Review: 'Peepshow' at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas

Hey, you bons vivants and connoisseurs of the amatory life! Are you looking for a grown-up, erotically charged entertainment that will tickle your libido, stimulate your imagination, engage your sense of humor and chase away those ol’ recessionary blues for a couple hours?

Yeah, same here. Tweet me if you happen to find one.

Meanwhile, we’ll have to make do with “Peepshow,” an intermittently amusing but utterly predictable and cliche-besotted soft-core revue that opened Sunday night at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

With a creative team led by the accomplished Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“The Full Monty,” “Hairspray”) and a cast headed by Mel B., a.k.a. Scary Spice of the British pop group the Spice Girls, “Peepshow” aroused a certain degree of pre-opening curiosity.

Now that the Strip has abandoned the farcical marketing concept of Las Vegas as a kid-friendly town, a kind of desert Disneyland with slot machines, it has turned its full attention to the feeding and pampering of those of legal age. At least in theory, that opens the door to a more sophisticated type of sensual entertainment, the kind that Cirque du Soleil aspired to with its flawed but admirably ambitious “Zumanity” show.

But this is a town that, when it comes to sex, still prefers the commercially tried and tested to the truly innovative. Accordingly, “Peepshow” hauls out the familiar stag-show props and tropes — sequins, pasties, thongs, smirking double-entendres — and dresses them up with an itsy-bitsy story line about a blushing ingenue named Bo Peep (former Playboy Playmate and “Dancing With the Stars” winner Kelly Monaco) being introduced to forbidden pleasures by a saucy mistress of ceremonies (Mel B.).

Apart from the flashing bare breasts, not much that follows in the show’s naughty-fairy-tale scenarios would be at all new or shocking to the average U.S. teenager. Cheerleaders, vampy school girls, pole dancers and a gal with a breathy voice and a fake bearskin rug all parade across the theater’s circular thrust stages, evincing varying levels of singing and dancing talent.

The most engaging performer, by far, is Mel B., whose broad Northern England accent and teasingly bullying manner complement her character, a drill sergeant in the art of R-rated foreplay. Looking leaner and more muscly than she did when the Spice Girls were in their late-'90s heyday, she brings a raunchy charisma to the production. But her spiky presence isn’t sufficient to raise “Peepshow” above its calculated tameness and commercial juvenilia.

Musically, among the show’s more inspired numbers is a tribute to pink that involves a male stooge, some light bondage, a bucket of paint and a crunching rock ditty. Composer Andrew Lippa, who penned the book, music and lyrics for the Manhattan Theatre Club production of “The Wild Party,” here dabbles in pop, rock, hip-hop and cabaret, and manages to rhyme “pedigree” with “dead agree.” David Rockwell (scenic design) and Gregg Barnes (costumes) are able to manufacture a few pretty good sight gags but, as with Mitchell’s choreography, the overall effect is more of watching an aerobics workout than an erotic adventure.

Overall, “Peepshow” suggests not so much a journey into the realm of the senses as a rerun of “Oh! Calcutta!”

--Reed Johnson

Caption: A scene from "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Credit: Darren Michaels

Comments

[Frank]

Did we see the same show? I saw it in previews and I loved it!

[J.]

The negitive feel of this review amazes me. I saw the show on opening night, with my WIFE, and loved it! I think that it is the best show of it's kind to come to Vegas in years. My wife also loved it and is still raving about it. I would suggest it to anyone who is in the mood to laugh, have a relaxing evening and see a group of beautiful and talented performers.

[Zach]

Um, I'm sorry, was this reviewer at the same show I was? No, clearly not. Perhaps he was at one of the many bars in the Planet Hollywood, or maybe at a roulette or blackjack table, but there is no way he was watching Peepshow.

I attended Peepshow with some friends last night and we had a blast; actually, it seemed like the entire audience did. It was hot, fun, creative, utterly sexy and worth every penny of the ticket price we paid. I was actually stunned to not hear a mention of Josh Strickland's performance as we were all blown away by it; further evidence to support that Mr. Reed Johnson was not present, or perhaps passed out.

[Keith McCann]

I have read some nasty and rude reviews in my life... but this one takes the cake! I have had over ten friends go see and every single one of them LOVED IT! I'm going in June and I CAN'T WAIT!

[Nena Tucker]

My husband and I saw the show during previews and it was great. Maybe the reviewer was looking for full body nudity or soft porn. You will not find that, but what you will find is classy, sexy entertainment. I strongly suggest Peepshow. You will not be disappointed!

[CC]

ok i actually WAS at the same show as this reviewer, as well as Opening Night the evening before. I was blown away by the dancing and snging talents on display. It is certainly a sexy, yet tasteful and a bit baudy, experience that both genders and all sexual orientations can enjoy! i am also a bit surprised to not read any positive feedback for the immense talent of Josh Strickland, the Male Lead in the show. His voice is like liquid and i am still humming several of the show's numbers a few days later. Can't wait for the soundtrack!!!

[C]

this show was worse than the review. if guys want to see naked girls, go to a strip club. if couples want to see an erotic show, go to zoomanity.

[Lou]

I saw the show twice during previews and thought the music and dancing were terrific. The girls were beautiful and the guys were as handsome as could be and all were so talented. I went to the show not knowing what to expect and was entertained the entire time. Well worth the money I spent on the tickets. Mr. Johnson......get a life.

t

[S]

I saw the same show as the reviewer, and thought he was being extremely kind. This show IS AWFUL... There were only 5 minutes of fresh idea in the 90 minute show. Terribly trite songs and staging. Absolute misuse of Mel B. Completely lacked script and structure which only counts here because they attempted to have a storyline. I would assume that those singing its praises saw their friends perform with free friends and family tickets. Josh Strickland could indeed sing and a great voice, but really - you have to be a friend of Josh Strickland to a) know his name and b) bother attacking the reviewer for that as opposed to thanking him for not mentioning the weak acting part of his acting/singing performance. Glad that Mr. Johnson was willing to politely call it what it is........people should save their money and spend it on anything else.

[Ed]

Seems you just have something against Las Vegas. Too bad, you missed a terrific show.

[Lou]

I am not a friend or family of any of the cast and I did indeed pay for my two tickets along with 2 for my husband. I agree with Ed. I am sorry you missed a good show.
MR./MS. S, are singers really actors? Or are they suppose to be there for support for the actors on stage? I thought all of the singers and dancers were very good with their acting /singing.
I think maybe you negative folks should go to a strip show where there are no limits as to what comes off the body.
Keep up the classy, sassy and kick assey work! Go peeps!

[Zach]

I felt the need to post another comment as I am neither friend nor family to anyone in the Peepshow cast. And as for my comment about Josh Strickland, I didn't know who he was until I asked after the show! Guessing the reviewer didn't bother to find out about any of the cast members he wasn't immediately familiar with; not really a thorough job in my opinion!

[M]

well im going June 8. I hope it is a good show. I have front row seats.

[martin]

My wife and I attended this "show" last night. Yes, the girls are pretty. I like naked breasts...(and the color blue) Yes, the lead singers have solid voices.

Watching this drivel was like being hit with a "stupid stick".

This was neither burlesque, nor theatre. The story is unsuccessful at making the nudity anything but gratuitous. Did i say I like naked breasts?

A waste of the combined talents to create an unwatchable farce. Save your time and money.

[Matt]

yeah this show wasnt that good. i doubt it will last very long and hopefully base entertainment will go out of business

[Sal]

I saw Holly Madison in Peepshow last week. What a disappointment she was. The show was excellent but Holly Madison has no talent and no sex appeal. It takes more then fake breast to arouse me and Holly Madison just doesn't have it.

I don’t see why they extended her contract. I bet Heffner has his hand in that.

Holly Madison is nothing more than a blow up doll that doesn't know how to move well.

[B]

I think the show was good but really regrett paying for the post-show. They make it seem like your going to stand around drink champagne and talk to Holly. Nthe case: They make you sitdown and one at a time, get up stand next to Holly take a picture then they kick you out and send you on your way. Holly doesn't even talk, She's in P.J.'s. Not what I expeted. "Buzz Kill"