It’s the show that shouts at you: “Jubilee!”—and you better believe it earns that exclamation point. For more than 30 years, the Bally’s production (“Sparkle and Spectacle”) has been the embodiment of the classic Las Vegas showgirl, an institution as iconic as Wayne Newton, Siegfried & Roy’s tigers and the all-you-can-eat buffet.
It used to be you could see showgirl productions at a number of Strip properties. Now, Bally’s is the only one that hosts a show primarily featuring the feathered, rhinestoned beauties—talented dancers who must re-audition every six months to keep their spot in the extravaganza. But to think that Jubilee! is all showgirls, all the time, is a mistake. In fact, that’s just the tip of the iceberg—literally. The sinking of the Titanic and the story of Samson and Delilah are somehow woven through the production, alongside tributes to Hollywood greats and classic dance numbers.
Speaking of dance numbers, Tropicana’s stage production of the hit ABC series Dancing With the Stars (“Steps That Sizzle”) has been a certified juggernaut since its April opening, having already been re-upped through August. Stars Joey Fatone and Lacey Schwimmer have been a hit around town, appearing on red carpets and at events, and a rotating lineup of professional dancers, including Kym Johnson, Mark Ballas, Tristan MacManus and Tony Dovolani, has augmented the group of resident dancers, including Schwimmer and Dmitry Chaplin. Dovolani guest-hosts this week.
With an all-star edition of DWTS set to air in the fall, rumors are swirling of a potential lineup of celeb dancers—everyone from Kim and Rob Kardashian and frequent Las Vegas visitor Maria Menounos to Joey Lawrence, who recently guest-hosted Chippendales at the Rio, and Carson Kressley, who initially hosted the Tropicana show. However, until a list of participants is finalized, the best place to catch all the dancing action is right here on the Strip.
