Poker News

Len Butcher

Went to see the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana recently, first time I’ve seen it in about 10 years. I have to say, I was impressed, and I didn’t even go to the 10 p.m. show, which is topless. The costumes, sets and dance numbers were great, and the showgirls were gorgeous. Not that I noticed, of course.

On my way out, I was thinking what it must take to put a show like this together, and even more fascinating, how has the Folies been able to endure for 45 years in a town that eats up and spits out shows at an alarming rate. You heard me right. The Folies Bergere has been running continuously at the Tropicana for 45 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Okay, so what do I do about it? Being a trained journalist, I thought a good way to start would be to talk to the people who put this show together.

Picture my surprise when I find out there are no “people”, just a “person” in the name of Jerry Jackson. Jerry writes, choreographs, designs the costumes, writes special music, directs and co-produces the show, which he’s been doing since 1966. To say this guy is talented is like saying President Clinton was monogamous.

I caught up to Jerry when he was in the midst of redoing a part of the show, and therein lies part of the answer to its longevity. “We keep it fresh,” he says, “and replace anything that’s not working.”

But it’s much more than that, as I soon found out talking to this man, who at 67 has more energy and enthusiasm than most people half his age. “A traditional show would quickly become dated. You always have to come up with something fresh, something new. When I do a show, I’m also commenting on it. I like to instill the essence of each period and style, much like the movie ‘Moulin Rouge’. The costume designer and set director in that movie did not adhere to history or authenticity, but they captured the spirit of the period.”

Let me explain something about the show, for those of you who haven’t seen it. It is a celebration of women and how they have changed from 1850 to the present day. This transformation is shown through dance and music, from a minuet set in 19th century France, through the Roaring ’20s and rock ‘n’ roll, with many other stops along the way, but let me warn, you there are new numbers all the time, Jerry’s idea of keeping it fresh.

He does exhaustive research when he has to choreograph a particular dance style and will actually study with whoever’s a master at it. “I want all of my choices to be based on authenticity. I think it’s the underlying substance that gives the show longevity. In other words, it’s not just tits and feathers.”

The pace of the show has also changed over the years, says Jerry. “It’s become very important, even more so since the advent of MTV. In the firstfive minutes of the show there are three or four costume changes. I don’t like anything to stay on stage longer than 45 seconds to a few minutes before it is changed, whether it be the introduction of a new person, or a change of costume, set, or music. The audience’s attention span isn’t what it used to be.”

In selecting the dancers, Jerry looks for their ability to act and their stage presence. “They don’t have to be technically brilliant, although that helps, but they must be able to act and project on stage. I want them to have what I call a dancer’s spirit, and lots of energy.” Then he adds with a smile: “And, of course, pretty doesn’t hurt.”

If you want a fun night out, next time you’re in Las Vegas, catch this show. It runs nightly, except Sunday, with covered (not topless) at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. (topless).

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