Diamonds in the Buff

Because Jessica Hindsley, also known as burlesque dancer Ophelia P. Coque (and best known in these parts for her peacock act requiring a costume made with 400 feathers), loves the razzmatazz of vaudeville, the public gets an annual taste of it during the Diamond Follies, a once-a-year, one-night-only summer stage...

By Susan Froyd

August 7, 2014

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Because Jessica Hindsley, also known as burlesque dancer Ophelia P. Coque (and best known in these parts for her peacock act requiring a costume made with 400 feathers), loves the razzmatazz of vaudeville, the public gets an annual taste of it during the Diamond Follies, a once-a-year, one-night-only summer stage show that follows the old-fashioned form impeccably. “It’s the only time I can get that theater,” Hindsley admits of Boulder’s Dinner Theatre.

And now that she’s got it, the show must go on: “I’ve always really wanted to mix that musical-theater side in with burlesque and bring back the variety show,” she says. “We have pieces of that in Denver, but not a true vaudevillian variety show.” To that end, she’s booked juggler Reid Belstock, magician Professor Phelyx, all-girl string band Spinphony, gymnast Eric Pung and more, including lots of local burlesque talent and Rockette-style dancers with sparkly costumes. “It’s dreamy for me as a performer to be able to say, ‘I want to be able to sing “Ain’t No Sunshine” with six girls with pagoda umbrellas in the background,’ and be able to do it!” Hindsley adds.

If that sounds like your kind of fun, reserve a table tonight at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder; doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, with the show following at 8. Tickets start at $20 for the show only; visit bouldersdinnertheatre.com for reservations.
Mon., Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m., 2014

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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