Skip to content
Bushwick Daily

Arts & Culture

“Cinderella” Is a Sexy, Gender-Fluid Twist on a Childhood Tale That You Must See in Bushwick

A review of Austin McCormick's latest titillating work for the theater.

“Cinderella” Is a Sexy, Gender-Fluid Twist on a Childhood Tale That You Must See in Bushwick

“Cinderella” Is a Sexy, Gender-Fluid Twist on a Childhood Tale That You Must See in Bushwick

A review of Austin McCormick's latest titillating work for the theater.

“Cinderella” Is a Sexy, Gender-Fluid Twist on a Childhood Tale That You Must See in Bushwick
Earlier this year, Austin McCormick’s Company XIV gave theater-lovers a sexy twist on a childhood tale with “Nutcracker Rouge,” a cocktail of circus, vaudeville, and burlesque served with a glittery garnish and lots of skin. The performance, which has since become a staple of the troop’s sultry repertoire, established McCormick as a master entertainer whose productions dance with good taste and debauchery. His most recent work, “Cinderella,” belongs to this lineage of G-rated stories gone naughty. “Nutcracker Rogue” showed us what the ballerinas wore under their tutus; “Cinderella” makes us wonder, “What else can we do with a glass slipper?”

The performance begins from the moment you enter Theater XIV, a 200-seater in the heart of Bushwick, where the atmosphere is so thick with frankincense that it would have choked Louis XIV. The interior of the theater is styled in sumptuous Rococo, drenched in blood-red lamplight and the twinkle of crystal chandeliers. In the antechamber, barmaids and coatcheck-men towering in high heels wear powdered wigs, girdles, and Mozartian capes; virtually nothing is required of them to transform into the characters of  “Cinderella,” which occurs as soon as they finish serving drinks and handing out tickets (I believe I was served a $6 pour-your-own coffee by Cinderella herself).

McCormick’s “Cinderella” offers a proper Manhattan indulgence in the senses and wallet, but with reminders of the neighborhood’s gender-fluid, hipster aesthetic throughout. At least half of the performers have visible tattoos, including Prince Charming who has Gumby on his left butt cheek. Cinderella’s two sisters, played by Nick and Ross Katen, are spindly-limbed twins sporting handlebar mustaches who debut with lip-syncing Bobby Troup’s song, “Daddy” (“Daddy I want a brand new car, champagne, caviar). The twins, an obvious crowd-favorite, draw catcalls and hearty laughs throughout the night whether they frolic about nude with just a scanty towel between them, or sashay in gold-sequin bodysuits while waving peacock-feather fans.

For two and a half hours — including two intermissions — “Cinderella” oozes sparkly stuff and titillates with cheeky dance numbers, breathtaking aerialist maneuvers, and sexy costumes. The musical selection includes probably…

Thanks for reading Bushwick Daily.

Create your free account or log in to continue reading.

By continuing, you agree to the Membership Terms and Privacy Policy.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of Bushwick Daily. See membership options

Thanks for being a member.

Read next

Arts & Culture

“Cinderella” Is a Tantalizing New Performance at Theater XIV in Bushwick

How many different things can you do with a glass slipper?

Experience the Magic: Company XIV’s “Nutcracker Rouge” in Bushwick

Theater ·

Carrollian Gluttony Returns to Bushwick

Music and Nightlife ·

A Place Where Cocktails Can Be Magique

Food & Drink ·

Advertise with Bushwick Daily

Reach North Brooklyn, and the New Yorkers who read it.

Written in Bushwick, read across the city since 2009.

129K site visitors a month 1–2M Instagram impressions a month 24K email list members
Advertise with us →
Become a member of Bushwick Daily