Tom Lynch

DePaul professor Rachel Shteir certainly did a gigantic amount of research for "Striptease: The Untold History of the Girlie Show," her investigation of the history and significance of burlesque. Shteir traces the performance from vaudeville roots in the nineteenth century all the way to the sexually liberated 1960s. The author sheds light on individual performers and opposing politicians from the past and argues that the strip show may be the most American of all entertainment. Though that may seem a little extreme, Shteir makes solid points delivered with forceful prose. It's a modern art form, she says, with an amazing rollercoaster history full of heat and hypocrisy, and she fills the book with nearly a hundred paintings, photographs, and illustrations from every era. Though a reading from the book would be enough, Shteir's bringing along a slide projector; it should be wild.

Rachel Shteir discusses "Striptease: The Untold History of the Girlie Show" on January 11 at 57th Street Books, 1301 East 57th, (773)684-1300, at 7pm. Free.

(2005-01-04)

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