A half-naked Nutcracker.

A half-naked Nutcracker.

GalPal and I went to see Land Of The Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker last night and it was, um, interesting. It was definitely classy, and filled with talented burlesque performances by both sexes, but I could have done without 70% of the between act "banter" from the show's MC. No fault of his, but the script was kind of lame. They should have replaced him with more antics from the two ladies playing slap-your-thigh hilarious snowflakes or the risque but rivetingly mischievous maid that popped out between acts.

The stand-out acts were definitely delivered high above the stage by The Aerialistas -- talk about mixing sex and the threat of death -- and the special appearance by Chicago's Michelle L'amour as The Snow Queen. We've interviewed her a few times for Chicagoist but this was the first time I'd seen her perform ... and I have to admit her reputation is well founded. Her set was hypnotic.

The whole thing ran just about two hours and by the end GalPal and I both packed ourselves into a cab and made out our way home, visions of half-naked Sugar Plum Fairies still dancing in our heads.