‘Les Trix’ offers music, magic

Joe Delaney

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000 | 9:37 a.m.

"Les Trix," starring the Showgirls of Magic -- Julie Northrup, Teresa Serge and Teresa Marie King -- explosive comedian Joe Trammel and Vegas Heat, a singing trio composed of Jeff Fairchild, Tony Koons and Tony Mosti in the tiny band-box type showroom at the San Remo is the best buy for the money, at $31.50 with one drink.

Bonnie Saxe Matarazzo is the producer, director and choreographer, and deserves a special bow for taking "Les Trix" in a different, better direction and to newer heights than the original "Showgirls of Magic," which had its name changed to "Les Trix" to capitalize upon the opening of Paris Las Vegas last year. Shows are at 8 and 10:30 p.m. (the second show is topless).

The Showgirls of Magic open the show with simple but effective illusions, made much easier to take because all three principals are comely, well-formed, tastefully costumed throughout and excellent dancers as well. Koons had a short stint at this point, warming up the audience and preparing them for what was to follow.

The Showgirls can sing as well, performing a country song and setting up the other two-thirds of Vegas Heat, Fairchild and Mosti, who did a takeoff on the Blues Brothers with much audience involvement. It was a goodly crowd and audience interaction was constant from this point on. Back came the Showgirls for more traditional-but-nicely-done magic.

Trammel, once with "Splash" at the Riviera, is a mime but a very physical mime, working to recorded tracks at a break-neck pace, an incredible physical exhibition, a funny 12-or-so minutes. Northrup, using her own voice, was a standout as Tina Turner, backed by the entire cast.

Vegas Heat is a new act with a bright potential, a great vocal blend, reminiscent of the Oak Ridge Boys when that group turned from gospel to pop. Koons is the son of one the original Oak Ridge Boys, and Fairchild is a cousin of country singer Barbara Fairchild.

The Showgirls of Magic performed several more illusions before reverting to a more Las Vegas-styled song-and-dance for the finale and bows.

The audience had a good time and so did I. So will you.