Jennifer Romas’ ‘Sexxy’ heads to drive-in for charities
IT turns out Jennifer Romas’ “Sexxy” show is a convertible. The Westgate Las Vegas’ adult revue is steering into a slot at Dreamland Drive-in at Freshwata Studios, 3905 W. Diablo Drive, at 9 p.m.
July 1-3.
The show is coyly dubbed “Tops Down” and is believed to be first such adult production ever staged at a Las Vegas drive-in.
It’s certainly a first for Romas, a Las Vegas stage performer for two decades.
“I have never done anything like this,” says Romas, the show’s creator, director and star. “We thought, ‘It’s now or never.’”
The show is a benefit for a triumvirate of charities: Golden Rainbow of Southern Nevada, which provides services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS; The Actors Fund, to benefit sidelined entertainment professionals; and Pawtastic Friends, which provides food, shelter and medical care to homeless dogs.
The production is limited to those 18 and over. Social distancing rules and regulations will be enforced for attendees and performers. Food and beverage service is available for all cars. Prices set on a per-vehicle basis: $90 for two people, $120 for four or $160 for five. VIP tables are offered. A virtual live stream is also available for $29.95 (for tickets and information, go to driveinsexxyshow.com).
“Sexxy” has been dark since the COVID-19 shutdown in March. But Romas found a place to play at the suddenly in-demand Dreamland DriveIn, which hosted “The World’s First Drive-in Drag Show” on May 30-31, and the “Tickle Me Comedy Club” lineup this weekend.
Dreamlandxr CEO Chris Crescitelli is working up a documentary about Las Vegas entertainment challenges during COVID-19, and “Sexxy” is to be featured in the project.
The “Sexxy” performances will be hotter than ever — temperature-wise, with the heat expected to hover around 100 degrees. Unlike their Westgate show, Romas and the cast will not be totally topless, with the cast doffing down to pasties.
Romas emphasizes that the show is not moving away from Westgate Cabaret, and is presenting the series at the drive-in as a residency within a residency. “Sexxy” has become a pillar production at Westgate since opening in January 2015, and Romas is transferring the familiar acts and choreography to the outdoor venue.
The run of show includes the full cast of 10 dancers and the vocal stylings of singer Gabriella Versace. Romas says the layoffs from the stage have been difficult for everyone in the “Sexxy” family.
“This is going to be like getting our souls back,” she says. “We’ll be coming back together, in front of a real audience. That is why I perform, and I think that’s why a lot of people perform.”
The outdoor, vehicular layout won’t alter the show’s format. Romas is designing a replica of the “Sexxy” stage — with a pole set off to the side — without many special effects or LED walls.
“We wanted to make it as close as possible to the Westgate so we wouldn’t have to block and choreograph an entire new show,” Romas says. “But we’re going to play with it and we’re going to have fun, I’ll promise you that. The size is different, but we’ll have the same energy.”
Thunder strikes
The Thunder From Down
Under pay-per-view, live stream from The Space on Saturday night was the proverbial round-tripper.
“It was a home run!” SPI Entertainment CEO Adam Steck reports, after the first such “closed” show for a male revue in Vegas. The full-bodied production played to an empty room but was a hit online. This format could extend even past the show’s reopening at Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur.
Steck is hoping its scheduled July 15 return holds, but in any case is contemplating occasional PPV live streams from inside the venue. I’ve been saying throughout the COVID shutdown that online performances have become a viable option for some performers. I hadn’t anticipated male revues, exactly, but Thunder proves otherwise.
Duel is on
To quote my friend Lenny Lopez, “Piano!”
Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns fans know what I’m talkin’ about.
We are actually talking about the return of dueling pianos to the Bar at Times Square at New York-new York. Sarah Hester Ross, Chris Nelson, Joey Riedel, Scott Ellis, Adam Brown, Matt Newbold and Eric Meany rotate nightly, with sets running 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tip: Get all liquored up and shout, “Piano Man!” They love that …
But a real tip: Please tip. It’s protocol.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
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