Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers' CLLAW XXII Match

The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) declared its 22nd champion at the Logan Square Auditorium last Saturday and lady, oh lady, was it a hoot.

Presented by Sideshow Theater Company, Chicago's baddest bicep-baring babes took to the stage before an audience that had just as much skin in the game as CLLAW's dueling wrestlers. Lead by CLLAW's Mistress of Ceremonies the vivacious Rockke L. Squelch produced an evening as interactive as it was charming.

Throughout the performance, audience members are encouraged to purchase CLLAWBUX, the official currency of CLLAW, so that they may bet on their favorite wrestlers. CLLAWBUX also double as raffle tickets. After a match concludes, sassy-shooter Squelch draws a CLLABWUX from each wrestler's bucket and announces a "loser" and "winner" of that round's raffle. Those daring enough to bet may find themselves going home with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pencil pouch, or four VIP show tickets to the iO Cabaret Theater... both winners if you ask me.

Not the gambling type? A portion of all CLLAWW show tickets and CLLABUX sales go to a partner charity, so this is basically the best place to get your feet wet. CLLAW XXII benefited the Chicago Arts Partnership in Education (CAPE), an organization that partners local artists with over 100 Chicago Public School teachers to incorporate visual, digital, and performing arts into everyday academics classrooms.

The performance space was that of an arena stage, allowing audience members to get up close and personal at every angle. Fear not, though, should you ever find yourself stuck in the back of the room -- these gals dress to impress making the action easy to see from any spot in the room.

CLLAW includes a variety of female-identified participants who embody new and familiar characters, through over the top dress and their boisterous mannerisms. The audience can't help but chuckle as AphroDYCKIE, Hilary Rod-Arm Clinton, Knuckleberry Finn, and others enter the stage with their smooth talking managers by their sides. Crazy Dukes and The Permanator started off the bracket tournament that led to an eventual Underdog Match where wrestlers could fight their way back into the game. A helpful guide is provided to keep the audience engaged and up to speed throughout the entire show.

Like any good sporting event, audience members were led into a half-time performance turned dance party as Crazy Dukes and Co. played the best Pixies cover ("Where Is My Mind?") I've ever heard. Everyone moved and grooved their way into the second half of the show, which ultimately pinned Cursula and The Doctor against one another for the sought-after bedazzled CLLAW gloves. The Doctor won and the crowd rejoiced!

The only thing bumming me out about this brawl is that it's only held three times per year. If the company ever has the time and means to make this a monthly or even quarterly performance, I believe it would be well-received. I'd like to see how the ladies of CLLAW could further develop their characters and the dynamic between their opponents.

However, Sideshow Theater Company has a few other performances to catch before it concludes its 2015-16 season.

The 22nd Annual Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) was held on July 18 at Logan Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. For information, visit http://www.sideshowtheatre.org/performances/productions/cllaw