Jennifer Romas’ ‘Sexxy’ heads to Las Vegas drive-in for charities
It turns out Jennifer Romas’ “Sexxy” show is a convertible.
The Westgate Las Vegas’s adult revue is steering into a slot at Dreamland Drive-In, at FreshWata Studios at 3905 West Diablo Drive, at 9 p.m. July 1-3.
The show is coyly dubbed, “Tops Down,” and is believed to be first such adult production ever staged at a Las Vegas drive-in.
Its certainly a first for Romas, a Las Vegas stage performer for two decades.
“I have never done anything like this,” says Romas, the show’s creator, director and star. “We thought, ‘It’s now or never.’”
The show is a benefit for a triumvirate of charities: Golden Rainbow of Southern Nevada, which provides services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS; The Actors Fund, to benefit sidelined entertainment professionals; and Pawtastic Friends, which provides food, shelter and medical care to homeless dogs.
The production is limited to those 18-and-over. Social distancing rules and regulations will be enforced for attendees and performers. Food-and-beverage service is available for all cars. Prices set on a per-vehicle basis: $90 for two people, $120 for four or $160 for five. VIP tables are offered. A virtual live stream is also available for $29.95 (for tickets and information, go to driveinsexxyshow.com).
“Sexxy” has been dark since the COVID-19 shutdown in March. But Romas found a place to play at the suddenly in-demand Dreamland Drive-In, which has hosted “The World’s First Drive-In Drag Show,” on May 30-31, and the “Tickle Me Comedy Club” lineup this weekend.
DreamlandXR CEO Chris Crescitelli is working up a documentary about Las Vegas entertainment challenges during COVID-19, and “Sexxy” is to be featured in the project.
The “Sexxy” performances will be hotter than ever — temperature-wise, with the heat expected to hover around 100 degrees. Unlike their Westgate show, Romas and the cast will not be totally topless, with the cast doffing down to pasties.
Romas emphasizes the show is not moving away from Westgate Cabaret, and presenting the series at the drive-in as a residency-within-a-residency. “Sexxy” has become a pillar production at Westgate pillar since opening in January 2015, and Romas is transferring the familiar acts and choreography to the outdoor venue.
The run-of-show includes the full cast of 10 dancers, and the vocal stylings of singer Gabriella Versace. Romas says the layoff from the stage has been difficult for everyone in the “Sexxy” family.
“This is gong to be like getting our souls back,” she says. “We’ll be coming back together, in front of a real audience. That is why I perform, and I think that’s why a lot of people perform.”
The outdoor, vehicular layout won’t alter the show’s format. Romas is designing a replica of the “Sexxy” stage — with a pole set off to the side — without many special effects or LED walls.
“We wanted to make it as close as possible to the Westgate so we wouldn’t have to block and choreograph an entire new show,” Romas says. “But we’re going to play with it and we’re going to have fun, I’ll promise you that. The size is different, but we’ll have the same energy.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His PodKats podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.