Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Troupe

History

Sources claim that Robin Antin began exploring the idea of a modern burlesque troupe in 1993 with her friends since middle school, Linh Le and Christina Applegate. The dance troupe's first performance was in 1995. During this period, they performed with numerous guest vocalists (see list below), with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960s pop standards while dressed in lingerie or old-fashioned pin-up costumes.

They secured a Thursday night residency at Los Angeles nightclub The Viper Room, where they stayed from 1995 to 2001. The troupe received wider press coverage in June 1999, when Playboy ran a Pussycat Dolls pictorial, featuring at least seven contemporary members. Three years later, the Dolls moved to The Roxy. The group became internationally popular and was featured in magazines, television specials for MTV and VH1, ad campaigns, and movies. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2003 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, dancing to "The Pink Panther Theme".

Carmen Electra was the group's lead performer for many of their shows. She said: "I was part of the Dolls for two years and did every show with them... but financially, I couldn't become part of their new music project... It was a financial sacrifice I couldn't make." However, she did make a cameo appearance in the music video for "Don't Cha". In 2003, Electra formed another burlesque troupe called The Bombshell Babies, which included ex-Dolls Staci Flood and Nadine Ellis.

With the involvement of music producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair, the Pussycat Dolls were re-cast, transformed into a pop and R&B recording group, and became employees of Iovine's label Interscope Records.

The Las Vegas show and casino, 2005-present

In parallel to the Pussycat Dolls as a recording R&B act, in April 2005 a resident live show commenced at the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge" adjacent to Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. This show contains eight "cast members" who continue the burlesque-style show which began in Los Angeles in 1995. In 2006 the cast included vocalist Jamie Preston. The venue is operated by Pure Management Group, Robin Antin has some involvement, but it is unclear whether Interscope also have a financial interest. The Pussycat Dolls recording group have made occasional appearances. "Special guests" have included: Eva Longoria (April 2005); Nicolette Sheridan (Feb 2006); Pamela Anderson (April 2006); and Denise Richards (June 2006).

In February 2007, Caesars Palace opened the Pussycat Dolls Casino located across from the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. It features "Dolls-style" decor and attire for the gaming staff, waitresses and dancers.

Coincidentally, they appeared twice on the hit TV series Las Vegas. The first appearance was with Vanessa Marcil (Sam) performing with them. The second was when they first became international popstars with "Don't Cha" and performed the song on the show.

External Links

• PCDLounge.com - Official website for the Las Vegas show.