For three years, singer Lorena "the Voice" Peril (she could equally well be called "the Body") performed the lead role Luxor's topless revue, having previously performed in Sin City Bad Girls at the Las Vegas Hilton. Arnold Snyder, author of our Topless Vegas guide (and soon to be ToplessVegasOnline.com website), is a huge fan: "I love Lorena Peril. At some point, she’ll no longer be a singer in a show. She’ll be the show."
Well, she's no longer the singer in that show; Peril left both Fantasy and Las Vegas around a month ago, having been offered the role of Sandy in the upcoming European production Grease the Arena Tour. This city will miss her talents, but we wish her nothing but the best.
As you correctly point out, Planet Hollywood deliberately operated a revolving door of "celebrity" names in the lead roles of its Peepshow production, often choosing tabloid appeal over talent: While ex-Spice Girl Mel B was well-received, and at least had copious singing and dance experience (not to mention killer abs), Holly Madison looked terrified on press night and was about as sexy as a plank. We can only be grateful that we missed Aubrey O'Day's ill-fated stint -- although she's constantly removing her clothing for money, the ex-Danity Kane member apparently took offense at someone else releasing topless photos of her performance and left the show in a huff.
We also missed Coco Austin's extended performance -- the reviews have been positive, but frankly we were afraid for our lives at the thought of all that gravity-defying flesh gyrating on high heels. Credit must go to Mrs Ice-T, however: Not only can she dance, but she also fulfilled the other role expected of her by successfully grabbing headlines in her first week with rumors of an affair, forcing her to run back East to explain herself to hubby. Coco apparently filled the role so perfectly, in fact, that the producers can't think of any act that could possibly follow her, meaning Peepshow will close when her contract's up September 1. Frankly, we're still bemused that its lasted four years.
Fantasy has also grabbed its share of headlines in recent times, but for all the wrong reasons: In 2011 Deborah Flores-Narvaez, a dancer in the show, disappeared. Her mutilated body was subsequently found in an apartment in downtown Las Vegas and her ex-boyfriend, a performer in Cirque's Beatles show LOVE, was subsequently arrested. His trial was recently postponed for the fourth time, so her family still awaits any closure in what was a particularly gruesome homicide case.
As for its headliner policy, in spite of the odd guest run, Fantasy has consistently chosen talent over celebrity. Prior to Lorena Peril, for eight years that role was filled by Stephanie Jordan (who was dropped due to her age, we understand). While Jordan's role was briefly taken over by former "Baywatch" cast member and Playboy model Angelica Bridges, the producers soon reverted to unknown talent in the form of Peril. Hence, it's no surprise that upon her departure, the lead in Fantasy was given not to some C-list celebrity, but instead to veteran Vegas stage performer Jaime Lynch, who's previous credits include Peepshow, VEGAS! the Show, iCandy Burlesque: the Show and Sirens of TI.. Once she's settled into the new role, Arnold Snyder will be revisiting Fantasy, so watch out for his review when ToplessVegasOnline.com is launched, which should be in a few weeks from now.
In the meantime, if you never caught Lorena Peril in action, here she is, courtesy of YouTube, performing James Brown's "This is a Man's World" in Fantasy. Enjoy.
