January 18, 2002- Ladies and gentlemen, start practicing your wolf whistles. "Burlesque as It Was" is back with a new show.

Michelle Baldwin, aka "Vivian Va-Voom," is the founder and organizer of "Burlesque as It Was." A local troupe of dancers, actors and other variety-act performers, the group has been reviving the art of striptease and exotic dancing in its older and artsier form. Over the past few years, Baldwin has put together shows such as last year's "Around the World in 80 Girls," and now she's back with her latest creation, "A Spy in the Taj Mahal."

Imagine an era when vaudeville was king. Lovely women danced around onstage, a bevy of beauties showing a glimpse of skin, a seductive twirl, a sexy glance and a naughty dance. It was all about the tease, and the women of burlesque theater strove to maintain their air of mystery, if not their modesty.

For this production, the show includes elements of both exotic beauty, and '60s spy-movie campiness, with acts ranging from go-go girls to snake charmers, Hindu goddesses, and of course, the sexy espionage of Mata Hari.

Yes, there will be skin on display, but don't expect to see the silicone-enhanced Barbie-ness of many a modern stripper. Baldwin and her troupe are experienced dancers, but she insists that they are all "normal girls of all shapes and sizes." "I love the idea and attitude of it," said Baldwin. "The whole thing is about the tease and the buildup, with really sumptuous costumes, artistic scenery and so much creativity, as opposed to today, when there is maybe five minutes of dancing before they take their clothes off."

Along with the dancing girls, the show features Eddie Spaghetti - a mastermind villain in the form of a ventriloquist doll - plus Stimple and Stemple, the comic relief duo, the
juggling antics of The Stoolies, and the surf-guitar sounds of Maraca Five-O. To enhance the exotic vibe, Maraca Five-O is planning to add Indian instruments to their spy-theme sounds to round out the mystery and intrigue of "A Spy in the Taj Majal."So who will steal the show? Baldwin has a hard time picking her favorite act, but eventually settles on Bela, the Monsoon Garden.

"She sits on a swing, covered only in flowers, and pulls it all apart petal by petal. It's really gorgeous."

"Burlesque as It Was," Saturday, Gothic Theatre, $12, 21 and over, 8 p.m. (303-380-2333).