The Foundation of Las Vegas Entertainment!

Production Shows have always been a landmark for Las Vegas, filled with showgirls, dancers, singers, and specialty acts complete with sets, music, effects, lights, sound, choreography and costumes.  This type of show was and is still a destination for tourists.

The Production show comes in many sizes…from spectacular to mini and is built and constructed like that of a building. You must first create the concept, see the overall picture, and make the plans. Unlike years ago, the producer or producers would submit the concept to the venue, get accepted, and then get funded. Not any more!

The Production Show starts with an executive producer - the one with the vision and the money. The executive producer hires the producer, the producer hires the choreographer, and all three hire a cast through a casting call.

When production of the show begins, a company manager is selected to head the cast and sometimes the company manager could also be a part of the cast.  In larger shows, there could be more than one company manager. The company manager is the go-between the producer and the cast and carries out many duties. He or she is responsible for personnel coming in on time, setting up rehearsals, breaking in new cast members, giving out pay checks, and much more…..just like weekly weigh-ins.  The dancers are not allowed to exceed a certain weight. If he or she is over their weight limit, they are given notice and can be fined or fired as a result.

Now let us talk about one of the most-recognized part of a Production Show -  “The Showgirl.” This name is used to describe the Las Vegas female dancer, however this is untrue.  Female dancers do not wish to be called showgirls.

The Adagio Dancers are two featured skilled dancers, normally skilled in ballet. They are  usually male and female and the female partner sometimes adds a touch of nudity.

The Acrobatic Dancers are skilled in gymnastics that perform all sorts of flips, tumbling, hand stands and much more.  These performers are usually brought in by way of Olympic competitions, and are both male and female.

There is also the Singer, Dancer - one who is blessed with both excellent singing and dancing skills. He or she is featured as a solo artist and also sings together with the entire chorus line.

Another very important entity of a production show is the Specialty Act.   This act comes between each production number and there are normally three different specialty acts in a show.  The Specialty Acts have become a trademark for the production show, but was originally put in the show for diversion.  The sets were so huge in big shows, that it took up to ten minutes to change a set, thus the specialty act was conceived.

Some specialty acts are so dynamic and so talented that they developed into their own show, such as Master Magician Lance Burton, who is now celebrating 10 successful years at the Monte Carlo, congrats.

There are and have been so many wonderful production shows to grace our great city, too many to mention in this column. So how about if I spotlight one of the longest-running and most popular production shows ever, “Don Arden’s Jubilee”- at Bally’s Las Vegas. 

Recently named the “World’s Best Showgirls” by Travel Channel/BBC, Jubilee has been seen by more than nine million people worldwide in the 23 years it has been in production.  Set in seven acts, featuring original songs, dances and production, Jublilee, contains sequences not found on any stage in the world, including “The Sinking of the Titanic” and “The Destruction of the Temple by Samson”

A Las Vegas first, Jubilee now features an all access backstage tour. Guests will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes. The one-hour backstage walking tour will allow guests to meet a “real” showgirl and get a sneak peek into the makings of an extravagant Las Vegas production show.  Everything, from hair and makeup to costumes and set designs, will be explored as guests experience the backstage secrets of the show and listen to interesting anecdotes from the showgirl herself. For information and tickets call Bally’s Box Office at 946-4567

Like other cities, who are famous for unusual products, like the Philly Cheese Steak or the Theater District in New York, Las Vegas is proud to have the Showgirls and Production Shows, the foundation of Las Vegas Entertainment, as our national product.