PODCAST · arts
Showgirls Life
by Athena
Join Athena Patacsil, former principal dancer in Donn Arden’s Jubilee!, as she preserves the history of the Showgirl and the Showgirl production shows through interviews and oral histories. The closing of the last Showgirl spectacular of its kind, Jubilee! in 2016 and a global Bluebell dancer reunion in 2019 were the impetus to create a show where former dancers, Showgirls, crew members and historians share what life was really like during their time as cast and crew of those stage spectacles. Topics ranging from what it's like to be a Showgirl, performer life, getting paid to do what you love, confidence, discipline, resilience, femininity, sensuality, Showgirl history, life after dance, and preserving the history of the Showgirl and the shows she performed in will leave you in awe of the lives and purpose of all the people that were part of this unique genre of entertainment history.
Episodes
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Showgirl Deconstructed: Why Showgirls was the worst movie ever made with Christopher Childers
This episode has been over a year in the making. I have been wanting to have this chat since I found out my friend Christopher Childers was in the movie Showgirls. In case you haven’t seen this movie, please know there are a few “spoilers” in this episode. And I will say that unless you really…
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The enduring magic of being a wardrobe technician with Elaine Sargent
Today, I have the honor of sharing an interview with a woman who worked behind the scenes with Showgirls in most of Greg Thompson’s productions in Reno. Elaine Sargent used her degree in theatre to immerse herself in the glamour backstage as a wardrobe technician. I had a lot of fun talking with...
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Showgirl Deconstructed: Designing and Constructing Showgirl Costumes with Pete Menefee
Hey hey! Are you ready to deconstruct the showgirl some more? In these special episodes, we have talked about how there are no more showgirl shows with Alison Kravenko in ep 056, physical requirements and expectations with Brenda Barrett in episode 60, and Art vs. selling out with Andrew Branche…
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What went on in the dressing rooms?
Today I present to you a solo episode that touches on a very important topic in the Showgirl’s Life. Community. Though we have shared some hilarious backstage stories in previous episodes, there was magic happening at a deeper level. I am sharing my views on what it was like in the dressing rooms...
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Showgirl Deconstructed: Art vs Selling Out featuring Andrew Branche
Hey hey! Are you ready to deconstruct the showgirl some more? Last month, in episode 060, we talked about physical requirements and expectations with Brenda Barrett. And in the first ever Showgirl Deconstructed episode 056 back in July, we talked about how there are no more showgirl shows with...
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Born to be a performer featuring Tiffany Johnson
Tiffany Johnson was a tall nude in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! in 1999 and left just before I got into the show. She returned for 3 more years almost a decade later. She has had a long career with a variety of opportunities and achievements. One thing to note is that we grew up in the same city and saw...
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Showgirl Deconstructed: Physical Requirements and Other Expectations with encore guest Brenda Barrett
Today’s episode discusses one of the toughest parts of being a Showgirl that non-performers can’t wrap their heads around—physical requirements and expectations. Showgirls and Bluebell dancers have been held to high standards for decades due to standards set by Madame Bluebell and then…
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Showgirls Road Trip 2021 recap with Sheri Lewis, part 2
Welcome to part 2 of the Showgirls Road Trip 2021. Earlier this summer, I went on a road trip with Sheri Lewis, host of Bluebells Forever podcast. Sheri and I got together recently to debrief about our wonderful adventure in Reno, Las Vegas and LA. It took awhile to recount all of our experiences...
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Showgirls Road Trip 2021 recap with Sheri Lewis, part 1
Welcome to part 1 of the Showgirls Road Trip 2021. Earlier this summer, I went on a road trip with Sheri Lewis, host of Bluebells Forever podcast. Sheri and I got together recently to debrief about our wonderful adventure in Reno, Las Vegas and LA. It took awhile to recount all of our experiences...
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Donn Arden’s Jubilee! 40th Anniversary
Hello! I am so excited to bring this episode to you. This one has been in the making for over a year, as I have been collecting guests’ stories about their part in the opening of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Which is celebrating its 40th anniversary today!! Happy Birthday Jubilee! Donn Arden’s Jubilee!...
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Showgirl Deconstructed: There are no more Showgirl shows featuring Alison Kravenko
What is a showgirl show? In this special episode, I brought back Alison Kravenko Johnson to deep dive about how there are no more Showgirl shows left. This new feature of Showgirls Life will happen once a month where I bring on an encore guest to discuss one specific topic in the Showgirl’s Life....
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Ten things I learned from creating a podcast about Showgirls
Showgirl’s Life was started to document the lives of the people that embodied or supported the Showgirl. A lot of lessons have been learned along the way. I discuss a variety of topics relating to the work required to produce a podcast, shame, discrimination in entertainment, and what a Showgirl…
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The privilege of being a Showboy featuring Dave Margolis
Dave Margolis started his training late but was able to work hard enough to land a spot in the chorus boys line in Jubilee! Dave shares about his first audition with Michael Pratt, former assistant company manager in Jubilee!, what it was like being a Showboy and the privilege that it was. He…
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Showgirls Life 1 Year Anniversary Celebration
It’s been a year of podcasting! Yay!! This episode is the replay of the 1st anniversary livestream recording, trimmed of the visual bits. Drawing date has passed. Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going! Join the conversation on the show notes page and share what you enjoyed…
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How being a Bluebell dancer sparked the time in her life when she really started living featuring Brenda Barrett
Today’s episode features Brenda Barrett, a tall bluebell dancer from the opening cast of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! She shares about her life as a dancer turned pilates instructor who has been working and living in Rome for the past 30 years. Topics discussed: opening Jubilee! in 1981, moving to…
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The entrepreneurial women of dressing room 6 featuring Rita Pardue
Rita Pardue was hired for the girl’s singer line in the opening cast of Donn Arden’s Jubilee. She moved all the way across country from Boston to take the position after her cattle call audition for Fluff LeCoque. She shares her favorite experiences in Jubilee and how the two years she spent in…
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What is a Showgirl?
This 50th episode of the Showgirl’s Life is a collection of guests sharing their perspectives on what a Showgirl is and what she isn’t. Think you know what a Showgirl is? It's definitely not like it was portrayed in Showgirls the movie (what a joke!) Listen in to hear about how the Showgirl is…
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Being pegged as a future Bluebell dancer from the age of two years old featuring Suzanne Raines (Lunn)
Suzanne Raines (Lunn) went to Paris with Madame Bluebell, to perform as a Bluebell dancer in Allez Lido at the Lido de Paris at the age of 16. She did quite well there advancing to the dancing nude line until Miss Bluebell invited her to travel to Las Vegas to be part of the opening cast of Donn...
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The power of self advocacy as a Woman of Color in entertainment featuring Dollie Eaglin
Dollie Eaglin started dance at a late age, even though she was inspired by the dancing shows she saw on TV as a young girl in the South. In this episode we discuss her path to the Las Vegas shows Donn Arden’s Hallelujah Hollywood and Jubilee! And the impact being part of those casts had on her in...
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How a 5’4” singer dancer came to be the Principal singer in Lido de Paris Allez Lido featuring Debra Lee Kristian, part 2
Debra Lee Kristian is back for part 2 where she shares more about life at the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Hotel when the mob ran it. She has a few stories of interactions with Frank Rosenthal and how upset she was at a nickname he gave her. We discuss the immensity of the Donn Arden productions...
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How a 5’4” singer dancer came to be the Principal singer in Lido de Paris Allez Lido featuring Debra Lee (Kristian) Fader, part 1
Debra Lee Kristian did not fit the standards that Donn Arden’s cast members were typically known for. She was quite short but was able to entertain Donn Arden enough to win the role as the Principal singer of Allez Lido, the final edition of the Lido de Paris at the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas,...
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A peek into three generations of women in show business and their family legacy featuring Janet Kravenko, Alison Kravenko and Skyla Johnson
Showgirl’s Life podcast welcomes back Janet Kravenko, Alison Kravenko and Skyla Johnson for a group interview to talk about show business and their family legacy. As a special Mother’s Day tribute, the three share what life has been like being a mother and/or daughter in showbiz and some of the...
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Breaking color barriers in show business as a black male dancer featuring Marty Lewis
Marty Lewis, who was in both opening casts of Hello, Hollywood, Hello and Jubilee as a black male dancer, shares his story of being a black Showboy in Donn Arden’s MGM productions. We discuss the joys and privileges of being part of the casts of Showgirl production shows, where entertainment has...
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From Showgirl to Farm Girl featuring Patti Jo Amerein (Cooper)
Patti Jo Amerein (Cooper) began her stage career in the production of City Lites at the Flamingo Hotel. She was urged to audition for Donn Arden’s Jubilee! When the first contract change came up and was immediately hired as a Tall Nude. Patti Jo shares her experiences navigating her performing...
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Being treated like celebrities as Vegas entertainers of the 70s and 80s featuring Joe Macchieverna
Joe Macchieverna started off opening Hello Hollywood Hello as a singer and then continued on to be part of the opening cast of Jubilee! As a chorus singer and eventually worked his way to Principal in Jubilee and then the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana. Joe comes from old school Vegas roots in…
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Female leaders in Showbiz who worked in a time of cultural and societal oppression featuring Su Kim Chung
Su Kim Chung, head of the Special Collections at the UNLV library joins us again to chat about the matriarchs in the Showgirl’s life, Madame Bluebell and Fluff LeCoque. We discuss generational differences for women in society regarding money, property and work. We also discussed some books for…
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The gratitude and grace of a third generation Las Vegas performer as she continues her legacy despite restrictions featuring Skyla Johnson
Skyla Johnson, currently performing in Las Vegas at the Luxor in Fantasy, shares how her showbiz lineage has shaped her as a performer and woman. We discuss her audition for the show, the differences between classic Las Vegas Showgirls and the current performers on “The Strip” as well as lessons...
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How wanting more than “a little job” propelled her into her fabulous life in show business featuring Janet Kravenko
Janet Kravenko was hired by Madame Bluebell at the age of 17 to join her touring company in 1957. She was traveling around Europe with seven other girls performing in the prestigious troupe while absorbing the experience of a lifetime as a professional dancer. She was asked to join the group of...
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How being a “Donn Arden girl” has shaped life as a teacher, choreographer and woman featuring Alison Kravenko part 2
Part two with Alison Kravenko is here! Last episode, we learned how Alison was born to be a Showgirl because of her family legacy and its ties to the Bluebell dancers. This episode Alison and I dive more in depth to costumes, details about Jubilee and the revamps of the opening and finale and her...
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How being a “Donn Arden girl” has shaped life as a teacher, choreographer and woman featuring Alison Kravenko part 1
Alison Kravenko was destined to be a Showgirl. It is part of her family legacy. Her mother was one of the original Bluebells to come across the pond to perform in the Lido de Paris at the Stardust hotel back in 1958. Once Alison focused her sights on dancing and trained to be a ballerina, it was...
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How being a Showgirl strengthens work ethic, confidence and being a woman comfortable in her own body featuring Amelia Bruff
Today’s episode features Amelia Bruff, former Bluebell dancer, magic assistant, line captain and swing from Donn Arden’s Jubilee. Amelia, or Millie as she was known to cast and crew, spent a total of 14 years on the Jubilee stage. During two separate experiences in the show, she shares how...
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 7
This is the final episode of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. To culminate this series, I bring together the most impactful stories, previously unpublished,...
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 6, featuring Andrew Branche
This is part six of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. Andrew Branche, former principal dancer in Jubilee, began his career as a dancer in his late teens....
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 5, featuring Victor Littles
This is part five of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. Victor Littles was a dancer in the line formerly known as the “Ebony Guys” in Jubilee. He started his...
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 4, featuring Gayve Littles
This is part four of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. Gayve Littles started much later than usual for a female dancer at the age of 18. With the help of her...
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Diversifying the Narrative: Stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 3, featuring Anthony Brown
This is part three of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. Anthony Brown started his Las Vegas entertainer journey in Reno performing in Hello, Hollywood…
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 2, featuring Jakki Ford
This is part two of a seven part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. Jakki Ford picks up from last week and shares her thoughts on joy and diversity. We chat about her...
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Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 1, featuring Jakki Ford
Today’s episode kicks off a 7 part series in which I feature guests that are all People of Color that performed in Hallelujah Hollywood, Jubilee, and/or Hello, Hollywood, Hello between 1973-2016. I begin this journey talking about my own experience with diversity growing up, moving into the world...
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The importance of preserving the Showgirl through costume preservation and its individual history featuring Karan Feder
From dressing Mitzi Gaynor on tour straight out of fashion design school to designing for film and fashion, Karan Feder’s path led her to her position curating the costume and textiles collection at the Nevada State Museum Las Vegas where she helps preserve this unique time in Las Vegas history…
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Auditions: Does it ever get any easier? Featuring Athena Patacsil and various guests
Today’s episode is all about AUDITIONS! Listen in to hear about my experiences with auditions from my very first ballet audition when I was 12 years old until my final audition as Principal in Jubilee! eighteen years later. I discuss what went down in a showgirl show audition, what dancers went...
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Occupational hazards of dancing in a topless show featuring Scott Barnard
Scott Barnard went from taking classes in a small village in New York to a full scholarship to train with Gus Giordano in Chicago. After a year of training, he went to Las Vegas, where the tall dancers went, to audition for Jubilee. We discuss the elementary school bullying that almost prevented...
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Las Vegas really was the wild wild West featuring Alan Clancy
Alan Clancy came to Las Vegas in his early twenties after traveling the world as an acrobat from the age of 17, and then performing in Fredrick Apcar’s Casino de Paris production in Sydney, Australia. Blown away by the lights and lifestyle of the entertainment industry, he settled there and...
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The joy of being asked by producers to work for them without an audition featuring Sal Angelica
Today’s very special guest, Sal Angelica, shares about his journey from Brooklyn to the stages of Las Vegas and beyond over his 35+ year career as a dancer and adagio partner. From working with Donn Arden in Sky High in the Latin Quarter as his first professional dancing job to his dream job of...
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Long legs, feathery costumes and weight notices featuring Janet Sawczuk-Chapman
This episode features former Las Vegas Showgirl turned Pilates instructor, Janet Sawczuk-Chapman. From her first professional dancing job in Japan to jobs on the Las Vegas strip, she shares about the decade she spent on the Jubilee Theatre stage. We discuss the highlights of being a Showgirl and...
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We started breaking that color barrier featuring Jakki Ford
This episode features the multi-talented star, Jakki Ford sharing her story about how she got started in the performing arts and how she has worked as a model, dancer and actress. We discuss how she sang and danced in all three of Donn Arden’s MGM productions and continues to sing and record…
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MGM Grand fire and the impact on the opening of Jubilee! featuring Pete Menefee, Diana Eden and Jakki Ford
Today, November 21st, marks the 40th anniversary of the devastating fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada that killed 85 people and injured several hundreds more. This episode features survivors from the fire that were working on the opening of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! One member of the...
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The hidden stories of shame about being a topless dancer
Dancing Nudes, Showgirls, topless dancers: this episode features excerpts from previous guests discussing the subject of being a topless dancer and the shame (or not) surrounding it. Each guest has unique perspectives and experiences about their time being a Showgirl or topless dancer and how it...
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Now stick that giant headpiece on and go featuring Bluebells Forever Host Sheri Lewis
She’s back! The host of Bluebells Forever Podcast, Sheri Lewis, takes the hot seat again to share her own experience as a Showgirl in Hello, Hollywood, Hello and beyond. We discuss her experience of accepting a “nude” dancer contract and being disowned by her parents and the shaming some…
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I really felt right at home featuring Donna London
Donna London, former head of wardrobe of Jubilee shares her story of unexpectedly joining the circus and then moving to Las Vegas and joining the wardrobe crew of Jubilee in the winter of 1981. She shares about her time as a wardrobe technician and then moving up to management during her 33 1/2...
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We all played dress up featuring costume designer Diana Eden
This episode features broadway dancer turned costume designer, Diana Eden. We discuss her brief, but important role in the creation of Jubilee as the assistant to Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. She was the creator and keeper of the famed "Costume Bibles" that were used to help rebuild the costumes...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join Athena Patacsil, former principal dancer in Donn Arden’s Jubilee!, as she preserves the history of the Showgirl and the Showgirl production shows through interviews and oral histories. The closing of the last Showgirl spectacular of its kind, Jubilee! in 2016 and a global Bluebell dancer reunion in 2019 were the impetus to create a show where former dancers, Showgirls, crew members and historians share what life was really like during their time as cast and crew of those stage spectacles. Topics ranging from what it's like to be a Showgirl, performer life, getting paid to do what you love, confidence, discipline, resilience, femininity, sensuality, Showgirl history, life after dance, and preserving the history of the Showgirl and the shows she performed in will leave you in awe of the lives and purpose of all the people that were part of this unique genre of entertainment history.
HOSTED BY
Athena
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Showgirls Life have?
Showgirls Life currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Showgirls Life about?
Join Athena Patacsil, former principal dancer in Donn Arden’s Jubilee!, as she preserves the history of the Showgirl and the Showgirl production shows through interviews and oral histories. The closing of the last Showgirl spectacular of its kind, Jubilee! in 2016 and a global Bluebell dancer...
How often does Showgirls Life release new episodes?
Showgirls Life has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Showgirls Life?
You can listen to Showgirls Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Showgirls Life?
Showgirls Life is created and hosted by Athena.
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