By Ernest Kearney — Blaze Starr, stripper and paramour of Louisiana Governor Earl Long (brother of Huey), and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor who shook the English monarchy to its foundation, shared in common Baltimore as a home town.
In his The Duchess and the Stripper, Playwright David Bosley envisions a meeting between these two women, who found their identities fused and lost within those of the powerful men with whom they had romances.
For Starr (Alli Miller), her association has ended with Long’s death, for Simpson (Blaire Chandler) pending death has brought an unwelcome revaluation of hers.
Directed by Ezra Buzzington, The Duchess and the Stripper is as sharp, fast and sexy as a “grind” number at the top of a burlesque bill. Miller and Chandler are excellent as the two historical notables as is Krista Conti as Starr’s younger sister who is all ga-ga by being in the presence of royalty.
Bosley’s script is well-studied and well-crafted, but the encounter between the two women brings no epiphany from their meeting other than that they met. Still the performances and Buzzington’s direction provides an entertaining and tantalizing look at two amazing women who found themselves subordinated to footnotes by the 
chauvinism of their day.
The Duchess and the Stripper achieves a TVO awarded, #HFF19
GOLD MEDAL
For More Information Go To: http://hff19.org/5693
Or Go To: www.theduchessandthestripper.com
For Updated Fringe Info: www.hollywoodfringe.org/
