Podcast

This episode features the multi-talented star, Jakki Ford sharing her story about how she got started in the performing arts and how she has worked as a model, dancer and actress. We discuss how she sang and danced in all three of Donn Arden’s MGM productions and continues to sing and record albums to this […]

November 21st, 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the devastating fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada that killed 85 people and injured several hundreds more. This episode features survivors from the fire that were working on the opening of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! One member of the crew perished in the fire.

This episode features excerpts from previous guests discussing the subject of being a topless dancer and the shame (or not) surrounding it. Each guest has unique perspectives and experiences about their time being a Showgirl or topless dancer and how it has shaped their life since. We also have a couple of men that worked

She’s back! The host of Bluebells Forever Podcast, Sheri Lewis, takes the hot seat again to share her own experience as a Showgirl in Hello, Hollywood, Hello and beyond.  We discuss her experience of accepting a “nude” dancer contract and being disowned by her parents and the shaming some Showgirls went through from family, friends

Donna London, former head of wardrobe of Jubilee shares her story of unexpectedly joining the circus and then moving to Las Vegas and joining the wardrobe crew of Jubilee in the winter of 1981. She shares about her time as a wardrobe technician and then moving up to management during her 33 1/2 years with

This episode features broadway dancer turned costume designer, Diana Eden. We discuss her brief, but important role in the creation of Jubilee as the assistant to Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. She was the creator and keeper of the famed “Costume Bibles” that were used to help rebuild the costumes after the tragic MGM fire

What happens when you put Showgirl hats and jewelry on a chef and an entrepreneur? Surprising results! These two women, bravely attended a Feathery Revelry and got to experience the magic of the Art of the Showgirl. In this very special episode, they share how they felt before, during and after the event as well

This episode features a woman that became a Bluebell in the opening cast of Jubilee and then went on to create her own showgirl troupes all over the world in the 1980s. Anne Marie O’Connor shares her Showgirl story And how that time shaped her life today. We discuss how the Bluebell training she received

This episode features the more scholarly side of the history of the Showgirl. My guest, Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services, talks about her role in the preservation of the Showgirl legacy for the UNLV library Special Collections and Archives in Las Vegas.  We discuss a bit of the history of the Showgirl, what

This episode of Showgirl’s Life features former Principal dancer of the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Christopher Childers. Christopher’s career took him from Dancing in production shows on the Las Vegas Strip, to touring the world as a dancer with such celebrities as Paula Abdul, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson

In this episode, featuring my good friend from Jubilee!, Anna Cooke, we go through her career from theme parks to cruise ships to Vegas performer over the course of 27 years.  We discuss her experience with small shows versus larger productions, her love of ritual and the beauty of body variety that Jubilee standards held.

Today’s episode features Elana McKinley-Braianis, from Australia. She is a former Bluebell turned principal dancer that performed in La Scala Barcelona and later moved to Las Vegas to perform in Merci Beaucoup, Bare Touch of Vegas and Casino de Paris. Her vast experience included musical theater, modeling and dancing through the 60s, 70s and 80s

This is a very special episode featuring a lovely chat between myself and Bluebells Forever podcast host, Sheri Lewis. Not our typical formats, but a wonderful conversation about why we started our podcasts, being Bluebells/Showgirls and being women in this world. Mentioned on the show Want to check out another podcast about Showgirls? Bluebells Forever

This episode features a former wardrobe technician in Jubilee for 20 years. Frieda Bronfin was part of the crew that helped us in and out of our costumes and kept them looking dazzling and in good condition, night after night.  We talk about her personal experience working with magicians, dressing performers in shows, being part

This episode features Rosemary “Rosebud” Tall DeHart, former Bluebell dancer turned dealer. She talks about her time as a Bluebell dancer between 1964-1972 and her decision to go into gaming. She even had some experiences with Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal to share. Enjoy! August 2020 Monthly Bonus episode This is the second bonus episode, August 2020 guests

Today’s episode features Randall Patterson, former principal singer in Jubilee! He has the distinction of having had the longest stint between Jubilee contracts—of 18 years.  We discuss the differences he experienced from both times he was in the show and how his last time made him realize that you can never go back. Enjoy! Mentioned

This episode features former Principal dancer, Nikki Adamo Schwebel where we dive into how different show life was before corporations took over, when the mob ran the shows. As well as the magic of being a performer in a production show in Vegas. She also talks about the importance of the connections between performers and

Tap the arrow to listen in your favorite podcatcher & Subscribe! Legendary costume designer Pete Menefee shares his story on Showgirls Life This week’s episode features the legendary costume designer, Pete Menefee. Firstly, he shares about how he transitioned to costume design from dancing. His idea that “designing for cabaret is like learning a new

Rachel Zinn, former Las Vegas Showgirl tells about her journey from The Royal Ballet School in London to the Jubilee! Theatre at Bally’s Las Vegas.  We dive into the psychology of professional dancers and how the life of a performer strengthened our work ethic and taught us major life lessons. “You do it because you

From circus Showgirl to classic Las Vegas Showgirl, Eileen Ryans Scott tells the real truth about what it was like to be an African-American dancer in Las Vegas. She explains how “advance” audition notices alerted her to attend an audition and how she eventually landed her dream job as a Showgirl in Donn Arden’s Jubilee!