Interview Part 2: Green Tea, Octo Sushi and Chit-Chat with Kitten La Rue of The Atomic Bombshells

Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down at Octo Sushi with the enchanting Kitten LaRue of The Atomic Bombshells during a break from rehearsing her upcoming show “Lost in Space” which opens this week at the Triple Door (November 13). In Part 1 we discussed Kitten’s initial exposure and interest in burlesque growing up in New Orleans, her college studies and early interest in teaching and we began to touch upon the other influences in her life. In Part 2, we will broaden our discussion to include her recent marriage, relationship with her parents, touring experiences, how she came to call the Emerald City her home and how The Atomic Bombshells came to be.

Amongst the background noise of the restaurant, I took a moment to reflect upon the vibrant and gifted young lady sitting next to me as she took another sip of her warm green tea. Clearly she was bright, engaging and talented. She not only choreographs, scripts, directs and performs in her shows, but manages, produces and books them as well. No stranger to keeping busy, she recently got married, returned from her debut guest performance in an off-Broadway musical at Ars Nova in New York, begun rehearsing for “Lost in Space” and also is preparing for an Australian Tour with The Atomic Bombshells coming in 2014. It was hard to not be impressed by this go-getter, but I found myself intrigued about the experiences in life that helped to shape her into the unique person that she had become. I determined to start with her parents. I inquired how her parents reacted to her decision to pursue burlesque as her chosen vocation.

“That’s an interesting question. My mother and step-father…we have a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy because they are very religious, but my father, who is a musician and artist himself, loves it. He’s come to several of my shows. He’s totally amazed by them and very supportive.”