Boldly I walked into the boisterous Chippendale’s showroom, crowded with anxious women eager to be entertained by a cast of near-naked men with rippling muscles and bronze bodies.

I am certain of my own sexual identity and had no problem attending a male stripper show on its 3,000th performance, but in case the women were not so certain about my masculinity I kept my pen and notebook prominently in front of me and waved them at anyone who looked my way.

It was my pass to enter the alternative world where women ogle men instead of vice versa, proof that I was there strictly for business and not titillation.
Eight years have passed since the troupe of 12 torsos arrived at the Rio.

The show has evolved dramatically since then, back when the men seemed more impressed with their own physiques and good looks, holding themselves aloof from the rest of the world.

The new show is about the girls having fun. The men are earthier, the routines are livelier and more interesting.

Choreography has made all the difference, and the female fans show their appreciation.

Merely to compare, I attended a female strip show and found that women audiences are more aggressive and demonstrative than male audiences.

Maybe it has to do with sexual taboos.

Men are taught to look but don’t touch; be a gentleman.

Women – they taught us the lesson and then forgot what they taught when it came to their own entertainment.

The Chippendales – grandfather of the male strip show – is aging gracefully.

Its cast of pecs and deltoids and gluteus maximus – or is that gluteus maximi? – are more agile than their predecessors – less muscle bound, more aerobic conscious.

At least they seem more agile at they go through dance routines that range from country to hip hop.

Several of them actually sing, working their vocal muscles for the gals.

The show has a comfortable home at the Rio – a $7 million, 21,000-square-foot, showroom, lounge and boutique that debuted in 2005.

“The Ultimate Girls Night Out” began it’s 30th anniversary celebration last year.
The Chippendales performs at 8 p.m. nightly, with additional shows at 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (the show will be dark on Wednesday nights through February).
Tickets are $39.95 and $49.95. For information call 777-7776.

by Jerry Fink

thejerryfink.com