Las Vegas Weekly

July 30, 2010 · 8:44 AM

Exclusive photos: Lorena Peril makes her Fantasy debut Sunday

By Don Chareunsy

Rehearsals at Fantasy featuring new lead singer Lorena Peril at the Luxor on July 29, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

In the decade that Fantasy has graced the Luxor, three singers have been center stage as the topless burlesque’s lead vocalist. Charidy Sullivan-LaFontaine was the first star for 1 1/2 years, then Stephanie Dianna Sanchez had the spotlight for more than eight years. Last October, Baywatch actress, Playboy model and Strawberry Blonde frontwoman Angelica Bridges took over the reins.

This Sunday, Lorena Peril, most recently of Sin City Bad Girls at the Las Vegas Hilton, is front and center as Bridges departs the show. Senior Editor John Katsilometes reported on the transition the past few weeks in his The Kats Report on the Las Vegas Sun Web site, and producer Anita Mann confirmed and discussed Peril’s hiring this week.

Vegas DeLuxe chatted with Mann on Tuesday and with Peril yesterday after contributing photographer Tom Donoghue shot rehearsals with Peril at the Luxor for an exclusive photo gallery.

Don Chareunsy: Congratulations on your lead role in Fantasy, Lorena. What are you looking forward to the most headlining at the Luxor?

Lorena Peril: Wow! I’ve wanted this for five years! I’m looking forward to headlining at the Luxor, headlining on The Strip. I loved being in Sin City Bad Girls at the Las Vegas Hilton, but with it closing, this is good timing. It all worked out for me. I start in Fantasy on Sunday, and I’m excited about working with such beautiful girls and a talented cast and an amazing producer. Plus, being Latina, I’m excited about having a Mexican restaurant next door with great tacos. It was all meant to be.

DC: How are rehearsals going?

LP: Rehearsals are going great. It’s all last minute. We just had a costume fitting, and there are still some numbers I need to learn. I hope I don’t throw up on opening night! If I mess up, I’ll just keep on going.

DC: What do you bring to Fantasy?

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Rehearsals at Fantasy featuring new lead singer Lorena Peril at the Luxor on July 29, 2010.

LP: Lots of energy! Lots of Latino moves. We’re introducing a belly dancing number with Sean E. Cooper -- he’s Wyclef Jean, and I’m Shakira. The new opening number is Latin and really shows who I am -- a lot of hips and pow. It’s very seductive, lots of energy, good energy and in your face. I really love Beyonce; I am so inspired by her. Shakira, too. I have very strong vocals, so nobody will be falling asleep.

DC: What is new in Fantasy since the 10th anniversary celebration last October?

Anita Mann: I’ve re-choreographed four or five new numbers. There’s a new opening, a new vocal solo, a duet with Lorena and Sean. There will probably be one more new number before the next press celebration.

DC: Anita is a legendary producer and speaks very highly of you, Lorena. What do you think of Anita?

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Rehearsals at Fantasy featuring new lead singer Lorena Peril at the Luxor on July 29, 2010.

LP: Oh, I think she is great, awesome and full of energy like myself. I met her five years ago when I auditioned for Fantasy and was living in Motel 6. She had just hired Stephanie Dianna and was looking for a swing. Now the timing is perfect, and I’m honored to be working for her. Other producers and choreographers speak highly of her and say this is a great company to work for, so I am very excited.

DC: What have you gained from past experiences, most recently Sin City Bad Girls at the Las Vegas Hilton?

LP: I’ve never taken singing or dancing lessons. I’m self-taught from a karaoke machine. Michael Chambers, the producer of Sin City Bad Girls, taught me how to dance. I learned everything from him. He’s hardcore -- he doesn’t let you just stand there. Plus, I put my own Latin culture and belly dancing into it.

DC: So the $64,000 question: Will you go topless in Fantasy?

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Rehearsals at Fantasy featuring new lead singer Lorena Peril at the Luxor on July 29, 2010.

LP: No, because I would injure somebody in the front row! The way I dance, I might accidently punch someone in the front row. And with the way I sing, nobody will miss me being naked. But if Playboy asked me to pose nude, I would do Playboy.

DC: What are your plans the days before your debut in Fantasy on Sunday?

LP: Lots of rehearsals, getting the lyrics down and practicing the choreography. I need to find my chi because I get really nervous about opening nights. I start shaking before I get onstage. But once I start performing, the switch is turned on with the crowd.

DC: Aside from Fantasy, what are some of your favorite shows on The Strip?

AM: I love Mystere. It is a classically beautiful show. I try to see everything, the musicals, the shows with productions, obviously the ones with dancers. There’s one show I try to see when I possibly can and bring friends: Carrot Top. I love Carrot Top! He has a quirky wit, and he makes me laugh. I love the big spectacles, but I also am a fan of small and intimate shows.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Rehearsals at Fantasy featuring new lead singer Lorena Peril at the Luxor on July 29, 2010.

LP: I love O. It’s my favorite show visually; it’s my favorite to watch. I go maybe once a year. I’d go more often, but it’s expensive.

DC:What will you be thinking when you first take the stage for Fantasy?

LP: Oh my God, there are so many people out there! I’ll smile and know that I got this gig for a reason. Then I’ll kick ass and do my best.

The striking redhead Bridges’ swan song is tomorrow night, and Donoghue and I will be at the 10:30 performance. Check back to Vegas DeLuxe on Monday for her final thoughts and Donoghue’s photo gallery.

Vegas DeLuxe and Robin Leach, who is on vacation in Italy, wish Bridges, who has been a red carpet staple the past 10 months, continued success and the very best.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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