MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris

Crazy Horse Paris a steamy show with a French twist

By Kristine McKenzie

The French are known for all things sexy and the French import MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris is no exception to the rule.

The cabaret show, billed as "a celebration of the artistry of the nude," features beautiful female dancers whose nearly nude bodies become canvases upon which light, colors and images are projected.

The show is a Parisian classic. The Crazy Horse Paris was created in 1951 by Alain Bernardin, who wanted to create a show that was more striking than a traditional striptease. He experimented with light and color projections, strobe effects and more.

In 2001, when the Crazy Horse Paris celebrated its 50th anniversary, the show La Femme was introduced to Las Vegas. It was renamed MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris in 2007 as a way of returning to its roots and honoring its history.

The Crazy Horse Theatre at the MGM Grand is an exact replica of its Parisian counterpart - a small, intimate venue. All 12 of the dancers performed with the original Crazy Horse dance troupe in Paris prior to performing in Las Vegas. The women in the show, chosen to be indistinguishable in their height and size, are trained in ballet and are consummate dancers.

MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris is an erotic, sophisticated show that both men and women can enjoy. The show takes the audience on a journey through the zodiac, paying homage to women of various astrological signs. Between each scene, a dancer performs a solo number to introduce the song.

With numbers entitled "Va Va Voom" and "Leçon d'Erotisme," it's clear this show is all about the beauty and art of the female form. In one vignette, a dancer performs a sultry striptease atop a red couch that is shaped like a pair of lips. In another, the girls perform provocatively with chairs as the stage is covered in different patterns of changing light.

The last act features a suggestive song appropriately titled "You Turn Me On" - a feat the women of MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris achieve with every performance.