Vegas Part 1: Review of the Fashionistas
NOTE: the following blog entry is a review of the stage show “Fashionistas” which is based on the adult film of the same name. While not explicit, it deals with adult themes of sexuality and alternative lifestyles. If this offends you, please skip this blog entry.
Fact is, it was a ballet.
Really. Complete with the libretto being projected pre-show, describing the time-honored tale of the mousy young fashion designer who falls for the gorgeous male fashion mogul that her boss, Cruella de Lapdance, has her eye on, and how she snares him with the oldest trick in the book - that is, inserting frames depicting herself in bondage and an “easter egg” DVD menu taking him on a tour of fetishes. You all know the story…
Well, ok, maybe not. Remember, this is based on a very successful and very explicit adult DVD, and like most adult movies it has a plot line contrived simply to make excuses for stars to start taking their clothes off. You’d never see that in mainstream cinema.
Does it matter? No, not at all, any more than the plotline of the Nutcracker. It’s an excuse to see people dance. And while there may be a bit more bumping and grinding than your average ballet, the fact is there is no nudity. None. In Vegas, in a post-9pm show, that’s almost unheard of.
There is a very tongue-in-cheek attitude towards most of the sexuality, with self-referential mockery (such as an outstanding male dancer dressed in a cheerleading outfit), including some really stereotypical songs in the soundtrack (a combination of pop rock and original works by the director, John Stagliano). Not all of it is hypersexualized or campy, though - the rapprochement scene between the lead and her lover is exquisitely beautiful and passionate pas de deux.
I have a love/hate relationship with the staging. There were large video screens throughout, and the camera became an added character well-used to draw attention or feature certain parts of the storyline (such as the creation of the “easter egg” DVD menu). On the other hand, they also worked in several aerial dance artists - really good ones - that were exquisite to watch, but which were often competing with other dancers on the stage. Even seated in the back of the theatre as we were, it was just too spread out to really be able to give the choreography the attention it deserved.
And it was good. I arrived prepared to be critical with my dancer’s eye, and it’s true, some of the eyecandy players were not the strongest dancers - but the choreographer took that into consideration, smoothly playing to their strengths and maximizing the dancers who were able to really capture the eye and hold it. Given the subject matter, there was certainly a lot of suggestive dancing - but it was worked into the rest of the choreography with skill and acted more as a spice than a main course. Choreographer Nick Navarro should be congratulated for making a show that appeals to both the dancer and the average tourist.
I would see it again in an instant. The music and dancing was joyous, infectious, and the costumes ranged from the sublime (simple cotton dress) to the ridiculous (if the Jetsons were a fetish, what would it look like?).
The website (again, with adult-themed content, so be warned) has video previews that give a good idea of what to expect. If you’re heading Vegas way, it’s a fun evening.
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POSTED IN: Ballet, Dance, Dance Styles, Modern, Performing Arts Reviews and Critiques
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