Sexy, Sassy, and a Whole Lotta Fun

INTIMATE NEW CABARET PRODUCTION, APÉRO, IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH

BY SAM NOVAK

The state of entertainment in post-pandemic Las Vegas is one of turmoil and flux. Long-running productions have permanently shuttered, and legendary stars have been shown the door. Fortunately for some entertainers and creative minds, new opportunities have arisen. That’s how APÉRO was born.

APÉRO is a sexy new revue presented at Baobab Stage. A swanky, intimate showroom within Baobab Café, Baobab Stage is located at Town Square on South Las Vegas Boulevard. Featuring talent from now-shuttered ZUMANITY by Cirque du Soleil and Wynn’s long-running LE REVE – The Dream, APÉRO takes the finest ingredients of those world-famous spectaculars and blends them into a delicious, fizzy cocktail delivered right to your seat.

APÉRO’s premise is built around the aperitif, an oh-so-French tradition of early-evening libations and nibbles (something you’re invited to partake in before and during the show). An ultra-hot cast of men and women meet, flirt…and try to impress each other with feats of grace and strength. A threadbare concept, to be sure, but who cares when the antics are this sexy?

If you’ve been to other Las Vegas variety shows, the acts in APÉRO might be a bit familiar. What elevates them here is the magnetism and chemistry of the cast, a veritable who’s who of the athletic arts. Towering Damir Mouzdybaev is 6 feet, 3 inches of chiseled muscle, who opens the production. Lithe, God-like, and sensual, the former LE REVE acrobat guides the cast through their various interactions. Dazzling Natsumi Miyazaki, who performed in Le Reve alongside Mouzdybaev, delights with an amusing pole sequence.

Artist/dancer/choreographer Angelique Janowski spent several years entertaining audiences at ZUMANITY. Janowski is one of the show’s producers and is featured on the aerial hoop. Part clown and part underdog, Vladislav Miagostoupov combines dancing and juggling into a hysterical mixture that defines his signature style.

Brooding Roman Tomanov of ABSINTHE is the cast’s “bad boy.” Decked out in a leather jacket and ribbed tank shirt (for a short while, at least), the hard-bodied hunk performs gymnastic feats and takes flight on the aerial straps. Mongolian contortionist Tsatsral Erdenebileg will have you gasping with her stunning flexibility. Tsatsral also comes to APÉRO by way of ZUMANITY.

Recent performances have featured Jonas Woolverton on the “Roue Wheel” and the comedy antics of Stinky and Bunny. This off-kilter man-and-rabbit pair will keep you laughing from APÉRO’s opening moments through the final bows.

There is plenty of ZUMANITY DNA behind the scenes of APÉRO, too. Co-creator Niccole Dunn spent seventeen years as a wardrobe designer at the Cirque du Soleil revue. A multi-hyphenate behind the scenes, Dunn designed the costumes, provides technical direction and is even entrenched in promoting the new production.

Baobab Café/Stage is the brainchild of Wassa Coulibaly, who danced for several years in ZUMANITY. Her immersive venue evokes the atmosphere of a vintage European cabaret. You’ll be hard-pressed to look away from the stunning wall coverings, overstuffed love seats, ornate light fixtures, and artwork. But there’s no need to take your eyes off the stage. A short intermission allows you to drink in the lush surroundings while indulging in another glass of bubbly.

Bursting with romance, humor, titillation, and amazement, APÉRO is the perfect choice for a first date…or a romantic evening out with your loved one.

APÉRO performs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm. The show runs approximately 90 minutes with intermission. Tickets are $65.00 (plus tax/fees) and can be ordered at: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/aperoshow/6526