Las Vegas’ first and only indie film house The Beverly Theater hosted a VIP screening of “The Last Showgirl” with actress Pamela Anderson and producer Robert Schwartzman on Thursday, Jan. 2. Guests, including local film crew members and dancers, attended the screening, which was followed by a Q+A.
Moderated by longtime local entertainment journalist Rachel Smith, Anderson and Schwartzman touched on how the movie was made in just 18 days, much of it filmed at The Rio, and discussed the important role Las Vegas played in the story’s authenticity.
“ I just have to say it’s never too late, to never give up. I just love this business. Coming from a Playboy background … I was going to Samuel French, reading Tennessee Williams plays and Eugene O’Neill plays, and I was like, ‘How do I get from here to here?’ Anderson said.
“I don’t know. I was just searching. And I encourage people to keep searching. And when that opportunity comes … you just grab it by the throat and do it.”
“The Last Showgirl” is a poignant film of resilience, rhinestones and feathers starring Anderson as Shelly, a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after 30 years.
Directed by Gia Coppola, “The Last Showgirl” co-stars Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly’s best friend, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka and Billie Lourd.
Written by Kate Gersten, the film is produced by Schwartzman, Natalie Farrey and Coppola. It features original song “Beautiful That Way” sung by Miley Cyrus, produced by Andrew Wyatt and written by Wyatt, Cyrus and Lykke Li.
Anderson and Cyrus received Golden Globe Award nominations for their work. “The Last Showgirl” opened nationwide Jan. 10 and began playing at The Beverly Theater on Jan. 24.
Imagined by The Rogers Foundation, the 14,306 square-foot The Beverly Theater is a film house and concert theater. Located on 6th Street and Bonneville in Downtown Las Vegas, it is a not-for-profit venue and underscores The Rogers Foundation’s commitment to supporting the arts. Follow @beverlytheater.
