Episode notes: Opera Without Costume

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I was volunteering at the Western Nudist Research Library one day about six years ago, scouring through old media materials held there, when I came across a CD called Songs for Naturists.

I had never heard of it before. The CD itself appeared to be a modest production, maybe even something self-produced. It was a recording of live performances from naturist events, and while I found it immediately charming, I had no idea that there might be a larger story behind it.

The inside cover featured Leonard Lehrman and Helene Williams, an older portrait of an 1980’s-styled middle-aged couple I assumed were probably exactly what the title suggested: quirky naturist cabaret performers who had created a collection of songs about stripping down.

That alone was enough to make me curious. But I had other research fish to fry, so I placed the CD back on the shelf and didn’t think much more about it.