17 years of ‘Fantasy’ at The Luxor
What started as a six-month project has now led to the topless cabaret FANTASY ready to mark its 17th anniversary at The Luxor. “I never in a million years guessed it would last that long,” producer Anita Mann told me. “That’s an amazing run in show business.” And it shows no sign of slowing down.
Anita says the secret of its longevity since Nov. 1, 1999, is keeping the show fresh and letting her 12 dancers share their enthusiasm and personalities with the audiences. “The girls really enjoy dancing in the show. It’s their passion,” she said.
“The audience loves their exuberance. It’s not just about taking off your clothes. It’s not easy going full force without clothes on. A dancer has to be an athlete.”
FANTASY will celebrate the anniversary Oct. 25 with the launch of its 10th calendar of beauties. Four-time Emmy Award nominee Mandy Moore will choreograph the show’s new closing number that will debut the same day Mandy, who has worked on DANCING WITH THE STARS and SO YOU THNK YOU CAN DANCE, has set a new routine for FANTSAY to Justin Timberlake’s smash hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
The annual calendar began with a modest one-sheeter in 2005 and 2006. Since the debut in 2009 of the first 12-month calendar photographed throughout The Luxor, other calendars have shown the topless temptresses backstage (2009), in swimsuits (2011), body paint (2014) and the 2015 collage, then leaving little to the imagination in lingerie at LAX for the 2016 edition. The 2017 calendar was shot at outdoor locations throughout the valley.
“The girls are beautiful, our show is beautiful, and our home in Las Vegas is beautiful. I wanted to show them both, so we worked with photographer Oscar Picazo at Lake Mead and up at Mount Charleston,” Anita said. “We never reveal everything. It’s still very sexy but discreet. We had no complaints from anybody getting too close and no problems with the police.”
The girls and Anita are donating proceeds — as they do each year — to a local charity. This year, profits will go to Guy Laliberte’s One Drop water for the world charity. “That’s the reason we recognized Lake Mead as one of our backdrops,” said Anita.
I asked whenever there is a rare audition for a role in FANTASY, what does she look for: “The ideal height is 5’6” and above, but we have hired shorter dancers if they have that it factor. Weight is not critical, as muscle tone weighs more. I just want them to be fit, as that is what is needed to dance well and stay healthy. Their audition consists of learning a routine or two, then freestyling to show us what they have and can do.
“A FANTASY audition does not occur that often, but we do need to have them when we lose a dancer or need to fill out our lineup of ladies who know the show. Obviously, over the years the girls have left because of moving out of Las Vegas, getting married or having babies. I like to give the cast holidays, vacations, sick days and days off for personal needs. We are a seven nights a week show, so we like to keep at least 12 ladies who know the show and can go in when they are called and available.
“A good, cheerful attitude is the most important attribute. The ladies all share one dressing room, and it can be pretty unpleasant if there is a bad attitude. We know everyone has bad days and we all understand that, but we are a family and we respect each other and hope that everyone shows up with an attitude of gratitude.
“All year long, there are dancers from all over the country wanting to be a FANTASY dancer in Las Vegas, but unfortunately the rejection rate is very high — maybe only 1 in a 100 and more. Our newest dancer, Shanlee from Arizona, just blew us away at the audition. It was all about her spark and personality, and she was signed immediately.
“We all love what we do here, and it shows. It’s the reason we’re celebrating 17 years, and yet the show still looks as new and as exciting as Day 1.”
