Princess and the City by the Graling Sisters and LeTabby Lexington
Venue #21: El Cortez

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An interview with LeTabby Lexington.

Describe your show in one sentence.

It’s a live pop cabaret burlesque show with Dueling Pianos covers of the songs that helped make the performers the strong women we are today.

Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description of your show?

It’s a classic modern day fairytale- a young princess is born in the city and through the trials, tribulations and new experiences she becomes a powerful queen.  This show provides the sound track with jazzy covers of female powered songs from the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s that help shape a young woman’s development. This is a super fun show, that mingles the joy of duelling pianos with exuberant burlesque celebrating female resilience and power.  What song do you listen to when you are sad? When you need a shot of bravery what do you jam to? When you are feeling yourself- both literally and figuratively- what fuels you? This show features music from Spice Girls, Salt ’n Pepa, Brittany Spears, Alanis Morissette and so many more.

How did this collaboration with the Graling sisters come about, and what do you each bring to Princess and the City? 

I met the Graling sisters years ago when we were working on a promo gig for Kraft Peanut Butter- we all instantly recognized each other.  I am a big fan of Sister Grey, their band at the time and they were a big fan of Send in the Girls Burlesque, my theatre company.  We talked about doing a collaboration show.  For years, when we would run into each other we would say “Oh yeah, we gotta do a show.” Finally last summer, we did our first show at

Finally last summer, we did our first show at Chvrch of John to great success, this was followed by a rockabilly themed show and a Halloween themed show.  Brit and Jenesse really wanted to be a part of the fringe so we hatched the plan to do a cabaret with a through line. Brit and Jenesse are amazing- their energy and positivity rivals my own.   We have always been so supportive of each other.  Their musical ability is incredible, when I first hear the tracks they send me to rehearse with, I often can’t dance around to them because I am in awe with how good they are. As a burlesque dancer who frequently performs to canned music, there’s comfort in the predictability- with live music there are the far more variables – I love it because it forces me to be super in the moment.  I think it makes the performance so much more powerful – because the audience is seeing the music live- everything is alive.  I think duelling pianos and burlesque compliment each other so well, they both compliment each other and show off the other’s strengths- it’s like an excellent sisterhood.

Can you tell us about the title of the show, Princess and the City – where did this come from and what does it signify in context of the show?

We wanted to do a modern day fairytale that celebrates the music that inspired us as young ladies- so that’s where the Princess comes from. Princess and the City harkens to Sex and the City- which the Gralings and myself watched as young ladies.  I remember being blown away by the frankness and openness in Sex and the City.   We wanted to bring that female empowered energy to our show.

Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?

If you like live music, high energy on stage- this is the show for you.  Audiences can sing along, grab a drink and have a great time- this show is definitely a celebration.

The 36th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is August 17 – 27. Get your tickets starting today – August 9 – at tickets.fringetheatre.ca .