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Jubilee!
Jubilee!
Jubilee!
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Jubilee!
GenreRevue
Show typeResident show
Date of premiereJuly 31, 1981 (1981-07-31)
Final showFebruary 11, 2016 (2016-02-11)
Locationoriginally at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, which later became Horseshoe Las Vegas
Creative team
ProducerDonn Arden
Costume designerBob Mackie
Costume designerPete Menefee
Official website
Jubilee! - Full Cast and Crew photo - 2014
Jubilee! Cast Photo (Final Cast) 2016 - Costume Showcase
The Dollys from the Follies
Disco Section Costume - Close Up
Dolly Sisters getting ready
Jubilee! showgirls[1]

Jubilee! was a Las Vegas Strip-based spectacular revue.[2] It opened on July 31, 1981, at an initial cost of 10 million dollars and was originally produced by Donn Arden.[3] The show ended its 35-year run on February 11, 2016.[4][5][6]

Model Tiffany Coyne once danced in the show.[7]

Reception

[edit]

When it closed in 2016, this resident show at Bally's Las Vegas was the longest-running production show in Las Vegas. The Jubilee! showgirls were an icon of old Vegas. The show used costumes designed by Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. There were 36 individual designs, each based on the jewel tones of amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and ruby.[8] UNLV Special Collections houses many of the original costume design drawings which can be accessed online through the Showgirls collection from UNLV Digital Collections.[3]

Many of the show's sets dated back to the original production. Jubilee!'s longest serving principal dancer from the opening night until her departure 23 years later was Linda Green. The final closing cast consisted of 3 female singers, 3 male singers, 18 male dancers, 23 topless dancers, and 19 female dancers. Within the female covered and topless dancers, they were further categorized as "short" and "tall" dancers. A "short" dancer is a female dancer between 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) and 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) and a "tall" female dancer is between 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and 6 ft 2 in (188 cm). One may have been surprised at how tall the dancers were because of the proportions of the stage, which was three and a half stories high, giving the illusion that the performers are smaller in relationship to the stage.[citation needed]

Acts

[edit]
  • Act 1 Showtime! Putting It into the Right Vernacular
  • Act 2 A Specialty Act that varied over the years, toward the end was a hand balancing act
  • Act 3 Samson and Delilah Tonight, a Lesson from Ancient History[9]
  • Act 4 Another Specialty Act that varied over the years, sometimes a magic act, towards the end was a gaucho act
  • Act 5 Titanic Away We Go on the Mighty "Unsinkable" Ocean Liner
  • Act 6 Another Specialty Act, towards the end was an aerial act
  • Act 7 The Finale A Tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Legacy

[edit]

Screenwriter Kate Gersten visited the Jubilee! show before it concluded and was inspired to write a play about the dancers in a similar Las Vegas show's closing. That unproduced play became the basis for the screenplay she wrote for the 2024 American drama film The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola and starring Pamela Anderson as a Vegas showgirl near the end of her career at the closing of a long-running show.[10] The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift donned the rhinestone-encrusted bra and thong set worn by one of the Jubilee! showgirls, complete with hip swags, a headpiece and feathered armbands, for one of the cover artworks of her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025).[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jubilee!

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from Grokipedia
Jubilee! was a landmark topless showcasing , renowned for its extravagant production numbers, elaborate costumes, and grand-scale sets, which ran at Bally's (now ), formerly the MGM Grand, from July 31, 1981, until its final performance on February 11, 2016, after nearly 35 years and approximately 20,000 shows. Produced and choreographed by entertainment legend Donn Arden at an initial cost of $10 million, the show opened just nine months after the devastating on November 21, 1980, which destroyed its original sets and costumes during final rehearsals, forcing a rapid rebuild that delayed the premiere from an intended December 1980 debut. The production featured over 1,000 dazzling costumes co-designed by and Pete Menefee, adorned with sequins, rhinestones, and feathers, along with a mirrored stage boasting more than 100,000 light bulbs, and involved up to 100 performers including showgirls, dancers, acrobats, and singers in a non-narrative format emphasizing spectacle over plot. Key highlights included iconic acts such as a dramatic of the with a ship that tilted on stage and the biblical tale of Samson and Delilah featuring the temple's destruction by up to 80 performers, alongside variety numbers like patriotic medleys and high-kicking finales where levitated in towering headdresses. Performers underwent 8 to 12 rapid costume changes per 90-minute show, embodying the glamour and excess of classic from the and era. As the longest-running production on the Strip, Jubilee! outlasted contemporaries and became a , symbolizing the city's tradition until its closure due to rising costs and shifting audience preferences toward modern spectacles like , marking the end of an era for traditional big-revue shows.

Development

Conception

Donn Arden, a pioneering choreographer and producer known for large-scale Las Vegas revues, conceived Jubilee! as a spectacular topless showgirl production emphasizing glamour, elaborate sets, and variety acts to capture the essence of classic Vegas entertainment. Arden had previously created Hallelujah Hollywood! for the MGM Grand Las Vegas in 1978, which ran until early 1980, and Hello Hollywood, Hello for the MGM Grand Reno in 1978. Hired by MGM Grand owner Kirk Kerkorian, Arden envisioned Jubilee! as an even grander successor, featuring non-narrative spectacles like the sinking of the Titanic and the destruction of Samson's temple, at an initial cost of $10 million. Rehearsals began in 1980, with the show slated for a December debut in the MGM Grand's Ziegfeld Room theater. However, on November 21, 1980, a devastating fire swept through the MGM Grand Hotel, killing 85 people and destroying the sets, costumes, and props in final rehearsals—Arden was present in the theater at the time. The disaster delayed the premiere by nine months, forcing a complete rebuild amid the hotel's reconstruction. The show finally opened on July 31, 1981, after rapid recreation of its extravagant elements.

Composition

The musical composition of Jubilee! featured medleys of popular standards from Hollywood musicals and classic composers like and , arranged to complement the revue's spectacle-driven format. and Jim Harbert contributed original elements to integrate with the existing tunes, supporting the 90-minute show's structure of variety numbers, patriotic sequences, and dramatic vignettes without a linear plot. Joel Mann oversaw the orchestration for live performances involving up to 100 performers, including a full to enhance the high-kicking finales and levitating acts. Post-fire revisions refined the score for pacing, with rapid costume changes (8–12 per performer) synchronized to the rhythmic medleys.

Original Production

Creative Team

The original production of Jubilee! was led by Donn Arden, who served as producer, director, and choreographer, drawing on his experience with previous spectacles like Hallelujah Hollywood. Arden assembled a team to create a non-narrative emphasizing elaborate sets, lighting, and costumes for up to 100 performers. Set design was handled by Ray Klausen, who incorporated grand-scale elements such as a tilting replica ship for the Titanic sequence and a collapsible temple for the Samson and Delilah act. Additional choreography contributions came from Winston Hemsley, Tom Hansen, and Rich Rizzo. Costume design was a collaborative effort between and Pete Menefee, who created over 1,000 outfits adorned with sequins, rhinestones, feathers, and beads at a cost of $3.5 million, including towering headdresses for showgirls. The production featured a mirrored stage with more than 100,000 light bulbs to enhance the spectacle. The total initial cost for sets, costumes, and production reached $10 million.

Casting and Rehearsals

Casting for Jubilee! involved assembling a large ensemble of 128 singers, dancers, and specialty performers, including from the Bluebell troupe, singers, boy dancers, and nude dancers. Principal dancers in the opening cast included Janet Ford, Tricia Lee, and Diane Palm, who led the "Short Nude" line. Auditions were held in locations like , prioritizing experienced performers from prior revues. Initial rehearsals began in 1980 for a planned December 12 opening, but the on November 21, 1980, destroyed the sets and costumes during final preparations, with no injuries to the cast. The production was recast in April 1981, drawing from the recently closed Hallelujah Hollywood ensemble, and new rehearsals commenced for three and a half months, focusing on rapid costume changes (8-12 per performer) and synchronized large-scale numbers. Insurance funded the rebuild, allowing a swift recovery despite the setback.

Opening and Run

Jubilee! premiered on July 31, 1981, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in , replacing Arden's earlier production Hallelujah Hollywood. The 90-minute show featured seven acts of spectacle, including the iconic Titanic sinking and Samson and Delilah temple destruction, performed twice nightly. The revue continued at the venue, which became Bally's Las Vegas in 1985, running for nearly 35 years and approximately 20,000 performances until its final show on February 11, 2016. It outlasted other traditional big revues, becoming the longest-running production on the Las Vegas Strip, though it faced closures for renovations and updates over the decades.

Musical Content

Structure and Acts

Jubilee! was structured as a non-narrative revue lasting approximately 90 minutes, featuring around seven acts that emphasized visual spectacle, elaborate choreography, and large-scale production numbers rather than a linear plot. The show included four major production pieces with up to 80 performers on stage, interspersed with variety acts such as comedy sketches, acrobatics, and musical interludes. Key acts recreated historical and biblical spectacles, including the sinking of the Titanic with a tilting ship replica and the destruction of the Samson and Delilah temple, alongside lighter segments like a patriotic medley and a high-kicking finale with levitating showgirls in towering headdresses. Over its run, the production incorporated modern updates, such as a 2014 revamp adding contemporary elements while preserving classic routines.

Key Songs

The musical content of Jubilee! drew heavily from medleys of classic American Songbook standards and scores, reflecting its origins at the Grand. A standout number was a set to Cole Porter's "," performed with ostrich feather fans and layered with Ravel's rhythm for an exotic effect. Other highlights included a sequence with medleys from Hollywood musicals, a patriotic medley evoking American pride, and a tribute to incorporating his hits. The finale featured high-energy renditions of timeless tunes, with in sequined costumes performing synchronized kicks amid flashing lights. Later iterations added contemporary tracks, such as Justin Timberlake's "Take Back the Night" for a segment.

Reception

Critical Response

Jubilee! received acclaim for its extravagant spectacle, elaborate costumes, and preservation of classic Las Vegas showgirl tradition, though some critics noted its dated elements and uneven pacing later in its run. Upon opening in 1981, the revue was praised for its grand production values, with the Los Angeles Times highlighting the "classic glitz blitz" of over 1,000 Bob Mackie-designed costumes and a mirrored stage lit by more than 100,000 bulbs. Reviewers often lauded iconic acts like the sinking of the Titanic and Samson and Delilah temple destruction for their theatrical scale and technical effects. As the longest-running show in U.S. theaters with over 1,000 seats, it was celebrated as a cultural landmark, with NPR describing it in 2016 as a "throwback" that appealed to families despite its topless format, likening it to "The Lawrence Welk Show with breasts." Thrillist in 2015 called it "epically magnificent," emphasizing its enduring appeal through skilled dancers and monumental sets like the Hindenburg disaster recreation. A 2016 Stage and Cinema review praised its "spectacle, elegance, and acres of nubile topless young ladies," noting improvements in performances over time and strong vocals on Great American Songbook standards. However, mixed opinions emerged in later years, with some audience feedback and reviews citing boredom from repetitive numbers and slower scenes, such as the Titanic sequence. The Los Angeles Times noted online complaints of it being "booooring" due to torpid pacing in the second act. Despite this, it was widely regarded as an innovative triumph in its era, blending spectacle with high production that influenced entertainment.

Commercial Success

Jubilee! enjoyed significant commercial success as the longest-running production on the , performing approximately 20,000 shows over nearly 35 years from July 31, 1981, to February 11, 2016. Initially costing $10 million to produce, it boomed at the by appealing to a broad audience, including families, through its non-narrative spectacle and topless format that differentiated it from more explicit contemporaries. By 2009, it had reached 16,675 performances, outlasting other big revues and becoming a staple at Bally's . The show's draw was bolstered by its iconic status, with tickets priced up to $112.50 in the late 2000s, contributing to steady revenue amid Las Vegas's evolving landscape. However, rising production costs—exacerbated by the need for frequent and set maintenance—and shifting preferences toward modern productions like led to its closure in 2016, despite ongoing popularity as the last traditional .

Legacy

Enduring Production Numbers

Jubilee! left an indelible mark on entertainment through its iconic production numbers, which emphasized spectacle and glamour, becoming symbols of the classic era. The show's dramatic recreation of the Titanic's sinking, featuring a tilting ship and performers in period costumes, was a highlight that captivated audiences for decades, representing the revue's commitment to grand-scale storytelling without narrative. Another enduring act was the biblical Samson and Delilah sequence, where up to 80 performers destroyed a temple set piece amid elaborate choreography and costumes, showcasing the production's technical ambition and visual excess. Patriotic medleys and high-kicking finales, with in towering headdresses that levitated on stage, further embodied the 's celebration of American showmanship and feathers-adorned extravagance. These numbers, performed nearly 20,000 times, influenced perceptions of as a hub of opulent and preserved the – style amid modern shifts. The over 1,000 and Pete Menefee-designed costumes, glittering with sequins and rhinestones, became cultural artifacts, with elements like the mirrored stage and 100,000+ light bulbs evoking timeless Vegas allure even after closure. As the longest-running Strip production, Jubilee! symbolized the fading tradition, its acts inspiring and tributes in media and museums.

Revivals and Adaptations

In response to declining attendance, underwent a significant revamp in 2014, reopening on March 28 under the direction of with updated choreography, contemporary music, and a more diverse cast to appeal to modern audiences while retaining core elements like the Titanic and numbers. However, the changes received mixed reviews, and the show closed permanently on February 11, 2016. Post-closure, interest in reviving a Jubilee!-style persisted. In May 2025, choreographer Anita Mann expressed plans to expand her production Fantasy into a larger-scale reminiscent of Jubilee!, aiming to recapture the classic format at a 10-year anniversary of the closure. As of November 2025, no full revival has materialized, though discussions highlight the show's enduring appeal. The revue's legacy extended to adaptations in film, notably the 2024 drama The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola and starring Pamela Anderson as a veteran performer in a fictional revue "Le Razzle Dazzle" facing closure, directly inspired by Jubilee!'s 2016 end. Released on January 10, 2025, the film explores themes of aging in Vegas entertainment and the showgirl icon's decline, drawing praise for evoking the revue's glamour and poignancy. Excerpts and costumes from Jubilee! have also appeared in documentaries and tributes, such as NPR's 2016 coverage, cementing its place in Las Vegas history.

References

  1. https://www.casinoinside.ro/en/jubilee-the-eternal-beauty-of-a-female-show-in-las-vegas/
  2. https://www.npr.org/2016/02/13/465739749/trapped-in-time-the-last-showgirl-revue-on-vegas-strip-will-close
  3. https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2016/feb/12/to-the-finale-jubilee-was-in-a-class-by-itself/
  4. https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/the-tumultuous-history-of-jubilee-gives-it-depth-other-shows-lack/
  5. https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/aug/01/onstage-oddities-and-how-mgm-fire-led-worldwide-cr/
  6. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-jubilee5-2009jul05-story.html
  7. https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2015/dec/14/the-end-is-near-but-jubilee-still-shines-ballys/
  8. https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Jubilee-closing-after-three-decade-Vegas-run
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-05-mn-58725-story.html
  10. https://www.showgirls.life/2020/06/15/showgirl-storytime-jubilee-disco/
  11. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/138778-jubilee-at-ballys-las-vegas-1981-2016
  12. https://neon.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/an-emotional-night-for-jubilee-farewell/
  13. https://www.showgirls.life/2021/07/24/ep-057-donn-ardens-jubilee-40th-anniversary/
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13t6AlS8VEc
  15. https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2015/mar/20/jubilee-ballys/
  16. https://wizardofvegas.com/shows/jubilee/
  17. https://stageandcinema.com/2016/01/02/jubilee-vegas/
  18. https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/las-vegas/inside-jubilee-las-vegas-last-topless-revue
  19. https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/fishnets-spotlights-legacy-las-vegas-showgirls
  20. https://www.lasvegasshowgirlmuseum.com/theshows
  21. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/01/03/old-school-vegas-show-jubilee-will-be-revamped/
  22. https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/end-las-vegas-era-revamped-jubilee-ballys-appears-last-legs/
  23. https://neon.reviewjournal.com/kats/las-vegas-producers-fantasy-is-to-bring-back-jubilee-styled-revue-photos-3314573/
  24. https://neon.reviewjournal.com/kats/remembering-jubilee-through-the-last-showgirl-3259867/
  25. https://www.broadwayworld.com/las-vegas/article/Feature-The-Last-Showgirl-Film-Opening-Jan-10-Showcases-the-End-of-An-Era-in-Las-Vegas-20250110
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