"Jubilee!" is Las Vegas' last classic spectacular
“Jubilee!” at Bally’s is one Las Vegas production that definitely has legs.
It’s more than just its talented 85 high-kicking cast members. It’s also that this extravaganza is celebrating its 28th anniversary as one of the longest running shows on the Las Vegas Strip – and it still likes to lead when it dances.
“’Jubilee!’ is a visual feast for the eyes,” says longtime company manager Fluff Le Coque about the show’s longtime run. “It’s a tribute to beautiful women and men and song and dance. We’ve done some updating but everything’s been kept in context with the original concept.”
Created by the late legendary producer Donn Arden, who is credited with bringing the very first showgirl to Las Vegas, the quintessential classic Vegas spectacular – which boasts the last bastion of real showgirls in Vegas -- made its debut at the hotel on July 31, 1981 at an initial cost of $10 million.
The making of the more than 1,000 costumes at an initial cost of $3.5 million, many designed by Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee, actually created a shortage of rhinestones in the world. Headdresses can weigh as much as 13 pounds and the skirts can weigh 8-10 pounds. An entire costume can weigh up to 35 pounds.
“Jubilee!” is set in seven acts. It is performed on a stage half the size of a football field, one of the most complex and technologically advanced in the world. Each night, spectacular sequences such as “The Destruction of the Temple by Samson” and the “Sinking of the Titanic,” which cannot found on another stage anywhere, are presented.
In the “Titanic” number, 4,200 pounds of dry ice are used every week to create the smoke effects and 10 pounds of explosives are used nightly in the 50 different pyrotechnical effects. “The Titanic” is an exact miniature replica of the original luxury liner and the sets were reproduced from photographs. During the “iceberg” scene, 5,000 gallons of recycled water cascade across the stage.
“Jubilee!” has an updated $3 million opening number, complete with computerized sets, surround-sound music, special effects, lights, sound, choreography and costumes by Mackie and Menefee.. Its remodeled finale incorporates fabulous new scenes and meticulously choreographed dance numbers in the elegant style of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, from their movie classics. The finale includes the famous Red Feather Fan number with the songs, “In the Still of the Night,” “Night and Day,” “Begin the Beguine,” and a new version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”
To keep the show fresh, cast auditions are held every six months.
- by Bobbie Katz, Las Vegas Reporter for HelloMetro
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