Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.
"Les Trix," in the San Remo's intimate Parisian Cabaret, is a Bonnie Saxe production, which means that Saxe is producer, director, choreographer and task master. It also means the show is rapidly paced, nicely costumed and performed by an inspired ensemble.
The production stars the Showgirls of Magic -- Julie Northrup, Jessica Moore, Nikki Oxley and Tiffany Gray -- with featured acts, physical comedian Joe "Non-Stop" Trammel and Clint Carvalho and his incredible birds.
The Showgirls perform a variety of illusions to open, doing them well, with the accent on dance, costumes and lighting effects. Nothing unusual occurred, but it was entertaining as presented. The frenetic 10 minutes ended with one of the girls turning into a French poodle. There were two short dance numbers, the second a Latin-flavored romp that set up Carvalho's entrance.
Carvalho trains exotic birds and has been featured on network television in addition to a long run as featured act in "Splash." The first bird, Peaches, clucked like a chicken and talked. Next came a green parrot that sang very funny duets with Carvalho. Kitten took a letter to a mailbox on the wall in the back of the room, mailed it, pulled up the red flag and returned.
As unusual as the birds were, it was Carvalho's energy and ability to work an audience that raised the response level to a high point that was maintained for the rest of the show.
Northrup was a convincing Janet Jackson, aided by the other Showgirls, in one of the show's strongest dance numbers.
Trammel "exploded" onstage in a breakneck presentation that defied rational description. Talk about energy: Trammel raced from character to character, some well-known, costume to costume and, at times, appeared like an acro-dancer on acid. As with Carvalho, Trammel connected with the audience immediately and closed to a standing ovation.
The Showgirls performed a dance number in subdued lighting that featured canes that appeared to float. Carvalho made his second appearance at this point, performed some light magic and produced a bird that flew into the room, passed through two lighted hoops and returned to the stage.
Trammel returned in an outlandish outfit to assist in the performance of a trick with a girl in a box who appeared to be stretched into impossible positions and whose head spun around.
The Showgirls performed an illusion wearing capes with one of the girls disappearing. Oxley was featured in a well-received contemporary dance number. All four girls then appeared in colorful feathers and were joined by Trammel and Carvalho for the finale.
The 8 p.m. show is family-style, and the girls are topless for the 10:30 performance. With show prices as they are today, $25.99 plus tax and gratuity but including one drink, "Les Trix" is a comparative bargain.
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