The devilishly delightful Minnie Mercury is a stage manager extraordinaire, teacher, mentor, and joy purveyor with Atlanta burlesque's The Candybox Revue.
Her heart is both twisted and beautiful, without contradiction! And don’t get us started on her hilarious award-winning performances and choreography.
We know you will be both entertained and inspired with this peek into the Mind of the Marvelous Miss Minnie.
If someone was going to make your life into a movie, what genre would it be, and who would play you?
I admire her to pieces, so I would be SO honored if Melissa McCarthy portrayed me in a film. I feel the movie would definitely be a dark comedy…slightly creepy…slightly suspenseful…and full of weird, absurd, off-putting humor.
Who is the funniest troupe member in real life?
Vida is secretly the troupe comedian. Her sense of humor is truly so genuine and unexpected. She may be quiet, but when you get to know her, she will have you rolling!
What is next for you in terms of performance, creative projects?
I am working to develop a “classic” act, but with a Minnie twist. This act will be my version of a classic number but won’t be the most traditional classic number you have ever seen. I don’t want to give away the entire theme or act, but it will involve blacklight reactive feather fans and latex prosthetics.
What skills outside of performing do you bring to your performances?
Having a stage manager mindset helps in developing my performances. I work to create numbers that may look complicated, but are simple for kittens, lighting, and sound to work on. As someone who has worked with complicated requests over the years, I work to simplify the tech demands I make so that everyone’s job is easier.
Describe your best ever burlesque moment, it can be about you or anyone.
Getting to perform CBR’s most cherished and requested group number, “Echoes”, for the first time was one of the most validating and empowering moments in my burlesque career. Experiencing that moment with my troupe mates is something I will never forget…the energy from the audience…the tears at the end of the number…the emotional catharsis. This number has the most heart, soul, and
connection, and getting to perform that onstage with people I love is unforgettable.
What continues to inspire your performances?
Other people drive me and my inspiration. I love to work collaboratively on pieces, and I love to brainstorm with other people. Group performances have become some of my favorite things to create, and I love seeing how collaboration can bring out some of the best and most entertaining pieces.
In terms of burlesque, what are you most proud of?
Seeing people grow within the troupe both onstage and offstage. I love teaching and mentoring, and I love seeing people find what they truly love, and blossoming. This troupe is thriving, and I’m so proud that we have created an environment where people can learn and excel.
What is your number one (and possibly 2 and 3) top tip(s)?
Don’t create things based on the concept that you should create what is “normal” in the burlesque world. Be you and create art that you enjoy. Burlesque is not for anyone else but yourself so ensure you are really telling your truth on stage. Also, your acts will continually evolve, and you will continue to find different ways to tell your story; don’t feel it has to be complete or perfect right out of the gate
because that ain’t gonna happen.
Do you have a cherished style of burlesque? Why?
Burlesque that can make me laugh will always hold a special place in my heart. If you are able to make an audience chuckle while showing them your boobs, I give that performer all the kudos. It’s 10 times harder to make an audience laugh than it is to make them cry, and I admire anyone who can get folks giggling.
Describe your most challenging costume or prop.
Two Halloweens ago, I performed a number that was inspired by the Marvel show “Moon Knight”. That number really pushed me in terms of costuming as I had to create a straitjacket for myself to wear. Straitjackets are not available in plus size, so I had to figure out how to create one for me that would fit and be strippable (ya know…real straitjackets aren’t meant to come off). I ended up teaming
up with Platinum Pussycat and creating a straitjacket out of several white button-up shirts. I have only performed the act once, but I would like to revisit it and make some tweaks as I feel I could improve upon it even further.
What is something notably empowering about burlesque?
Reclaiming ownership and accepting your own body no matter how it feels/looks/is perceived. Burlesque allows you to make your body your own, and there is nothing more empowering than owning who the fuck you are.
You can find Minnie and fellow members of The Candybox Revue burlesque shows at Metropolitan Studios in Atlanta.