‘Jubilee!’ wardrobe workers add glitz to glamour — PHOTOS

By Jeff Scheid Las Vegas Review-Journal

10 years ago

Jubilee wardrobe manager Donna London fits dancer MaKenzie Fly in the tall nude parade costume from the Samson & Delilah scene at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015.JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Jubilee wardrobe tech Lorita Tanahan prepares a fall for one of the new performers at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Jubilee Costume Shop head Marios Igandiou works on costume at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Jubilee wardrobe tech Shahnaz Minaian hand-sets rhinestones on the pillow pants for the Samson & Delilah number at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Rolls of thread is seen in the Jubilee costume shop at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Jubilee wardrobe tech Susan Devitte repairs a hat for the opening number for a short nude parade costume at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard, on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

Jubilee wardrobe manager Donna London fits dancer MaKenzie Fly with accessories for the Disco scene at Bally‘s Las Vegas, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard, on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. An estimate 10,000 pounds of jewelry is used in the classic Las Vegas showgirl revue. JEFF SCHEID/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Follow him @JLSCHEID

“Jubilee” at Bally‘s is the last surviving example of the lavish feather show Las Vegas imported in the 1950s. (Denise Truscello/Courtesy)

For nearly the life of the Strip’s longest-running production show, Donna London has been behind the scenes fitting, washing and repairing costumes for cast members of “Jubilee!”

Delayed by the deadly MGM fire in November 1980, the $10 million spectacle opened in what is now Bally’s on July 31, 1981. Producer Donn Arden, the man credited with developing the Las Vegas showgirl image, and famed designers Pete Menefee and Bob Mackie created the beautiful costumes.

London, who started working at “Jubilee!” in December 1981, oversees a staff of 26 wardrobe personnel that maintain the ostrich, vulture and pheasant feather costumes.

On a recent night, London fitted dancer MaKenzie Fly in a tall nude parade costume for the “Samson & Delilah” scene. While Fly sashays to the mirror in the wardrobe room, London flashes a radiant smile. For London, it is like watching a “walking, moving art piece.”

“Jubilee!” backstage tours are 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Bally’s. Prices range from $12-$17 with a purchase of a “Jubilee!” show ticket. Buy tickets at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment box office or by calling 702-777-2782 or 855-234-7469.