Tramp and burlesque live stage show with silent film

Lola van Ella and Sammich the Tramp present

“The Golden Age ... Live on Stage”

Lola van Ella and Sammich the Tramp will present “The Golden Age ... Live on Stage: A Silent Night in Black & White” at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave.

This unique – perhaps unprecedented – event will combine St. Louis burlesque at its sexiest with the art of the silent tramp (as perfected by Chaplin and Keaton, and revived by Sammich). It will combine live stage shows – burlesque, tramp – with silent film screened to live music by St. Louis’ own (and only) The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra and Kevin O'Connor.

This event springs from the stunning finale to the inaugural (2010) Show-Me Burlesque Festival. Lola van Ella and Sammich the Tramp stunned and then wowed audiences with a Lady & the Tramp stage show that opened with all the delicacy and mixed moods of Chaplin … but ended with Lola on a swing!

[See Hannah Radcliff’s artful video of their performance of Lady & The Tramp at the 2010 Show-Me Burlesque Festival: http://vimeo.com/12079789.] **

“The Golden Age ... Live on Stage” will feature an elaborated version of this piece, scored live by The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra. It also will feature the premiere of Kevin O'Connor’s original score to Buster Keaton's “One Week,” performed live by Kevin and The Rats and People as the film screens.

This homage to the arts of silent film and live music will be enlivened by burlesque performances from Lola van Ella, Foxy la Feelion, Gogo McGregor and Sturdy Gurlesque. Flappers! Burlesque! Comedy! Music! And more! All in the comfy confines – and pleasant acoustics – of Off Broadway.

Tickets are $15 and available at the door and at www.offbroadwaystl.com.

ST. LOUIS FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE

This special event coincides with the opening of the St. Louis Filmmaker’s Showcase, the definitive homage to local moviemakers produced by Cinema St. Louis. It runs July 17-22. For more information and schedules, please see www.cinemastlouis.org.

* Photo of Lola van Ella and Sammich the Tramp, by David McWhirter

** Please credit all photojournalists and videographers whenever posting their work, even for promotional or preview purposes.