Portland Strip Clubs: Taking to the stage
by exoticinportlandThe story follows stage mother Rose as she pushes her daughters June and Louise toward stardom in the 1930s. Louise becomes a striptease artist and takes the name Gypsy Rose Lee.
“It’s a strong acting role in addition to singing and dancing,” Johnson said about playing the character of Gypsy. “It’s nice to be able to constantly learn something new. It never gets old.”
“Gypsy” presented Johnson with two challenges: playing a character from 14-23 years old and a burlesque dancer, which means giving the audience the illusion of nudity.
Johnson said she tried to pick up on the nuances of the different ages she plays as the character develops and matures.
“Those transitions are difficult to convey,” she said. “How does a 16-year-old hold her shoulders and how does a 22-year-old confident woman hold her shoulders?”
As the confident burlesque dancer Gypsy, Johnson had to get over the mental hurdle of doing a strip tease on stage.