Hey hey! Are you ready to deconstruct the showgirl some more? In these special episodes, we have talked about how there are no more showgirl shows with Alison Kravenko in ep 056, physical requirements and expectations with Brenda Barrett in episode 60, and Art vs. selling out with Andrew Branche in ep 062.
Today, we continue the deconstruction of the Showgirl and dive into my favorite subject, costumes! And of course, I couldn’t have found a better guest than the master of Showgirl costume design, Pete Menefee! Emmy award winning designer, Pete Menefee, started his career in entertainment as a dancer. After 12 years of using his body as his medium, he transitioned in the role of sketch artist and then costume designer.
He has worked on the Showgirl spectaculars Donn Arden’s Hello Hollywood, Hello and Jubilee! He has also spent many years working in Hollywood for some of the industry’s biggest names, Anne Margaret, Shirley MacLaine and Juliet Prowse to name a few. He has also worked as a designer for the Radio City Rockettes and countless ice shows with his incredible talent.
Pete and I deep dive about the Showgirl costumes he designed for Jubilee! talking about the materials choices, how many artisans worked on a single costume and how he feels about his costume designs being tampered with. He shares a special story at the end that I was privileged to hear in person this past summer when I met Pete for lunch with my friend Sheri Lewis, host of Bluebells Forever podcast, in his backyard oasis in the Hollywood Hills. Enjoy this episode about the incredible costumes that made the Showgirl even more dazzling to watch!
Let’s keep the conversation going! Join the conversation on the show notes page and share what you enjoyed about this episode. I look forward to connecting with you! 😍
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How a 5’4” singer dancer came to be the Principal singer in Lido de Paris Allez Lido featuring Debra Lee (Kristian) Fader, part 1
A peek into three generations of women in show business and their family legacy featuring Janet Kravenko, Alison Kravenko and Skyla Johnson
Breaking color barriers in show business as a black male dancer featuring Marty Lewis
From Showgirl to Farm Girl featuring Patti Jo Amerein (Cooper)
Being treated like celebrities as Vegas entertainers of the 70s and 80s featuring Joe Macchieverna
Female leaders in Showbiz who worked in a time of cultural and societal oppression featuring Su Kim Chung
The gratitude and grace of a third generation Las Vegas performer as she continues her legacy despite restrictions featuring Skyla Johnson
How wanting more than “a little job” propelled her into her fabulous life in show business featuring Janet Kravenko
How being a “Donn Arden girl” has shaped life as a teacher, choreographer and woman featuring Alison Kravenko part 2
How being a “Donn Arden girl” has shaped life as a teacher, choreographer and woman featuring Alison Kravenko part 1
How being a Showgirl strengthens work ethic, confidence and being a woman comfortable in her own body featuring Amelia Bruff
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 7
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 6, featuring Andrew Branche
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 5, featuring Victor Littles
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 4, featuring Gayve Littles
Diversifying the Narrative: Stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 3, featuring Anthony Brown
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 2, featuring Jakki Ford
Diversifying the Narrative: stories from dancers of the line formerly known as the Ebony line and beyond part 1, featuring Jakki Ford
The importance of preserving the Showgirl through costume preservation and its individual history featuring Karan Feder
Auditions: Does it ever get any easier? Featuring Athena Patacsil and various guests
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