The players: a look at the gay men and women who make Sin City spectacular

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THE GATEKEEPER

Edwards (a.k.a. Hot Chocolate)

If you want to get into the late-night hot spot Piranha, you need to know Larry Edwards. But the 53-year-old, 5-foot-11-in-heels drag queen, known for his role in Miss Congeniality 2, isn't a bouncer. "I'm more like the club mascot," he explains of his role as VIP host. Best known as the effervescent Hot Chocolate, Edwards was a performer in "La Cage" until three years ago, when he left to become VIP host at Krave. He was lured to Piranha last year. Edwards is also widely considered the most beloved man in town, and for good reason. "People like to feel special when they walk through that front door," he says. "If there's a line, you still treat the people that are in line. You go out and stand and talk with them. Just try to warm them up with a smile."

THE FLACK

Michael Caprio

A Broadway publicist-turned-Vegas kingpin, Michael Caprio represents the likes of Olivia Newton-John, John Tesh, and Jon Secada from his desert perch. His nights, however, are spent with the boys of Chippendales. "l have to admit that it's not a bad part of the job," Caprio says of representing the all-male revue. His roster also includes Vegas talents like Brent Barrett (the star of the Venetian's production of The Phantom of the Opera) and the St. Therese Center.

THE PRODIGY

Ryan Smith

When you need to get something done in Las Vegas, you call Ryan Smith. At 26 this marketing director by trade has already been partially responsible for the success of gay nightclub Krave and possesses one of the most powerful gay Rolodexes in town. Out-of-town gay celebrities and power players call him to get the VIP treatment, but the Ron Paul supporter sees himself as more than just a party impresario. "I knew we had to make Krave work," he says. "If we didn't have a gay club on the Strip that could survive, then our community was never going to be taken seriously."

THE YOUNG GUN

Mike Snedeger

"It's all about who you Know here in Vegas," says 29-year-old club promoter Mike Snedeger, who knew no one when he moved here from Kentucky in 2001. Snedeger is the entertainment director at the mostly straight nightclub and restaurant Tao. But the man behind the club's all-star events, such as the after-party for Madonna's Confessions tour and a Mark Anthony birthday bash, sees no line between gay and straight in Vegas. "When gay people come to Vegas they want to stay in the best places and go to the hottest clubs," he says. "They don't care if it's gay or not."

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THE CLASSIC

Frank Marino

There have been many drag queens in Vegas over the years but none quite like Frank Marine. He started in drag in the Bronx, N.Y., by impersonating Joan Rivers. "Rivers was the only glamorous female comedian at the time," says Marine. In 1985, Rivers sued him for $5 million, saying he stole her material for his act. giving him instant tabloid fame. However, he had already caught the eye of Pia Zadora, who built him his own theater at her hotel, the Riviera. Marino has been headlining there for the last 23 years in the all-drag revue "La Cage" and is currently finishing out his most recent 10-year, $10 million contract. Decked out in sequined Bob Mackie gowns, he emcees-six shows a week that include impersonations everyone from Diana Ross to Britney Spears. With his star on the Strip's Walk of Stars and a street named after him, Marino has become a Vegas legend. But he is also looking forward. to retiring someday--in style. "Twenty years ago Rip Taylor said to me, 'Save your money. You never know when that curtain's going to go down,'"