Sweet Kellianne

Sweet, Sweet Kellianne

19th June, 2004

Would you like some spin the bottle cake? How bout a drink called the striptease? If so, I know just the girl who can make it for you. Her name is Sweet Kellianne and she’s stirring things up in LA with her one woman cookin’ show called whip it! Sugar and spice and everything nice… Playing at 2100 square feet in Los Angeles from July 16th through August 8th.

Q: In your own words, tell us what is Whip It?

Whip it is a one-woman show that I created, wrote, produce and star in that actually started believe it or not, as food photographs. Amongst everything else, I’m also a photographer. After I graduated from photography school and began assisting other photographers, I decided I wanted to shoot an artistic project of my own. So I decided to shoot my desserts, which are well known at my dinner parties for having naughty titles. I styled and shot all my photos at home with my large collection of vintage kitsch and was just going to give the little books to friends and maybe shop it as a book proposal. People started asking me if I could write stories to go along with the recipes. And before I knew it, the whole thing snowballed into a stage show. The show combines autobiographical stories that pertain to sex along with my dessert recipes that I make in my hello kitty kitchen. Plus I designed a lot of the costumes that I wear and they change with each performance. And I’m also exhibiting a few of those original photos in the lobby. I’ve added a 2nd 8mm film that I shot with an old brownie camera from the 50’s. It’s a lot to explain to people. They have a hard time with the idea with one person doing all these things. A photographer that cooks and performs and talks about sex. Wha? But I’m an artist. And I express myself in many different ways.

Q: And what kind of desserts do you make?

My desserts are really both simple and strange. Some of the recipes are really old fashioned. One of the recipes I do in the show is called the Striptease. It’s pretty much a good old-fashioned hot buttered brandy. Another recipe that I make, which I won’t give you the title of, is a peanut butter and jelly pie with a potato chip and pretzel crust. I created it after a late night at the pub. I worked in restaurants and catering for many years and learned a great love of food. I’m not a professional chef. But I’ve slept with a few! And don’t be surprised to find me doing something wrong in the kitchen. I’m every girl. I forget ingredients. I burn cakes. Just like you.

Q: Are you up their as a character or as yourself?

Well, sweet Kellianne is me turned into a cartoon, and then back into the flesh. She embodies all that I am from, my talents, my childhood, my flaws, my likes, my recipes, my obsessions and a few of my secrets from the bedroom. And as far as my choice of cookin’ attire? I started cooking in my knickers, heels and an apron with my first boyfriend. I love cookin’ for my fella. My mother raised me to be strong and independent. And that’s who I am. But there is an old fashioned side of me who likes to make the man in my life feel cared for. I find that very erotic, a turn on.

Q: May I be so bold as to ask what you find to be a turn on in a man?

Honestly, I like a man who was raised with proper manners. That’s rare. Opening doors, pulling out chairs, getting up for old ladies on the bus. And I love a guy that can build and fix things. One who truly has the knack. If you can build me a shelf, my belly flips and if your a problem solver; I’m putty in your hands. Throw me over your shoulder and take me home!

Q: Interesting… can you give us a little insight on the stories you tell in the show?

Well, I think it’s important to understand where I came from. What I was like as I child. Who I was raised by. That I had a happy childhood and wonderful parents. This makes the audience more comfortable. It helps them understand as the show progresses, why I do the things I do. This is just who I have always been. And that is why I really don’t have issues with my sexuality and why I so enjoy being a woman.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t have limits. There are lines that I dance upon but I will not cross and subjects I will not discuss. Like the art of the tease, you need to ease into things and you have to leave something to the imagination. That idea is so often lost in our culture today. I think that’s the beauty of my show and why men, woman, gay, straight and people 40 years older then me enjoy it. Theirs a flavor for everybody to share and enjoy. And nobody need go home with a bellyache. Unless it comes from too much laughter!

Whip It! Sugar and spice and everything nice… A one woman cookin’ show. Starring Sweet Kellianne. Directed by Maryann Majick. July 16- August 8. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Sugar and Spice Sundays at 7pm include complimentary dessert. Opening weekend benefit for Diabetes is Sunday, July 18th and includes raffles and desserts for $25.

All other shows are $15. 2100 Square Feet, 5615 San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA (between La Brea & Fairfax) Parking on the corner of San Vicente and Hauser. Reservations & Info 310-230-6911 or go to www.sweetkellianne.com