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Rich Rizzo Professional Papers

Identifier

MS-01106

Abstract

The Rich Rizzo Professional Papers (approximately 1960-2022) are comprised largely of photographs documenting the life of Las Vegas, Nevada dancer and choreographer Rich Rizzo in shows such as Jubilee! and Lido de Paris in Las Vegas and in Paris, France. The photographs show rehearsal and performances, Rizzo with his partner and fellow choreographer Winston Helmsley, dancers and showgirls, Donn Arden, and Miss Bluebell. Other types of material include business and personal correspondence, contracts, production prospectives and set designs, show programs, and costume design photographs.

Archival Collection

Patricia Craig Papers

Identifier

MS-01180

Abstract

The Patricia Craig Papers (approximately 1941-1989) contain photographs from Las Vegas, Nevada dancer and showgirl Patricia (Pat) Craig. The collection includes early photographs of her family, Craig as a young ballet dancer, and her high school diploma. The majority of the photographs of are Craig in costume on stage, candid photographs of her at home, and professional modeling shots. There are a small amount of newspaper clippings and magazines regarding Craig's appearances in Las Vegas shows, and her diploma from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Valerie Chapman Eliot oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02435

Abstract

Oral history interview with Valerie Chapman Eliot and Connie Pooley conducted by Su Kim Chung on January 30, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Eliot begins the interview by discussing her upbringing in England, her early dancing career in France in the Bluebell Girls dancing troupe, and working with Donn Arden. She continues, describing the other countries where she performed, including Argentina and Cuba, before eventually going to Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s to dance in productions at the Stardust Resort and Casino. She describes the life of a dancer, the differences between dancers and showgirls, and life in Las Vegas during the 1960s. Connie Pooley was also present for this interview.

Archival Collection

Nancy Williams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01993

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nancy Williams conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 13, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Williams talks about her early life and career as a dancer. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948, organized crime in Las Vegas casinos, and segregation of African American entertainers at the time. Williams remembers riding horses to and from casinos, the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) union, and early showgirl costumes. Lastly, Williams talks about retiring from dancing and establishing a school of dance in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Ffolliott "Fluff" LeCoque Papers

Identifier

MS-00826

Abstract

Collection is comprised of Ffolliott "Fluff" LeCoque's professional and personal papers (1879-2015), documenting her life and career working as a dancer and later as company manager for Las Vegas entertainment productions; most notably the long-running Jubilee! show produced by Donn Arden for the MGM Grand and Bally's Hotel-Casinos. Materials include personal letters, drawings, professional papers, newspaper clippings, photographs, magazines, commericially produced sheet music, and related ephemera.

Archival Collection

Liz Elliot Lieberman Papers

Identifier

MS-00827

Abstract

The Liz Elliott Lieberman Papers are comprised of materials from approximately 1970 to 1989 documenting Lieberman's career as a dancer in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada performing in shows such as Hello, Hollywood, Hello at the MGM Grand Reno, Zing at Harrah's Reno, and EFX at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. The collection includes a scrapbook, newspaper clippings, and ephemera documenting her work in Hello, Hollywood Hello. Other materials include newspaper clippings, ephemera, and photographs from Zing and EFX.

Archival Collection

Bill Campbell Costume Designs

Identifier

MS-00588

Abstract

The Bill Campbell Costume Designs (1954-1978) are comprised of original costume design sketches created by designer Bill Campbell for a number of Donn Arden's stage productions, including Pzazz!, Hello America, and Hello Hollywood Hello that were staged in the Crystal Room at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s and 1970s. The collection also contains some sketches for other revues held in Los Angeles, California and Reno, Nevada. The majority of items in the collection are original drawings with attached fabric swatches; a number of items are xeroxed reproductions.

Archival Collection

Jim Kaufman and Larry Reeves oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00987

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jim Kaufman and Larry Reeves conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 18, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this joint interview, Kaufman begins by talking about his start as a wardrobe dresser for Hollywood, California and Las Vegas, Nevada hotel-casino revues in the early 1970s. He relates a number of stories and comments on work, including the temporary nature and the potential safety hazards. Reeves starts to add his perspective as a "boy dancer" in the shows, and the two men continue trading stories and anecdotes about the small world of Las Vegas Strip revues.

Archival Collection

Patrice Adams-Fauci oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02060

Abstract

Oral history interview with Patrice Adams-Fauci conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 19, 1996 for the Las Vegas Women in Gaming and Entertainment Oral History Project. In this interview, Adams-Fauci relates how she traveled to the United States with the Bluebell Girls dance troupe in 1960. She continues talking about life as a dancer, how the rules of behavior and comportment differed in Europe, and how strange it was to see racial prejudice in the entertainment industry in the United States. She ends the interview by explaining that dancers had to quit once they married and how she returned to school and became an interior designer.

Archival Collection

Barbara and Norman Kaye oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00989

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Barbara and Norman Kaye conducted by Claytee D. White on February 24, 2010, March 09, 2010, and December 06, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Barbara Kaye begins the interview by discussing her career as a showgirl and moving to Reno, Nevada in 1955 to work as a dancer in a show at the Mapes Hotel in 1955. She then talks about later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to dance at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. She also describes living briefly in Hawaii with her husband, Norman Kaye, his career as a musician, and the life of a Las Vegas showgirl. Norman Kaye discusses his career as a musician in the Mary Kaye Trio with his sister, Mary Kaye. He recalls when they performed at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino, Tropicana Hotel, and Sahara Hotel and Casino, as well as his songwriting outside of the group and being named the poet laureate of Nevada by Governor Grant Sawyer. Lastly, he talks about his career in real estate and his company, Norman Kaye Real Estate.

Archival Collection