Alaina Schmitt
Google
I was very disappointed with my experience at The Pigalle’s Valentine’s burlesque show. I purchased VIP tickets, expecting a premium experience, but quickly realized that "VIP" only meant having a reserved table in an incredibly cramped space.
Doors opened at 7 PM, with the show scheduled to start at 8 PM, but it didn’t actually begin until closer to 8:30. The production felt disorganized throughout. The venue had only one full bar staffed by a single bartender, along with a secondary outdoor station serving champagne and Jell-O shots.
The show itself was clunky, with constant technical issues. The sound and lighting technician had to be repeatedly flagged down for cues, and at one point, he mistakenly started a performer’s music over the background track, forcing her to restart. The MC—who also served as the owner and cook for the evening—was pleasant but openly admitted that hosting was not her usual role.
There were long, drawn-out breaks between acts to allow performers to reset, making the entire show feel disjointed. Ultimately, there were maybe 12 minutes of actual performance scattered across an hour of waiting.
I’m giving three stars solely out of appreciation for the performers, who did their best despite the production’s shortcomings.