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The world-famous burlesque dancers, the Pontani Sisters will be stopping at FitzGerald's in Berwyn as part of their upcoming “Los Straightjackets Rock ‘N' Burlesque Spectacular” tour.
Sisters Angie, Tara and Helen have been dancing since they were young, and have since traveled all over the world performing burlesque. With more than 40 routines and hundreds of outfits, every performance is dripping with glamour.
The trio has performed on an array of stages, from Coney Island all the way to Hollywood. They have also had repeat appearances on "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and were named the No. 1 burlesque attraction by AOL.com. Recognized nationwide as experienced performers, the sexy starlets will be appearing at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on Saturday.
How did you get started doing burlesque?
Well I’ve been dancing ever since I was a little kid — literally since I was 4. It was pretty much an accident. I was living in the city and I wanted to be in the show business, but I wasn’t enchanted by Broadway or theatre. I didn’t want to be a serious dancer, so my real love was these Technicolor color dances. I was just in the right place at the right time.
When I perform with my sisters we do much more of a chorus line with go-go dances and a 1950s dance routine. When I do solo shows, I do more of the classic strip tease.
Do you have any favorite outfits?
We have hundreds of outfits, but I really love the costumes in the show with the Los Straightjackets — they’re very hardcore 1950. There’s a lot of fringe, go-go boots, the whole nine yards. They’re adorable.
Tell me a little bit about your travels.
I just got back from Hong Kong. It’s very exciting. I think the most amazing thing is that it’s a very unique way to see all of these places. It’s not like taking a vacation. We have promoters that will bring us to these awesome places and they’ll show us all their favorite places in town. They show us things that you wouldn’t see on vacation. It’s nice to meet the locals, too.
My personal favorite thing to do is to go vintage shopping. I do it everywhere I go, which makes for a cool closet. I can pick something out of my closet and I can say I got this in Chicago or Scotland. Chicago is actually one of my favorite place to find vintage clothes.
The world-famous burlesque dancers, the Pontani Sisters will be stopping at FitzGerald's in Berwyn as part of their upcoming “Los Straightjackets Rock ‘N' Burlesque Spectacular” tour.
Sisters Angie, Tara and Helen have been dancing since they were young, and have since traveled all over the world performing burlesque. With more than 40 routines and hundreds of outfits, every performance is dripping with glamour.
The trio has performed on an array of stages, from Coney Island all the way to Hollywood. They have also had repeat appearances on "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and were named the No. 1 burlesque attraction by AOL.com. Recognized nationwide as experienced performers, the sexy starlets will be appearing at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on Saturday.
How did you get started doing burlesque?
Well I’ve been dancing ever since I was a little kid — literally since I was 4. It was pretty much an accident. I was living in the city and I wanted to be in the show business, but I wasn’t enchanted by Broadway or theatre. I didn’t want to be a serious dancer, so my real love was these Technicolor color dances. I was just in the right place at the right time.
When I perform with my sisters we do much more of a chorus line with go-go dances and a 1950s dance routine. When I do solo shows, I do more of the classic strip tease.
Do you have any favorite outfits?
We have hundreds of outfits, but I really love the costumes in the show with the Los Straightjackets — they’re very hardcore 1950. There’s a lot of fringe, go-go boots, the whole nine yards. They’re adorable.
Tell me a little bit about your travels.
I just got back from Hong Kong. It’s very exciting. I think the most amazing thing is that it’s a very unique way to see all of these places. It’s not like taking a vacation. We have promoters that will bring us to these awesome places and they’ll show us all their favorite places in town. They show us things that you wouldn’t see on vacation. It’s nice to meet the locals, too.
My personal favorite thing to do is to go vintage shopping. I do it everywhere I go, which makes for a cool closet. I can pick something out of my closet and I can say I got this in Chicago or Scotland. Chicago is actually one of my favorite place to find vintage clothes.
What do you think makes burlesque such a unique attraction?
It’s just plain and simple fun. It’s fun entertainment that you can go see and enjoy, and you don’t have to think about it too much. We get broad audiences — men, women, gay, straight — it’s a classic form of entertainment and there’s something for everyone. It’s fun and positive. Everyone seems to enjoy it.
Do you have any interesting stories about things that have happened?
There have been so many things that have happened to us. There’s always an amazing story. There’s been costume mishaps — my corset string got caught in the zipper of my gown once. The guitar player and band had to help — they brought scissors out on the stage. In Cleveland once we got locked out of our dressing room during a show.
Do you have a favorite city to perform in?
I love performing in New Orleans, it’s always exceptional. I actually love Berwyn too. FitzGerald’s is one of my favorite venues. The family and people there are awesome, and the audience we get in the area is fantastic. I think it’s more of the audience than the venue. We feed off the audience.
