The Minsky family became synonymous with burlesque in the first decades of the twentieth century, operating several theaters in New York City. Burlesque combined comedy sketches, variety acts, chorus line dancers, and strippers. However, the rough language and bawdy entertainment made them the object of morals campaigns. Finally, New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia closed down the "burley" houses in 1939. Family members opened burlesque productions in Miami, Chicago, and New Orleans theatres. The Minsky name also became identified with road shows that played the traveling circuits through the country.

Harold Minsky brought the lavish production show "Follies" to Las Vegas for a six-year run at the Dunes beginning in 1957. Subsequently, he moved productions into other landmark casinos such as the Silver Slipper, the Thunderbird, and the Aladdin. The adopted son of Abe Minsky, he started in the business at age nineteen at the height of the Great Depression (1934). He learned the business by working in all facets from the box office to theater management. By his early twenties he had already produced shows. Harold Minsky made Las Vegas his home until his death in 1977.