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Question of the Day - 02 December 2025

Q:

In Vegas now, I always see a couple of ladies in classic showgirl garb working the streets, hustling passers-by to pay them for a photo. But is there any place left in Vegas where there are classic showgirls in classic showgirls outfits working a stage as part of a show?

A:

In a July QoD about why the classic Las Vegas showgirl disappeared and whether she'll ever be resurrected, we wrote, "The typical showgirl was a member of a huge chorus of statuesque rhinestone-adorned women (topless and otherwise) wearing chandeliers on their heads and doing balancing acts on huge staircases with enormous ostrich-feather fans and five sets of false eyelashes, among other subtleties." 

By that metric, the answer to this question is a definitive ... sort of.

VEGAS! The Show at the Saxe Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops is a tribute to Vegas history, emphasizing a "how it all began" vibe that includes classic showgirls in a role that supports Vegas icons like Rat Pack and Elvis. (The show's creator and theater namesake, David Saxe, literally grew up backstage at the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana, where his mother was a showgirl.) 

Also, Dita Von Teese headlines an opulent burlesque revue in the Voltaire Theater at the Venetian that incorporates original Jubilee! costumes (crystals, feathers, and grand staircases), big-band "Viva Las Vegas" numbers, and "haute couture showgirl glamour," according to Las Vegas Weekly

And BurlesQ: The Classic Vegas Showgirl Show plays at the Pegasus Showroom at Alexis Park. It's a jiggle show, not unlike Fantasy at Luxor, X Burlesque at the Flamingo, and X Rocks at Horseshoe, all of which have a few elements of showgirl style; BurlesQ, though, emphasizes it.  

As we also wrote in the previous answer, "The days of the Las Vegas showgirl appearing en masse in front of big audiences on Las Vegas stages are bygone and they won't be coming back. However, though they might be an endangered species, they’re not, by any means, extinct yet."

In addition to the above shows, the showgirl spirit lives on in a number of varieties and venues. We cite the many enterprising young women in showgirl costumes who pose for photographs with visitors on the Strip and downtown; Premier Showgirls, a full-service talent agency that specializes in providing traditional Vegas showgirls for parties, trade shows, conventions, weddings, store openings, product launches, and other special events; the recent Pamela Anderson hit movie The Last Showgirl; even Taylor Swifts new album, The Life of a Showgirl; and of course the pair of 50-foot-tall three-ton showgirl sculptures at the corner of Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard that welcome visitors to downtown. 

 

 

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

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Comments

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  • O2bnVegas Dec-02-2025
    Very good show
    We liked VEGAS The Show at the Saxe Theater a lot years ago.  Great little theater, all seats excellent view.  I'm surprised to know it is still going.
    
    We'd see Jubilee! every time in town.  Of course I'm as old fashioned as they come, "cry at movies I've seen hundreds of times" like the song says.  Glad to know it has been re-created in some way.  As many times as I've stayed at Wynn/Encore I could have walked over to Ven to see it.  Next time.
    
    Candy

  • Derick Dec-02-2025
    Showgirls
    Remember seeing a showgirl show at Flamingo back in 95. It was cool and new to me since I was basically a Las Vegas Newbie!!

  • Bob Dec-02-2025
    Jubilee
    Scored some great tickets to Jubilee one year, Awesome show!  Regret not seeing it again before it went dark! and while I realize they are out there hustling for money... I appreciate seeing the show girls on the Strip and Freemont street!  it just screams Vegas, the other Caricatures and Idiot Buskers, not so much! 

  • VegasVic Dec-02-2025
    Jubilee
    Jubilee was fun, they had an early show that was covered and a late show that was uncovered.  Vegas:The Show was pretty entertaining when I saw it a few years ago.  

  • John Dec-02-2025
    Piff and The Missus
    Go see Piff the Magic Dragon at The Flamingo.  In addition to a great act, you can see his wife, the stunningly radiant Jade Simone in full showgirl regalia as his assistant.
    
    Can't wait to get back to see her...er...them again!

  • Hoppy Dec-02-2025
    Piff it is!
    Visiting Las Vegas, next week. Does Minskie's count?

  • Jeff B. Dec-03-2025
    Extravaganza—The Vegas Spectacular
    I had a unique experience seeing "Extravaganza—The Vegas Spectacular," which featured showgirls. It played in the Juibilee theater in Bally's, but not topless like Jubilee. 
    
    Vegas was reopening during COVID and the state had started to allow shows to return but limited the audience to 50. The day of the show, I went to see if they were still doing the show, as the theater holds 1,000 people!!
    
    When seated, every other seat and aisle was blocked. When the show ended, it was up to 22. And we got the full show! We were small, but we all did our best to scream and cheer after each act and number, hoping the performers could hear us. 
    
    Afterwards, I asked the house manager why they are doing the show for such a small audience. He said Caesars felt it would be cheaper to keep the show running and the acts employed rather than close, re-cast, re-rehearse, and risk losing the acts. 

  • Frank Nicosia Dec-03-2025
    Fake girls on the strip 
    Some really need to start a diet and head for the gym every day. It’s almost depressing seeing some of them. Course, some reflect obesity in America.