FUNNY. SEXY. FIVE NIGHTS ONLY: THE RUBY BESLER CABARET AT THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL STARTS JUNE 11 AT THE ELEPHANT STAGE

“Funny is the New Sexy” is the theme of this show. Actually, funny has always been sexy and, as if to underscore the point, the eponymous star of The Ruby Besler Cabaret is the perfection in fashion, face and figure of the archetypal 1940s Dame, as seductive with a witty lyric or line of dialogue as she is with her curves.

Ruby is portrayed by the star and principal writer of this show, Anastasia Barnes, who is also a terrific singer. Ms. Barnes originally created the character of Ruby Besler in a popular web series in which Ruby gives advice to women (and occasionally to men) on sex and romance, always followed by an original novelty song with a sound appropriate to the 40s period. The advice is funny and very, very frank, as she advises ladies to keep their “panties on and heels on the ground.”

Ms. Barnes adapts the Ruby character to the cabaret setting. Ruby has gone to secretarial school in Manhattan while pursuing the dream(which she of course achieves) of being a Broadway star. Along the way, she beds and loses a great love before moving on to the next chapter of an adventurous life.

Although Ruby is definitely the star of the show, she is by no means alone on stage. There’s pianist Dorothy Diamond (portrayed by musical director Gere Fennelly), and also her dancers, The Rubies (Tatiana Giannoutsos, Regan Carrington,Laurel Vecsey, and choreographer Flame Cynders, all from the Fishnet Follies Classic Burlesque Revue).

There’s no nudity here, however. Although there are elements of burlesque here,they more convey the glamorous, feminine, retro sexuality of the period: Somewhat naughty, but not lurid.

A native of Boston, Anastasia Barnes graduated from University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked in both the Boston and New York theatre scenes and has landed roles in network and cable television shows, as well as in independent films. Since moving to Los Angeles, she created “The Ruby Besler Show” for the web, which was recently accepted into the Queer Fringe Festival in London.

Doug Oliphant directs The Ruby Besler Cabaret. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, his previous directing credits include “44 Plays for 44 Presidents,” “Bluenose,” “There Is Truth, Love Is Real,” “Betty’s Summer Vacation,” much more. He is also a movement director and fight choreographer.

Come to The Ruby Besler Cabaret. Let her sing a song for you and make you laugh. You’ll want to take her home with you.