Fairy tales do come true, especially in the Entertainment Capital of the World. On November 1, at the Smith Center, award-winning singer and performer Lorena Peril unveils Housekeeper To Headliner, an original show about her life and quick progression to the spotlight.
The name of the show is perfectly apt. Before Peril was known for her magnetic stage presence and riveting vocals, she worked a modest housekeeping job in her hometown San Francisco for four years, alongside her mother.
“I wasn’t trying to be a singer,” says Peril. “My mother did it for years and I did it as long as I could before I was discovered.”
This discovery came by chance on a family vacation she was originally reluctant to join. While on a Carnival cruise, Peril participated in an open mic that changed the course of her life. Following a standing ovation and audition tape, the cruise line offered her a contract to perform as the lead vocalist in their nightly shows.
“I was so shy! I had never sung in front of a thousand people like that … next thing I know I’m packing my bags and I’m traveling the world,“ says Peril.
The job offer doubled as her first professional vocal training. During another vacation, this time in Las Vegas, she found herself craving something beyond the cruise ship—and once again, she packed her bags to pursue her dreams in a new city.
In 2010 she joined the cast of Fantasy, eventually working her way up to becoming a headlining performer.
“This is my musical adaptation of my Las Vegas success story. I wrote it during the pandemic, when I was performing on the streets,” recalls Peril. “I wrote it during that time, because I thought the world ended.”
Her story blossomed into a 13-number production that’s set to include a live band, audience participation, belly dancing and more. Peril wrote Housekeeper to Headliner from a place of genuineness and gratitude and expects to have tender moments on stage.
“I feel a little selfish because it’s about my life, but I know it’s not that way,” says Peril. “I hope I can inspire people…I hope to inspire the Latin community. Because there’s a lot of people that have been reaching out to me lately asking for advice.”
As a first generation Mexican American, Peril’s story is especially inspiring for those looking for a nudge to chase their dreams. She says that she has a love for all people and feels like a magnet at times in her ability to connect with individuals. She adds that the audience is her primary source of happiness.
“I’m going to be very authentic…think of Charo meets Lucille Ball,” laughs Peril.
It took Peril two months of rehearsing for “Housekeeper To Headliner” while simultaneously performing six nights a week at Fantasy. But when asked about the challenges during preparation, she laughs and says there simply haven’t been many thus far.
“Things have been going smooth,” she says. “I just pray that I make my outfit changes quick enough.”
LORENA PERIL November 1, 7 p.m., $29-$52. Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
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