Vegas Launches "Lipshtick," First Female Comedy Series

On July 11, the Venetian Las Vegas will debut Lipshtick, The Perfect Shade of Stand Up, a newly branded comedy series that marks the first time in the entertainment history of Las Vegas that the comedy stage will be taken exclusively by female performers. The new series will debut with appearances by daytime television personality Wendy Williams and will bring regular stand-up comedy performances to The Sands Showroom from an opening slate of 14 critically acclaimed comediennes.

"While the industry has concentrated on male comedy acts, The Venetian has a long-standing history of featuring outstanding female comediennes," said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo. "Our success with comedic legends like Rita Rudner and Joan Rivers have proven that 'girls rule' when it comes to comedy. Further, we believe that female-driven comedy is now as popular as ever!"

The series was announced on May 15 by comedienne Whitney Cummings, television personality and co-creator of the hit CBS sitcom "2 Broke Girls," at a press conference at The Venetian Las Vegas. Cummings, who will debut at The Sands Showroom on Aug. 15, is part of a 2014 lineup that features today's premiere, and up-and-coming female stand-ups, including Joy Behar, former host of "The View" and "The Joy Behar Show"; Jennifer Coolidge, best known for her roles as "Stifler's mom" on "American Pie" and Sophie on the series "2 Broke Girls"; Susie Essman, best known for her role as Susie Greene on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"; Jen Kirkman, known for her regular appearances as a round-table panelist on "Chelsea Lately."

Other featured comedians include Lisa Lampanelli, whose snarky brand of stand up has lovingly earned her the nickname Comedy's Queen of Mean; Natasha Leggero, known for her regular appearances as a round-table panelist on "Chelsea Lately" and judge of NBC's "Last Comic Standing"; Wendy Liebman, a regular on the late night circuit, including "The Tonight Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"; Loni Love, co-host of the new Fox daytime show "The Real" and author "Love Him or Leave Him But Don't get Stuck with the Tab."

Heather McDonald, known for her regular appearances as a round-table panelist on "Chelsea Lately" and author of "My Inappropriate Life (Some Stories Not Suitable for Nuns, Children, or Mature Adults)"; Caroline Rhea, best known for her role on "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," and as the host of the talk show, "The Caroline Rhea Show"; Rita Rudner, a Venetian headliner since 2001, and one of the most successful comedians in Las Vegas history, selling more than one million tickets collectively; Iliza Schlesinger, winner of the sixth season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and former host of the syndicated dating show "Excused"; and Wendy Williams, media personality, actress and host of the daytime talk show "The Wendy Williams Show."

The new series was designed to appeal to a target audience of couples, groups and bachelorette celebrants out for a uniquely "Vegas" good time. It also creates an entertainment-driven "destination" that focuses on female branding and style while setting The Venetian apart from competitors.
Artists are engaged to perform two to three shows over a weekend, on Friday and Saturday evenings. Once part of the Lipshtick family, most of the comediennes will be scheduled into a rotation to perform at The Venetian three to four times per year. In addition, more comediennes will be added at later dates.

"We've already created a buzz in the comedy community," said Caparella. "Everybody wants to be part of this series."