“We look forward to welcoming you to dinner, decadence, and secret delights at Queen of the Night,” read the top of the invite I received from Drew Davis, Chief Brand Ambassador for the Concierge Sales Network. He organized a ladies night with six other women from around the city that are more or less associated with the hotel and hospitality industry – aside from the lovely Thuy Diep, who’s a notable fashion designer and met Drew through their neighboring office spaces – and gorgeous Gabriela Pires–a designer for her own line of beachwear.
The dress code begged for something astounding — something “you thought you’d never have the occasion to wear.” I had just the dress — a white, floor length gown that I’d bought without purpose, and truly thought I’d never have the opportunity to wear.
Dressed and ready to go, I walked over to the Paramount Hotel. Drew, Emily Yarbrough – director of marketing for the show – Laila DeMesme – Director of Corporate Sales for The Knickerbocker hotel – and Thuy were the first to arrive. Soon we were joined by vibrant and bubbly Joanna Buiza and Jennifer Trcka – Area Sales Managers at Hersha Hospitality Management. Céline Bossart – Marketing & Editorial Coordinator at Luxury Attaché – and Gabriela joined us as we waited for the cocktail portion of the show to begin. We spoke with Emily about what we could expect from the show — she warned that we could be potentially be taken by the arm and included in the performance; no one was sure what this meant – well except Drew who had been in attendance four times prior – but we were excited by the mystery of it all.
Promptly at 7:30 pm, the doors opened and our group was escorted by Emily to the outside entrance that opened to an intricate winding staircase, leading to the underground space which housed the event. Instantly, we were met by servers dressed in an odd mix of butler and mime – white halter vests with a black trim and buttons, black Bermuda shorts with white cuffs, black knee highs complete with sock garters, and black and white oxfords; they held trays with two drink options — a vodka or bourbon beverage was offered. Each taking a drink, we stood and waited to be allowed onto the floor.
Spying a group of seven beautiful women, a server pointed to our party and instructed us to go left into the room. What we found was a large banquet type space with a traditional stage on one end – haphazardly cluttered with chairs – an oval stage in the center – with a masked woman in a trailing blue cape – and a bar on the opposite end. Scattered around the center stage were tables of varying sizes–and on those tables, were performers doing a series of seemingly random acrobatics.
First to catch my attention was the large oval table closest to the velvet rope cordoning off the center of the room – on it was a blonde woman in a yellow knee length dress, and above her was a performer doing a handstand; they were face to face in the most intimate way. It took me a minute to realize that this woman was clearly a guest. I knew what to expect—slowly, different women from our party were led away by one performer or another, and were incorporated into the intriguingly bizarre act. We lost Laila early on; Joanna followed shortly thereafter; Céline was the last to go. Each were treated to a different oddity — each appeared to find it difficult not to laugh while they were forced to maintain eye contact, or hugged, or danced around by a trio of masked men. I was sure my turn would come soon — but was relieved when the center area was opened to the audience, and the seating began.
We stood by the largest table – hoping to reserve as many seats together as possible – and watched as the woman on the center stage, shed her large blue cape, and the performers joined her on and around the stage in an elaborate number that resulted in the jumble of chairs being carted off the other stage and placed around the tables.
Our group made it’s way to a round table directly in front of the stage which once held the chairs. Shortly after sitting down, a man with a microphone asked everyone marked with a Q, to stand.
Joanna was fortunate enough to be one of the few selected. Our MC chose a standing gentleman and asked him to pick from the ladies that stood and present her with a kiss; the woman he chose was instructed to do the same with the remaining gentlemen, and said man was asked onto the center stage. He participated in a process of elimination, whittling down the options from a few items held up by performers circling the stage. Ultimately, he ended on a hammer and was instructed to hold onto it at his table while the show proceeded.
Meeting the queen on the stage at the end of the room, the MC poured her a glass of wine, poured himself a glass, and toasted to the queen — followed by a flooding of performers dancing and tumbling, as servers weaved around the tables with trays of plates, glasses, and utensils – carafes of wine and water – and an offering of large olives, green grapes, baguette, and butter.
We dined on appetizers and drank as the show continued to unravel around us. A young woman in a muted and juvenile version of the queen’s gown, appeared on the stage–as aerialists hung from hoops around the room, and a man with a giant ring spun around the center stage.
Once the spectacle slowed, the MC appeared and called the gentleman with the hammer back onto the stage; he was gloved and instructed to use the aforementioned hammer to smash a terracotta statue in the center of the stage. The hammer hit the statue, and the lights blared as the music swelled.
What immediately followed could only be described as a darker, Grimm’s fairy tale version of Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest.” Servers in black rubber aprons appeared on stage, holding metal cages filled with bowls of dinner sides – roasted rosemary potatoes, and a green salad was presented on our table – followed by the entrees on platters and boards – we were given a spit with a roasted suckling pig wrapped in bacon.
Drew, being familiar with the protocol, stood from the table and started eyeing the neighboring meals attractive alternative; guests traded their lobster, giant head of cauliflower, and ribs, for cuts of our pig. He placed the lobster on the table, and Joanna reached over to tear a piece of lobster for herself and Gabriela; I decided I’d do the same. The stubborn crustacean refused to give, but I gave it a good yank and it split – spewing scarlet sauce all over poor Joanna’s white dress. I’m sure if the room were brighter, they would’ve seen my face instantly resemble the shade of splattered sauce. I tried to apologize, but with the noise and activity, it was difficult for me to relay my reparation. Gabriela and Jennifer on either side of her quickly used their napkins to rub white wine into the stains while I decided I was no longer hungry, and tried to stave my embarrassment — accident prone, even in evening wear.
As the meals were devoured, the performance flourished. The story-line began to take shape – there was an obvious romantic plot, as well as a succession of power between the queen and her ingenue. I don’t want to spoil the adventure – you’ll just have to see it for yourself to find out what happens. If you’re looking for something to do in the city, that’s different, exciting, and entertaining to no end, Queen of the Night is the show for you; it’s definitely worth the hype.
