Bluebells Forever Podcast

Jo Loake is on hold with the rest of the cast of Paris Merveilles due to covid. During the time of waiting to get on stage again, Jo has created her own flower business called Posie & Plume. She continues to create beauty wherever she is and whatever she is doing. https://www.posieandplume.fr/ Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Pamela Payton started her professional dance career at the Dunes in Vive Le Girls and Casino De Paris. Pamela did several shows in Vegas all while getting we her diploma and crowned Miss Nevada 4 years in a row. Pamela is now a Family and Marriage Therapist.

Anne Green is back to cohost this interview with our mutual friend Dawn Draper. Dawn’s reaction to her time in Jubilee is fabulous! “It Was All So Fun!” Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

LaMichael Leonard was a dancer with the Bill T.Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company for just under 10 years when he felt the call of what he calls Miss Universe for change. This step in a different direction took him to the world of Cabaret and a new show at the Lido de Paris -Paris Merveilles as the MC. While the show is on break due to Covid 19, LaMichael has created several new businesses in the arts including Handcrafted Upcycled Luxury clothing line. LaMichaelLab x Maison LLONCH Paris Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

On the 1 year anniversary of Bluebells Forever Podcast, host Sheri Lewis shares how this year has made a difference in her own life because of each guest.

Principal Singer of Hello Hollywood Hello and star of Formidable at the Moulin Rouge, Debbie De Coudreaux shares her story of great mentors who guided her to excellence. She now does the same for young people as a teacher of the arts. Show underwear made for showgirls by a showgirl. www.e-barelythereshowunderwear.com Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

In this episode, we hear from Corina Burgess, former principal dancer at the Lido de Paris and Stuart McGhee, former dancer and Pierre’s right hand man at the Lido de Paris. Both were close with recently departed Pierre Rambert the former Artistic Director of the Lido de Paris. They share stories of Pierre the director and Pierre the friend. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Liz Larkin was not the only Carson City small town star who called Donn Arden at home to ask for an audition. Liz’s good friend from high school, Leslie Larch auditioned for Donn Arden with her sister in Donn’s office after calling him at home to request an audition. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Sean Cronin found his love for dance by being drug on to the dance floor in a disco. His career took off after getting a scholarship to a Ballet school and eventually became one of the principal adagio partners in Paris, Vegas and beyond. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

After dancing in Hello Hollywood Hello in Reno, Linda Norvig continued on with a rich career traveling the world performing in cabaret shows. Eventually she returned to Reno, with a new direction for her life, Law School. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Helle Hansen was a dancer in Bravissimo at the Lido De Paris with the legendary Kate Vanderliet. They became close friends while in the show that lasted until Kate’s last days and beyond. In this interview, Helle shared stories of their friendship and why Kate was such an amazing presence on stage. Today's sponsor https://www.iodc.online/2021 Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

This episode was recorded for the Circle Back Series for the Patrons on Bluebells Forever Podcast Patreon page for our tier 3 members. I loved this interview so much and wanted to share it as a bonus episode so more people could hear this inspiring conversation. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

At a very young age Laura Pearson was lured to the stage by the sparkly costumes and her love of dress up. Imagine her delight as she finds herself in the biggest production show in the world, Hello Hollywood Hello as a singer, wearing some of the most exquisite costumes ever created. It is worth listening all the way to the end of the episode to hear her sing Honeysuckle Rose. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Herma Vos is known as a legend of the Lido in Paris by many. She was the first dancer to grace the stage of the new Lido as a principal dancer that many aspired to be like. Herma and Peter Stamford met up at the Bluebell Reunion summer of 2019 for a wonderful re-connection after many years after working together at the Lido. This re-connection turned into a beautiful and inspiring love story. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096 E_Barely There, show underwear made for showgirls by a showgirl. www.e-barelythereshowunderwear.com/

Julia Parker was hired as a Pony(shorter dance line)for Hello Hollywood Hello where she met and fell in love with Greg, a Rigger on the fly rail loading in for Space Disco. Their careers separated them for years until the Hello Hollywood Hello reunion in 2018. They are now married with a great story of love reignited. Check out the Patreon www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Joe Conroy was in the cast of Paris Merveilles after a rich career as a dancer in cruise ships and Disney Paris. Joe’s ability to capture the beauty of fellow cast members in such a uniquely beautiful fashion, earned the high esteem of “That’s a Joe Photo!” Each photo a gift to all Bluebells past and present. Follow Joe on Instagram @That’sAJoePhoto Check out the Patreon https://www.patreon.com/bluebellsforeverpod Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Marc Reed grew up on a farm in North Dakota, learning how to Polka and Waltz from his father and community Barn Dances. His travel adventures with Up With People, open the door to professional dance and steers him to his career at the Lido de Paris and making Paris his home for 36 years. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Donna Howe and Loretta Klippel Wright were dressers for Hello Hollywood Hello in Reno for the creation of the show until it’s closing night. Their stories from backstage and the wings as dressers and wardrobe crew are so enlightening and fun.

Savanna shares how COVID-19 has effected the arts and how it inspired to create a new platform to showcase performers and how this past year has depleted the arts in some ways but birthed new ways to imagine. Follow Savanna and her creation She Creative Industries Https://linktr.ee/shecreativeindustries Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Ellie Wickett’s professional dance career at the Moulin Rouge, was temporarily halted due to major hip injury. In Ellie’s down time of recovery and uncertainty if she could ever perform again. She created her business E_Barely There. Show underwear made for showgirls by a showgirl. https://www.e-barelythereshowunderwear.com/ https://instagram.com/e_barelythere?igshid=5nic7iqflvwt https://m.facebook.com/e.barelythere/ Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Sophie Dibdin and Emma Rigby of Kalon Movement and Simone Cristofaro of RêvARTe join me today to share their new and rapidly growing businesses separate and together. Using their expertise as cabaret dancers, fitness instructors, design as well business education to create something new and beautiful in the absence of performance opportunities due to covid. www.kalonmovement.com https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.revarte.fr%2F&e=ATPlFXR454MTdgFTJ7tGMrTs5_BLbbbwrF16jJYJMdy8q7g7bd84IPy2dOSXLkJFjQpwk9di4hx-Bnv5&s=1 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Rosemary Tall DeHart found her love of the stage at a young age in her first recital as a precious pearl finding her way to the front of the stage. Her long career as a Bluebell in the late 70’s through early 80’s included the Lido de Paris, television shows in Rome, as well as 3 shows at the Stardust Hotel. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Leah Dominiak is a current cast member in Paris Merveilles and was in several photos with past Bluebell dancers at the Bluebell Reunion, myself included last summer in Paris. It was an honor to interview the star of most of our photos. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Jilana Laufer started in Hello Hollywood Hello, Lido de Paris the Jubilee but then snatched up by Tommy Tune to be a part of the original cast of Will Rogers Follies on Broadway. More and more doors opened for Broadway and film where she is still captivating audiences and living her dream. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Vicky Higgins joined the Bluebell dancers last summer at the Bluebell Reunion In Paris. Vicky was not a Bluebell but a Doris dancers from the Moulin Rougue. Her stories of the connection between cabaret dancers in Paris is inspiring. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Michael Eardley was a principal singer in Hello Hollywood Hello from 1978-1989. He met and soon married his beautiful wife Catherine Devendorf who became a cast member in 1984. They share sweet stories of the final show of HHH and the amazing community that Reno had become to them. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Billy Goodson has had an amazingly full and diverse dance career. Starting as a street dancer to dancing with Michael Jackson in the video Beat it, a well known choreographer and teaching in LA to choreographing 2 shows for the Moulin Rogue plus so more. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

One episode is not enough to capture even a fraction of Pete Menefee’s extensive career as a dancer and costume designer for Donn Arden and beyond. In this episode, Pete shares his traumatic experience of the MGM fire in 1980 and the arduous recovery of the Jubilee costumes after. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Elora Cooper, a dancer from Melbourne Australia, along with the cast of Paris Marveleilles abruptly had to close the show due to Covid-19. Her story of adventure and beauty are truly inspiring and what is carrying her into her new career and life shift. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Paula Vendegrift was a Bluebell dancer at the Moulin Rouge in 1957-1959 when Miss Bluebell had dancers at the Lido De Paris and Moulin Rouge. Her stories of Paris and Las Vegas in the late 50’s and early 60’s are full of humor and beauty. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Amy Nilsen finished her contract at the Lido de Paris in January to follow her heart back to the sea, just in time before Covid-19 hit. She now sails the sea as a stewardess on a yacht enjoying a life of new adventure. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Diane Guest had a full career in South Africa, choreographing and performing on television as well as running her own studio. Diane agreed to a 6 month contract in Hello Hollywood Hello where she met her now Husband, Greg Hoff on her first night in Reno in the light booth.

On hold in her home country of Poland, Aleksandra Jarecka joins us today to tell her story of being a professional ballerina and university major in linguistics and now on in the cast of Paris Marveleilles. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Beatrix Kastan and Sara Honey met while performing in Hello Hollywood Hello in Reno and developed a deep and life long friendship that connects them still today. Over the years they have traveled together and celebrated life’s milestones in each other’s lives. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Athena Patacsil the podcast host of Showgirl’s Life and former principal dancer in Jubilee shares stories of how and why she shines her light to lift up others. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Lindy Gist was a part of the original cast of Hello Hollywood Hello at the MGM in Reno, Nevada. Lindy shares some insight into how groups were picked by Donn Arden and clarifies “What is a Pony?” Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Marissa Burgess is just days from the opening of her cabaret show in Perth as we do this interview. Because Perth has managed to keep the spread of the Corona virus under control, her show is able to open to sold out shows with thrilled audiences awaiting the return of the showgirl. For more information, visit www.cabaretdeparis.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Hillary Sukhonos an American dancer and part of the original cast of Paris Merveilles at the Lido de Paris. shares her thoughts and heart on what the pandemic has done to her and fellow performers around the world. In this time of pause, she is re-imagining what the arts can be as they can finally come back to the stage. Please checkout her website and Instagram where you can read more about her heart for diversity in the cabaret world Www.birdintgeworld.com/blog @cabaretdiversitynetwork Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Jan Drake Bakke was on her way to compete in the Olympics, but life had other plans for her. *There is a short segment in this episode about sexual assault at 25:00-30:00 minutes. If this is a triggering subject matter. please forward through that time frame of the episode. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

James Taylor and Kathy Menetti met during a Hello Hollywood Hello and fell in love. Their career as adagio partners lasted 38 years around the world including the Lido De Paris and The Andy Williams variety show. In this episode they share exciting stories of stage and television career as a couple on stage and off. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Grant Philipo is the founder and curator of the Las Vegas Showgirl Museum. Grant’s heart for preserving not just the costumes from past showgirl shows but also the stories of the dancers who wore them. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Anne Green joins Sheri for her 4th time to share just the funny stories of shows they have done together and separately. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Liz Larken is from the small town of Carson City Nevada , a 30 minute drive from the MGM Grande in Reno. She tells of her naivety in a wonderful story of calling Don Arden on his home phone to request an audition.

Jonah Wilkins tells of his audition for Jubilee in Las Vegas and his reaction when he first saw the show. He was so full of joy and wonder and knew he was meant to live that bedazzled spectacular life.

Marissa Burgess is the younger sister of Lido de Paris principal dancer Corina Burgess. Marissa was too short to be hired as a Bluebell at the Lido but instead became a principal dancer at the Moulin Rouge.

Michael Sharon, Long time friend and accomplished Shakespeare actor, tells a fabulous story from Jubilee that lands him in the hospital Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Athena Patacsil the host of Showgirl’s Life and Sheri Lewis the host of Bluebells Forever, cross interview each other. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Eric Nielsen, a fellow cast member from Hello Hollywood Hello, joins Sheri today, to share sweet and funny memories from onstage and backstage. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Victoria Chavez Harrington is the dance captain of the Bluebell line in Paris Merveilles, the current show at the Lido de Paris and also a new mother. Listen to the episode to find out what Booby Flower is. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and updates www.instagram.com/bluebells_forever/ www.facebook.com/Bluebells-Forever-100660515010096

Anne Marie O’Connor tells her audition story of showing up in her bright red one piece unitard at age 17 for Madam Bluebell and Donn Arden. Her story of Bob Mackie trying to help keep her costume from falling off at rehearsal is priceless