Frederic Apcar (born 1920 – died 2021) was a French‑born theatrical producer and impresario who became a notable figure in the development of Las Vegas entertainment revues during the mid‑20th century. He is best known for producing the long‑running variety show Casino de Paris at the Dunes Hotel and for later staging similar productions that combined music, dance, and elaborate scenic design.
Early life and background
Apcar was born in Paris, France, into a family with connections to the performing arts. He began his career in Europe as a dancer and choreographer, working with cabaret and revue companies before relocating to the United States in the early 1950s.
Career in the United States
After arriving in the United States, Apcar leveraged his experience in European cabaret to develop large‑scale productions for American audiences. His most prominent achievement was the creation of Casino de Paris, a Paris‑themed revue that debuted at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas in 1963. The show featured a mixture of elaborate costumes, choreographed dance numbers, and musical performances that emulated the style of Parisian night‑clubs such as the Moulin Rouge and Lido.
Casino de Paris proved commercially successful and ran for several years, establishing Apcar as a leading figure in Las Vegas’s burgeoning revue scene. Following this, he produced additional shows, including Le Mirage and The Lido of Paris, which continued the tradition of high‑production value variety entertainment.
Legacy
Frederic Apcar’s work contributed to the popularization of European‑style revues in Las Vegas, influencing the aesthetic and format of subsequent productions on the Strip. His emphasis on lavish staging and international performance styles helped shape the entertainment landscape of the city during a formative period.
Personal life
Apcar remained active in the entertainment industry well into his later years, mentoring younger producers and choreographers. Details regarding his private life, including family relationships, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
References
- Historical archives of the Dunes Hotel’s entertainment programming.
- Contemporary newspaper reviews of Casino de Paris (1960s).
- Obituaries and retrospectives published in Las Vegas trade journals (2021).
