I just got off the phone with Broadway actress Shoshana Bean who is coming to Vegas on Friday to begin rehearsals for "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood, where she will be replacing Mel B. Thanks to Twitter, I was able to reach her before the Vegas publicity machine put itself between us and she says this is her first interview since accepting the job with the "Peepshow" cast.

"Peepshow" opened to strong reviews but has been dependent on its two stars, Kelly Monaco and Mel B, to use celebrity power to bring in the tourists. But both stars were on three-month contracts and neither chose to stick around. So, it will be interesting to see if "Peepshow" can keep the positive buzz up with the substantially less known Holly Madison as the marquee name and, now, a relative unknown, Shoshana Bean, making her Vegas debut replacing Mel B. Based on audio samples, Bean is the stronger singer by far compared with Mel B and so celebrity seems to be traded for her talent, and I can't complain about that. I just hope the tourists see things the same way.

Richard Abowitz: How did you get connected to "Peepshow"?

Shoshana Bean: I was in the original company of "Hairspray" back in 2002 and Jerry Mitchell ["Peepshow" creator] was the choreographer on that. So, when he was conceiving "Peepshow" there was a lot of discussion and it finally worked out.

RA: What should people in Las Vegas know about your background?

SB: I mostly have a background in musical theater and Broadway. After "Hairspray," I did "Wicked" for about two years. And this winter I released my solo album, and I have been hustling that and touring and promoting my own stuff. I sang backup for a lot of pop stars back in the day like Michael Jackson. And, doing an album is what I really wanted to do and finally I was able to get a minute to do it. That is what the past couple years have been about.

RA: Do you spend a lot of time in Vegas?

SB: I do. I started about three years ago. That is when I went for the first time. I love it. I did not think I would enjoy it. But the moment I got there I loved it. It is hot. You can sit in the sun all day and act like a fool everywhere and it is totally acceptable. Even my dog loves Vegas. She actually stayed illegally at Planet Hollywood. You are not allowed to have pets there. She has a bag that does not look like a dog bag. It has breathing holes but otherwise it looks like a normal duffel bag. And, she loved Vegas.

RA: Have you seen "Peepshow" yet?

SB: I have not seen it yet. I will see it Friday night.

RA: Are you worried about taking over Mel B's role lacking her celebrity?

SB: Yes and no. I don't look at it that way. We are so different. As far as lacking celebrity to pull in tickets, they have Holly Madison for that. So, the pressure is off.  My name won't bring people in, and I obviously don't have Mel B's body, but I can sing and that is why I have a place at the table. I am a singer.

RA: Will you be appearing topless in the show?

SB: No, no, no. Actually, I will be wearing more clothes than she [Mel B] was and I will not be taking anything off.

RA: Any thoughts on working with Holly Madison?

SB: I guess I'll meet her Friday. I feel like I know her from seeing "The Girls Next Door."

Photo credit: Tye Jakobs