Friday, June 26, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Scarlett, Princess of Magic, a former dancer and magician's assistant from Reno, studies international business at UNLV when not performing. Her magic show will be the first by a woman on the Las Vegas Strip in about two years.
If You Go
- What: "Scarlett and the Seductive Ladies of Magic"
- When: 10 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays, dark Fridays
- Where: The Riviera's Versailles Theatre
- Tickets: $44.55 to $53.64; 794-9433; must be 18 years or older
Red-haired magician Scarlett will launch a provocative new production Wednesday at the Riviera. It will feature more than pulling rabbits out of a hat and sawing someone in half. The "Princess of Magic" will be backed by a bevy of topless dancers in the adult version of her act, directed by Las Vegas choreographer Bobby Boling.
The 23-year-old magician performed at the V Theater before moving down the street to the Riviera's Versailles Theatre, where "La Cage" was staged for 24 years before closing in February.
She will share the space with "Ice," the Russian ice skating revue, and - beginning July 10 - Charo.
Scarlett became a magician by chance. Three years ago magician John Lewis (stage name Jon Andrew) was looking for an assistant in Reno. He contacted a dance studio where Scarlett was training and hired her.
Lewis was impressed with how fast his protege learned magic and took her under his wing. Today he produces her shows.
Scarlett's 70-minute production includes plenty of magic - linking rings with her special twist; a hypnotized rabbit; Houdini's torture chamber and Harry Blackstone Jr.'s Topsy-Turvy box. "There are only two Topsy-Turvy boxes in the world, and we have one of them," Lewis says.
And now, topless assistants.
With its glass, star-lit exterior, visitors can't miss the Riviera when driving down the Strip. As the first high-rise to open on the Las Vegas Strip, featuring a nine-story hotel, the Riviera has seen more than 50 years as an entertainment destination in Las Vegas. Top bill acts like Liberace, Dean Martin and the long-running Splash revue (closed in 2006) have graced its showrooms over time.
The Riviera still offers its share of entertainment options with topless revue "Crazy Girls," a comedy club and "Illusions," starring Jan Rouven.
The 100,000-square foot casino has been featured in many films like "Casino," "Austin Powers" and "21." Although the hotel has passed through a long list of owners over the years it has always held on to it's unique theme (for Las Vegas) in that it lacks any particular theme. It also features a William Hill Race & Sports Book walk-up betting window right off the sidewalk on the Strip.
The Riviera has dining options well covered, from seafood and steaks at R Steak and Seafood, a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner fare at Banana Leaf Café to an international cuisine at the R Buffet.
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