Once upon a time, burlesque was a well-loved and relatively respectable form of American theater that incorporated humor, eroticism and elaborate costumes.  But post-Pussycat Dolls, when any group of women dancing in their underwear now seems to qualify as a burlesque troupe, the art has long lost its mystique, particularly in Los Angeles.

Amanda Marquardt, aka Gypsy Diamond, must have been well aware of this when she founded LA’s Rag Dolls Burlesque.  That’s why, rather than starting yet another cheesy performance group that would make Gypsy Rose Lee turn in her grave, she created a uniquely fun and classy show that pays homage to burlesque’s roots in early 20th-century vaudeville.  Under the former Shakespeare director’s careful guidance, Rag Doll Burlesque strives to revive the art of real burlesque, which Marquardt has described as a celebration of women’s sexuality.  Rag Dolls’ performances draw inspiration from the original burlesque revues of the ’20s and ’30s, using dialogue and choreography from actual vaudeville acts.  The stars are definitely more Dita von Teese than Nicole Scherzinger, while the costumes are pure glamor, and the backdrop, the Bordello Bar (once a brothel!), is as glitzy and historical as can be.

Even those who now roll their eyes at the mention of “burlesque” should check out the Rag Dolls– because who wouldn’t enjoy sipping a drink while taking in glamor, history and, yes, women dancing in their underwear?