img: Cirque du Soleil

Losing my shirt in a Vegas casino has never once appealed to me. Witnessing acrobats and aerialists lose their shirts in a Cirque du Soleil production is a completely different animal. Zumanity, the only Cirque show with actual nudity, has been on my to-do list for years. Even before I worked with a former cast member on a performance for Denver’s Suite 200, it was on my radar. I finally lost my Zumanity virginity Sunday night.

And it was good. Very good.

There’s obviously no shortage of strippers in Vegas. So-called titty bars are a dime a dozen. Zumanity takes striptease to an entirely different level, though. Literally. Billed as “The Sensual Side of Cirque” and featuring a massive cast of exotic characters, Zumanity is a smorgasbord for the senses, a spectacle of sex appeal. An African dancer gyrates spastically to primal beats. Bi-curious contortionists lock lips in an over-sized fishbowl. A Catholic schoolgirl hoops her way into the rafters. Comedy skits obliterate tension. A gymnast dressed for Lingerie Football League writhes atop the guys’ TV set. Orgasm is achieved midair. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Patrons are randomly plucked from the audience and persuaded to come out of their shells. Sunday’s climax saw an Indiana couple who’d tied the knot 40 years ago slow dance under the spotlights.

The only way I’ll ever lose my shirt in Vegas?

Joining the cast;)