Remembering The Tropicana: This Show Brought Showgirls To Las Vegas
The Tropicana implodes on Wednesday, marking an explosive end to the glorious property. As the property prepares to crumble from The Strip, there’s a piece of history that we’ll never forget: The Folies Bergere Show.
This show brought feather showgirls to Las Vegas, according to the Associated Press. It opened on Christmas Eve in 1959 and was a “topless” revue freshly imported from Paris.
The Folies Bergere Show dazzled audiences at The Tropicana for nearly 50 years. The final show happened on March 28, 2009, after the Trop couldn’t afford to produce it anymore amid the recession, according to NPR.
‘Folies Bergere’ Gives Vegas A Taste Of French Provocateur
When the show was unveiled, Hank Greenspun, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun, wrote an article in 1958 saying, “From beginning to end this is the most dazzling entertainment which any city has been privileged to see. It’s saucy, piquant and racy in the splendidly provocative French way.”
Greenspun further said this show also sent the message of the old French theory of “girls, girls, girls.”
It was truly a show that appreciated the feminine divine, and it wasn’t “just a display of feminine nudity but beautiful, talented dancers whose facial expressions and body movements are continental theatre,” Greenspun wrote.
The dazzling costumes, the live orchestra, the choreography, and the grandeur experience changed Vegas forever. It set a standard of entertainment and transported audience members to a new world of sequins, French love songs, and beautiful dancers.
Tropicana: Once Glittering Jewel Of The Strip, Gave Many Performers Their Start On The Strip
Many performers started their budding professional dance career as a Folies girl. After the last performance of the night during the heyday of the show, many girls would keep dancing at disco clubs on The Strip — even bumping into celebrities like Sonny and Cher, according to USA Today.
Many of the dancers lived “double lives.” Dancing, performing and endlessly practicing while also attending to young children and keeping their families together.
Maryann Picchi was 25-years-old when she started working on the Folie Bergere show. In an interview with USA Today, Picchi said she had an infant when she started dancing with the show.
“She (Picchi) would sometimes have her son play under her dressing room table with toys during their first performance, then drop him off at home between shows once the babysitter was available,” USA Today reported.
Another dancer on the show Lauri Thompson was a principal dancer from 1985 to 1997. She would even fly from Vegas to California five times a week in the ’90s to attend law school at the University of San Diego, USA Today further reported.
It wasn’t unusual to see celebrities in the audience during these shows. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that sometimes dancers would be distracted by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, who would be in the audience.
In March 2024, the alum of Folies Bergere met together for a reunion, remembering the 30-lb headdresses, late nights and memories.
Other Historical Moments Of Folies Bergere
This show was truly Las Vegas: glittering lights, out-of-the-box acts and mob ties.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Joseph Agosto owned and produced the show. In 1983, he testified that he used his job at The Tropicana to “skim profits for the Kansas City mob.”
Along with the mob ties — which most properties had during the time — this show was also the launch pad for other iconic Strip performances like Siegfried & Roy. The dynamic duo first performed in Las Vegas as an act in this show.
Lance Burton also made his debut with Folies Bergere in 1982 and performed with the show until July 1991.
This show defined a new standard of entertainment. It was sexy, provocative and was the launch pad for entertainers across the city. As we remember the Tropicana and the glamorous history of the former “Tiffany of The Strip,” we also honor the transformative shows and talented people who walked through its doors.
Thank you, Tropicana for changing Las Vegas forever. Soon, it will be gone but never forgotten!
