Full Circle Moment

By Ann Parenti
Photography by Sheryl Aronson

I remember meeting Lisa Gay and her beloved, now-deceased husband, Tony Drake, over ten years ago at Alexis Park when they were movin’ and groovin’ in the Pegasus Lounge weekly from 2012 to 2014. Tony and Lisa were invited to participate in the Midnight Muse collection I created in 2014. Since then, we have remained friends over the years.

Fast-forward to the present when Lisa was recently given the title of Creative Director for the Modern Showroom Playhouse at Alexis Park. Beginning in December and into 2024, The Playhouse will present a series of shows there. The visionary dream maker, Pete Housley, has several shows performing there weekly in the Playhouse and the Athena Show Lounge. There are many shows to choose from; please see the website below.

I was recently invited to Lisa’s premier performance at the Modern Showroom Playhouse to witness her again standing on the stage where it all began many years ago. She performed a fabulous tribute to the Songbook of Phyllis Hyman with her band by her side, ‘movin’ and groovin’ to her next dance step.

Her band included the talented Tony Pereira, John Belzaguy, Boris Shapiro, and Sidney Smith, with musical director Demetrios Pappas.

With her lively spirit and the way she connects to the audience, it’s always a joy to hear Lisa perform, and now she is back home to where it all began.

Welcome home, Lisa!

To learn more about all the shows offered, go to www.modernvegas.com