Viper Vixens

Crossbows and corsets? As a semi-burlesque specialty act, even this is extreme by Las Vegas standards, yet they form the basal elements to the newest O'Sheas Hotel production. The marquee promotes the act as “ninja burlesque” – a thrilling 75 minutes of beautiful women, outrageous stunts and unparalleled exotic dancing of Cirque de Soleil brilliance. The racy new troupe are known as the “Viper Vixens”; an eclectic mix of stunt performers, Pyrrhic sword dancers and a pole “gymnast”, topped off by the “King Cobra” - effectively their sword throwing, cross-bow firing ringmaster.

The man accredited with this daring feat of exotica is the “King Cobra” aka Ottavio Gesmundo. Hailing from a circus family; Ottavio represents the sixth generation of the Gesmundos to remain true to the art. Ottavio started out in theater from an early age, gaining dance experience through roles within New York whilst expanding upon his stunt skills. An original cast member for the award winning Broadway show “Saturday Night Fever”, it wasn't long before he took up choreography and stage direction – leading to stunt and dance roles within music videos for Aerosmith and the Spice Girls. He was also recently hired to tutor Britney Spears in sword-dance for the opening tracks of her “Circus” tour. Today, Gesmundo is one of the most sought after theatrical directors in the U.S, with a client list that includes the MGM Grand, Hyundai and the Mandalay Bay Resort.

Naomi Brenkman-Gesmundo embraces the solitary dark attitude of “Black Mamba” - and she's also Ottavio's wife. Together, the twosome have become overnight stars, for an act that pretty much died out during the Houdini era. The “Crossbow Act” starts out fairly tame, with a simple target board and the husband-wife team taking it in turns to fire the crossbow at a held target. Usually ranging from balloons to 4 inch love-heart shapes, the act shows signs of waning until the couple start using each other for firing practice. Naomi becomes the all-eyes focus, since she has the body of a pole dancer and the fearlessness of a Siegfried and Roy big cat. Strategically positioning several balloons around her person (usually over certain extremities), she strikes up a variety of cheeky poses beckoning Ottavio to fire. Of course, the cross-bow is so quick that it's a blink and you'll miss it moment – the climax of which is when Naomi positions an apple atop her head. Some viewers are often inclined to look away, since the stunt requires such precision, that even a millimeter off could be fatal.

A combination of katana knives, Wushu and crack bull whips form the essential tools of the “Vixen's” show. “Cottonmouth” played by former “Purrfect Angelz” vocalist Deena Cary leads the show into dangerous territory with her buoyant razor fan solo. It's probably the most dangerous burlesque vignette you're ever likely to see, as she contorts into an an array of yoga-inspired poses – at one point clinging to the razor fan with just her toes. Cary also provides several vocal-led interludes from the raunchiness, covering anything from Pink, to the exuberant Miss Spears.

It's hard to categorize “Viper Vixens”, since the erotic revue is something regarded trés nouveau in Vegas. Much like the aerialist spectaculars of Cirque de Soleil, there is no benchmark with which to compare. Some have labeled it the sexy alternative to “Matsuri”, while others reckon there's more than a hint of “Charlies Angels” about it's character. One thing is for certain. “Viper Vixens” are reviving Japanese art and the spectacle of the traditional circus, in a revue that's hotter than “X Burlesque”!