Entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip has evolved over the years. Casino theaters used to host a mix of magicians, review-style shows, production shows, and old-school headliners like Frank Sinatra.
Over the years, the review-style shows featuring novelty acts like jugglers and plate spinners stayed, as did the magicians, while Las Vegas also became a place for somewhat past-their-prime headliners.
DON'T MISS: Las Vegas Strip Loses a Key Piece of Its History
You probably would never pay big money to see Donny and Marie Osmond if they came to your town, but something about the name recognition mixed with the "I'm on vacation" vibe made them a success for decades. Donny Osmond still headlines at Caesars Entertainment's (CZR) -) Harrah's, but in many ways he's one of the few remaining figures from a Las Vegas that's mostly gone.
Yes, MGM Resorts International (MGM) -) also has Carrot Top and Wayne Newton and Barry Manilow, but Las Vegas has largely moved away from those kinds of acts. Many production shows have closed, and showgirls -- once a staple of the Strip -- have entirely disappeared.
It's a question of who would pay to see something a little cheesy or outdated as showgirls when Adele, Garth Brooks. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and countless other big-name acts play Las Vegas residencies?
You can still see daytime magic acts and Michael Jackson impersonators, but day and night clubs on the Las Vegas Strip host the biggest-name DJs and electronic-dance-music artists.
Now, however, a well-known performer in her own right is bringing showgirls back to Las Vegas in a big way.
Showgirls Coming Back to the Las Vegas Strip
Most people would assume that Las Vegas Strip casinos still host production shows featuring showgirls. That's because the Strip is filled with women dressed as showgirls posing for pictures.
Those women, however, are no more official than the guy dressed as Batman or the women in sort-of-sexy police outfits. It's a photo op, not an ad for what's going on inside any Las Vegas Strip resort, since showgirl shows have disappeared from the place.
Now, however, Dita Von Teese. known as the "International Queen of Burlesque," will bring showgirls (after a fashion) back to the Las Vegas Strip. Her show, "Dita Las Vegas: A Jubilant Revue," will play at Caesar's newly renamed Horseshoe beginning Oct. 5.
A fan of the art of being a showgirl. Von Teese (born Heather Renee Sweet) considers herself a lifelong aficionado of the iconic show "Jubilee" -- the last remaining showgirl production of its kind, which ran at Bally's (Horseshoe's former name) from 1981 through 2016.
Dita Las Vegas will merge the performer's signature burlesque acts with the celebrated "Jubilee" aesthetic, incorporating some of the show's original costumes and sets.
'Honoring Burlesque and the Showgirl: Von Teese
"It's been my dream to create a show that honors the great American art forms of burlesque and the showgirl," notes Von Teese.
"After many tours across Europe, Australia, the U.S., and Canada, to secure a home in Las Vegas -- the showbiz capital of the world -- and with the vaunted 'Jubilee' legacy, well, I couldn't be more ecstatic.
"I visited the show many times before it went dark, never getting enough of the spectacle of feathers and rhinestones! It was the ultimate showgirl revue, from the theater to the Mackie-Menefee costumes."
Von Teese, who essentially revived burlesque as an art form, at least on major stages, says showgirls have been unfairly cast into history.
"Like burlesque, the showgirl is no relic of the past," she said. "It's powerful to see this art form evolve and thrive, and that includes beauty and gender standards within it.
"I speak from experience: I never fit the height, figure, or age standards to be a ballet dancer, or a 'Crazy Horse' cast member, or even a showgirl. But I've always been about shattering expectations."
"This Vegas residency," Von Teese underscores, "will be no different."
The show will run on select Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings including New Year's weekend performances at 9 p.m.
Pre-sales will be available for Von Teese's fan-club members and Caesars loyalty customers, with tickets to the general public going on sale on July 12 at 10 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time.
