"I'm very excited," performer Jonathan Betchtel said before the show began. "We're still getting our feet about us, but it's going well." Audience members might recognize Betchtel as the often over-the-top de facto host of the evening. His energetic charm immediately sets the stage, as he introduces his co-stars and warms up the crowd for a fun and raunchy evening.

Of course, Betchtel is just one part of a talented team that works hard to pull off unique shows every Wednesday through Sunday. "It's very fun," Betchtel said. "There's a team of us: one choreographer, Faye Pink, and then there's a writer and director. I get to make all the weird things on stage and then get to make an ass of myself every night, which is fun."

Betchtel has been working at Can Can for the last 17 years. Even though he's a stage veteran, he admits he still feels anxious about a new show. "I'm excited about it, and nervous," he admitted. "I'm just excited to see what goes well."

From an audience member's viewpoint, the show went perfectly. House of Hearts transports viewers to a magical fairytale land. The performers often rely on imagination in place of stage props, which only added to the innocent whimsy and carefree vibes the show carries.

The theme can be interpreted as pro-LGBTQ+. The message of the three-act production was summed up in the finale by the reformed antagonist, Queen Astral, played by Richard Peacock. "Legalize love," Peacock announced to boisterous cheers.

The show centers around a magical fantasy kingdom wherein love expressed in any form other than adoration of the self-obsessed queen is forbidden. Through campy musical numbers and erotic dances, the queen's daughter falls in love with the silly jester, Puck. While not to be taken too seriously, the show does leave viewers with a sense of inspiration and hope that even in the drab real world, love can conquer hatred.

Audience members seemed thrilled by the musical numbers, multiple costume changes, and impressive covers of classic pop songs. Crowd favorites included "Poison," "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Imagine," and "What's New Pussycat." The performers made these classic songs their own. Peacock's portrayal of the evil queen was an instant hit, with each appearance leading to delighted whispers.

Of course, the Can Can experience is not complete without fully experiencing the menu. Each new show comes with a fresh menu of clever creations from the dedicated kitchen artists behind the scenes. One of the best items was the croissant beignets, a new concoction that was somehow perfectly flaky and fluffy, served with a delicious choice of both caramel and berry sauces, the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during such a sweet show.

If you're looking for a pre-Valentine's date night, you can't go wrong with Can Can. Come for the charming show, stay for the amazing food, and who knows, you might just learn something new to show your partner at home.