Mr. B's Vaudeville All Stars harkens back to the most popular form of American entertainment from the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century. The troupe was formed by burlesque performers, writers, academics, visual artists, and musicians who wanted to join forces to present an old fashioned 10-in-1 for a modern audience. The Vaudeville All Stars have performed at The Slipper Room, Galapagos Art Space, and the Atlantic Antic in their own original shows with guest artists The World Famous *BOB*, World Famous Pontani Sisters, Scotty the Blue Bunny, Matthew Morgan of Happy Hour, Zog, and Ede Thurrell. They have created and produced full-length shows to critical acclaim including the US(n)O Camp(y) Show, Holiday Spectacular, and Holiday Smackdown. Lena and Leda the D'Arcy Twins.
Lil' June was discovered by Mr. B at the Lakeview Orphanage. A precocious and challenging child, she might have been destined for a workhouse if not for the kindness and vision of Mr. B. Before the tragic loss of her lovely, if less talented, sister and loving, if overbearing, mother, June was a regular on the vaudeville circuit. Lukki (a.k.a. Lucky), the burlesque legend of stage and
screen was an enigmatic figure whose legendary status has been relegated
to a historical footnote. Through detailed archival research, Lukki
has been resurrected out of the ashes of the Great Fire of Chicago and
placed back on center stage where she belongs. Modernized for a cultured,
twenty-first century audience, Lukki has since become a regular fixture
in the burlesque circuit. Through what others have called "post-modern
burlesque" and what she calls "narrative performance art",
Lukki explores issues of popular culture, critical theory, politics,
and sexuality in her highly physical performances. At the tender age of four, Twirl’s mother thrust a tiny baton in her tiny hand and the rest, as they say, is history. This Sweetheart of Kentucky has dazzled audiences at Kentuckyâs State Fair, Joeâs Pub, The Cutting Room, and The Slipper Room. The Knitting Factory, and Galapagos Art Space among a host of others. Her interpretive rock and roll baton twirling is an experience like none other!!! Mr. B is the enigmatic yet driving force behind the Vaudeville All Stars. Born Ward Belanski on the LES, he had a troubled yet colorful childhood as a runner for Penny's Saloon on the Bowery. Since then, he has dedicated his life searching for odd and talented acts and believes that, with the current troupe, his dream of recreating the gilded glory of the vaudeville stage has been achieved. On one of his many altruistic crusades, Mr. B. rescued a horse from imminent death at a glue factor and fondly named him “Buttons”. Luckily, Buttons had an uncanny ability to keep time with his hooves and a propensity for the stage. Despite recent PETA attempts to kidnap him, Buttons is happy to perform with the Vaudeville All Stars. Anna Copa Cabanna is the newest member of Mr. B's Vaudeville All Stars! So new, says Mr. B, that she ain't got a picture yet! Come back and visit again soon for more!!!
copyright 2004 vaudeville allstars
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While utilizing the structure and concept of vaudeville ("something for everyone"), the Vaudeville All Stars aim to subvert dominant notions of vaudeville as a "polite" form of variety theatre. Instead, we seek to bring the social commentary, political undertones, and sexual politics that were always embedded in vaudeville to the foreground. Primary archival research at the New York Public Performing Arts Library and the Library of Congressâ American Memory Page began years ago and the fruits of the troupesâ labors premiered in May 2004. 
Born
in Havenshire, England in 1898, these beauties moved to the states with
their father after their mother passed away giving birth to the twins.
They settled in Philadelphia where their father, Harold, enjoyed success
in the beer industry. The twins suffered another loss in 1901 when their
beloved father was killed in a devastating brewery fire. That year,
the girls entered a program at the Mutter Medical Research Center and,
in 1905, they won first price in the Mummer’s Day Parade. They
have enjoyed much success in shows such as Big Apple Sideshow, La Rose
Follies, and now with Mr. B’s Vaudeville All Stars. Lena would
like to pursue a career in nursing while Leda looks forward to a long
career on the stage. 
