A windswept evening can’t prevent the cast of Fantasy from filling seats in Luxor’s Atrium Showroom for an 8 p.m. Sunday performance. The audience responds enthusiastically to pre-show video, with a boisterous German bachelor party making its presence known. Singer-emcee Lorena Peril playfully taunts them during the show. A couple of her well-dressed acquaintances sitting a few rows from the stage converse about catching up with Peril at the meet-and-greet, but that talk halts when a blonde dancer with a dynamite smile and down-home appeal appears on screen.
“That’s Mariah,” says one.
Mariah Rivera has a history of stopping conversation, hearts, naysayers who underestimate her potential, etc. She’ll first appear along with the cast in the sexiest angora-looking sweaters ever stitched for the Vegas stage before getting into bed with Gigi and Ashton for a romp to Vanity 6’s “Nasty Girl.” She’s the first to be seen in chaps tonight during a country-themed segment and is the only cast member tonight who will bare it all.
Somehow Rivera sparkles through on a stage stocked with gems and jewels curated by Fantasy creator/choreographer Anita Mann. “You can have your own little style, your own spunk,” says Rivera. “I think that’s why Fantasy is so successful, because she finds such strong, unique dancers that when they come together it’s magical.”
She’s also making moves behind the scenes, having become a co-producer of Fantasy in January. In addition to dancing six nights per week Rivera now coordinates Fantasy’s social media (her own Instagram account has more than 227,000 followers), merchandising and special appearances. It’s a nonstop lifestyle that leaves her little time to reminisce about picking peaches at the family farm in Colorado.
Rivera says she started taking on more responsibilities seven or eight years ago. She replaced the previous company manager, then was promoted to associate producer before taking on her current role working under Mann and executive producer Beverly Jeanne. “I’ve just been helping them and adding more responsibilities, and they’re including me in business meetings and financial discussions,” says Rivera. “I’m learning so much from them. I’m trying to help them as much as I can, but I’m like a sponge trying to learn from these amazing women.”
Her goal upon arriving in Vegas in 2003 was to be on a billboard, specifically as a Fantasy dancer. That goal was achieved, and although she’s laying a foundation for a post-stage future, she’s far from ready to put away her dancing shoes.
“The career of a dancer … you just never know,” says Rivera. “It’s shorter than any other business. I love being onstage. I want to dance and perform as long as I possibly can. I don’t even want to miss one day.”
Missing a performance could mean missing an audience member she’s gotten to know through social media, or one of the frequent returnees who attend shows with regularity. There’s something special about Rivera that keeps them coming back, and she may know what it is.
“I like to deliver sexy,” she says.
Luxor, 18+, 702.262.4400
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