Stage: La Femme

There's a place in France

By Barbara Scherzer

Nearly three years ago, this city returned to its roots as an adult town with the import of that French phenomenon, La Femme, from Paris. A replica of the show that is ongoing in France's Crazy Horse (the Vegas show's name was changed so as not to be confused with the Crazy Horse strip club), this production retains its European flair with a blend of sensuous choreography, dance and lighting effects that transform the canvas of beautiful, nude women into moving works of art. With the addition of several musical numbers, La Femme is still striking and delights with its eye candy as well as its production values.

A little frustrating for any reviewer is the fact that the cast of 12 girls, who rotate between here and the Crazy Horse show, remains deliberately anonymous. They are not identified either in the program or onstage. The women perform the show's musical numbers by lip synching to taped musical tracks while a kaleidoscope of colorful patterns are splayed on the girls' bodies as they dance.

Among my favorites is the number dubbed "Gemini" in which two women are playful within the confines of a colorful, oversized hula-hoop that they move around the stage. Also fun is the cartoonish fantasy in which the girls wear only short, pink-fringed skirts and tease the audience from behind mini-saloon doors. Their top-tier finale, "You Turn Me On," features the women wearing hair in every color of the rainbow while seemingly costumed only with triangles of vibrantly colored light.

Some of the solo numbers during which the dancer introduces her character and her astrological sign are performed a little too tentatively for my taste and could use more oomph. The all-cast opener that has the girls striking various poses as London guards still works well. More fun is found when a sexy dancer engages with a large, lip-shaped red sofa.

Unlike the Paris presentation, La Femme uses variety acts. Even if you are not a Michael Jackson fan, the Quiddlers' take on the King of Pop is unusual, creative and genuinely funny. While the hit tune "Beat It" plays, a "micro" Jackson cavorts around the stage with his oversized pet chimpanzee. To say more would spoil your surprise.

Music is by Laurent Gueneau and couture costumes are by designer Gaspard Yurkievich. Under the artistic direction of Sophie Bernardin, this new version of La Femme is sophisticated entertainment for date night and will captivate most adult audiences.