Is that a banana in your pocket or...

...are you just excited to spit a chewed up wad of it into my mouth?  You didn't think that's where I was going with that title, where you?  Well, if you check out Empire, the new Spiegelworld show playing a once-vacant lot on 45th Street, you'll know exactly what I'm referring to.

Trish and I have been waiting for the Spiegelworld tent's return to NYC ever since catching their nasty Desir show almost five years ago at their former location at the South Street Seaport.  Equal parts burlesque, side show, circus, cabaret and performance art, it's a down and dirty alternative to Cirque du Soleil.  Think circus with an attitude -- and full frontal nudity!  And if that alone isn't enough to get you to buy a ticket, there's also a full service bar where you're encouraged to buy drinks and get wasted while you watch.

Trish and I had avoided seeing the show during previews because of the picket line.  Opening a show in the middle of the theatre district without the stagehands union's consent is just asking for trouble.  And with our good friend, Chris, the acting AGVA business rep, there was no way we would cross the line.  But happily, an agreement was reached just in time for opening night.

It seems the strike had its desired effect, because we were able to score free tickets to opening night (and there were still empty seats in the relatively small house).  You don't mess with Local 1, bitches!

Though its current location is considerably easier to access, it's lost some of its downtown mystique.  There was a certain allure and charm in venturing down to the financial district after hours.  Now, it's just a left turn at Times Square and you're there.  The great outdoor bar and restaurant complex overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge is also lost, due to the obvious lack of open midtown real estate.  The show, however, is still 90 minutes of raunchy fun.

The acts, as always, are amazing.  The intimate setting, audience interaction, performers with bare chests and garters, free-flowing drinks and x-rated banter make the experience much more engaging and entertaining than your average g-rated circus.

Unlike all other midtown venues, Spiegelworld also allows audience members to vidoetape and take (non-flash) photos. Below are some of the evening's highlights courtesy of Trish's iPhone.  Oh, and if you want details about the banana - well, you'll just have to buy a ticket or ask me privately, because it's just too nasty to describe. 

Flexible!

Yes, there's actually a contortionist in that big bubble.

What girl?  All I see are some tight pants.

This guy balances whale bones, pretty cool live, actually.