News Summary
Dita Von Teese is bringing back the glamour of showgirls with her new burlesque show in Las Vegas. Opening at Voltaire in the Venetian, this tribute reflects on the rich history of iconic showgirl productions, incorporating original costumes from Jubilee. Von Teese aims to redefine traditional norms surrounding age, body types, and gender roles within the showgirl aesthetic, filling the cultural void left by the closure of classic shows and preserving the legacy of generations of performers.
Las Vegas – Dita Von Teese is reviving the iconic legacy of showgirls in Las Vegas with her new burlesque show, which reflects on the rich history and cultural significance of classic showgirl productions. Her current show, which launched in September 2024 at Voltaire in the Venetian, brings back the glamour and artistry that characterized renowned shows like Jubilee, the last traditional showgirl revue on the Las Vegas Strip, which closed in 2016.
Von Teese’s latest performance incorporates original elaborate costumes previously featured in Jubilee, celebrated for entertaining audiences since the 1950s with its stunning topless performers. With this tribute, she aims to celebrate the showgirl aesthetic while updating it for contemporary audiences, making significant strides in redefining traditional norms around age, body type, and gender in showgirl casting.
While Jubilee holds a cherished place in the history of Las Vegas entertainment, its closing left a void in the cultural landscape that Von Teese’s work seeks to fill. Other topless revues, such as Fantasy at Luxor and X Burlesque, continue to preserve elements of the classic showgirl tradition on the Strip. The recent designations like National Showgirl Day, celebrated on May 24, honor the legacy of generations of showgirls who have graced Las Vegas stages.
Significant symbols of showgirl heritage remain prominent in Las Vegas, including the installation of the Crazy Girls statue, depicting thong-clad dancers at Circa Downtown. Furthermore, 50-foot showgirl figures by YESCO at the Las Vegas Boulevard Gateway Arches symbolize the city’s iconic showgirl imagery. Modern variations of showgirl representation can also be seen in the Vegas Belles, a cheerleading group associated with the Golden Knights sports team, and even in pop culture through music videos by artists like the Killers and Taylor Swift.
The impact of shows like Jubilee extends into the arts, influencing contemporary works such as Gia Coppola’s film “The Last Showgirl.” This film explores themes of tradition and identity through characters grappling with the closure of their own iconic revue, Razzle Dazzle. It sheds light on the artistic heritage and evolution of the showgirl performance style.
Historically, the showgirl profession was marked by racial segregation until desegregation took hold in the 1960s, with early showgirls primarily being white. Job requirements enforced strict beauty standards, including height restrictions—typically 5’8″ or taller—and bans on visible scars, tan lines, and tattoos. Despite the expectation for performers to be topless, these requirements have evolved over time, allowing for broader representation in contemporary productions.
The financial downturn in 2008 precipitated the closure of numerous elegant shows like Folies Bergere, demonstrating a shift in entertainment preferences towards interactive and family-friendly experiences, rather than lavish traditional spectacles. Yet the nostalgia for showgirl productions remains, with fans and historians clamoring for their revival and preservation.
Philipo, the founder of the Las Vegas Showgirl Museum, is dedicated to maintaining the legacy of showgirls, highlighting their importance in the city’s cultural fabric. Former showgirl Angela Stabile notes that her experiences in showgirl performances played a crucial role in her pursuit of further education and creating her productions.
Ultimately, Von Teese emphasizes that the showgirl is a symbol of female empowerment and glamour, representing a unique form of artistry that has both entertained and inspired generations. As contemporary burlesque continues to evolve, it retains the essence of showgirl glamor while reimagining its place in modern entertainment.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Weekly: Showgirls are Forever
- Wikipedia: Showgirl
- Vogue: Taylor Swift Showgirl Costume
- Google Search: Las Vegas showgirls
- The Street: Taylor Swift Las Vegas Residency
- Google Scholar: Las Vegas showgirls
- People: Bob Mackie on Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Costume
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas entertainment
- Page Six: Taylor Swift Showgirl Outfit
- Google News: showgirl performances
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
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