Drag Shows – VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak

Drag and Drop the Mic for ‘FAAABULOUS! The Show’ at NOTORIETY LIVE

New production dares to break the cardinal rule of drag entertainment….

Update 3/12/21 – Since the original publication of this article in 2019, much has changed on the Vegas entertainment landscape. After a thorough search (and waiting for just the right time), the creators of ‘FAAABULOUS! The Show’ are launching this evening at their new resident location.

‘FAAABULOUS! The Show’ will perform every Friday night at 8pm inside the innovative and daring NOTORIETY LIVE in downtown Las Vegas. Price is $39.99 plus taxes/fees. To learn more about NOTORIETY LIVE, click this link for my article. To purchase tickets for ‘Faaabulous’, head right here.

NOTORIETY LIVE is located in downtown Las Vegas on the third level of NEONOPOLIS at the corner of N. 4th Street and 450 Fremont Street, above The 35 Cinema and The Nerd.

There are those who say that Britney Spears’ residency at Planet Hollywood was essentially a large-scale drag show. Outrageous costumes. Sexy back-up dancers. A heavily made-up performer who mimed her way through songs while sashaying around the stage, lip-syncing to the lyrics. Check-check-check.

Being a naysayer of Spears and her own wooden, detached performances, I’ve found it more entertaining to enjoy the talents of Britney impersonators. Becoming someone other than yourself….now that’s real talent. Vegas favorites like Derrick Barry (America’s Got Talent, DIVAS) and Katie Murdock (Blond Invasion, Legends In Concert) take that artistry even higher by physically embodying the star while having angelic singing voices of their own.

The art of drag is at an all-time high in our culture, especially here in Sin City. Senor Frog’s Drag Brunch at Treasure Island continues to pack in the crowd. Stars-N-Stilettos has arrived to take them on and Hamburger Mary’s has shifted its focus from beef to duct tape. Ester Goldberg gave it a go at SLS and Frank Marino’s DIVAS has been circling from above, rumored for a comeback at Hooters Casino (oh, the jokes we could make with that one).

The one common element for all of these productions is that drag artists rarely do any actual singing. Lip-syncing is the norm for this type of entertainment, hence the references to Britney. But that’s about to change with the debut of FAAABULOUS! The Show. This limited-run production will be the only singing/dancing/comedy drag show in Las Vegas…and they hope it finds a permanent home.

FAAABULOUS! The Show is a labor of love. It’s created by two heavy-hitters with lengthy show-biz pedigrees. Christopher Kenney is best known to audiences as “Edie“, hostess of ZUMANITY by Cirque du Soleil. Writer/performer Jamie Morris is currently starring in the eye-opening Puppetry of the Penis at Erotic Heritage Museum and created new material for ZUMANITY’s 2015 refresh.

Together, this partnership of boundless talent has captured the essence of drag and infused it with the vocal and comedic skills of five artists, each possessing their own impressive accomplishments:

Bella T. Ross, Dusty Muffin, Junebug, San San and Vita Summers…

BELLA T. ROSS is the creation of Josh Ross, a Los Angeles native and a Debbie Allen Dance Academy graduate who has been performing professionally for 15 years. Some of his credits include The Disney Channel’s “Suite Life of Zack&Cody,” Donn Arden’s “Jubilee!,” Tokyo Disney’s “Mystic Rhythms,” “Chicago The Musical” aboard The Allure of the Sea, “Cats The Musical” at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, “The Grinch Live!” at Universal Studios Hollywood, and “A Las Vegas Christmas” at The Linq Las Vegas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfjAWYxUrtg

DUSTY MUFFIN is the creation of C. Lash who is music supervisor/director and arranger for FAAABULOUS. He also created arrangements and direction for BAZ – Star Crossed Love (Palazzo), Scorsese: An American Crime Requiem (The Wallis), Tarantino (The Wallis) and Love Actually: Live (The Wallis). He was also the resident musical director and guest faculty member for UNLV’s Theatre Department.

JUNEBUG is the creation of Brooks Braselman, a Leo who enjoys thunder storms and keeping secrets. After majoring in musical theater at Boston’s Emerson College Brooks moved back to his home town of New Orleans. It was here he first squeezed his enormous head under a wig as Chicklet in “Psycho Beach Party” (Big Easy Award nomination). Since then Brooks has played a gaggle of lovely “ladies” including Christina Crawford in “Mommie Queerest (LA Weekly Award nomination), Natalie Green in “The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode,” Clarice startling in “The Silence Of The Clams,” Agnes Gooch in “Auntie Mame”, Velma Cruther in “Shut Up Sweet Charlotte!” He can currently be seen as Brock Hutchinson, along side John Malkovich, in the film “Supercon”, currently streaming on Amazon Prime!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7VW68YNZRo

SANDRA SANTIGOLD (“San San”) is the creation of Justin Rodriguez, a native of Queens, N.Y. who has called Las Vegas home for over 25 years. Credits include the National Tour of “RENT” (Angel), emcee/host of “Island Heat” at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino, multiple roles in “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding” at Bally’s Las Vegas; and even survived the short lived “Spoofical: The Musical” at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. He is currently the front man for “Extreme Live”, a brand new immersive music experience at the Linq Las Vegas.

VITA SUMMERS is the creation of Ashton Shawver who played the role of Suzanne Sugarbaker in “Re-Designing Women” in Dallas (world premier), San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale and off-Broadway in New York. As Vita, Ashton has won several titles in the drag world including Texas All-American Goddess at Large and Miss Fire Island her first summer performing at the popular LGBTQ enclave. Vita also performed alongside Katy Perry on Saturday Night Live. A native of Texas who now lives and works in Ft Lauderdale, Vita is excited to be making her Las Vegas stage debut!

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“No lip-synching. No impersonations. The cast of “Faaabulous! The Show” – Vita Summers, Bella Ross, Sandra Santigold, Dusty Muffin and JuneBug – are true triple threats. They sing, they dance, and they are damn funny! Kenney and Morris want to take drag to the next level and they believe this is the show that Las Vegas needs right now”.

‘Señor Frog’s DRAG BRUNCH’ Extends Performance Schedule at Treasure Island

Trendy hit adds weekday performances to accommodate capacity crowds…

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It’s bold, outrageous and one of those experiences that you just can’t wait to tell your friends at home about. It’s Señor Frog’s DRAG BRUNCH, the wild adults-only hit at Treasure Island. Presented by Voss Events, Drag Brunch is delicious food, shocking comedy, crazy dance numbers, and audience interaction, all served with a heaping helping of sass. And after four successful years, it’s one Sin City production that just keeps growing.

The recent launch of RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! at Flamingo (also by Voss Events) is the latest cherry on that bright, sugary confection known as “drag.” A longtime Vegas institution, female impersonation goes back several decades in legendary shows up and down the Strip. From “Boylesque” at the Silver Slipper Casino to “Frank Marino’s DIVAS” and the current incarnation of Tropicana‘s “LEGENDS IN CONCERT,” drag continues to become more popular with each passing year. It’s also changed with the times and evolved from “fringe” to “mainstream”.

Senor Frog’s DRAG BRUNCH was way ahead of the craze when it launched in 2016. The late-morning experience was already a hit in cutting-edge cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Toronto. But the unpredictable nature of audiences led Drag Brunch Las Vegas to start off slowly with only one scheduled performance per week. Fortunately, capacity crowds resulted in the addition of a second same-day performance, then an expansion to both Saturdays and Sundays.

Now you can channel your inner diva eight times a week as Senor Frog’s DRAG BRUNCH is taking over a few weekdays, too. Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnus “Shannel”, the show features a rotating cast of top-tier talent, many familiar to fans of the hit TV series. Their current performance schedule is Thursday through Sunday at 11:30am and 2:30pm. A large unlimited buffet featuring breakfast favorites, lunchtime selections, and delicious Mexican specialties, is provided by Senor Frog’s Restaurant.

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Admission price to DRAG BRUNCH includes seating, show, brunch, and bottomless mimosas. There are upgrade packages for VIP seating, full open bar, and photos with the cast. If you’re a newbie and uncertain about “transitioning” into the world of drag entertainment, an inconspicuous standing-room option at the rear bar ($10) allows you to enjoy the insanity from a “safe” distance. Chances are that once you discover the wonderful world of drag, your concerns will fade away and you’ll soon join in on the fun.

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With chart-topping dance hits, classic impersonation and lots of naughty innuendo, Senor Frog’s Drag Brunch is a top-notch smorgasbord of sights and sounds. So grab your friends, leave your inhibitions at the door…and make sure the little ones stay at home.

Click HERE for the latest schedule and to purchase tickets/reservations.

Photos: Sam Novak, Senor Frog’s Drag Brunch

Hamburger Mary’s FINALLY Unleashes The Beef

Unique food and entertainment destination’s long-delayed debut is here…

It’s been more than a year since Hamburger Mary’s Las Vegas missed its projected opening date. There have actually been more delays and postponements than a Mariah Carey or Madonna concert. Some social-media skeptics have questioned whether the fun, quirky venue will EVER actually open.

But I’ve just returned from the official first hour of business and can say without a doubt: Hamburger Mary’s is going to be fabulous!

My original announcement as it appeared last summer…

No doubt you’ve seen my original piece that announced Mary’s return to the scene. It’s been one of my most heavily-read, suggesting that the Vegas community is really behind the venture.

So despite the low-key and quiet opening today (to allow for server training and fine-tuning operations), eager diners were lined up well before the doors unlocked. They were braving the heat for a first taste of Mary’s meat.

Amid opening jitters and lots of excitement, partners Luigi Placencia and James Healey and General Manager Eleneki “Ernie” Yuen welcomed their first guests to the bright and campy restaurant and cabaret.

The large space at 1700 E. Flamingo Road is a true gem with ample free parking. Two dining rooms, two bars and two stages will allow for multi-purpose entertainment. An outdoor patio will be completed soon, adding to the mix.

Club Mary’s will take over one section of the venue on weekend nights beginning at 11pm. Food service is available from opening til 11pm on weekdays and until 4am for those party nights of Friday and Saturday.

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A limited menu is in effect for the soft opening, which should run until the first week of September. Then comes the Grand Opening gala with everything Hamburger Mary’s is known for. Prepare yourself for outrageous drag shows, sexy male dancers…and perhaps a certain gathering of hunks that I’ve been working on for awhile.

Yes, your bill will come to you in a high heel shoe…

Gender-neutral restrooms – Mary’s progressive all-welcome philosophy…

As Ernie Yuen posted on Facebook today, the challenges to plan out Mary’s return to the city will be worth it in the long run:

It’s been 17 months since Luigi Placencia and I met. I was doing a in-house call for our Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine. Lou wanted to be an advertising partner with Las Vegas PRIDE to promote his nightclub (FLAIR). We were sitting in this empty space, a very large room with 3 walls and a bar connected to a room that looked like a kitchen.

Luigi Placencia and I clicked, both of us with potty mouths and crazy personalities. We instantly became friends. This all started with one question an honest answer and a promise.

The Question- What are you going to do with this amazing space?

The Answer- I wanted to build a home for our Las Vegas LGBT Community

The Promise- If you build a Hamburger Mary’s I promise to come and work for you and be your GM.

Today- excited, happy, nervous- we open our doors at 11:00am- It’s finally here. Let the fun begin!

Myself with partners James Healey (left) and Luigi Placencia…

With FLO Advertising’s Mike Foland aka “Money Mike” of Men of the Strip…

Based on what I saw today, Hamburger Mary’s Las Vegas should be a big hit with the local community. It remains to be seen if the lucrative tourist trade can be made aware of its existence. No doubt plans are in the works to draw fun-seekers from the Strip as well.

Good luck to everyone and I’ll be seeing you. A lot.

Hamburger Mary’s is located at 1700 East Flamingo Road. Hours are from 11am to 11pm weekdays, Friday and Saturday until 4am.

Photos: Sammasseur, David Vincent via Facebook

“Drag Brunch” at Treasure Island is a Bold, Giddy Blast

Señor Frog’s Wakes You Up With Breakfast Burritos, Mimosas…and Drag Queens?

These days, the opportunities to say “Only in Vegas” are getting harder to come by. The lions have left MGM Grand. The volcano at Mirage rarely erupts these days. Bowling with “glamazons” at Drink and Drag Lounge has faded into memory. But there’s an activity in Sin City that you most likely can’t do at home. It’s Señor Frog’s Drag Brunch at Treasure Island.

When I first heard about Treasure Island’s Drag Brunch, I didn’t think much of it. This writer has covered many weekly mixed-crowd events that quickly “petered” out (no pun intended). But during my weekend mornings at home in Oregon, I noticed plenty of Vegas friends tagging themselves and checking in at the Brunch on the official Facebook page.

Would this be the one that actually catches on? Chances were pretty high, as the concept had already been the rage at Señor Frog’s locations in Miami, New York City, and Fire Island Pines.

Then I started getting a Groupon offer that was very tempting. Buffet, unlimited mimosas and a show for $45.00? I was already a fan of Señor Frog’s menu and wacky atmosphere. Throw in some seasoned RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants (like CoCo Montrese, Desree St. James, Kahanna Montrese and India Ferrah) dishing out racy comedy and hit songs onstage and throughout the venue…and this makes for one heck of a deal.

There’s also a VIP option with two-hour premium open bar and preferred seating. Prices are higher at the official site, which also lists a standing-room show-only option with cash bar for $10. I was told by an insider that the Groupon deal will be extended indefinitely, so that’s the way to go.

As luck would have it, I was just about to purchase my Groupon when I got an official invitation to review the brunch. Despite a whirlwind schedule, I accepted and arrived early enough to take some photos…and get an early jump on the ~~mimosas~~ best seats.

The venue on the second floor of Senor Frog’s overlooks the Strip (and lagoon for the former Sirens of T.I. show, another lost attraction) and has a dedicated bar and DJ booth. Most tables are large and “family style”, so you may make a friend or two before the show begins.

If you’ve never attended a female-impersonation show before, this is the perfect opportunity to lose your gender-bender virginity. Drag entertainment has been around for centuries, going as far back as ancient Rome. Even Frank Marino’s DIVAS Las Vegas has been running on the Strip (in one form or another) for over 30 years.

If you’re feeling a little insecure, the basic admission package includes unlimited mimosas. There’s also a cash bar staffed by muscular masculine bartenders. That should help to loosen your inhibitions and prepare you for the wild ride ahead.

The Vegas version of Drag Brunch is emceed by Shannel (Bryan Watkins), whom you may have seen at Divas Las Vegas, 53X at Paris or Piranha Nightclub. Shannel has lightning-fast wit, amazing skill as a female impersonator and just enough gravitas to act as house mom to hold the younger “girls” slightly in check.

Drag Brunch host “Shannel” will elevate your idea of drag queens….

The jokes flew fast and furious, as did the wigs, lips and elaborate costumes. A cast of four performers covered the entire floor with outrageous dance numbers, wonderful spontaneity and laughs galore.

Be aware that drag shows are extremely interactive. You may find yourself as part of a comical moment, dance number or group toast. Almost anything can happen here, but that’s why you come to Vegas, right? (BTW, it’s traditional at drag shows to wave some tip money at the performers, so you might want to have some singles ready).

Since this review originally appeared on another site, I’ve attended Drag Brunch on numerous weekends and consistently have a great time. It’s a great choice for bachelor/bachelorette parties, anniversaries and any special occasion. They even hosted my birthday party this year, as you can see below.

If you want to return home with your own “Waking Up In Vegas” tale, this is the one that you want to tell. Senor Frog’s Drag Brunch is a smash hit. Bring your appetite, a camera…and a sense of adventure. But leave your stuffy, uptight friends behind.

Senor Frog’s Drag Brunch is held every Thursday through Sunday at Treasure Island Hotel Casino. Seating times are 11:30am and 2pm. Ages 21 and over. Prices range from $10 entry-only cash bar to $79.95 VIP including open bar and photo with cast. Group rates available. Discount admission via Groupon starting at $45 via this link.

This review previously appeared on another site. It has been updated with current information and photos.

Photos: Sammasseur, Toshia Marvin, Drag Brunch

Run, Don’t Walk to “Miss Behave Gameshow”

It’s kindergarten for grown-ups in this insane freight train to Bonkersville…

What do you do when a signature production shuts down, leaving its namesake theater empty? Well, if you’re Bally’s, you forget about the Jubilee! Showroom for awhile and convert the space that was once a gay bar (and a steakhouse before that) into a playground for adults. Then you put in a glitter-clad lady sword-swallower and her gender-nonspecific sidekick and let the balls fly.

Enter if you dare…

That’s the best description I can offer for Miss Behave Gameshow, the upside-down crowd-pleaser currently running at Bally’s. This faux-competition comedy/variety hybrid in The Back Room (adjacent to Indigo Lounge) will have you dancing, singing and playing with bags of trash. Seriously.

Run onstage and take a selfie…there are no rules…

The brainchild of British comedian Amy Saunders, Miss Behave Gameshow presents Saunder’s alter-ego “Miss Behave” in the title role as host. Assisted by a young guy with a carnival-barker mustache who goes by the name of “Tiffany” (not sure why, but okay), Miss Behave is a rapid-fire assault on the senses.

The audience…and “Tiffany”…get split down the middle…

Combining pop culture trivia with today’s obsession with smartphones and a handful of sideshow acts, Miss Behave will have you buzzing about it long after the show is over. Be sure to charge your phone beforehand, as you’ll want to share your WTF video clips with friends when you return to the real world.

Video highlights from Miss Behave Gameshow…

It’s rather jarring to see the gorgeous former Liaison Nightclub stripped of its expensive custom oil paintings and adorned with Sharpie-marker cardboard signs. But Miss Behave Gameshow wears its cheapness proudly, like when a “mystery prize” turns out to be sacks of garbage hurled at the audience.

Don’t worry, you’ll be tossing that refuse right back at Miss B. and Tiffany…they wallow in trash…and trashy humor. They also like sing-alongs and impromptu dance numbers. Don’t expect to sit in your seat for very long. The atmosphere here is literally uplifting, invigorating and totally free.

The premise of MBGS is simple. The audience is divided into two teams – iPhone users and “others” aka Android and the game is afoot. Saunders goes through a stack of cardboard signs on which questions and challenges are scribbled. For instance, “Shout Loudest” might have you trying to out-scream the other team…or just shouting the word “LOUDEST”. Can you guess which one scores a point?

An audience member enjoys her “mystery prize”…

The rules are vague and flexible, as are the challenges and prizes. You want a point for your team? Stand up and ask for one. You may get it, maybe not. But that tactic can also backfire and end up losing your team several points instead. Offering bribes and cash will work, though. Really.

Despite her real-life Guiness Book records for sword-swallowing, Miss Behave keeps pointed objects away from Bally’s audiences. The sharpest things in her collection here are a razor blade wit…and a tongue that’s penetrated by the stem of a flower (don’t look if you’re squeamish).

Rewards are handed out randomly, like the lucky gal who got “A Prize”…those actual words written on a piece of cardboard. The grand prize is a go-for-broke plastic ball fight that makes the Chuck E. Cheese ball pits look like a night at the opera. Kindergarten for grown-ups, indeed!

There are no true victors at Miss Behave Game Show. As Saunders says during the final bows, “Life is just a game. There are no winners, no losers…just players. So how do you win a game when there are no rules? You just enjoy the game!”

After some uplifting philosophy, Miss B. and Tiffany join the audience in the anteroom for half-price cocktails, photos and conversation. You’ll find yourself wanting to stick around and relish the madness and positivity that exude from this wild, magnetic duo.

As Vegas continues to smother its productions with sameness and bland repetition, Miss Behave Game Show stands out as something uniquely “Sin City”. It’s an experience that you can’t have anywhere else…and that’s what Las Vegas is all about.

Miss Behave Game Show performs Wednesday through Sunday at 8pm inside The Back Room of Bally’s. Tickets start at $49.99 plus tax/fees and can be ordered here. VegasFool has a discount offer for $29 plus tax/fees by clicking here. Audience members must be 21 or over.

Photos/videos by Sammasseur