The Downfall of an Understudy

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: "The Downfall of an Understudy" Photo Credit: Patrick Rivera

Click here to read full article in Las Vegas Weekly

We’ve all been there. That moment when you live out a dream and realize it’s not at all what you expected. Lisa, though petite in stature, had tall dreams of starring in a Broadway show. After years of hard work, Lisa’s dream came true. Okay, I have a confession to make: Her dream came true minus a few details.

So the show wasn’t on Broadway; it was on the Las Vegas Strip. However, it was once on Broadway and, more importantly, Lisa was going to be the star. Actually, “star” is a loose term. I think her official title was “understudy” to the star. (For those who don’t know the term understudy, it’s the person who learns all of the star’s moves, grows close to the star and then hopes an injury befalls him or her—ideally nonfatal.)

I won’t mention the name of the show to protect the guilty, but let’s just say it’s a musical named after a windy city … in Illinois.

The Double-Jointed Chicken Dance: A Cautionary Tale

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: "The Double-Jointed Chicken Dance: A Cautionary Tale" Photo Credit: Patrick Rivera

Click here to read full article in Las Vegas Weekly

One of my favorite words in the English language is “gig.” My ears perk up and I see dollar signs each time I get a call that starts with, “Hey, I gotta gig for you.”

The great thing about Vegas is there are a lot of gigs to go around. A gig is normally a one-time performance. Sometimes it goes well. Other times, you lay an egg.

It was the grand opening for a franchise chicken restaurant, and various dancers from the Las Vegas Strip were cast to perform in a show designed specifically for the event. Who goes out of their way to design a full production show for a chicken restaurant?

May I remind you, this is Vegas.

Confessions of a Juggler: On a Cruise Ship without a Bean Bag

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: "Confessions of a Juggler" Photo of Maren by Patrick Rivera

Click hear to read full article in Las Vegas Weekly

Remember when I said, “the modern-day showgirl comes in many forms, shapes and sizes … In Vegas, they don’t even have to be women?” Today I’m going to bend the rules even further. I present to you: “Confessions of a Juggler.”

Every young adult comes to that crossroad where he decides what he wants to be in life. Some become lawyers, some become doctors and then, there's Jeff Civillico ...

Star-Mangled Banner: A Showgirl Nightmare

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: "Star-Mangled Banner: A Showgirl Nightmare" (Photo Credit: Patrick Rivera)

Click here to read full article in Las Vegas Weekly

For a singing showgirl, one of the songs you must have in your repertoire is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Every sporting event has an anthem singer, and it’s always a great honor to be that singer. Every American shares the bond of knowing the words to this special song.

So what happens when you are a showgirl … from Canada?

Rumor Has It: Bad News Travels Fast for a Vegas Showgirl

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: Rumor Has It

Click here to read full article in Las Vegas Weekly

It all started with a list of notes on the Director’s desk:

-Lead blew a fuse. Needs replacement.

-Cover looks worn. Burnt out. Update to newer model.

-Jumper rusty, refresh asap.

-Female 4 bipolar. Further evaluation needed.

-Ratings too low for current needs.

-Termination tomorrow, close doors.

First let me explain the importance of “notes” in the life of a showgirl. “Notes” are when the creative higher-ups watch the show and single out the weak links in the production. Sometimes those weak links are the performers.

It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing Photo Credit: Robert John Kley

Click here to read this special edition of "Confessions of a Showgirl" as Maren Wade pens a guest article for Robin Leach in The Las Vegas Sun

I want to expose a dark, mysterious and gripping subculture that exists deep within the world of Las Vegas that isn’t talked about often. It’s not a place where everyone can go, and those who do have a unique vantage point. They hold the special key to the green door.

Welcome to the exclusive lifestyle of swinging. There, I said it. I got it out.

A Night in the Life of a Showgirl at Sea

Maren Wade's Confessions of a Showgirl: A Night in the Life of a Showgirl at Sea

Click here for article in Las Vegas Weekly

They say the Vegas theater world is like one giant cruise ship for performers. To a certain extent, I can see how that’s possible. Many of us enjoy the sexy and salty sea life for a handful of years, and then realize it may be more practical to create a life on land.

After countless nautical miles sailing the ocean blue, I had set my sights on land and set my feet upon new sand. Actually, it’s questionable how new the sand was at the Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay, but it looked amazing!