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Monica Bellucci in
Spectre notwithstanding, ageism is rampant in Hollywood. And unlike the equally discriminatory Silicon Valley, in film, it's directed almost exclusively toward women. (Witness the 37-year-old Maggie Gyllenhaal being told she was too old to play the romantic interest of a 55-year-old male lead last year.) It makes a gymnast's career arc look rosy by comparison.
So to hear about a show at Beatbox that features the talent of women over 40 — even up to their early 70s — should encourage anyone who suspected they were approaching their expiration date no matter how vital they looked and felt. Hula hooper, performer, and activist
Revolva will exit her 30s on the night of April 22, and to own her mathematical age the same way she's owned her body's skills, she's put together a variety show as part of the weekly Red Hots Burlesque that's filled with badass women — including a 58-year-old belly dancer and a 72-year-old showgirl — called
BroadMinded.
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That showgirl is
Sandy Eggers, who's part of the 55-and-up Vegas-style revue troupe
The Golden Follies (all of whom will perform). The belly-dancer is
Leela, an Angeleno who didn't even learn her art until her late 30s. Joining them are pole acrobat and wearer of many (literal) hats
Shelly Elle, burlesque demoness
Isis Starr (late of Moulin Rouge), vocalist and empress of slam poetry
Nazelah Jamison, tigress of queer standup
Karen Ripley — and of course, Revolva herself, who will ring in her birthday at midnight, after the show.
In other words, sexism and ageism have been put on notice. Ingenues, take heed: This is 40 — and beyond.
BroadMinded,
Friday, April 22, 8 p.m., $15-$25, a Beatbox, 314 11th St. Tickets.
