Night Clubs Reviews

Jun 15, 2001 - If You Like Elegant Orgies, You Will Love Harrah's "Whisper"

By Jack Neal

If Dick Foster's "Whisper" be the Garden of Eden, and it looks, sounds and feels like it, then by all means play on, and on, and on; it's just too marvelous not to watch over and over again. Sensuous, hypnotic and erotic, "Whisper" is at times like watching an elegantly choreographed orgy, at others it's simply a delightful, if deliciously naughty, entertainment.

Not just satisfied to create a show oozing with sexy good looks, producer Dick Foster has brought a complete and highly versatile package of show-business smarts to Sammy's Showroom. "Whisper," Harrah's Reno's new adult show doesn't just whisper, it entices with the language of eroticism and genuine entertainment.

Foster, along with his wife Executive Producer Lynne Foster, is a veteran creator of first-rate nightclub shows. "Whisper" is his latest invention, and if quality matches longevity, the show should be around for quite some time. The curvaceous girls are gorgeous, the hunky guys are handsome. They work hard to please and please they do. Each is as spectacular a dancer as they are spectacularly attractive and manage the energized dance numbers with flair, snap and plenty of sizzle.

Mark Martinez's choreography is light-year notches above the typical nightclub fare; so good, in fact, it brings to "Whisper" the freshness and exuberance of a Broadway musical. The "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" number is one of the show's special dance moments and it's brought off seductively with flash and daring.

Chanteuse Aisling Bowyer is "Whisper's" featured singer and she's exceptional. She can belt or caress a lyric with a sophistication one rarely hears from a nightclub revue singer. Boyish magician-cum-comic Nathan Burton and his cohort in comedic magic, Sarah Scherger, are "Whisper's" comic relief. Their take on the elusive world of magic, some wonderfully off-beat illusions, is great fun. Nathan Burton and Sarah are a very special comedy team. Lending "Whisper" an added dimension, Tammy Gibson's gymnastic rope act is as sensational as it's sensuous.

Lucio Boliver's costumes are colorful, exotic, high fashion concoctions that show performers to perfection no matter what their stage of undress. Pieter Grove's sets provides "Whisper" with a lavish, exciting look. Tom Swan's radiant lighting enhances all it touches. David Gravatt's direction keeps all aspects of "Whisper" nicely in tune and in touch. Under Gravatt's supervision "Whisper" is a marvelously paced hour-long show. For adults 21 and over who are into such things, "Whisper" shouldn't be missed

"Whisper" can be seen in Harrah's Reno's Sammy's Showroom Sundays through Tuesdays at 10 p.m., Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Fridays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight. There are no Thursday performances. For information call 775-788-2900 or 1-800-HARRAHS.