(text from the Boston Herald Edge section front page article)
The New Bohemians:
Steamy vaudeville duo heat up Hub/Worcester comedy scene
By Sean L. McCarthy
Emerging from the dressing room of French Dressing, a boutique on Beacon Hill, the Steamy Bohemians look far steamier than bohemian.
"Did you say Steamy Bulemians?" asks Nicole Luparelli.
"They could be our alter egos in bizarro world," adds Lainey Schulbaum.
Schulbaum and Luparelli have been spicing up the Boston comedy scene with their musical banter for the past few years. Since last summer, these 26-year-olds also have brought eclectic entertainment to Worcester (yes, Worcester), where Luparelli lives.
An innocent bystander asks what their songs sound like.
"They're about some of the most poignant, touching and influential moments, like having a moment with someone, a fleeting glance - and realizing he's your second cousin," Luparelli says.
Schulbaum yells out: "Based on a true story!"
The Steamy Bohemians' story began in a theater class at the University of Rhode Island, where both students also sang opera.
They first performed together onstage at a 2003 gig at Boston's Lizard Lounge, but it wasn't until that year's holiday show that they sang their first song for laughs - a mock jingle for erotic massage parlor Happy Snake Spa.
The Steamy Bohemians soon got regular bookings around Boston.
Schulbaum currently is working with co-producer Scott Dakota of the Valhalla Kittens, trying to finish the Steamy Bohemians' first album. Two songs are posted on the band's MySpace.com page.
"I wanted to add some music parts, put it in Technicolor," Schulbaum says.
Each song has a professional polish and added musical elements. "Ballad of the Bastard" is treated as musical theater. "The Less You Talk" gets marimbas.
In the meantime, the duo host Jerkus Circus, a variety show held each third Thursday at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner in Worcester. Each month's show includes a blend of comedy, music and other entertainment, from wrestlers to belly dancers.
"A lot of people, when they think of variety, they think of Salisbury steak," Luparelli says. "I want to change people's impressions of variety and vaudeville."
As for inspirational duos, Luparelli cites Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Schulbaum goes local, praising the Walsh Brothers for their comedy act and for their ability to coordinate their weekly Great and Secret Show.
"We want to do art. What we really want is a revolution," Schulbaum says. "Don't tell anyone."
The Steamy Bohemians host Jerkus Circus at 9 tonight, with Black Cat Burlesque, HUMANWINE, Harrison Stebbins, Steve Donovan and Myq Kaplan, $5-$7, Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. For additional information: www.steamybohemians.com
The New Bohemians:
Steamy vaudeville duo heat up Hub/Worcester comedy scene
By Sean L. McCarthy
Emerging from the dressing room of French Dressing, a boutique on Beacon Hill, the Steamy Bohemians look far steamier than bohemian.
"Did you say Steamy Bulemians?" asks Nicole Luparelli.
"They could be our alter egos in bizarro world," adds Lainey Schulbaum.
Schulbaum and Luparelli have been spicing up the Boston comedy scene with their musical banter for the past few years. Since last summer, these 26-year-olds also have brought eclectic entertainment to Worcester (yes, Worcester), where Luparelli lives.
An innocent bystander asks what their songs sound like.
"They're about some of the most poignant, touching and influential moments, like having a moment with someone, a fleeting glance - and realizing he's your second cousin," Luparelli says.
Schulbaum yells out: "Based on a true story!"
The Steamy Bohemians' story began in a theater class at the University of Rhode Island, where both students also sang opera.
They first performed together onstage at a 2003 gig at Boston's Lizard Lounge, but it wasn't until that year's holiday show that they sang their first song for laughs - a mock jingle for erotic massage parlor Happy Snake Spa.
The Steamy Bohemians soon got regular bookings around Boston.
Schulbaum currently is working with co-producer Scott Dakota of the Valhalla Kittens, trying to finish the Steamy Bohemians' first album. Two songs are posted on the band's MySpace.com page.
"I wanted to add some music parts, put it in Technicolor," Schulbaum says.
Each song has a professional polish and added musical elements. "Ballad of the Bastard" is treated as musical theater. "The Less You Talk" gets marimbas.
In the meantime, the duo host Jerkus Circus, a variety show held each third Thursday at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner in Worcester. Each month's show includes a blend of comedy, music and other entertainment, from wrestlers to belly dancers.
"A lot of people, when they think of variety, they think of Salisbury steak," Luparelli says. "I want to change people's impressions of variety and vaudeville."
As for inspirational duos, Luparelli cites Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Schulbaum goes local, praising the Walsh Brothers for their comedy act and for their ability to coordinate their weekly Great and Secret Show.
"We want to do art. What we really want is a revolution," Schulbaum says. "Don't tell anyone."
The Steamy Bohemians host Jerkus Circus at 9 tonight, with Black Cat Burlesque, HUMANWINE, Harrison Stebbins, Steve Donovan and Myq Kaplan, $5-$7, Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. For additional information: www.steamybohemians.com
