If you live in NYC then you've definitely heard The Buzz about The Box. I first heard mention of it about a year ago with anticipation of it's opening in early 2007. I was in Chicago at the time and didn't think about it much about it until I got back to the east coast and heard a few first hand accounts. For those who don't know, The Box is the brainchild of Richard Kimmel (The Wooster Group), Randy Weiner (The Donkey Show), Simon Hammerstein (of last name fame) and Serge Becker (La Esquina, Club Area). They spent a few million bucks to convert a historic Lower East Side sign factory into a dinner theater-performance-lounge space that would serve as home to their fun and freaky burlesque show. Cordell Lochin (La Esquina, 205 Club) is also involved in the venue as designer and man with the deep celebrity rolodex. I read that he got his start as the doorman at Twilo before becoming special events director at Life - ha! In any case, now that you have the background, let's get to the good stuff!
The Box is not at all easy to infiltrate. Apparently it's very tough to get on the list which is run through the owners and even if you do, you're gonna drop some serious coin. Most bottles will run you *at least* $500 and you *could* drop $50,000 on a bottle of Dom Pérignon if you're a real baller. If you're on a budget don't worry because you can stick to the martinis which are a steal at $19. Normally I wouldn't even consider going to a joint like this, but the promise of vaudeville and the list were enough to lure me (thanks Dale!). We warmed things up in the bar area and then hovered in the front room before being whisked upstairs by one of the owners to the front, right box overlooking the stage. We were greeted with bottles, popcorn and french fries (yes!) and a birds eye view of the action which included: a woman with a bloody vaheen straddling a mirror, a man pulling a balloon out of his arse, a cowboy doing lasso tricks, a beat-boxing-break/tap-dancing duo, a fire eater, aerial dancing gay batman and robin, a jazz band and the act of the night... The Porcelain Twins (pictured). I can't even describe what they were doing (my mom reads this!) but I'm guessing your dirty minds can read between The Box(es). The show was obviously very fun and entertaining, but the patrons provide their own, separate drama. That place has everything from booty spanking and fry flinging to waiter humping and goth girls gone wild... and that was only in our booth! Downstairs there was even testosterone rage vodka bottle chugging and couch grinding, among other things. All in all an extremely fun and entertaining night out...I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND it especially if it's on somebody else's dime (-:
On a separate, but related note... we started the night up the street at 205 which I mentioned earlier. I was really digging the vibe during our short stay at that place and would love to go back. And now I know why... an article I just read quoted Creative Director, Aaron Bondaroff, as saying "we just wanna bring in junkies, faggots, skaters, and weirdos.” Love it!
