By Don Chareunsy
Chippendales is bringing the heat and sex appeal to a new home. After a 22-year run with more than 9,000 performances at The Rio, the iconic male revue in Las Vegas has moved to The Linq Hotel + Experience on the Las Vegas Strip, their first Strip headliner run, with an all-new show.
Performances began at The Mat Franco Theater in The Linq on Jan. 14, and tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. The muscled men took the stage at The Rio stage for the last time on Dec. 31. Get ready for all the thrills, chills and jaw-dropping moves of Chippendales – now with a brand-new Las Vegas Strip backdrop.
“After a sensational run at The Rio, we’re thrilled to be back in the Caesars Entertainment family and moving to our new home on the Strip,” says Katerina Tabakhov, Chippendales’ Director of Operations.
“The Mat Franco Theater inside The Linq is the perfect stage for the Chippendales to turn up the heat and give audiences an all-new show in our new home.”
“The Linq is the perfect place for a party, and we’re certain the addition of Chippendales to our already diverse entertainment roster in the center of the Las Vegas Strip will only make the party that much more exciting for our guests,” said Dan Walsh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Linq.
“The muscle behind the Chippendales brand is truly iconic, and we look forward to welcoming the show.”
The new production promises even more thrills with a fresh lineup of electrifying numbers and a revamped cast – alongside veteran dancers Ryan Kelsey, Alejandro Rodriguez, Shyllon Mellati and others – who bring talent, charisma and energy to the stage.
Chippendales fans can still expect the classic look that made Chippendales iconic: the unmistakable cuffs and collars. For 12 years in a row, Chippendales has won the title of “Best Male Revue” in the Best of Las Vegas Awards, a testament to their unwavering dedication to delivering an unforgettable experience for audiences.
“We’ve been at The Rio for 22 years, which is an incredible run. … We’re finally on The Strip, and we’re super excited,” Mellati said during the Chippendales cover photo shoot for Vegas Prime Magazine at Denise Truscello’s studio on Jan. 21.
“We have a new home, a new venue and new guys and numbers. There’s a fraternal bond within the cast. Even though there’s a show onstage, there’s a show backstage, too.
“What I love most about the show is the fraternal bond and the camaraderie that we have with each other,” said Mellati, who enjoys working out and hiking in Red Rock Canyon and has two cats, “my babies Moscato and Merlot.”
On Nov. 29, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, in her last official act as Las Vegas mayor (her final day in office was Wednesday, Dec. 4), gave Chippendales a proclamation and a Key to the City of Las Vegas at the start of their 8 p.m. show for 45 years as entertainers – 22 of them at The Rio. Goodman and Chippendales cast members visited Opportunity Village preshow.
Chippendales is celebrating its 46th anniversary as a brand and 22 years at The Rio. Celebrity guest hosts in Las Vegas include Vinny Guadagnino of “Jersey Shore,” model Tyson Beckford, “Dancing With the Stars” and “America’s Next Top Model” winner Nyle DiMarco, “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Sharknado” star Ian Ziering, 98 Degrees frontman Jeff Timmons and actor-singer Joey Lawrence.
Chippendales was established in 1979 and has headquarters in New York, with offices in Las Vegas and London. Chippendales fun facts in the 22-year residency at The Rio:
- Performed more than 9,000 shows
• Ripped off more than 275,000 tank tops
• Featured more than 130 cast members
• Sold more than 1 million tickets
• Sold more than 100,000 photos
More: Chippendales.com
If You Go
Chippendales will perform Tuesdays through Sundays at 9 p.m., with second shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m. at The Linq Hotel. More: Chippendales.com, Ticketmaster.com and (855) 234-7469.
