Michelle L’amour, founder of Naked Girls Reading, thumbs through the antique “Come Into My Parlor,” a 1932 novel by Charles Washburn, at Madame X in New York. (Photo: Don Spiro)

Naked Girls Reading hits Cambridge on Friday. Some of you may have been naked girls reading for years, but this particular set of naked girls reading will be before an audience at Oberon in Harvard Square.

Scratch, of the Boston Babydolls burlesque troupe, says in a press release, “Naked Girls Reading is a treat for they eyes, ears, mind and palate. Guests are invited to sip expertly prepared cocktails at intimate tables in Oberon’s sensual setting. On stage, the Naked Girls read aloud everything from biography to Latin poetry and works from local authors.” (Indeed, themed readings have included everything from “The Song of Solomon” to a Zodiac killer letter from July 24, 1970, “Goodnight Moon” and the Declaration of Independence.)

Critical response has been good.

Anna Pulley, writing in Chicago Now, said she’d been disappointed in the past by bad readings of erotic poetry. “But the Naked Girls proved to be anything but mediocre,” she said.

That first evening, I was treated to readings and discussions of interconnected poems by Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath as well as works by Sharon Olds and Frank O’Hara; the only obvious evidence of erotica was a few dirty limericks played for laughs. I was impressed by the level of literary acumen (how often does the average audience in any venue get a lecture on poetic analysis?) and by how excited each reader was to take her turn. As each girl read, she leaned forward and her body reflected the tense arch of her chosen poem. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them, and it wasn’t just because they were naked.

The Cambridge performers will be Miss Mina, Bride Alton, Ivy Bowers, Jackie Raboin, Vicka Rael Corey, Ph.D., Vikki Likkerish and others, Scratch said.

Naked Girls Reading — begun when Michelle L’amour was found at home one night by her husband, reading naked, and they realized the excitement  they felt would be felt by others as well — has become a phenomenon in Chicago (where L’amour launched it in March), New York, Dallas and Key West. “There was a lot of competition for this franchise. We’re honored to be the ones to bring this fantastic series to Boston. I think it’s a great match,” Scratch said. “Naked Girls Reading is a very elegant and sensual evening, and The Boston Babydolls produce the most elegant burlesque shows in New England.”

Strong response from readers and audience point toward this being a regular event, Scratch said.

The show starts at 10:30 p.m. at Oberon, 2 Arrow St., with tickets costing $20 at the door and $15 ordered ahead. Call (866) 811-4111 or click here.