The Candy Gram: Jack Midnight

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Chicago's Jack Midnight who performs with the Belmont Burlesque Revue.

Where is your hometown?
Chicago

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I've been singing professionally for 27 years, and I've been a professional actor and improvisor for 24 years now. I've been a Bettie Page devotee for about 20 years now, and have been active in the burlesque community for 4 years.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Me? None. My girlfriend? Too many to count.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Steppin' Out With My Baby, Fly Me To The Moon, and Mack the Knife.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
My microphone, my vintage tux, and some good backing tracks.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Well, all of the Rat Pack, but Dean Martin mostly.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Other than the lovely ladies of the Belmont Burlesque Revue? I'm a big fan of Bloody Belle currently, but my vintage favorite is Tempest Storm.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My vintage tux jacket.

What's the last movie you saw?
Children of Men

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Eureka, Big Love, John from Cincinatti, and Smallville.

What book is on your nightstand?
I've got several Neil Gaiman books of short fiction, I've got Steven King's Cell and I've got Blink on my nightstand right now.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
I've never been to Australia. That would be cool.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Flight. So I could take off and go anywhere any time I wanted. I guess the freedom of it all would be the hook.