It’s 2003, and I just finished my run at The Frontier Hotel, where I opened Jan. 26, 2002. I’d guest starred in “La Femme” (aka “Crazy Horse Paris”) at MGM Grand and was looking for my next gig. Publicist Wayne Bernath and magician Lance Burton put in a good word for me at “Crazy Girls” at The Rivera.
Creator and owner Norbert Aleman was looking for a new act since Joe Trammel went over to David Saxe’s new show “V: The Variety Show,” so I auditioned with an act I performed at “Crazy Horse Paris” and all over the world.
They give me a time to audition, it’s in between shows at The Rivera, and they have me do it in The La Cage Showroom above the “Crazy Girls” show room. I come in and set up along with Douglas “Lefty” Leferovich, my touring guest act and stage tech.
I do the audition for Norbert and one of his “The Cage Act’s” Jimmy Emerson. The act was flawless and probably one of my strongest auditions in my life because I was working so much. They all seem happy, I feel like I nailed it, they say we’ll talk to you soon, three of four days goes by and … nothing.
I talk with Wayne. They hired someone else. Norbert was worried I might get involved with one of his dancers. What?! That was the reason. I asked, “Who did he hire?” Wayne replies, “A blind juggler!” No way?! He hired Nino Frediani, who is a great juggler, became a good friend and is blind.
A big jump to 2017. I am headlining at Planet Hollywood for a few years at this point, The Rivera closed in 2016, and “Crazy Girls” moved to Planet Hollywood in my theater in the late-night spot. Norbert and I meet again, and he takes over the theater and is now the owner. Here we go again more than a decade later!
I was recently divorced, doing my show and hanging with my rescue pups Kahlua, Bailey and Smudge. Norbert comes up to me after a show and says in his wonderful French accent, “Let’s you and I do dinner with a few of the girls from my show. It would be good for you. Maybe one of them could be the next Mrs. SawChuck?”
We meet for dinner at Koi at Planet Hollywood. I walk in, shy, I know hard to believe. I see three girls from his cast and him. It was Dani, Jo-Jo and Jenna, and Norbert tells me to sit next to this stunning girl named Dani Elizabeth. We all had a great time, wonderful dinner and some great stories. We all took a photo.
I DM’d on Instagram all three girls the same thing: It was nice to meet you, thanks for hanging, and you are a guest at my show any time. They are replied super sweet and kind and then Dani, this showgirl from New York who had danced in “Jubilee” and “Crazy Girls,” replied and wanted to see my show a few days after.
Dani and I went on dates and hung out for more than two months and … nothing happened. I mean nothing happened. So after two months, we were both like, “What are we doing?” I was falling in love with the most amazing girl, Dani Elizabeth, and it got to the point I was like, “You know what? She’s worth losing my show over!”
A few months later, she moved in with her cat Kitten and my three dogs. Four years later, we got married at The Plaza in Downtown Las Vegas in their theater with 450 friends – and the rest is history. The man who didn’t hire me because he was worried I would have a relationship with one of his cast members ended up introducing me to the love of my life. Timing is everything just like good comedy!
Jump to now, December 2024, and I am thrilled to be back on the Las Vegas Strip after a few months of touring the world. I am honored to be making my new home at LA Comedy Club at The Strat with a fun new show titled “Hairlarious Deceptions” at 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Come hear some more ridiculous stories and see some tricks!
