“…this innovative young man is putting a very unique stamp on Las Vegas”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article previously appeared on another site in April of 2016. Jeffrey has gone on to work with many other artists and shows, including costume design for INFERNO at Paris Hotel Casino. He continues to be a featured performer at V Theater’s ZOMBIE BURLESQUE.
It’s pretty common for a performer or celebrity to be described as “chameleon-like”. Some entertainers can step into a wide variety of roles and fully command them. But a real show-biz chameleon can do just about anything, whether it be singing, dancing, acting, acrobatics…or choreography and costume design?
Yes, it’s possible. Say hello to Vegas multi-hyphenate Jeffrey DeBarathy.
If you’ve attended any Vegas shows in the past several years, chances are that you’ve experienced the talents of Jeffrey DeBarathy. This 35-year-old Montana native has had involvement in the widest variety of productions that this writer has ever seen. It’s not unusual to encounter Jeffrey himself at least once on each of my trips to Sin City. The guy is EVERYWHERE.
Jeffrey began training in the arts when he was only three years old. He studied jazz, tap, and gymnastics in his hometown of Butte until the age of 19 when he was offered a chance to join Celebrity Cruise Lines as part of the Molyneux-Musick Entertainment Company. Those three years literally opened up a whole world of opportunities which saw DeBarathy performing in China, the Caribbean, Tahiti, Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska.
From there, Jeffrey made the decision to try his luck in Las Vegas. He was only 22 at the time but dove headfirst into action by joining the cast of the notorious STORM at Mandalay Bay and Charo‘s Spanish variety show BRAVO. His unconventional good looks and wild mane no doubt made an impression on casting directors, but it was Jeffrey’s talents that brought him to the front.
Jeffrey (upper right) with the cast of “Alice – A Steampunk Concert Fantasy.”
It wasn’t long before Jeffrey was taking charge behind the scenes, too, as dance captain for FASHIONISTAS. That erotically-charged fantasy played at KRAVE nightclub for four years. Numerous other shows followed, most notably Rio‘s final incarnation of SHOW IN THE SKY, the iconic attraction which closed permanently in 2013.
It was during a period of modeling in special events and print ads that Jeffrey discovered a flair for costume and fashion design. His talent for blending unusual and outrageous fantasy elements into his designs has made DeBarathy the go-to designer for many shows in the city. Jeffrey eventually launched his own specialty line of costumes, clothing and accessories called Jd Fashion Design.
Jeffrey’s daring designs adorn The Men Of Steele
Jeffrey (foreground) makes adjustments to a costume during rehearsals for 53X at Chateau Nightclub
In just the past month, Jeffrey has added three new productions to his resume, as costume designer for The Men Of Steele male revue and 53X (the sexy new show at Paris) and as a performer/designer for ALICE: A Steampunk Concert Fantasy at The Linq. That wild musical interpretation of Alice In Wonderland has been drawing crowds…and critical raves…during its monthly performances at Brooklyn Bowl.
As Zombie Burlesque’s “Johnny Wifemauller.”
Jeffrey is also the dance captain and a regular performer at V Theater‘s ZOMBIE BURLESQUE, the risque comedy-horror musical that we mentioned awhile back (in a profile of costar Aaron Lucey). AND, he’s the personal stylist/dance captain/dancer for songstress Kristine W., who’s launching another tour this summer.
Check out this music video they shot together at the Las Vegas Life Cube:
As Jeffrey’s talents allow him to reach and expand, it’s easy to imagine seeing his visionary work in major motion pictures, Broadway productions, and shows throughout the world. But for the time being, this innovative young man is putting a very unique stamp on Las Vegas.
Jeffrey with Zombie Burlesque host Enoch Augustus Scott and castmate April Leopardi…
Photos: Jeffrey DeBarathy/Shannon M. Hardin-Oteyza via Facebook, Sammasseur, Zombie Burlesque, Alice – A Steampunk Concert Fantasy
VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak 