Big tease

Nouveau burlesque group The Love Kittens cuddles up to audiences

By Joe Student Philly EDGE Editor

As a very attractive blond with a dancer’s body, Megan Schmidt doesn’t have to take her clothes off to get attention from strangers. But she does. Dressed in a school girl’s outfit that even the most lenient parochial school dress code would find “naughty,” Schmidt walks in front of a room full of people and slowly undoes a long-sleeved white dress shirt tied above her flat midriff. In doing so, she reveals a tartan red plaid bikini top that matches her short, pleated skirt which is accented with knee-high white stockings and a lunchbox.

“I went to Catholic schools for 12 years,” Schmidt, 26, said with a laugh, “so I’m familiar with the uniform… But I never (wore it like this).”

Schmidt, a Bellmawr, NJ native, plays “Brandy Alexandra” one of five Love Kittens who are at the center of a mostly female theatrical production group that performs an 80 minute “new burlesque” show five times a week in the Screening Room at Resorts Atlantic City.

“We certainly show plenty of skin, but our performance is not about stripping as much as it is about what’s left to your imagination,” she said. “It’s all in the tease.”

The Love Kittens are scheduled to give an abbreviated version of their performance at private club Zee Bar in Philadelphia on Thursday (Mar. 30). It is the group’s second show in the city in eight days; they performed at the upscale 32 Degrees lounge last week.

This is Schmidt’s first year with the Kittens, who are in their second year of existence as a performance group. She says that while the show is certainly sexy and provocative, it has other facets and nuances that give the production depth and a more artistic feel.

“It’s not just striptease, (the show) has dancing, humor, vocals… it’s more of a theatrical production than it is a dance show.”

Two of the Kittens, including lead Mary Jo “M Love” Coyle and Ruta “Bordeaux” Jasiukaitis are returning for their second year, while Schmidt and two other performers are new to the production. This year’s cast made its debut in Atlantic City March 18 and is contracted to run the show at Resorts through September 3.

Despite offering what may be perceived by some as entertainment designed to appeal only to men, the Kittens audiences have been varied in gender, according to Schmidt.

“So far audiences have not been overwhelmingly (made up of) guys. I’ve seen lots of couples and girls who were into the performance, “Schmidt said. “It’s a great show for guys. I think people think (our audiences) are just going to have a row of guys in the front with their tongues hanging out, but it hasn’t been like that.”

The show and group were created by Las Vegas-based Farrington Productions. According to its Web site, the company had a successful run with the Kittens’ shows in Atlantic City in 2005 and both it and Resorts wanted to continue the relationship in 2006. Director and choreographer, Blair Farrington indicated through release that slight changes were made in the show in order to set it apart from the 2005 version.

“(With) the addition of an exciting late-80’s, early 90’s retro-rock flair to the experience, we are able to keep it fresh for those who were able to catch the show during the last run,” Farrington said.

"By perfecting the art of the peel, the fun and fantasy of the female silhouette and highlighting each Kitten's individual talents, the Love Kittens bring sensuality, seduction and class to a new audience," she adds.

While many dancers and performers might be self-conscious when standing in front of a crowd of hundreds wearing nothing or next-to-nothing, Schmidt had experience in showing her “female silhouette” to thousands of people prior to becoming a kitten; she began her professional dance career as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers dance team.

“Some of the outfits I wore with the Sixers (dance team) were even smaller than what I start out wearing (with the Kittens). I had to stand in front thousands of people wearing a bra top and shorts; to do that you have to feel comfortable with your body,” Schmidt said.

“I don’t know that (joining the Kittens) would be comfortable for someone if it was their first dancing gig. But I’m fine with it” Schmidt, who has been schooled in ballet, tap and jazz dancing since age 3, keeps her body toned and in professional shape by working out five days a week. She says that there is a self-applied pressure to maintain her physical form.

 “If you aren’t comfortable with your body, it will show (in the performance). You don’t want to be the person who the audience is (asking) ‘what is she up there for?’ You’ve gotta stay in shape.”

When she’s not performing, Schmidt spends time teaching dance, as she has for the past 10 years. Though the Kittens are set to perform in Atlantic City throughout the summer, they also have additional shows scheduled for small upscale clubs in New York City. The Big Apple shows may have special allure to Schmidt who says she’d like her career path to eventually lead to the City.

“My main goal is Broadway,” Schmidt said, “but that takes awhile. Each job is a stepping stone to that for me.”

One of the positives that Schmidt, and other members of the cast, note in being a part of the Kittens is that unlike in other, larger productions, there is more of an opportunity for them and their talents to be seen.

“Usually you’re working with 20-25 people and your stage time is limited. Here, I am one of five girls that people see throughout the entire show. It makes for a better showcase for us.”

Audiences do get to see plenty of Schmidt and the other Kittens. Though the South Jersey native still has family in the area, she hasn’t asked any of them to see the risqué show.

“Not yet,” Schmidt laughed. “I’m not sure if I’m ready to have them see me in high-leather boots or in (lingerie). But eventually, I’m sure they will. It’s part of the show.”

The Love Kittens

Zee Bar

100 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia

Thursday, March 30, midnight

215.922.2994

www.zee-bar.com

Must be a member to attend

Resorts Atlantic City

Screening Room

through Sunday, September 3

Saturdays at 9 p.m. and Sundays through Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $30

www.ticketmaster.com

 1.800.736.1420

Stone Pony

913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ

Thurs., April 6, midnight

732.502.0600

www.stoneponyonline.com