Apologies again for the lack of posts lately. I work for a university and it’s the end of the semester here. I haven’t had much time to get to anything done. I am going to try to make it for up today with one of my favorites things in my collection.
Peep Backstage, U.S.A. was a burlesque show that ran during the entirety of the 1962 World’s Fair. It was located on the Northeast corner of the Fairgrounds in the adult section of the Fair called Show Street. Show Street, under strict watch from the Fair and city of Seattle censorship board, featured numerous risque and bawdy spots including Gracie Hansen’s Paradise International Club (to be featured on here shortly) and “Les Poupees des Paris,” a nude marionette show produced by Sid and Marty Krofft.
The type of Show Street attractions varied throughout the Fair’s run. A salmon BBQ restaurant came and went. A Gay Nineties Review showed a glimpse of fun from the 1890s. The Paris Spectacular Wax Museum (also to be featured later) provided a glimpse of historical scenes, in wax form, throughout the centuries. The Japanese Village and Spanish Village Fiesta cultural displays were also located on Show Street. It was a baffling mish-mash with Peep Backstage building as the colorful anchor.
Directed by former Hollywood dancer, choreographer and three-time Academy Award nominee LeRoy Prinz, Peep Backstage, U.S.A. was billed as one of the most fabulous peep shows in the world. According to the souvenir book:
Backstage, U.S.A. represents a fresh saucy, and delightfully different presentation of show business in America. The lavish all-girl spectacular is in itself thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. But creator LeRoy Prinz has taken you far beyond this…om giving you the complete “behind the scenes picture as well – with nothing left.”
The roster of “beautiful girls” of Peep included:
Joyce Longshaw, Dolores Lepeck, Elizabeth Michaels, Wilhelmina Kerner, Kathryn Boyle, Sophia Sanlouis, Kamm Benise, Louise Rivera, Judy Stevens, Sharon Farnon, Gino Tondino, Jan Davidson, Pat Ryan, Nancy Dimock, Donna Henneberry, Barbara Gayle, Betty Downing, Jody Schafer, Sharon Baker, Marya Carter, Diane Mantee, Dody Harris, Diane Hunter, Suzi Odin, Barbara Bouchea, Adele Dolman and Jeannie Logan.
Peep promised a view of a cutaway of the rear of the theatre, with dressing rooms and showers below and stairs on both sides leading up to the stage on the level above. Advertising continuous activity, the show frustrated patrons with its lack of activity. The performers were often seen sitting, reading magazines or books and writing letters. There were so many patrons cycling through that the negative reviews never hurt attendance.
An 18-page booklet (NSFW) souvenir booklet with was sold for $1.00 on Show Street. There are some tame, topless photos, illustrations and more information about the production and the recruiting process. I scanned the entire thing and you can see it below the cut.
