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| - Sad to see the last remaining showgirl revue on the strip closing tomorrow, but I thought I'd still offer my thoughts about our recent visit. I'll be reviewing both the backstage Jubilee tour as well as the show.
Backstage tour: We couldn't pass up the backstage tour with a real showgirl which is offered a couple afternoons a week before performances. We met up with a group of about 30 inside the theater and were greeted by our showgirl for the tour, Ciara. She was as fit and gorgeous as you'd imagine and in a "conservative" costume as far as showgirl outfits go! (I was surprised not to see this costume in the show later, but it must be made just for the tour or other appearances.) We learned showgirls must be at least 5'8 or 5'9 (can't recall which) without heels before they are even considered. They sign six month contracts and must re-audition for a part in the show every six months! We signed our tour waivers and once it was time to start, headed on-stage. We learned about the many elevators on stage with all their moving parts, as well as the large gaps that high heels could easily slip into that the performers must learn to avoid while dancing and not looking down. We got to see the staircases many of the dancers must run up and down in heels between costume changes, with a large, heavy hat atop their head and a "backpack" (the name for the feather costume on the back) on their bodies. It's prestigious to wear some of the heaviest and largest pieces in the show and performers must earn such an honor. I think the heaviest headpiece/hat is 40 pounds! They have to learn how to balance that atop their head while dancing. We got to see the dressing rooms, the wig area and all of the costumers who work to keep the millions of dollars worth of costuming in top shape. The dancers must be careful with the costumes and are not even allowed to touch the feathers/sequins of the pieces they wear! We also got to see the set pieces and how they are moved about backstage during the performance. The tour was about an hour in total, and Ciara let us ask any questions we wanted and answered them all. She was very sweet, informative and knowledgeable. She stood on stage and took photos with everyone afterward. She was of course saddened the show was closing but was positive about what was in store for her future.
Show: The show was fantastic. The costumes and set design were extravagant and amazing to see. The two story lines within the revue are the Titanic and Samson and Delilah. I thought the performers told both stories well and we really enjoyed the visual of the Titanic sinking. Unfortunately these parts of the show are trademarked to Jubilee and won't be seen again! One note, I think it might have been preferable to have the two "stories" within the show be spaced out a little more from one another, instead of back to back. The finale with the performers walking down the "birthday cake" silver stairs with their jeweled colored costumes was so colorful and fantastical. One thing that was not my favorite was the singers who performed in front of the curtain while set and costume changes were accomplished backstage. I thought they were "okay" but it did not seem to fit with the rest of the show. One of the accompaniment dances to a song struck me as bizarre. However, the two dancing "robot" guys who performed just before the Titanic scene and moved in unison were great and stole the show! I hope to see them in another venue.
The theater is rather small and I don't think there would be a bad seat. We elected for some further back seats as I'd read many reviews that you may get moved up to empty seats closer to the front so as to fill the front of the theater for the performers' sake. Not to disappoint, after one act, the usher tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we'd like to move closer. We were taken to one of the front booths, which had a great view! They did allow latecomers in during the first acts, which I found annoying. They should have waited until the curtain was closed during a set change. I was so glad we did the backstage tour, because we were familiar with different set pieces and Ciara had pointed out things to watch for (performers coming down from above and behind you in the audience, for one). Plus, every time I saw her, I felt like I knew someone in the show and had a connection to it.
For those saying they didn't understand the show or how the "story" fit together -- that's because it isn't a "story." It's a revue. Short acts or routines placed together in one show. At least do a little research before you see a show if you're going to write a review about it. As far as nudity (women's breasts are seen), I thought it was tasteful and not overly blatant. Ciara explained it as a celebration of the female form and I totally agree. If you don't want to see it, I believe they offer one performance a week which does not have nudity.
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