Las Vegas husband-and-wife producing duo Matt and Angela Stabile are the driving force behind sexy Strip staple “X” Burlesque, sister shows “X” Country and “X” Rocks and the wildly successful comedy show starring Piff the Magic Dragon. While various Vegas shows are opening up again, the Stabiles have maintained performances by Piff and “X” Burlesque at the Flamingo and “X” Country at Harrah’s. We caught up with the behind-the-scenes powerhouse couple to look back on a challenging year and look forward to a brighter future.
We’ve learned a lot over the last year about the resilience of the people in the Vegas entertainment industry. Was there something you’ve experienced in your different careers that helped prepare you to deal with the challenges you’ve encountered?
Matt: I come from a TV background, and some of the big things you need in that business are to be resourceful and to really budget your money. You’ll have a couple great months and then have nothing for a month or two, and it’s all about learning to make things work and doing without. That helped me get through this a little bit, knowing what I’ve been through before, and also going through good times and understanding how to handle changes.
Angela: Our shows weren’t nearly as successful as they are today, in the beginning. I think just learning from the entire experience, from our original opening of “X” Burlesque in 2002 and going through everything we have up until now. It’s been a long learning curve.
Your shows have been among the most popular and recognizable female revues on the Strip for years now. Do you think your ability to keep live performances going in recent months has increased their notoriety?
Matt: It was a big move for us to stay open and it has worked out great, not just for us but for all our cast members and employees. It really boils down to a numbers game, and we’ve been fine-tuning the costs of each production every week. That’s a big part of what helped make it work.
One big innovation was to change “X” Burlesque into a more intimate, VIP-style experience. It seems like that was a great move.
Angela: It’s selling out now way in advance and although it’s only 30 seats, the audience has been giving us great feedback. Everyone loves the intimacy of the Private Edition and the Q&A session is really interesting. Audiences love it, the girls love it, and it’s turned into a really fun thing. After we get to go back to full capacity, we might keep one Private Edition show a week at a later time slot.
You’ve also been working toward bringing back “X” Rocks as soon as possible in a brand-new venue at Bally’s. Where does that stand?
Angela: We don’t have a set date just yet, but we’re waiting on (more) information from (officials). Hopefully it will happen in March when a larger (audience) capacity should go into effect.
Matt: The new space came out to about 150 or 160 and it’s a cool little room. It will be a very intimate, close-up show, much like the old theater but much better technically, with better seats and acoustics.
You never got to put on that updated show in that new space. How different will it be?
Angela: That’s right, we had just revamped the show. It’s never been seen. It will be brand new. There are some songs and choreography coming back because we don’t want to change the entire show. It’s classic rock, and rock is rock. The audience expects certain (songs). And I think that music may be even more popular now.
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