This episode has been over a year in the making. I have been wanting to have this chat since I found out my friend Christopher Childers was in the movie Showgirls. In case you haven’t seen this movie, please know there are a few “spoilers” in this episode. And I will say that unless you …
Today, I have the honor of sharing an interview with a woman who worked behind the scenes with Showgirls in most of Greg Thompson’s productions in Reno. Elaine Sargent used her degree in theatre to immerse herself in the glamour backstage as a wardrobe technician. I had a lot of fun talking with Elaine about …
ep 065 The enduring magic of being a wardrobe technician with Elaine Sargent Read More »
Hey hey! Are you ready to deconstruct the showgirl some more? In these special episodes, we have talked about how There are no more showgirl shows with Alison Kravenko in ep 056, Physical requirements and expectations with Brenda Barrett in episode 60, and Art vs. selling out with Andrew Branche in ep 062. Today, we …
Today I present to you a solo episode that touches on a very important topic in the Showgirl’s Life—community. Though we have shared some hilarious backstage stories in previous episodes, there was magic happening at a deeper level. This is how a dressing room community is built. I am sharing my views on what it …
Hey hey! Are you ready to deconstruct the showgirl some more? Last month, in episode 060, we talked about physical requirements and expectations with Brenda Barrett. And in the first ever Showgirl Deconstructed ep 056 back in July, we talked about how there are no more showgirl shows with Alison Kravenko. In this episode we …
ep 062 Showgirl Deconstructed: Art vs Selling Out featuring Andrew Branche Read More »
Tiffany Johnson was a tall nude in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! in 1999 and left just before I got into the show. She returned for 3 more years almost a decade later. She has had a long career with a variety of opportunities and achievements. One thing to note is that we grew up in the …
ep 061 Born to be a performer featuring Tiffany Johnson Read More »
Today’s episode discusses one of the toughest parts of being a Showgirl that non-performers can’t wrap their heads around—physical requirements and expectations. Showgirls and Bluebell dancers have been held to high standards for decades due to standards set by Madame Bluebell and then perpetuated by “tastes” preferred by white men over the generations. Encore guest …
Welcome to part 2 of the Showgirls Road Trip 2021. Earlier this summer, I went on a road trip with Sheri Lewis, host of Bluebells Forever podcast. Sheri and I got together recently to debrief about our wonderful adventure in Reno, Las Vegas and LA. It took awhile to recount all of our experiences that …
ep 059 Showgirls Road Trip 2021 recap with Sheri Lewis, part 2 Read More »
Welcome to part 1 of the Showgirls Road Trip 2021. Earlier this summer, I went on a road trip with Sheri Lewis, host of Bluebells Forever podcast. Sheri and I got together recently to debrief about our wonderful adventure in Reno, Las Vegas and LA. It took awhile to recount all of our experiences that …
ep 058 Showgirls Road Trip 2021 recap with Sheri Lewis, part 1 Read More »
Jubilee! Opening 40th Anniversary This episode has been in the making for over a year, as I have been collecting guests’ stories about their part in the opening of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021!! Happy Birthday Jubilee! (Please note, the audio contains mistakes of some of the dates and numbers, but …
What is a showgirl show? In this special episode, I brought back Alison Kravenko Johnson to deep dive about how there are no more Showgirl shows left. This new feature of Showgirls Life will happen once a month where I bring on an encore guest to discuss one specific topic in the Showgirl’s Life. This …
Showgirl’s Life was started to document the lives of the people that embodied or supported the Showgirl. A lot of lessons have been learned along the way. I discuss a variety of topics relating to the work required to produce a podcast, shame, discrimination in entertainment, and what a Showgirl is and what she isn’t. …
ep 055 Top ten things I learned from creating a podcast about Showgirls Read More »
Dave Margolis started his training late but was able to work hard enough to land a spot in the chorus boys line in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Dave shares about his first audition with Michael Pratt, former assistant company manager in Jubilee!, what it was like being a Showboy and the privilege that it was. He …
ep 054 The privilege of being a Showboy featuring Dave Margolis Read More »
It’s been a year of podcasting! Yay!! This episode is the replay of the 1st anniversary livestream recording, trimmed of the visual bits. But there is still a reason to listen. One lucky winner will receive the same prize pack that the live winners received. Make sure to get your trivia answers emailed to me …
ep 053 Celebrating one year of podcasting Showgirl’s Life Read More »
Today’s episode features Brenda Barrett, a tall Bluebell dancer from the opening cast of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! She shares about her life as a dancer turned pilates instructor who has been working and living in Rome for the past 30 years. Topics discussed: opening Jubilee! in 1981, moving to Europe to pursue more dance opportunities, …
Rita Pardue was hired for the girl’s singer line in the opening cast of Donn Arden’s Jubilee. She moved all the way across country from Boston to take the position after her cattle call audition for Fluff LeCoque. She shares her favorite experiences in Jubilee and how the two years she spent in the show …
ep 051 The entrepreneurial women of dressing room 6 featuring Rita Pardue Read More »
This 50th episode of Showgirls Life is a collection of guests sharing their perspectives on what a Showgirl is and what she isn’t. Think you know what a Showgirl is? Definitely NOT like she was portrayed in Showgirls the movie. What a joke! On the other hand, the Showgirl is more than feathers and legs, …
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Suzanne Raines (Lunn) went to Paris with Madame Bluebell, to perform as a Bluebell dancer in Allez Lido at the Lido de Paris at the age of 16. She did quite well there advancing to the dancing nude line until Miss Bluebell invited her to travel to Las Vegas to be part of the opening …
Dollie Eaglin started dance at a late age, even though she was inspired by the dancing shows she saw on TV as a young girl in the South. In this episode we discuss her path to the Las Vegas shows Donn Arden’s Hallelujah Hollywood and Jubilee! And the impact being part of those casts had …
Debra Lee Kristian is back for part 2 where she shares more about life at the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Hotel when the mob ran it. She has a few stories of interactions with Frank Rosenthal and how upset she was at a nickname he gave her. We discuss the immensity of the …
Debra Lee Kristian did not fit the standards that Donn Arden’s cast members were typically known for. She was quite short but was able to entertain Donn Arden enough to win the role as the Principal singer of Allez Lido, the final edition of the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, …
Showgirl’s Life podcast welcomes back three generations of Las Vegas performers Janet Kravenko, Alison Kravenko and Skyla Johnson for a group interview to talk about show business and their family legacy. As a special Mother’s Day tribute, the three generations share what life has been like being a mother and/or daughter in showbiz as Las …
ep 045 A peek into three generations of women in show business and their family legacy Read More »
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Breaking color barriers in show business as a black male dancer featuring Marty Lewis Marty Lewis, who was in both opening casts of Hello, Hollywood, Hello and Jubilee as a black male dancer, shares his story of being a black Showboy in Donn Arden’s MGM productions. We discuss the joys and privileges of being part …
