Yesterday some friends and I went to see the Shim Sham Revue. It’s New Orleans version of a Broadway musical, meaning it’s a wonderful burlesque cabaret show straight out of the 30s and 40s. I’m so glad I finally got around to going because it was something truly remarkable to see. So much of the live entertainment in that part of the town ranges from ridiculous to hoky, but not this one. Unfortunately, the Shim Sham club is going to be closing down. It was the only reason I ever went anywhere near Bourbon Street. The word is that they got tired of bribing the fire inspectors, but I have a feeling that it won’t be gone forever. The French Quarter abhors a vacuum. Some kind of local celebrity theme bar is supposed to be opening there next, I think. I hope the people involved with the Shim Sham can find something entertaining to do somewhere else locally, because they were definitely a unique class act.
Update: The Shim Sham Revue is now touring, and cabaret lives at Le Chat Noir.