The World Famous Pontani Sisters: How the Dance Troupe Redefined Burlesque Forever

The World Famous Pontani Sisters: How the Dance Troupe Redefined Burlesque Forever

May 5, 2026 · 1h 26m · Season 3 · Episode 1

About this episode

The episode features The World Famous Pontani Sisters discussing their impact on Neo-Burlesque and sharing stories from their career.

The World Famous Pontani Sisters take center stage in this episode of Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani! Diving headfirst into the rise of Neo-Burlesque and their role in shaping the movement, Angie joins her sisters, Helen Burkett and Tara Pontani Schad, in the hot seat as Brian asks the questions. From their early days performing on the Coney Island Boardwalk to becoming global dance icons, The Pontani Sisters share the real story behind the glamour, grit, and hustle that built The World Famous Pontani Sisters legacy. This episode is a deep dive into Neo-Burlesque history through the lens of The Pontani Sisters, covering their explosive rise during the late ‘90s and early 2000s revival. Hear how The World Famous Pontani Sisters booked tours before social media, performed across the country with The Straightjackets, and created unforgettable moments on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. If you want the inside story of Neo-Burlesque from the artists who lived it, The Pontani Sisters deliver. Whether you're discovering The World Famous Pontani Sisters for the first time or you're a longtime fan of the dance troupe, this episode is packed with wild stories…

People in this episode

Hosts: Angie Pontani, Brian Newman

Guests: Helen Burkett, Tara Pontani Schad

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Straightjackets

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