Is there any real-life basis for Gena Gershon’s “Goddess” revue from the movie Showgirls?
March 6, 2011 9:15 PM Subscribe
Director Paul Verhoeven is said to have conducted extensive research before filming Showgirls. What elite Vegas shows, if any, bear the closest resemblance to the film’s nude, high-class fictional production “Goddess”?
Folies Bergere is closed down now, but has the classic show girls look I think you mean.
posted by Cheminatrix at 9:43 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by Cheminatrix at 9:43 PM on March 6, 2011
There are many topless Las Vegas shows, presented in casino hotel theaters. I'm not sure what you mean by elite, but the more expensive hotels often have more expensive shows.
All of the Vegas shows will have a competitive audition process (unless someone doing the hiring has someone in mind for the part already, just as in other industries), and getting a regular job in an ongoing show is considered a very good position for a professional dancer. It's very, very, very unlikely that a woman without many years of dance training (10 or more would be not at all unusual) would be hired as a showgirl.
The wikipedia article on showgirl has a list of shows, some of which are in Las Vegas. It mentions a library in Las Vegas that has a collection of related material -- perhaps the director did some of his research there. Contacting the library may net you some more leads on current or past shows.
On the other hand, if you are simply looking to see a tasteful show with topless ladies there's generally some information available on any nudity where you would be getting tickets and you are not likely to come across any of the major casino hotels with a production that presents as seedy.
posted by yohko at 10:07 PM on March 6, 2011
All of the Vegas shows will have a competitive audition process (unless someone doing the hiring has someone in mind for the part already, just as in other industries), and getting a regular job in an ongoing show is considered a very good position for a professional dancer. It's very, very, very unlikely that a woman without many years of dance training (10 or more would be not at all unusual) would be hired as a showgirl.
The wikipedia article on showgirl has a list of shows, some of which are in Las Vegas. It mentions a library in Las Vegas that has a collection of related material -- perhaps the director did some of his research there. Contacting the library may net you some more leads on current or past shows.
On the other hand, if you are simply looking to see a tasteful show with topless ladies there's generally some information available on any nudity where you would be getting tickets and you are not likely to come across any of the major casino hotels with a production that presents as seedy.
posted by yohko at 10:07 PM on March 6, 2011
As mentioned above, today a lot of the casinos have those types of shows, but at the time of the movie, I don’t think there were but two or three running. I always thought they were probably using Crazy Girls for inspiration. The other one it reminded me of was Midnight Fantasy at the Luxor, now just Fantasy. I didn't think Jubilee was as cheesy as the movie but it's been years since I've seen that show.
posted by iscavenger at 6:09 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by iscavenger at 6:09 AM on March 7, 2011
There were parts of Splash that really reminded me of Showgirls.
I can't believe I'm admitting to this in public.
posted by Addlepated at 10:11 AM on March 8, 2011
I can't believe I'm admitting to this in public.
posted by Addlepated at 10:11 AM on March 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:32 PM on March 6, 2011