Supremely cheeky female burlesque production flies high at Virgin Hotel…
It’s been a long time…nearly two years…since the debut of LADY LIKE. Set to run for three months, the superlative retro-modern burlesque production fell victim to the abrupt closure of MOSAIC THEATER. So after showering this joyous production with love the first time around, it’s terrific to experience it again at a new location.
It’s unusual for well-reviewed shows to return from a hobbled launch. BAZ moving from Mandalay Bay to Venetian is a rare example. LADY LIKE truly deserves a second chance. Far from a run-of-the-mill bump and grind, the cheeky revue is funny, clever, colorful, insightful, and packed with double entendres. In other words, a thinking person’s interpretation of burlesque.
That’s not to say that the song-and-dance extravaganza is stuffy. On the contrary. It’s quite silly at times, especially in a number that extols the virtues of “boobs”. But it’s this element of playfulness that allows the female-empowerment undercurrent to be felt without seeming preachy.
LADY LIKE depicts a conservative mid-1900s charm school, where lessons on how to be “ladylike” get turned inside out. No wholesome setting is spared, from libraries and neighborhood markets to the local soda fountain and an all-girls sleepover.
Maren Wade (center) and the cast of LADY LIKE
Head Mistress Maren Wade lays down the “law” to her naughty pupils, but veers off in the same direction when nobody’s looking. Walking sticks, a tire, grocery carts, and an enormous teacup are tools for their fantasies. Everyone has a secret talent dying to be freed…along with a large percentage of pink lingerie.
LADY LIKE was created and directed by the team of Jaimee Gallegom and Summer Soltis. The revue arrives at Virgin Hotel fairly intact from its original incarnation. A few scenes have been tweaked, including a former aerial sequence that’s just as effective on stage. The wide footprint of 24 Oxford allows the cast to spread throughout the room, mingling among tables and hopping onto bars and counters for dance sequences.
A noteworthy addition is “T.A.” (Warren Vanover in this performance), the teacher’s new male assistant. Mostly there for comic relief, this nerdy dancer reveals what may be the biggest surprise of the evening. Gorgeous acrobats Aubrey Lawrence and Stephan Choiniere are another terrific highlight. Their flirty balancing act gives new meaning to “girl power” and alone is worth the admission price.
Last year’s breakout hit BARBIE resonated with women through its female-empowerment themes. The film also attracted a sizable gay audience. Both demographics will delight in the messages and visual style of LADY LIKE. They’ll also enjoy the inclusion of shredded man-candy “Kens”. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek, as an evening in Las Vegas should be.
Warren Vanover and Stephan Choiniere supply the beef in LADY LIKE
Bar and table service are available throughout the performance, along with a list of cleverly named signature cocktails. The staff at 24 Oxford is top-notch and attentive. So put on your “pink”, order a drink, and sit back for a colorful night of adult entertainment. LADY LIKE is sheer delight.
LADY LIKE performs Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets start at $59.00 (plus taxes/fees) and can be ordered here. Guests must be 18 or older. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is located at 4455 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. Parking is free.
Photos: Vegas 411, Lady Like, Stephan Choiniere via Instagram
