Necessary evil

The Dresden Dolls give Chicago a dark, burlesque variety show

By Kirstie Shanley
Published: January 6th, 2008 | 11:42pm

January 5, 2008, in Chicago — Transforming Chicago's Vic Theatre into a dark carnival, Boston two-piece the Dresden Dolls orchestrated an event for those in favor of dark, macabre burlesque in true variety-show fashion. If you were to close your eyes, it would be easy to imagine an elephant balancing on a tightrope. As the crowd at the sold-out, 1300-capacity venue crammed close to the front, Amanda Palmer's punk rock serenade synchronized with Brian Viglione's energetic drumming and dance moves.

The night's celebration of human diversity and talent began with two hula hoopers frolicking to music from a theremin, followed by a pair of burlesque flappers who twirled around a large pole in a way that felt unpredictable in their choreography. Spinning to the sounds of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen, the couple proved to be as mesmerizing as they were risqué, as one of the girls brought to mind a modern Betty Page. Somewhat stylistically similar was a dance act based on the death scene of Romeo and Juliet later on in the night.

Next on the bill was Two Ton Boa, a quartet from Olympia. Lead singer Sherry Fraser captivated the audience most when she let her voice flow smoothly. The band at times had a harder edge than the Dresden Dolls and though the drive was there, there's no doubt that some melody was sacrificed. Whetting the anticipating even further before the main event, Palmer emerged to introduce female solo artist Molly Robison. Though she only sang one song, the audience was very welcoming.

By the time Palmer and Viglione took the stage for their 90-minute set, there was a feeling of genuine camaraderie throughout the theater. The duo began with a cover of Pink Floyd's "In the Flesh," which was an interesting choice. As the Dolls' recorded albums suggest, their set had an unpredictable sense of urgency, showcasing personal songs based on intimacy and relationships. This certainly was the case for "Missed Me" and "Half Jack," which were definite highlights. The songs were cascaded with elements of soft hushes, as well as frantic energy. The crowd cheered the loudest during their single, “Coin-Operated Boy,” as Viglione did the song's dance moves behind his drum kit.

Though Palmer wore a ruffled dress, she at some points seemed to be all about punk rock. Getting political for a moment, she expressed how hopeful she was while watching the primaries in favor of Barack Obama. After playing some older material, the Dresden Dolls delved into unreleased songs that were widely accepted by fans, and Palmer announced that she will soon release a solo album produced by Ben Folds. Perhaps the show's best moment was saved until the very last. As an encore, audience members joined Palmer and Viglione on stage to partake in their rendition of Beastie Boys classic "Fight For Your Right." Inevitably, this party had to end — but it was easy to assume that each person left with the feeling that they were not alone.