When Sofia Luna, one of Miami's most revered burlesque performers and founder of Moon River Cabaret, first conceived of the House of Burlesquine, she wanted to create something that went above the usual burlesque fare. A longtime fan of Led Zeppelin, Luna envisioned a theatrical, immersive, sensual descent into the underworld of rock 'n' roll — a cabaret steeped in storytelling and spectacle. Drawing on the dark history of the occult, rock conspiracy theories, and the enduring mystique of Led Zeppelin, Luna's show originally premiered on Friday the 13th of October 2023. Now, the show returns to the stage for its second-ever performance, once again on Friday 13th.
"It took me two years to finally bring this show to life," says Luna. "From the beginning, I wanted it to be a spooky, fun show for Halloween — something with sex appeal, camp, and the supernatural. When I finally pitched the show to the original venue, the only date they had available was Friday the 13th, which felt perfect. That's how the tradition started, and now we only perform the show on Friday the 13th."
The idea sprang from a longtime tradition Luna had with her best friend: The two would share a bottle of wine and dive into YouTube rabbit holes and rock 'n' roll conspiracy documentaries. "The videos we would watch on the alleged occult history of Led Zeppelin were particularly unnerving; they have such a crazy history and so much great music. I knew I could make a really cool show out of it."
The narrative, a loosely woven Faustian tale, follows three struggling burlesque performers from Miami as they embark on a journey to Scotland's infamous Boleskine House. The mansion, once a home on the shores of Loch Ness, has long been linked to occult rituals and alleged paranormal activity. Previous owners include the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley and Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. In Luna's production, the showgirls arrive hoping to make a deal with the Devil, only to be seduced into an absurd supernatural descent.
South Florida drag performer Jellika Boom emcees the show as the Devil herself. In her role, she plays both narrator and instigator, guiding the audience through the night and breaking down the story between acts. The rest of the cast, comprised of South Florida drag and burlesque performers, is equally impressive: Regina Cocoa, Ali Samadhi, Le Belle Michele, Damien Lenore, and Mistrex V.
The depth of the storytelling sets the House of Burlesquine apart. Though it's packed with the sparkle and sensuality audiences expect from burlesque, it's also intentionally comedic and eerie. The show cleverly weaves camp and absurdity into its darker themes, all while incorporating the timeless music of Led Zeppelin.
"I am very excited for people to get the chance to experience this second iteration of the show. We are making it bigger and bolder than before, " says Luna. "We were inspired by shows we all love that combine the spooky with humor, like The Rocky Horror Picture Show or Little Shop of Horrors."
With only one night to catch the show, the stakes are high — just the way the Devil likes it. For those lucky enough to snag a ticket, the House of Burlesquine promises a night of temptation, transformation, and glamour.
The House of Burlesquine. 9 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Sandbox Miami Beach, 6752 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-604-1000; Tickets cost $19 to 40 via eventbrite.com