“X Burlesque” co-producers Matt and Angela Stabile were among the VIP guests at Murray Sawchuck’s “Murray’s Madhouse” show at the rooftop Terrace Afterhours of Larry Flint’s Hustler Club on Wednesday night.
In a side convo before the show, the longtime Las Vegas entertainment pros clinically laid out how their empire wound up on Bravo’s “Below Deck Mediterranean.”
Within 30 seconds, a person nearby overheard the chatter, rushed over and peppered the couple with questions: “Is there a lot of drama? Do they really fight like they do on the show? I have to know!”
“It’s amazing how many people are into this show,” Matt Stabile said. “They get really, really excited.”
The Stabiles are excited, too, at the chance to reach millions of reality show fans. Their Strip shows will be featured in the first two episodes of season 11 of the Bravo show, premiering June 8. The Vegas cast’s second appearance is June 15.
“Below Deck Mediterranean” streams on Peacock the day after airing on Bravo.
“Below Deck Med,” as abbreviated, is the first spin-off of “Below Deck.” The series premiered a decade ago. The roving episodes chart the lives, careers and shenanigans of crew members on a 150-foot superyacht. Previous seasons have been filmed in Greece, Italy, France and Spain — which has been the setting for the fifth and 10th seasons.
For the uninitiated (hello), “Below Deck Med” is what happens when the best and brightest of Gen Z hijack the yachting industry. The show’s season 11 sneak peek shows crew members having relations in a hot tub, a chef cracking a subordinate over the head with either a cheese grater or a cutting board, and actual bloodshed after a deck party themed for “Game of Thrones.”
The Stabilies are qualified to take part. The “Below Deck Med” activity might even be seen as a bit tame for the “X” bunch. The family-operated business burns with “X Burlesque” at the Flamingo, “X Country” at Harrah’s and “X Rocks” at the Horseshoe.
“X Rocks” toggles times with the powerhouse Sin City Stones tribute show at The Back Room at the Horseshoe. This, too, is a family operation, headed up by Stabiles’ daughter, Tiffany Stasi. Anthony Stasi, Tiffany’s husband, is a guitarist in the band.
In their “Below Deck Med” foray, the women of Stabile Productions performed a talent show for the entire crew, a three-deck shoot titled “Vegas Night.” One of the male cast members stretched out on the main dining table, shirtless and dressed in the classic Chippendales ensemble of black slacks, bow tie and cuff links.
“The crew did ‘Vegas Night’ to make us feel at home,” Angela Stabile said.
Bravo found Stabile Productions through a routine scroll of Instagram. The series’ casting director followed up with messages to “X Burlesque” and “X Country” dance captain Kylii Konarski’s accounts. Konarski flagged the message and contacted the Stabiles, saying, “Guys, the ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ people are trying to reach you.”
Soon, the respective parties met on Zoom to plan this party. Filming took place in August in Croatia, the setting for the upcoming season. This partnership could be an ongoing production. Most guests get just one episode. The “X” crew went back-to-back.
The random opportunity reminds me of when “X Rocks” opened for Metallica at T-Mobile Arena in 2018, an unexpected offer from comic Jim Breuer’s PR rep. Breuer was touring with Metallica at the time, and his publicist also worked with Flamingo headlining comic magician Piff the Magic Dragon, whose show was produced by Stabile Productions in those days.
The resulting “X Rocks”/Metallica performance became iconic. History might repeat itself on Bravo.
“What’s wild is this just happened out of nowhere,” Matt Stabile said. “Every once in a while, something like this comes up if you’re keeping busy and running great shows. It’s funny how life works.”
That Hustler show
“Murray’s Madhouse” is a limited-run in Hustler’s separate, rooftop entertainment venue. Cool spot for those seeking live entertainment, unlike the topless dancing in the main club.
Sawchuck headlined, as you would expect. Wednesday’s roster featured the great stand-up Kathleen Dunbar; Sawchuck’s comic magician wife, Dani Elizabeth; and extreme side-act expert John Shaw.
Sawchuck is back on Wednesday and scheduled on Wednesdays through the end of June. Show times are 8 p.m.
Wednesday’s acts ranged from producing a bowling pin from one’s pants (Sawchuck) to lifting a can full of paint with fishhooks in your eyelids (Shaw). A variety show, in short.
The open-mic night that followed featured performances by the manic Enoch Augustus Scott of “Zombie Burlesque” and the similarly manic Dianne Davis.
Cool Hang Alert
Joelle Righetti’s Joelle & The Gypsy Duo are playing Tin Lizard Bar, Boyd Gaming’s new Cadence Crossing Casino on 920 North Boulder Highway. This is Righetti and guitarist Tim Poupard, performing 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, with tunes from the 1960s through today.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.