Behind the Curtain

Maren Wade reimagines what it means to be a modern-day Las Vegas showgirl

By Melissa Gill / Photo by Jerry Metellus

Maren Wade isn’t the typical showgirl. She makes light of not being 5’10” or a leggy glamazon, but she has achieved great success as a Las Vegas entertainer and beyond. The Los Angeles native is a singer, TV host and columnist who’s appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and toured nationally with the Radio City Rockettes. She’s also performed in “50 Shades! The Parody,” “Pin-Up” and “Fantasy.”

On November 6, for one night only, her autobiographical work, “Confessions of a Showgirl,” graces Myron’s showroom in The Smith Center. Wade’s performance offers an intimate look into the life of a modern showgirl, sharing both hilarious and heartfelt moments in the spotlight and behind the scenes. She finds herself in various challenging situations, requiring her to adapt on the fly, resulting in wildly entertaining experiences.

“I love Vegas. It’s the land of opportunity, and I’ve been blessed to do many things here that I’m completely unqualified to do,” she tells The Town over the phone. “There’s a wonderful entertainment community in Las Vegas who champion each other, and it’s amazing to be a part of it.”

When she wrote her column for Las Vegas Weekly, she penned plenty of amusing anecdotes to choose from for her production. Since moving her column from the page to the stage, she’s also performed “Confessions of a Showgirl” in New York and New Jersey. She handpicked each act in “Confessions of a Showgirl,” delivering a multifaceted perspective of her escapades on and off stage. Wade truly shines in the spotlight, embodying her creative vision during her performance.

“It’s special because very rarely, as a performer, is there a time when I look forward to every moment of the show because it represents something defining in my life,” she says.

Moreover, Wade compiled all her favorite stories from the magazine into an eponymous coffee table book, including her most popular showgirl adventures, such as “The Truth About the Girl Inside The Cake” and “Impersonating an Impersonator.” Her vibrant humor shines throughout but her show isn’t just a string of shenanigans. It’s got heart.

“You start with an expectation of what you think the show will be like. This world of a Las Vegas showgirl, a showgirl who’s self-proclaimed with many funny, awkward moments and stories along the way. Then, as the performance goes on, it evolves into a deeper message. They get to laugh, cry and feel mortified with me. It’s a real human experience,” she says.

Whether you’re a fan of the column or have previously seen “Confessions of a Showgirl,” this iteration is different. Wade sprinkles in a few surprises, but she won’t reveal them. The production evolves with every performance, constantly refining itself.

A compelling show doesn’t magically assemble overnight. It takes a talented and dedicated team of professionals to create a captivating production, and this one is no exception. Keith Thompson, the musical director of “Confessions of a Showgirl,” has significantly inspired Wade. Apart from their collaboration, he established the nonprofit organization, “The Composers Showcase,” a 90-minute spectacle featuring composers and songwriters of all levels who share their work and receive feedback.

“My musical director, Keith Thompson, is someone that I look up to because not only is he insanely talented with an epic repertoire as the musical director for “Jersey Boys,” “Hairspray,” and “We Will Rock You,” but he also founded The Composers Showcase,” she says. “It’s been an amazing contribution to our town and something that performers aspire to be a part of every month.”

Wade appears in more than just “Confessions of a Showgirl.” On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, she portrays the cheeky headmistress of a charm school in “Lady Like – A Retro Modern Burlesque Show” at 24 Oxford, situated within Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Inspired by the 1950s and ‘60s era, the dazzling burlesque revue blends elements of comedy, striptease and choreography. She contributed to shaping the character and is also the show’s associate producer.

“It’s a female revue that women love because it speaks to and celebrates women. Virgin is incredibly supportive of us. The cast is amazing, and the dancing in this show is unreal. These girls work so hard and they’re so talented,” she says.

While working in show business has glamorous aspects, it also comes with significant scrutiny. Sometimes, a rejection has nothing to do with the performer’s skills or talents but something innate and specific, such as the performer having the correct shoe size or hair color. According to Wade, the key to thriving in the entertainment industry lies in honing your unique gift—something inherently yours that cannot be taken away.

“I found empowerment through what I bring to the table and not trying to be what I think others want me to be,” Wade says. confessionsofashowgirl.com