Matt and Angela Stabile are the unassuming couple behind a small burlesque empire on the Strip, having grown Stabile Productions’ flagship show “X” Burlesque into a trifecta of sexy, topless revues at the Flamingo, Bally’s and Harrah’s. It’s a family business, with dedicated dancers repaying respectful treatment with loyalty and enthusiasm, and their own children playing key behind-the-scenes roles. They also include hilariously sardonic Piff the Magic Dragon in their portfolio, and although he works topless it wasn’t his dancing that led the Stabiles to turn him into a Vegas headliner.
"X" Burlesque
“We had a comedy show called “X” Comedy, and Piff was part of the lineup,” explained Matt Stabile during a dinnertime interview at Carlos ’n’ Charlie’s inside the Flamingo. “When he was in the show we were sold out every night, so Angela approached him and asked if he’d be interested in doing his own show.”
“Originally, we saw him in Vegas Nocturne and I thought he was hilarious,” added Angela. “That show closed and our wardrobe person, who had worked for Vegas Nocturne, gave me Piff’s number and the rest is history.”
That history dates back nearly two decades. Angela Stabile’s background in burlesque includes 10 years with Crazy Girls at the Riviera. (She was one of the models captured in bronze for the Riviera’s iconic No Ifs, Ands or Butts sculpture now installed at Planet Hollywood Resort.) Matt was born into show business. His mother managed Jerry Lewis, and after attending UNLV he worked in TV.
Piff the Magic Dragon Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Angela’s aspiration to write a book about the life of a showgirl led to inspiration to create her first show in 2002. X Girls might be topless but they had to be able to really dance. No covering flaws with fishnets or tights. Performers would get up close to audiences, and music would be carefully curated. The Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood Resort) liked her ideas, and she met Matt after he was hired to produce a commercial for “X” the Show: An Erotic Adventure. Before long, the two were life partners as well as collaborators. “We’ve produced everything together since 2003,” said Angela.
The show was revamped and renamed for a move to the Flamingo in 2007. “X” Burlesque still features some numbers created for the original edition, but it’s been continually refined, with a dazzling opener featuring floating neon trumpets, steamy choreography accompanying Michael Buble’s rendition of “Fever,” suspended strap work and a seductive interpretation of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.”
"X" Rocks Photo by: Dan Bushkin
By 2013, it was clear that rock music could carry an entire show, leading to “X” Rocks at the Rio. It’s now at Bally’s, where X Girls drive audiences wild dancing to Guns N’ Roses, slithering to Whitesnake and adding patriotic exuberance to Styx’s “Miss America.” The rowdiest scene is likely to be at “X” Country though, where country music fans shout approval for songs almost as loudly as for the boot-scootin’ showgirls.
“X” Country opened at Harrah’s in 2015 around the same time Piff became a Flamingo headliner. The Stabile’s plate is full, but they don’t bite off more than they can chew and take time to digest their experiences. “We were both around (entertainment) for years and we met, and it just worked out,” says Matt. “It’s a good partnership.”
