Deana Pendragon’s life is moving so fast it requires a theme song—you know that part in the movie where they play an oh-so-appropriate tune with snippets of scenes that time-travel a character through falling in love, or coping with tragedy, or moving up in the world, well for Pendragon-- a.k.a. Big Mamma D-- it’s “Big Girl Makes Good.”
A year or so ago, Pendragon was a self-described “big girl with a serious day job and no creative outlet.” But a performer’s urge was instilled in her from the day she was old enough to sing. Her grandfather would plop her atop the picnic table, say, “Ok, pumpkin,” and watch with pride as she entertained the unsuspecting guests.
In between faxes and phone calls, through daydreams and conversations, an idea began to take shape. Pendragon pictured classic style burlesque, all glamour and class and good old-fashioned sex appeal. She imagined herself Big Mamma D, Matron of the Show, selecting costumes, song choices, and venues. Then, she simply spoke her dream, explaining her concept to a friend who owned The Spot, a local club. He jumped at the chance to headline something unique, and booked Big Mamma D’s Burlesque Show as soon as she could have it ready. Since that first show on August 5th 2006, things have snowballed. Pendragon founded Big Mamma’s Productions, hired dancers, singers, sideshow acts and magicians, attended the Miss Exotic World Pageant, and put on 17 shows. Big Mamma is also the company’s web designer and manager, promotion staff, costume designer and creator, choreographer, and hair and makeup stylist. But she doesn’t feel like she’s done everything by herself.
“Since I’ve started this the doors keep opening. I get there [to one level] and people are like, ‘Where have you been, let’s go!’ And I’m thinking, ‘I just got here.’ Then, they open a door to the next level.” Big Mamma D believes this phenomenon is a result of her pursuing something she loves while being honest and reliable. Consider this. When she started, one of her ultimate dreams was to perform at The Visulite Theater, a tall order in Charlotte entertainment. Big Mamma’s third show ever was scheduled for December 2, a Saturday, at The Spot. On Wednesday she got a call, “Have you been by the club?” The doors were shut tight, venue closed, out of business. On impulse, she checked the Visulite website. Nothing was scheduled for that night, no performance; unheard of for a Saturday night. She started calling frantically but, as Deana Pendragon, got nowhere. Then she remembered a friend who had recently played the Visulite and called him to get the club owner’s cell phone number.
“I’ve got a full show, girls, costumes, everything, all ready to go!”
Bernie Brown took Big Mamma D up on her offer. The show went so smashingly, he made her an offer: bi-monthly shows for the rest of the year. Big Mamma’s serendipities didn’t end there. She randomly met Hannibal The Magician (gomagicboy.com) who has a world title in close-up magic but absolutely won’t accept payment for his part in Big Mamma’s Burlesque Shows. He simply wants to support the concept (and is too humble for even this much praise). SideShow Bennie (sideshowbennie.com) does a whole host of classic sideshow acts: fire eating, sword swallowing, hanging things from body piercings--you know, all the normal stuff. Bennie likes Big Mamma’s act so much, he takes a break from his cross-country touring to be in her shows, for little more than his expenses, and even takes time to teach Big Mamma a trick or two. (We can thank him for her glow stick eating talents. A 24-incher goes in unlit, but after she takes a bow, which causes an internal cracking of the stick, it comes out glowing.) Bennie was taught by an old-time carnie, a guy who actually resided near Giant’s Camp, an infamous retirement spot and winter quarters for show people in Gibsonton, Florida.
Said Big Mamma, “Once I tapped into the sideshow family it was like I tapped into a WHOLE family: burlesque and Vaudeville people, sideshow folks, magician types, carnies. It’s like they all understand each other. And here I found myself connected to this legacy, and they just welcomed me in.”
I’d been talking to Big Mamma D over drinks at Snug Harbor for almost an hour. Though it all sounded fabulously interesting, I still wasn’t sure exactly what her burlesque show is. Big Mamma threw her head and four feet of red hair back in laugher, “Oh, yes, of course.”
Big Mamma stages classic burlesque which, simply put, showcses striptease as an art form using wit and humor. There are two schools of burlesque; the other is performance art (experimental, abstract, more extreme and modern), which Big Mamma D is just not into. She prefers old-school Vegas/Hollywood Burlesque with sequined costumes, big voices, show tunes and slow seduction. This is not the strip club. It’s sassy, pretty, sexy, and intelligent, and, importantly still glamorous.
When you attend a show you can expect Big Mamma D to lead off with a crowd- stopping song.
“I don’t strip, I sing.” Pendragon was blessed with a strong, clear, and loud singing voice, the kind that draws people in, and she loves to take the stage and grab their attention. Next, Tits McGee might come out, dressed in a sailor outfit and dancing to “In the Mood.” She’ll take the better part of the song to get down to her red-studded skivvies. At some point expect SideShow Bennie and Hannibal the Magician to amaze you with their talents. The whole thing is emceed by Johnny Anonymous (who by the way, made an honest woman of Big Mamma D in a surprise wedding onstage July 14th!). Basically, expect the unexpected, and then don’t count on expecting that. But do expect that you’ll have a great time, something different than the club or bar scene and completely appropriate for date night.
“My show is a great place to bring a date. It’s lighthearted, fun, amazing, glamorous. There’s no dark, no feeling naughty. I’ve never had anybody say they didn’t enjoy the show.”
You can check out Big Mamma’s House of Burlesque show at the Visulite on November 10. She is expecting her biggest crowd yet and hopes it will ensure her show a 2008 run at the theater. Find more information at www.visulite.com and www.bigmammasproductions.com
You can also contact Big Mamma to spice up your next corporate event, fundraiser or holiday party. She can successfully adapt to a variety of events because she employs free agents. Pendragon will sit down with you and evaluate how much time you have set aside for entertainment and the type of show you are looking for. Then, she will select the appropriate performers to fit your needs.
And despite the whimsical nature of her business, Pendragon is a consummate professional, another key to the fast tracked success of her business. “Once you get a reputation for being where you say you’ll be, doing what you say you’ll do, people are excited to hire and rehire you.” Big Mamma doesn’t just audition her performers. She interviews them, believing it is most important that they have a cooperative personality that is going to work to deliver a professional act and a smooth show.
“People love to work with us. There is no backstage drama, and we leave the dressing rooms cleaner than we found them!”
Pendragon obviously loves to talk about the show, show people, the history of burlesque, and describes what she does with wholehearted enthusiasm. She asks, “How could I not love it?” and seems somewhat amazed that she is going out and doing this thing she loves. “Every time I talk about my show I just smile.”
Finally, I ask Pendragon what all this means to her, bringing us to her theme song. For her, it’s a personal pride in “Big Girl Makes Good,” defeating the stereotypes about beauty and defying their limits. Big Mamma D is the same size and shape as her grandmother, who was a size 18 at the age of 18, and realized she wasn’t going to let that define who and what she could be. She believes that people of varying weights can walk out on stage and be stunning, beautiful, and entertaining.
“When I step back and look at what I’ve created, I’m just so proud of the show and all it represents.”
~ Celina Mincey
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