t think you have to take your clothes off to have an effective burlesque routine. I’ve seen some great numbers that don’t incorporate stripping at all.
Of course, most of the time your body is at least part of the reveal because the naked human form is beautiful, tantalizing, forbidden, and hot and a hell of a thing to see onstage surrounded by feathers and rhinestones. If you make the decision to incorporate classic 50’s style striptease into your burlesque acts then yes, you do have to remove your clothes. Preferably nearly all of them. There’s no reason at all to be ashamed of doing so.
Roxie Moxie live. Photo: Ben Britt
Q: In 2008 you moved to Seattle. How hard was it to come from a place where you were very connected with the “scene” to being completely on “the outside”. What did you learn about how to break in to a new burlesque community that you could share with our readers who might be having the same experience?
It was really very difficult to break into the burlesque scene in Seattle. Some would argue New York is the burlesque capital of the country, but I beg to differ; no offense to Jo Boobs or Tigger. Seattle is a well-established scene that is saturated with fabulous performers. Many of them come from Indigo Blue’s burlesque academy and are driven enough to begin performing almost immediately after they graduate. So by the time I got there in 2008, I was a very small fish in an enormous glittery pond. I kept pushing, went out to as many shows as I could, took classes (acting, voice and dance), met producers, and took any gig I could get. I did a lot of awful gigs, but I just refused to give up. Eventually I hooked up with some like-minded burlesquers and formed Stripped Screw. After that things really skyrocketed for me.
Q: In 2009 you formed Stripped Screw Burlesque in Seattle. What is it about being part of a burlesque troupe that appeals to you so much, as opposed to life as a solo performer?
The best part of having a troupe is you’ve got a built-in sounding board for your ideas. Sometimes you don’t realize an idea is terrible, or already been done by another performer, or logistically impossible, until you run it by other burlesquers who understand your mindset. They often have creative insight on how to change or improve an act so that it works. Having a troupe means you also have a ready pool of available actors/dancers/singers to pull from for specific roles in a show. Having talented people to work with in a group setting is invaluable.
Don’t get me wrong. Being a solo artist has its perks. You don’t have to depend on other people to show up to rehearsals, get their costumes finished in time, or remember to send you the right cut of their music, but you also have no one to share the workload, no one to laugh at your inside jokes backstage, and no one to gripe to when the sound guy screws up your music. Your troupe is your showbiz family.
Roxie Moxie. Photo: Steve DeMent
Q: In Stripped Screw you began producing shows that were more narrative from start to finish, reading more as a play then “just a burlesque show” or even “a themed burlesque show”. What was your thought process behind the move, and what were the pros and cons of such a structure?
First of all, I still love burlesque shows of all kinds, themed or not. But I noticed in Seattle that the most successful shows, the ones I wanted to see over and over like The Burlesque Nutcracker, House of Thee Unholy and Shine (the burlesque musical in which I played “Feral” in Seattle and New York), were shows that followed a more narrative structure. With a cohesive show that follows a narrative framework, each number can advance the plot and provide audiences with a more effective and engaging story. You can also create really interesting, complex reasons for characters to take their clothes off.
Q: In your RAW interview you also stated: “I use sexy strip tease to send a message.” Can you please elaborate on this?
Sure – actually I suppose I should have said that I use sexy strip tease to tell a story. Whether or not you want to interpret the act as having a message is entirely up to you. It’s not my goal to beat the audience over the head with a message. For example, my Roxie the Riveter act is, on one level, a cute story about a Rosie the Riveter character who transforms into a military-costumed pinup girl. On another level, it plays around with female stereotypes and sexual role-reversal. You could see it as a feminist piece or an anti-feminist piece, or both. Or you could just watch me strip into a heavily-rhinestoned military costume with sequin shoes and the cutest army hat EVER.
I prefer to create acts that work on multiple levels like this. You can choose to over think or to turn off your brain. Either way, you’ll be entertained.
Photo: David Peterman
Q: Later this month you are performing in the first ever Lollie Bombs Reunion show, on January 6th. What should audiences expect, and what makes The Lollie Bombs so unique? With so many troupes that come and go, what is the secret to keeping together and strong for as long as The Lollies have been going?
I think audiences should expect to see how each of the Lollies have grown as performers over the years. One of the unique things about the Lollies is that we always emphasized the individual girls’ personalities. We each had strong show personas that shone through in the types of acts we danced, the clothing we wore and the music we chose. We prized that individuality and somehow it never got in the way of creating a strong troupe of performers that worked well together. Also, we were the “old school” of Dallas burlesque. We stuck it out through a lot of craziness in those early years and pushed into new burlesque territory. Because of that, we all have a very intense bond that will never be broken.
Q: Speaking of the new year, what are three of your New Year’s resolutions?
I’m running my first marathon on February 19th, so my first resolution is to survive that.
If I succeed in surviving, my second resolution is to push new boundaries in my burlesque routines. I’ve got a few new tricks up my sleeve for 2012 that I’m sure no one has seen before. I’m super excited about that.
Third, I want to really get involved in the Austin burlesque scene. I’ve only just returned to Austin after seven years away, and I think the scene is really ready to take off. I’d love to be a part of it.
Selling Out Show After Show is No Accident: Meet The Lollie Bombs
Story: Shoshana; Photos: Benn Britt and Through the Looking Glass
Year after year, audiences pack into the cozy Pocket Sandwich Theater, sip on sangria served in a pitcher, and enjoy their favorite late night revue- with everything from a crazed Zombie shooting character, to a pill poppin’ princess, and a gal dropping down from the ceiling performing a silks number, this evening is anything but “traditional” burlesque. Since forming in 2006, The Lollie Bombs and their Valentine’s Day show has become a Dallas tradition. In fact, the Lollies are so popular, that in a city known for its distaste for pre-show ticket sales, much preferring the walk-up route, they sell out almost every performance way in advance. So what is the secret to the Lollies success, we decided to try and find out.
Like most great creations, the zygote that later became The Lollie Bombs started out as a crazy idea in the head of woman. Miss Angi B Lovely had the idea of starting a burlesque troupe, and went to visit a theater owner who was looking for a reoccurring booking. She quickly rounded up four other dancing pals- Lily Lawless, Roxie Moxie, Kitty B, and Lady J. After performing 3 shows under the name “Burlesque Contempo”, the gals decided they were in need of a lot of assistance. “We weren’t really considering ourselves a ‘troupe’, at the time – really we were just putting on a burlesque show in a town where no one knew anything about burlesque and there was no ‘scene’ as of yet.”, explains Roxie Moxie, who relocated to Seattle in 2008.
Eric Hall went to one of the earliest shows, and agreed that the ladies had a lot of potential. Hall was hired as the group’s choreographer, and the show started to really come together. Along with the new skill set, the ladies decided they needed a new name. During a late night brainstorming session, Lawless popped out with “The Lollie Bombs” and it was a hit! The Lollie Bombs began performing in different venues around Dallas, and pounding the pavement with handmade flyers, until they had developed quite a following- but they still needed a permanent home. They found that home in the summer of 2007 in The Pocket Sandwich Theater, and the troupe had changed a bit. While Roxie Moxie, Angi B Lovely, and Lily Lawless remained, Kitty and Lady moved off to other cities; while Black Mariah, Miss Malicious, and Jai L Bait joined the troupe.
Pocket Sandwich audiences loved the Lollie Bombs late night performances, and the theater loved the new fans that the Lollies brought in with them. The Lollie Bombs began doing shows every other month at the theater, and achieved a consistency with audiences that many other troupes and producers haven’t been able to achieve. That consistency opened the doors to many media outlets, who simply weren’t interested in a fly by night production- either those newly starting out, or constantly switching venues with no regularity. Media brings in more fans, and fans bring in more media, creating a hefty audience base for the troupe, but media won’t keep fans coming back. What gives the ladies such a regular fan base of folks who come again and again? Part of that may be their high attention to production detail- putting on an entire theatrical spectacle. Another part is certainly the diversity of the show, and the constant revamping and growth in The Lollie repertoire. While members have come and gone, and new members have come on, The Lollie Bombs continue to thrive. The current Lollies are Angi B Lovely (left the troupe briefly to relocate to Houston, but returned to the group as soon as she returned to Dallas), Miss Malicious, Black Mariah, Jai L Bait (joined 2007, left for a brief spell, and returned in 2009), Trixi Toxic (joined 2008), Scarlette Switches (2009). For more on the troupe’s success, we decided to ask the ladies of The Lollie Bombs themselves.
Meet The Lollie Bombs:
Angi B Lovely
BIO: Angi B. Lovely began performing at a very young age as part of a dance group called the Konocti Klogging Kids. As a teenager Angi discovered Ball Room dance and worked as a dance instructor, competing at the professional level. She studied musical theater and pursued an acting career. Eventually, Angi’s interests turned to circus arts– fire spinning, aerial silks, and hula hoop. As a founding member of the Lollie Bombs, Angi B. Lovely has been involved in Burlesque since 2006. Her current repertoire is a mix of dance, theater and circus art.
Q: In your opinion, what is the secret to the success of The Lollie Bombs?
The secret to The Lollie Bombs success is being able to adapt and change as time goes on, we are always looking forward and improving on the production value of our shows. Also, we are an extremely multifaceted group of girls and our repertoire is always expanding, you never know what to expect from a Lollie Bombs show.
Q: What do audiences love most about you?
Audiences love me for my diverse skill set, especially hula hoops and aerial acrobatics.
Q: Who should be cast as you in the movie about your life?
Lucille Ball
Q: When did you know you should be a performer?
I knew I was meant to be a performer when I would bring my tutu to preschool and ask change into it during recess.
Miss Malicious
Q: In your opinion, what is the secret to the success of The Lollie Bombs?
The secret to the Lollies success is diversity. You get it all for the price of 20 bucks- acrobatic work, snarky gals, butts, boobies, and fantastic choreography- Everything!
Q: What do audiences love most about you?
Audiences love me for my sarcasm and I think my butt; along with my thought provoking numbers and the overall destruction of everything.
Q: When did you know you should be a performer?
I knew I was meant to be a performer when I was 6 years old and would act out every movie I saw. I was never shy; my step mother used to say I could have been easily abducted as a child because I would talk to ANYONE, especially if they had an animal with them.
I started acting in plays when I was 8 or 9, and dancing and doing gymnastics around the same time. I have always loved the stage. In junior high we would skip class by saying we had a big performance coming up, go to Drama, hang out with the teacher and build props all day. Somehow I still passed everything!
Q: What’s your pre-show ritual?
I rehearse a bit…eat some carbs so I don’t get hungry during a show…then get a beer…Stella or Blue Moon.
Black Mariah
Q: What is your pre-show ritual?
I listen to music by Brian Setzer Orchestra. I love his music and it puts me in the mood to perform. I also listen to the music I am performing to that evening on my IPod with my headphones. I close my eyes and visualize the routine from beginning to end and see it as if it is a goal I have already achieved. Physically rehearsing is just as important as mentally rehearsing.
Q: What is the secret to the Lollie Bombs success?
Diversity in every aspect of our performance.
Q: What do audiences love most about you?
Curves and comedy! I don’t take myself so seriously that I can’t laugh at myself. I’m not perfect; I think that makes me relatable to my audience.
Q: Who should be cast as you in the movie about your life?
Zooey Deschanel
Jai L’ Bait
BIO: A true old soul, Jai L’ Bait knows to much for her own good. Abandon at the age of two, she was brought up by the gypsies. At an early age, she had the knack to capture audience’s attention. She was trained to use her looks and talents to her advantage and soon, as a weapon. Shimmy and shaking her way on the stage, she caught the attention of the Lollie Bombs where she joined their burlesque group. A natural seducer, you older guys may want to watch your back! This young temptress is here for the music and mischief. Get ready for trouble…
Q: When did you know you should be a performer?
I knew I was meant to be a performer when I was a child and I begged my parents to take me to auditions to Corpus Christi to audition for the Selena movie. Then I threw a dramatic fit because they told me no and I was extremely frustrated because I was convinced I would get the part. I was about 9.
Q: What is the secret to The Lollies’ success?
There is no one like us. We truly are a unique group that brings something unheard of in the burlesque world.
Q: What do audiences love most about you?
Ha! The fact that I look like a 12 yr. old, my blasphemy, and according to the Lollies–my booty!
Q: Who should be cast as you in the movie about your life?
Mila Kunis
Scarlette Switches
SCARLETTE SWITCHES is no stranger to burlesque and the art of the tease. She has been performing in risqué groups and as a solo artist for over 10 years. As a singer, model and burlesque artist, her style often combines influences of cabaret, vintage fetish and Hollywood glamour. She performed alongside Jamie Deadly, Angela Ryan, and Athena Fatale in “Burlesque on the Fringe.” She also performed as a guest artist with “Fluff Girl Burlesque.” She joined the Lollie Bombs Burlesque in early 2009.
Q: What is the secret to The Lollies’ success?
Diversity and courage.
Q: What do audiences love most about you?
Audiences love me for my TNA and naughty songs.
Q: What is your pre-show ritual?
I have a ritual of taking about 3 hours to either have hair and make-up done for me or DIY.
Q: What is your favorite physical feature on yourself?
My eyes.
Trixi Toxic
While according to her MySpace profile, she loves Autumn, Resident Evil, Zombies, Barbies, and Vampires–she apparently does not like email or interviews.
Upcoming Shows:
The Lollie Bombs next performance is The Valentine’s Show on February 12 & 13 at The Pocket Sandwich Theater. Call 214.821.1860 for reservations.
Three Lollies: Miss Malicious, Black Mariah, and Scarlette Switches will be performing in the Amour Show- A Lust Filled Burlesque Comedy- on February 27th at the Lakewood Theater. Call 214.821.7469 for tickets.
