MARLENE KARAS/VIEW"Ooh La La," the new show at Paris Las Vegas, combines magic, singing and more with an all-female cast and crew.
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Supporters of the movement to eradicate the degradation and exploitation of women may be hard pressed to believe that a topless revue could be considered an exhibition of feminist ideals.
But the minds behind Paris Las Vegas' newest topless variety show, "Ooh La La," couldn't disagree more.
The show features an entirely female cast and crew, a fresh and innovative concept in a city where women often are the center stage draw, but have few opportunities to become involved on such a level with the creative process.
Female ushers dressed in tiny French schoolgirl ensembles escort guests into the cozy events hall that just a year ago was being used for guest check-in at the hotel.
The show itself, with its burlesque quality, doesn't have to struggle to maintain its audience. The evening is flecked with variety acts that include comedy, dancing, a magic show, singing and aerialist stunts.
Even when fully clothed, the cast portrays an underlying sensuality that is almost tangible as the room fills with the faint scent of women's perfume, an added touch to what producer Anthony Cools calls "the sensory experience."
The show, which opened in January, is the brainchild of Cools, an entrepreneur, Las Vegas headliner and producer.
"The theater where I do my show was the perfect venue for 'Ooh La La,' " Cools said. "There was some empty space and time slots. I thought it would be great to make use of both, so when I came up with the idea for the show, I approached Paris and they gave it a green light. I wrote it and began casting late last year."
According to Cools, he and director/choreographer Gary Thomas were looking for more than just your average showgirl.
"We wanted the whole package," Cools said. "Not just a girl who is beautiful, but talented and intelligent. We wanted that to shine through on the stage, that these aren't just empty-headed bimbos, but intelligent, strong, intoxicating women."
The five dancers range in age from 22 to 34, including 24-year-old Michelle DiTerlizzi.
A dancer since she was 5, DiTerlizzi graduated from college in three years with a degree in business and marketing, then headed to Las Vegas to become a full-time professional dancer.
"I am trained in jazz, ballet, tap, just about every type of dance," DiTerilizzi said. "I wanted to be a dancer, and this is a great show and a wonderful opportunity. All of the girls are so close that we really are like family. Being topless at first was strange, but you get used to it. Besides, the female body is a beautiful thing, and I always feel like we're doing a service to our sex. We're saying, 'Here we are. We can be beautiful and so much more.' "
According to Thomas, the entire show was built around the talents of individual girls.
"Some can sing, others do magic," Thomas said. "The show was written for them. This revue is an homage to everything that is feminine. Women are beautiful, and that's our message."
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