B.B. Bubbles (Cabaret)

Photo of B.B. Bubbles for promotional purposes.

B. B. Bubbles is a pink elephant character that played as a cabaret act in the Pizza Time Theatre. Much like the other cabaret acts, Dolli Dimples and Artie Antlers, she played the piano/calliope and sang. She was in stores from 1982 to early 1983, and was rather short lived and retired right before Pizza Time Theatre was bought out by Showbiz Pizza.

Appearance and Variants

There are three known versions of B.B. Bubbles. The earlier prototype design was made in 1982, followed by another prototype, then the finalized design that was later widely used . The first prototype featured a silvery tulle dress, with a shiny silver belt and neck ruffle. A flower is seen on the center of the belt. Her hair coils are notably teal instead of silver. The prototype also has dark eyes, and lacks the character’s jewelry and headdress.

The final version of the character features a silver/blue tulle dress with a matching tulle neck ruffle. She has silver curly hair, with a fancy feathered headdress and a shiny appliqué on her forehead. The character also has earrings on the bottom of her elephant ears. She grips a microphone in her trunk. Her irises are light blue, and her eyelids are seen typically as blue with a pink or silver eyeliner made of sequins.

Movements and performance

B.B. Bubbles featured the same movements as the other cabaret characters, as she was a cosmetic retrofit of them. In 1982 stores could purchase an installation package that would change an existing character into B.B. Also available to purchase was a bubble machine to add to her set. One notable change is that Dolli’s breast movement would have to be modified into B.B’s trunk movement. Her head and eyes moved like the other standard cyberamics.

BB Bubbles in a store

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  The prototype BB Bubbles at the Pizza Time Theatre headquarters (credit: Kathy Hopp)

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  BB Bubbles at Danvers MA in 1985 (credit: Shiny Happy Jen)

Her backstory is that she was an elephant traveling with the circus across America. Her performances commonly featured a lot of Americans music to represent this, as Chuck E told her to “sing about all the places she has been”. She joyously sings her showtapes with a high pitched voice and giggles often.