Photos: The women of ‘Sexxy’ on the road to 400 at Westgate

My friend Jennifer Romas, who created SEXXY THE SHOW at Westgate Las Vegas and also is its star, producer and choreographer, celebrates SEXXY’s 400th show next month.

She describes her show as “the little engine that could.” She beat the odds and succeeded in three short months conceptualizing her cabaret, casting it and having it premiere during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

“Las Vegas is in an epidemic of show closures, and I count my blessings every day that SEXXY THE SHOW, the little engine that could, is on its way this September to celebrate 400 shows,” Jennifer told me. “Even though we are 400 shows old, it does seem that the roller coaster hasn’t stopped or gotten easier to ride.

“Each day presents new challenges, but also opportunity and growth for many new things. I believe some of these obstacles we all face are really assets. They are not here to defeat us, but to strengthen us.”

Jennifer credits teamwork that brings success to her unrivaled passion, with continued support from David Siegel and Mark Waltrip of Westgate and Red Mercury, who have made her dream a reality. “With accolades such as best burlesque choreography and best adult revue, our hopes are to keep undressing far into the future,” she laughed.

But Jennifer admits that her commitment to success and longevity has come at a cost: “At times, I feel stuck and trapped and buried in the business end and miss the simpler days of just enjoying the freedom and passion of dance, the performance and process and being carefree and creative.

“My health has taken a beating physically and emotionally, and I can’t say I have a personal life besides my two loving bulldogs. But I wouldn’t change where I am for the world. This thing called SEXXY has the opportunity to be so much bigger.

“Who doesn’t want to be sexy at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, even 70? SEXXY to me means strength, confidence, power, knowledge, and not just for women.

“I’ve reflected a lot the last few months and really thought about the future. There will come a day when I will need to hang up my dancing shoes, G-strings and stilettos and retire my body from the nightly grind. It’s going to take something huge to fill that void. I want to leave behind a legacy, build an empire, I want to grow the brand, my company, and I want to teach others.

“Long after I am able to perform, I want to be a role model for women and children, and I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me one day and say, ‘Because of you, I didn’t give up.’ Because I can honestly say back to them, ‘It’s because of you that I didn’t give up.’ ”

Jennifer says show consultant Doug “Lefty” Leferovich, John Stott and her father are her “men of SEXXY backbone” and credits the cast who rocks the stage at Westgate. “On a nightly basis, there is a fierce group of women who rock the stage, and these are the women who have taken me and the show to the next level the last sixth months.

Jenn ran them down for me:

Our MC and lead singer is Gabriella Versace. She is the owner and creator of Showgirl Cupcakes, an NSPCA advocate and a Miss Pennsylvania. She has been honored with a Quality of Life Award for Excellence in Volunteerism producing shows for the Shriners Organization. She is the kindest, most generous person I have ever met.

Alexander Halbauer hails from British Columbia. SEXXY is Alex’s first professional choreographed stage show, and she is without a doubt one of the most talented divas I’ve known. Her talents include DJ’ing, modeling and figure skating. Her enormous heart, energy and love for life shine brighter than the sun. Keep your eye on this girl; she’s going places.

Sabrina Russo: Not only is she an accomplished ballerina with the Stuttgart, Zurich and English ballets, she also has traveled the world with her hula hoop act and teaches here at Shine Alternative Fitness. She is an Italian ball of feisty fire and might just make the best pizza on earth. Her spirit, strength and work ethic are untouchable.

Deena Carey: Our pin-up beauty, the former Phoenix Suns dancer and choreographer and singer has graced the stage of more than a dozen Las Vegas revues. She also is a full-time aesthetician at the spa in Harrah’s.

Bri Baxter: Our blonde bombshell with beauty and brains. A former Atlanta Hawks dancer and choreographer and versed in all styles of dance, Bri has her own clothing line and has worked as a brand and marketing specialist and manager. She also has an amazing 1-year-old.

Indira Mora Cueto: From Havana, Cuba, SEXXT is Indira’s first professional stage show here. This lady is muy caliente, and going full out is an understatement. She has training and a passion for the history of Cuban and other dance. She teaches salsa, rumba and bachata.

Charlene Carabeo: Lead singer and cover host of SEXXY, Charlene has more than 25 years of experience, including MISS SAIGON on Broadway. She is trilingual, has worked in senior management, marketing and corporate businesses and is an amazing mother.

April Leopardi Anneberg: She’s a jack of all trades, as this badass showgirl’s recent guest column will attest.

Lisa Cannon: Aussie in the house! From Moulin Rouge to Las Vegas, you’ve seen her rock many stages. She is a pole instructor at Pole Fitness Studios, impersonates Katy Perry and knows how to ride the waves.

Agnes Roux: From Montpellier, France, Agnes was for 12 years a lead with Cirque’s ZUMANITY at New York-New York. Our “diva trina ballerina” joined the cast of SEXXY last year. She is now the mother of a baby boy, and we can’t wait to have her back onstage.

Jennifer concluded: “These are the women of SEXXY. They make me the luckiest boss lady ever, and it’s their enthusiasm and passion that make the big difference between success and failure in the rough-and-tumble world of shows in Las Vegas.”

SEXXY THE SHOW is at 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays at Westgate Las Vegas. More: SexxyShow.com.