Edie back on Vegas stage for holidays
THE voice, face and legs of “Zumanity” are returning to the stage in Vegasville, just in time for the holidays.
Drag star Edie is back under the lights this weekend, helming “A Very Faaabulous Christmas” at Notoriety in downtown Las Vegas. The drag holiday extravaganza is set for Robin Leach Theater at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. This is the first chance to see the character who performed in more than 5,500 “Zumanity” shows for nearly 13 years.
“I haven’t worked in so long, I’m just happy to be back,” said Christopher Kenney, who has portrayed Edie for all of those performances at New Yorknew York. “This has all been very heavy, but I am ready to perform again and be in a light Christmas show.”
The weekend marks the first time Edie will stride onstage since Cirque’s comedy/adult production announced in November it was closing permanently. Filled with sidelined entertainers, the drag show has been an under-the-radar topic for several weeks at Notoriety.
“Faaabulous” no doubt is one of the most extensive productions yet at the topfloor venue at Neonopolis. The Robin Leach Theater is set up for social distancing, and easily identifiable by the famed celeb journalist’s portrait above the pool table at the bar.
“We’re going for a real holiday show with Christmas classics and also some modern stuff,” said Kenney, who said he has been keeping busy securing health care through the Affordable Care Act after being cut loose by Cirque. “I’ll be singing Mariah Carey’s version of ‘All I Want For Christmas,’ I’ll read a story. We’ll have elves and reindeer.”
Kenney-as-edie will be joined by fellow drag co-stars Vita Summers, Dusty Muffin and Sandra “San San” Santigold, with dancers Taylor Bradley and Curtis Goodman. The cast performed together in June for the “World’s First All-live Singing Drive-in Drag Show” at Dreamland Drive-in at Freshwata Studios.
The singers emphasize they are really singing. “Faaabulous” is lip-sync free.
“I called the girls and said, ‘Let’s do something successful,’ ” Kenney said. “We all just want to get back onstage.”
‘A hint of risque’
Pete Housley had referred to last Sunday as “a Crown Royal night,” in that he might need a shot of the Canadian whiskey to quell the stress. But Housley was set at ease after Gov. Steve Sisolak announced he would continue to allow public gatherings of 50 people for another four weeks.
“It meant we were still in the game,” says Housley, CEO of the entertainment company Admit.vip. “It’s a bad situation but also a good opportunity.”
The 50-capacity allowance is crucial for Housley making a go of it at Alexis Park, a few cartwheels east of the Strip on Harmon Avenue. Housley operates two showrooms that are running five shows at that 50-ticket cap. The latest title to open is “Burlesq,” a nod to Las Vegas’ history of adult revues, performing at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturday beginning this weekend in Athena Showroom.
The venue is a redesigned ballroom at the nongaming hotel, across from Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
“Burlesq” joins the “Motown Extreme” R&B tribute at 5 and 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at the Athena room, where “Jokesters” comedy club takes the stage on those same nights at 9 p.m. Across the way at what is now called Apollo Showroom, long-running Vegas magician Tommy Wind opened last Friday. His “Amazing Magic” show performs at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Mentalist Alain Nu is the room’s 7:30 p.m. headliner.
The newest arrival, “Burlesq,” is for audiences aged 21 and over, and is backed by veteran Vegas producer and Housley’s business partner Clinton Billups. The production also brings back director Carrie Beyers, late of “Folies Bergere,” who has been furnishing showgirls for various events through her Showgirl Productions company.
The show takes it to feathers and pasties, but not totally topless. Billed as a Roaring ’20s vibe, the show co-stars Vegas showgirls Jujubea , La Luna, Maxine Gun Kelly, Mickey Blue Eyes, Stella Sterling and Tricky Tatiana.
The emcee is yet another familiar figure around Vegasville, comic Sean E. Cooper, who left “Fantasy” at Luxor in February after an 18-year run. “Coop,” as he is forever known, had worked with Housley a few years ago in a one-man show at Planet Hollywood’s
Sin City Theater.
The wildly talented comic left “Fantasy” with plans to open a show called “Recoup,” but those ideas were undercut when the pandemic hit.
And, to add the ventriloquial arts, Vegas performer April Brucker is the revue’s special guest. Brucker has appeared on syndicated shows such as “Today,” “Cash Cab” and “Entertainment Tonight.”
Brucker packs a puppet named Donald J. Tramp. Use your imagination.
Housley says the new production is “a couples-friendly show with just a hint of risque.” Tickets start at $49.95. Find them at Ticketkite.com or at 702-483-8056. There is no twoCrown minimum, either.