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From Vegas to London The L.A Showgirls Story
The L.A Showgirls were formed by Legendary U.S singer, actress and dancer - Lezlie Anders in Las Vegas in 1992. Originally to dance in her own celebrated show at The Desert Inn they soon went on to perform on the famous strip for stars such as Buddy Greco, Jack Jones, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles and Al Martino at famed casinos including - The Flamingo, The Sahara and The Gold Coast. With stunning costumes designed by Lezlie and amazing new dance routines, The L.A Showgirls brought the glamour of the sixties showgirl Vegas heyday back to life for a new generation.
With an ever growing reputation for quality and professionalism the group soon became recognised as one of the classiest and stylish in modern Las Vegas. However work was not limited to the strip as the Showgirls often travelled to Los Angeles for product launches and corporate events for clients such as Ford Motor Company and Budweiser.
Now The L.A Showgirls have arrived in London with many of the costumes used in Las Vegas and original routines brought to the Europe for the first time. Already The L.A Showgirls have built up a major following in the UK with dates booked well into 2017. Theatre tours include Lezlie's acclaimed "Fever" show and the original British Rat Pack show along with The Frank Sinatra Centennial Tour featuring Kenny Lynch and Anita Harris. Acclaimed British choreographer Charlotte Tollan has joined the organisation to revise some of the classic routines and give a modern edge to the business for the U.K market. So look out London - Vegas has arrived via L.A!
LEZLIE ANDERS (Founder)
"Hot Stuff" - Variety Magazine
Moving to Las Vegas in 1992 Lezlie began a two year engagement at The Desert Inn's Starlight Theatre, where she supported stars such as Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli during their performances in The Crystal Showroom. It was there that she met husband – the legendary Buddy Greco. They began to work together and she joined Buddy's show as a featured artist.
Lezlie and Buddy, have completed 5 acclaimed world tours, two television specials, and seven recording projects, in addition to a very busy performance schedule in Las Vegas.
In addition to her busy tour schedule with Buddy Greco, Lezlie now performs at many corporate and casino sponsored events with her band, The Lezlie Anders Orchestra and The L.A Showgirls which she formed while at The Desert Inn. Her solo show became a Las Vegas favourite known for its' quality musicians, dancers and glamorous vocalist.
In the late nineties Lezlie performed a live dance show “Las Vegas Live Tonight” at The Flamingo Hotel featuring her with her band and The L.A Showgirls and special guests, which was broadcast live from Las Vegas every Friday night for two years.
Her first solo album "With Love, Lezlie," (Celebrity Records) features such jazz notables as Buddy Greco, Don Menza, Carl Fontana, and Joe Lano.
She is currently recording two CD projects, "Torch," a collection of ballads, and "Dance Party," featuring the Lezlie Anders Orchestra recreating the Big Band Dance Classics of the past.
Lezlie has devised and produced an award winning salute to the great Peggy Lee called "Fever" which has toured the U.S with her orchestra and dancers to great success including seasons in New York and in Vegas at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Now based back in Vegas, she will be bringing the "Fever" with her Orchestra and The L.A Showgirls back to London in 2016.
DAVID ALACEY (DIRECTOR)
David Alacey is an accomplished Actor, Singer, Director and Producer. He trained in performing arts at The Italia Conti Academy in London for three years and went on to perform as an actor with The Break A Leg Theatre Company, touring the UK and spending a season at The Unicorn Theatre in the heart of the West-End.
Television appearances include 'Lovejoy' and 'Inspector Alleyn' for BBC and most recently 'Never Never' for Channel Four. As a recording artiste, he re-recorded "The Theme From New York New York" with a 42 piece orchestra for Atari Games. Another highlight of his career was a Royal Command Performance for HRH The Princess Royal.
David devised and directed the original British Rat Pack Tribute show, which is now celebrating it’s eighteenth record breaking year. He also produced the hit touring shows "Las Vegas Legends" and "Sinatra, Martin and Buble"
In 2010 David produced a 32 date UK tour for legendary Las Vegas star – Buddy Greco and this year a National Tour of The Frank Sinatra Centennial Concert featuring Kenny Lynch and Anita Harris.
In 2016 David will be producing and appearing in a new production - The Rat Pack and Judy starring Becky O'Brien as Judy Garland.
CHARLOTTE-ELIZABETH TOLLAN (CHOREOGRAPHER)
Charlotte started dancing from the tender age of three and has taken many exams up to advanced vocational level in a multitude of styles over the years. In her youth she also competed regularly in dance competitions leading up to the 'All England dance finals' held at The Peacock Theatre in London.
Charlotte trained at local dance schools in her home town of Northampton before being lucky enough to gain a place at ‘Northern Ballet School’ in Manchester where she completed 3 years professional training under many industry respected teachers and choreographers. She was also chosen to choreograph for their outreach project performed at ‘Bridgewater Hall’ in collaboration with the Halle orchestra. She graduated with a Northern Ballet School diploma and an NVQ level 6 diploma in professional dance and performance validated by Trinity College London.
Charlotte has been in many professional productions since she started dancing including: ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘Oliver’, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Aida’. She also featured in two instructional dance fitness DVDs. In recent years she has performed in Manchester City Ballet’s production of ‘Giselle’ choreographed by David Needham, has worked at many large events for recognised companies and has also been in many theatre shows from the UK to Africa. She has worked alongside many celebrities and has performed for many more including an event for the Prime Minister David Cameron.
Charlotte now runs a successful dance company and sends her own dancers out to shows worldwide, so they can enjoy the same experiences. She has recently choreographed National Tours of The Sinatra Centennial Concert and The Rat Pack Christmas Show. She is also Lead Choreographer at The London Cabaret Club. In 2016 she will be providing Choreography and appearing in the new touring production of The Rat Pack and Judy.