The Muse brings “Purrrlesque” to Cavalier Theater

Music, dance, lingerie, and … cats? 

Despite the name, the Muse theater’s Love Kittens Purrrlesque show doesn’t actually have any cats. Instead the “kittens” are a group of local women bringing vintage burlesque to La Crosse.

The troupe had their debut performance last month, while another is coming up Saturday, and this one is Halloween themed. Costumes are encouraged, there will be prizes and a special guest dancer.

Reignyn Khaos is a drag artist who just won Miss La Crosse Pride, and will be making her debut with the Love Kittens. 

The Love Kittens Purrlesque performs on Saturday with shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by clicking here.

The Purrrlesque shows are the first time the Muse is performing at its new space at the Cavalier Theater in downtown La Crosse.

The Muse’s old building was in a church on the north side of La Crosse. After Covid-19, however, the space became difficult to maintain.

While the Muse is still planning on doing performances in its original space, The Cavalier offers a unique venue for some shows.

Vicki Elwood, the Muse owner, said they plan on doing a mix of shows at both locations.

“It’s been different because our theater was in a church and it’s quite small in comparison to the Cavalier,” Elwood said. “What it offers to us is a larger audience capacity and a larger stage. Also visibility. There is something about being downtown that is just more visible.”

And of course, the Cavalier’s atmosphere is perfect for vintage burlesque.

“It’s a vintage swanky bar and then you have the theater next to it. It’s perfect,” Elwood said.

Elwood wants the show to represent all body types and hopes that audience members leave the show with some new found confidence. 

“The way people are embracing burlesque, is that they find it very empowering to embrace their bodies and feel like its okay be a sexual being,” Elwood said. “Love your body. In our group there are all sizes, and they are all admired. It’s beautiful.”

She hopes audiences will give burlesque a chance, even if they have some reservations.

“What would it hurt? Just come, sit in the back, and if they find they don’t like it they can leave, but I think they’ll find that they’ll enjoy it.” Elwood said.