An Interview with Coney-Island-Savior Miss Cyclone

In the summer of 1927 the world famous Cyclone roller coaster made its initial ascent, cresting over a surging Coney Island boardwalk before taking a steep and ferocious plunge. Since then, both the iconic coaster and the neighborhood in which it’s located have seen its ups, downs, twists and turns. Long gone are the halcyon days captured in Weegee’s famous 1945 “Coney Island” photo. Still, many feel the cultural legacy of Coney Island should be preserved. A daunting task in the face of hard-charging real estate developer Joseph Sitt of Thor Equities who, given carte blanche, would have 1962’s Astroland replaced by lux-loft towers replete with an iPod deck in every room. Enter Coney Island native, burlesque superstar and the newly crowned Miss Cyclone, Angie Pontani, to the rescue!

As Miss Cyclone, Pontani has been handed the mandate of maintaining the integrity and authenticity of Coney Island as it fights off impending doom and metamorphoses into a modern day amusement zone. This past spring she opened Cyclone season by taking the first ride at a public appearance with borough president Marty Markowitz, testified before City Hall, choreographed and preformed along with 25 others in a high energy dance piece entitled "Fight for Your Right to Coney" in this year's Mermaid Parade, celebrated the Cyclone’s 80th birthday by riding it eight consecutive times with a set of local octogenarian roller coaster enthusiasts and threw out the first pitch at a Brooklyn Cyclone’s baseball game.

Who better then to act as ambassador to vintage glam than Pontani, who makes up one-third of the World Famous Pontani Sisters, a dance troupe which can be given props for resurrecting and successfully repositioning the art of high burlesque.

I first met Miss Cyclone in the early '90s when she was a teenage front desk attendant at a friend’s rehearsal and recording studio in Williamsburg. Never one to back down from a challenge, she’d skillfully skip around pools of blood streaming from the meat packing houses on N. 6th Street en route to procure cigarettes and beer for the paying customers. Acting her “of age” best, she’d always return with the goods without so much as being carded. Now as she packed her rhinestone encrusted sword and headed off for her ”Good Drugs Bad Women” tour of Australia, I caught up with Her Majesty.

Phil Smrek: How were you chosen to be Miss Cyclone?
Miss Cyclone: I've been riding the Cyclone for years, specifically the opening day ride. When Astroland asked me to be Miss Cyclone I cried tears of joy. One of the requirements of being Miss Cyclone is to be able to ride the coaster many times in a row, smile while you ride and do the pageant wave during the ride. Of all the requirements, this is quite possibly most important.

PS: As Miss Cyclone, how will you preserve and promote saving Astroland and surrounding businesses?
MC: I stay as educated as possible on the ever-changing developments. As I have always done, even pre-tiara, I encourage people to go to Coney Island and support it as much as possible. I sing the praises of the Cyclone wherever I go, as well as tell folks where I think you can get the best pizza pie, sausage & peppers, boardwalk beer and more. I really encourage people to get on the train and get out there as much as you can, because in the end, that’s what will keep Coney Island alive.

PS: What’s the verdict as fall creeps up on us?
MC: I’m not sure. I do know that Astroland’s closing day was September 9th. And while this may be the last season for Astroland, I want to stress that the Cyclone will remain open and operating, under Astroland’s guidance for years to come. It is a historic landmark, and rightfully so.

PS: What’s happening on other projects with the World Famous Pontani Sisters or otherwise?

MC: I am in the middle of packing for my trip to Australia. The second I get back, I'll be meeting up with my sisters to perform at the Capital City Carnival in DC with the likes of George Clinton and several other fabulous acts, after that I will return to NYC, where I am the featured dancer at Corio, the new burlesque hot spot in SoHo. One of the main projects I want to focus on when I return is reviving the classing Oyster Girl burlesque act, which involves me emerging from a 5-foot rhinestone encrusted oyster shell and performing a classic burlesque routine and dancing with a over sized pearl. The shell is currently under construction in L.A., and I hope to visit with the Original Oyster Girl, Kitty West, in New Orleans this fall for some tips and guidance. I love reviving classic routines and making them a bit more contemporary.

PS: When you spoke at City Hall was anybody listening?
MC: I hope so! There was a big crowd of press, politicians, Coney Island glitterati and supporters of the preservation of Coney Island. The press was certainly listening because both the Daily News and The Village Voice did features as well as NPR's Amy Eddings.

PS: Any salacious photos of Miss Cyclone that may surface and cause her to become a Page 6 item?
MC: I really can't comment, but in this day and age of tiaras being revoked for scandalous behavior, I take special precautions before engaging in dubious behavior!

For updated information on Miss Cyclone and the fate of Coney Island see: http://angiepontani.com.