Fabrizio O. Almeida

Korean-American, self-proclaimed "fag hag" and in-your-face "knows just what it takes to make a pro blush" doyenne of all cult comediennes Margaret Cho has a new label to flaunt: Mistress of Ceremonies. Capping off a sold-out engagement in Los Angeles, and prior to an Off-Broadway run beginning previews in New York on September 26, her "Sensuous Woman" tour stops by Chicago’s Lakeshore Theater for six shows only, through Saturday. Described on Cho’s Web site as a very racy and very wild burlesque-style variety show inspired by those old Las Vegas revues, and featuring an impressive line-up of popular and emerging comics, the show promises everything from belly-dancing to music, hilarious stand-up to a sexy and seductive finale that will have "everyone talking." No doubt Cho will extract fresh mileage from old standards ("We as Western feminists feel superior—at least in Afghanistan they get to be fat. I’d rather wear a burka than go on a diet."), but "Sensuous Woman" is really meant to "celebrate women’s bodies" and "expand our notion of what is beautiful." To that end, she’ll be helped by an ensemble of performers including transgender comic Ian Harvie, Internet rock star ("those shoes are mine, betch") Kelly, alter ego of male comic Liam Sullivan, "Glammy-winning" burlesque sensation Miss Dirty Martini and comedians Diana Yanez and Kurt Hall of the Los Angeles-based Gay Mafia comedy troupe. You might rename it "Margaret Cho’s Sensuous Women."

"Margaret Cho: The Sensuous Woman: A Sensational New Variety Show" runs at the Lakeshore Theater, 3157 North Broadway, (773)472-3492, through September 22. (2007-09-18)

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