Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
actually in these groups, they're nearly the same age as the folks who were, and
two of the groups have secured permission from the originals to use their name.
It leads to a different audience/performer interaction, with less of an emphasis on
comparing these folks to the originals (let's be real—does anyone really remember
that clearly what the originals were like?) and more of a concert experience. And
if you enjoy smooth harmonies and classic pop such as “Up on the Roof,” “Poison
Ivy,” and “Stand By Me,” you'll likely love this show.
But this all begs the question: Is it worth it to go see an imitation in a town
where the real thing—inevitably more compelling and quirky—is also on display?
I personally find Wayne Newton or Toni Braxton's shows, to name just two Vegas
headliners, a far better time than any of the impersonators . . . and you'll usually
pay less for them than you will Danny Gans.
EROTICA (STRIPPERS, BOTH MALE & FEMALE)
Gander and goose both get their day in Vegas (and it's often the day just before
the wedding). These casino-based erotic shows, with their jugglers and singers, are
the slightly more refined brethren of the out-and-out strip clubs off the Strip. To
read about the latter, go to p. 227.
I'll start with the shows that feature male strippers and are purportedly for
women (though gay men will occasionally attend):
Chippendales
55
(in the
Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Rd.;
%
702/777
-
7776; www.playrio.com;
$
58; under 18
not admitted; Sun-Tues and Thurs 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 8:30 and 10:30pm),
Thunder
from Down Under
5
(in Excalibur;
%
702/597
-
7600; www.excalibur.com;
$
40;
under 18 not admitted; Sun-Thurs 8:30 and 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 9 and 11pm),
and
American Storm
(in the Riviera Hotel & Casino;
%
702/794
-
9433; www.riviera
hotel.com;
$
56,
$
31 discounted; under 18 not admitted; Tues-Sun 10:30pm).
Chippendales,
as you can see from my star rating, gets my endorsement for all-
around best. Here, the choreography is fluid, there's the most variety in terms of
fantasies fulfilled (fireman, policeman, soldier: Whatever uniform you dig, these
hunks will strip out of it), and though it seems odd to say it, the greatest level of
commitment in the performances—the guys' gazes are intent, they make eye con-
tact, they dance all out and they willingly maul any woman who volunteers for
special treatment.
Thunder from Down Under
is all handsome Aussies. Their dancing is much
klunkier, which oddly makes these guys seem slightly more, well, straight than the
Chippendale's fellows. And let's face it, that Aussie accent notches up the sexiness
quotient. The real downside here is the showroom, which is cheaply done and
nowhere near as comfortable or large as the Chippendales theater.
Cast via reality show,
American Storm
is the least professional of the bunch,
with the guys actually whispering and giggling to one another in the group dance
numbers. And the show is a lot more “touchy feely” than the other two—instead
of asking for volunteers to come up for an impromptu “love in,” the men come
out into the audience and simply plop themselves down in your lap. All the audi-
ence chairs have wheels, oddly enough, and the guys sometimes hurl themselves
at audience members with such force that you find yourself shooting across the
floor, a thrusting pelvis in your face, strange hands groping your back. Everyone
gets “the treatment,” though I did see a number of women trying to hide (they
were unsuccessful).
