Stage: Libidinous laughter

By J.D. Mitchell

Lots of tits and ass. Freaks, acrobats, a dairy cow on stilts. Hip hop grooves. A robot, jugglers and jump-ropers. Beacher's lingerie babes dancing on platforms (that's right, the tits and ass shake). Oh--and there are a couple of comedians. Then more tits and ass.

Jeffrey Beacher has brought his strange show to Vegas after playing to sold-out audiences in NYC for two years. There's one thing clear about Beacher's Comedy Madhouse: It's a madhouse. While you can't deny the brutal joviality of party-host Beacher--nor resist laughing at the comedians on occasion--there's nothing especially hilarious about the show other than the "party's" sexual spectacle. Which happens to be the point of it. It sells. And the ritzed-out late twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, without fail, bring their libidos.

That said, the recommended artillery for the evening: spare time to get in (the line is a madhouse itself), ample cash for boozing, clean underwear and an economy pack of condoms. Final recommendation: pillheads, cokers and smokers are advised to arrive an hour early to revel in the surreal 21st century party-circus that becomes The Joint.

After 10 p.m., Beacher reins in his freaks and lingerie girls--just a little, though--and temporarily transforms from P.T. Barnum on quaaludes to the host of a raunchy comedy show, introducing comedians Sherrod Small and Robert Kelly. Despite their extensive television credits, their comedy is par. Small's hip wit drives a sometimes vibrant, sometimes tongue-in-cheek sociopolitical repertoire undoubtedly catered to young, well-to-do lily-whites (a good laugh at the self). Robert Kelly plays the obscene sexual content. But since Richard Prior and Lenny Bruce, the niche has just plain been done, and at times Kelly's hard up for original material. This is the second reason you need dough for booze (the first is to drunken the ladies, of course): No matter how many times you've heard clit and cum-rag jokes--if you're even a bit buzzed--you'll laugh at 'em again.

Sandwiched by the comedians is something for the ladies, perhaps the reason to get a ticket even. Beacher introduces Leonard the Magnificent. Never has a man been so queer. He's either hilarious or the pinnacle spectacle; I'm not sure which. He is a mystery you must see to believe. But it's all right, fellas. Beacher brings it all back around. The show ends with a titty contest.