There is a number in “X” Burlesque that creates a legacy loop of sorts when five of the six dancers onstage for the night line up and turn their backsides to the audience. A large prop picture frame turns the scene into a sexy living photo. It’s an homage to an iconic image of Crazy Girls, a topless production that opened at the Riviera in 1987 and once employed “X” Burlesque co-creator Angela Stabile.
Crazy Girls closed last year, but Stabile and husband/partner Matt Stabile, with daughter and co-producer with Tiffany Mondell, are observing the 20th anniversary of “X” Burlesque this year at its home inside the Flamingo. The risqué revue continues to pack in enthusiastic audiences, opening shows with a signature segment involving levitating neon trumpets that float and spin on the darkened stage before the dancers are revealed. They embark on a series of sensual choreographic escapades delivered with contagious enthusiasm and physical abandon.
The performers are completely in control of themselves, though. Whitney Giron may look like she’s losing herself carnally during Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused,” but she’s completely focused while she’s in the moment. “It’s a very sensual and sexual number,” she says. “Anyone’s who’s in the audience has had those feelings of sensuality and being aroused.”
Giron came on board in November 2012 and finds little reason to leave. “My favorite thing is to be able to connect with an audience and pull them into our world, because that is what our show is,” says Giron. “It’s a sexy show and it’s topless, and I love using the stage to pull people in.”
The “X” dancers pull people in, dazzle with dance moves, flip hair and flirt, saunter through the audience and spin on a stripper pole in the center of the showroom floor. They appear flawless in physical movement and appearance, don thematic costumes such as flight attendant uniforms during Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away,” and at one point pull an audience member onstage for a semi-private dance.
Choreographer Anthony Cardella says there are three new numbers scheduled to be included. “We’re adding a hip-hop number, ‘Tap In’ by Saweetie. We have a new bed number by Adele, and we have a new solo by Etta James, ‘I Just Want to Make Love to You.’ We usually change out once a year, but we didn’t last year due to the pandemic. This year, because of the 20th anniversary, we decided it was time to change up.”
The show feels fresh in its current state, due to both the delivery of the dancers and dedication to precision among cast and crew. Giron, who came to “X” Burlesque after getting her start in Crazy Girls right after high school, says she didn’t have dancing topless in mind when she was growing up.
“Then you meet, and you get to know these incredible women, and realize they are talented, strong, independent and smart. … I love being onstage. It’s my favorite thing.”
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