Mudflap Midge Takes the Stage

This is Lilly, not Mudflap Midge -- I'll get good photos of Mudflap when we perform in October.

Back in April, I stepped onstage for the first time in a long while — this time on a rolling stool behind a 3' tall frog named Mudflap Midge.

She made her debut at a local puppet slam. I said yes to the performance before I had time to overthink it — which, in hindsight, was the only way it was going to happen. I spent weeks building her, writing her number, stitching together something that was part medieval cabaret, part swampy burlesque, and 100% unhinged.

By the time I arrived at the venue, I was feeling nervous. And not just regular performance nerves. I was suddenly very aware that most of the other acts were cerebral, serious, socially resonant pieces — thoughtful, important work about identity, climate, loss.

And I had… a frog. Stripping. To a jazzy medieval ballad. With a feather fan and a lily pad shaped thong forged from brass.

I’ll admit, I got in my head about it. I questioned if I had made the wrong choice — if I had somehow misunderstood the assignment. But when the lights came up and Mudflap batted her lashes and started to sway, something shifted.

People laughed. They clapped. They hooted. I could feel them forgetting themselves. Letting go. Letting it be ridiculous. And in that moment, I realized I was proud — proud to bring something into the room that didn’t ask to be analyzed or decoded, but simply enjoyed.

There were wardrobe malfunctions. A few clunky transitions. One move that teetered between seduction and disaster. But Mudflap powered through. And after the show, more than one person told me they felt like they’d been transported to a real — if deeply questionable — burlesque lounge. Which is exactly the energy she’s going for.

She’s not polished. She’s not subtle. And she is absolutely too old to be showing that much leg. But she’s alive. And unapologetic. And kind of perfect for this moment.

I’ll be bringing her back this fall with a more polished number and a few strategic upgrades (structurally speaking). She’s just getting started.

And I’m grateful I get to follow her lead.