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Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
 Las Vegas - December 26, 2008
Rebecca Ramsey 
Keith Thompson 
Dick Feeney Tomorrow, Saturday, December 27th, at 1 p.m., the Glenwillow String Trio will present an hour-long program at the Liberace Museum. The selections performed will include the classical music of Dohnanyi, American Folk Music arranged by fiddler Mark O'Connor, original music by Rebecca Ramsey plus holiday favorites. The musicians are Ramsey on violin, Hanna Suk on viola, and Moonlight Tran on cello. Rebecca played first chair for many notable entertainers including Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Sammy Davis Jr., and Luciano Pavarotti. She was also concertmaster for Andrea Bocelli's current DVD, Under the Desert Sky. She is a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and her private violin students have been winners of the Bolognini competition, the Silver State, the MTNA at the state level and the national Sphinx competition. She has enjoyed presenting her musical compositions at the monthly Composers' Showcase (held at the Liberace Museum), and her award-winning recording of The Stone Sanctuary, Silhouettes of Zion, has been played on KCNV-FM 89.7 Nevada Public Radio. Hanna graduated from the National Music Academy of Ukraine, receiving both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music. She was formerly a member of the String Quartets Caprice Classic and Premier, and an artist with the Kiev Chamber Orchestra and National Ukraine Symphony Orchestra. She has toured throughout Europe and Ukraine, as a solo performer and as a chamber musician. Ms. Suk has collaborated in numerous premiere performances of new music at music festivals around the world. She emigrated to United States in 2005, and now resides in Las Vegas and is a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Moonlight received her Bachelor of Music Performance degree in cello from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. She also holds a degree in Business Administration from UNLV. She plays in the Las Vegas Philharmonic and is much in demand for many important shows on the Strip. In addition to teaching in her thriving cello studio, she also teaches for the Nevada School of the Arts and for the Community College of Southern Nevada. Also at the Liberace Museum, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 30th and 31st, and again on Saturday, January 3rd, Keith Thompson slips onto the piano bench at Liberace's glittering Baldwin in the Cabaret Showroom, filling in for the amazingly talented pianist, Philip Fortenberry, who will be taking a little time off to perform at the Kennedy Center in our nation's capitol. Thompson, an award-winning songwriter/musician/musical director (hell, he does everything), is currently the musical director for Jersey Boys at The Palazzo. The museum is billing his program, as Celebrate Me Home. Thompson prefers the title, Celebrate the Day (ANY day). Whatever it's called, it should be a wonderful experience. Keith is an award-winning songwriter/musical theater creator (Idaho!, Kooky Tunes, and more), with a keen sense of humor and a heart full of mischief. He is sure to play, sing, and charm the audience with songs and stories from his life and career, all the while paying homage to Liberace. Join Keith Thompson in a musical celebration of home, family and the holiday season. Tickets are $17.50 per person and may be purchased by calling (702) 798-5595. The Liberace Museum is located at 1775 East Tropicana Ave. at Spencer. Philip Fortenberry, associate conductor for Jersey Boys, will return to the museum on January 6th, to perform his Liberace and Me shows, on January 6th. * * * * * * Dick Feeney (that's with three "E"s) made a smart move when he legally tied up the name Rat Pack for entertainment projects. Tribute artist Barrie Cunningham, who performed in separate shows at the Gold Coast, as both Neil Diamond and Jimmy Buffett during 1999, is probably sorry that he didn't come up with the idea first. The two men wound up in court after Cunningham used The Rat Pack Is Back as a title for a Frank, Dean and Sammy revue he put together for a holiday appearance about a year ago. Attorneys Mark Borghese and Ryan Gile, of the law firm Weide and Miller, have filed a motion with the federal court to withdraw their representation of Barrie Cunningham and his company, BC Entertainment, sighting non-payment of his legal bill. Earlier this year TRP Entertainment filed suit against Cunningham and his company for federal trademark infringement resulting from his use of the Rat Pack is Back in advertising a show he produced last New Year's Eve at the Gold Coast casino. And speaking of Mr. Feeney, although his long running afternoon show, Viva Las Vegas, is not currently playing (don't count this one out), Dick reports that his nighttime Rat Pack show at the Plaza is doing better than ever. * * * * * * We are always pleased if we can answer a reader's question, even if it takes a while to do so. Such is the case with G.J.G., retired from the New York Police Department. The Brigantine, New Jersey resident wanted to know whether Robyn (Lewis) St. Romain is the same Robyn Lewis that had her own band with her sister Renee back in the late ‘80s in Atlantic City. G. goes on to say "We were great friends back than. I worked security at Harrah's when Robyn played the Old Bay Cabaret and later when she was a member of Playboy's Girls of Rock & Roll when they appeared in Atlantic City one summer." Yes, sir, the two Robyn's are one and the same. In addition to working with Playboy's Girls of Rock & Roll in Atlantic City, Ms. St. Romain performed in the show when it was in Las Vegas at the old Maxim (now the site of the Westin Casuarina). Robyn also worked as a principal singer in a number of David Wright/Ron Lewis revues at the downtown Plaza. For many years, the talented songbird sang back up with Wayne Newton. As a matter of fact, she is still working with Newton today (or whenever he appears in concert). We hope that answers your questions, G.J.G. Thanks for reading... and for writing. * * * * * * On Tuesday afternoon, we spotted a number of familiar faces enjoying lunch and a reunion of sorts at Marie Callender's in southeast Las Vegas. The ladies had skated together in Strip ice shows at both the Hacienda (now the site of Mandalay Bay) and the Flamingo about 30 years ago. Sharing memories were Gail Donaldson Lucas, Sharon Holmes Mandel, Santa Barbara resident Toni Andrews (visiting her mother Roberta Mann in Vegas), Susie Lease Fajardo, Melinda L'Elliott, Sherry Pedley Jones, Nancy Lee Parker Andrews, Lindsay Fitzpatrick, and Susan Meinhold Sobel. Suzanne Speich, who had a conflicting engagement, stopped by for a quick hello. The girls had such a good time, it was decided that these little gatherings should take place at least once a year, not every 25. 
Ice Skaters Reunion 
Rene Lavan And speaking of ice skating and ice skaters...We feel the need to warn those who might have responded to ads looking for skaters over the age of 45 for a touring show "starting in late January," you may be dealing with a sociopath. "Producer" Jerry Allen has a poor work history in Las Vegas. Yes, the man is creative and talented (although we know of no prior connection he may have had with ice revues), but he is also dishonest. Our knowledge of Mr. Allen goes back about 13 years. At that time, he was planning an Old English Panto (a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in Great Britain, Canada and other countries, and is usually performed during the Christmas and New Year season) show at the Cashman Theatre just north of downtown Las Vegas. The only thing Mr. Allen produced at that time was lots of empty promises and unpaid bills. This man borrowed an American Express credit card from someone who was supposed to be his good friend of his (trusting onetime Las Vegan, John Buonomo), ran the bill up into the thousands and disappeared. John died in October of 2006, never having been repaid and with his credit in shambles. After both of these incidents, Jerry Allen disappeared for a period, but like a bad penny, he keeps turning up...returning to the scenes of his crimes, if you will. He is back once again, with a new, but familiar sounding, routine. This supposed ice show (called Babes on Ice or Babes on Blades), was advertised to be in rehearsal from January 1st through 6th (only six days of rehearsals???). No one has been told exactly WHERE the tour stops will be, when they will start and when they will end. Does this sound legit? We urge anyone interested in this project to be wary and beware. If, after these red flags, one decides to take a chance on this person, they very least they should do is make sure that they have paid for round trip plane tickets home. You have been warned. * * * * * * If you can't survive as a live production on the Las Vegas Strip, turn the poorly reviewed show into a television reality series. That's what is happening with Fuego Raw Talent (previously called Raw Talent Live). According to the Press Release we received, the Latin dance production and video illusion show, at the Sahara since October, will launch the first Spanish language reality television series, Fuego en Vegas. The series will air on KBLR Telemundo Las Vegas (channel 39), Saturdays at 6 p.m. beginning December 27th. The half-hour program will delve into the lives of the Fuego (if you do not speak Spanish, Fuego means Fire) cast members, capturing performances and behind-the-scenes drama, gossip, rivalries and love triangles, and revealing the life of being an entertainer on the Las Vegas Strip. Fuego en Vegas is the creation of ND (Nicole Durr) who also directs. Latino star, actor Rene Lavan, serves as the show's producer and host. Fuego Raw Talent opened at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in October 2008, where the cast performs Thursday through Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $79.95, inclusive of tax and fees, and can be purchased by calling the Sahara box office at (702) 737-2515 or toll free at (888) 696-2121. If you want to see this show, live, we suggest doing so quickly. Rumor has it that Fuego will depart the Sahara right after the first of the year...maybe even on January 4th when both Mandalay Bay's Mamma Mia! and Stomp Out Loud, currently at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, end their engagements. * * * * * * 
Barbara Ann Rollins 
Sam Bottoms 
Buddy Charles From Vita Corimbi comes some extremely sad news...Barbara Ann Rollins, 31, one of the performers in Tony ‘n Tina's Wedding at the Rio, died on Wednesday morning (December 17th). During a trip to New York, Las Vegas resident, drama coach Gerald Gordon, spotted Barbara in the off-Broadway production of Tony ‘n Tina's Wedding and, just like in the movies, after the show, he went backstage, introduced himself, gave her his card and offered her the lead in his new film, Happily After Forever. After reading the script, Rollins agreed to play the role. For her work in that small film (there are no small films, only small actors LOL), in 2005, the Los Angeles Film and Video Festival named Barbara Ann Rollins Best Actress in a Short Film. (Also in 2005, Gerald Gordon earned the Best Director award for Romantic Drama, Short Film, from the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for Happily After Forever.) Barbara was born in Newton, Massachusetts. She had lived in Las Vegas since 1984, where she attended Chaparral High School. She graduated from UNLV in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in theatre arts. Barbara worked in the theatre communities of Las Vegas and New York City, and was a founding member of Cockroach Theatre in Las Vegas. In October, Barbara married Ernie Curcio. In addition to her husband, Barbara is survived by her mother, Marylou Rollins; sister, Janice Rollins; aunt, Donna Stone; and her grandfather, Eugene Hummer. Services were held last Sunday. In a strange twist of fate, Sam Bottoms, who had also worked with Gordon in the early ‘70s, died of brain cancer on December 20th. Sam's brother, actor Joseph Bottoms, was starring in a Santa Barbara production of Dames at Sea, directed by Gerald Gordon. Sam was a member of the chorus. Because Joe had to leave for a week, as he was filming Winesburg, Ohio, a PBS project featuring actress Jean Peters (the onetime wife of Howard Hughes), Gordon asked Sam if he would just walk through Joe's part while Joe was gone. Sam not only walked through it, but, by watching all previous rehearsals, he was able to play the lead while Joe was in L.A. "Sam Bottoms was truly an amazing actor," stated Gordon. Bottoms was probably best known for his role in Apocalypse Now. He was only 53 at the time of his death. Las Vegas personal manager and former Chicagoan, Jeanne Bavaro, informs us of the passing of Buddy Charles, a well-known Windy City piano man. Charles died Thursday, December 18th, at his home in Morton Grove, following a battle with leukemia. He was 81. Through his illness, Mr. Charles remained a trouper. Until three weeks before his death, he appeared every Tuesday and Wednesday night at Chambers Restaurant in Niles. On weekend nights, he played piano at Rush Street piano bars and the Coq d'Or (Golden Rooster) in the Drake Hotel. On Monday night, he taught eighth-grade religion class at St. Isaac Jogues in Niles. He was born Charles Joseph Gries in Chicago. His stepfather was Dixieland cornet player Muggsy Spanier. Charles began his musical journey at the old Curly's Show Lounge at Belden and Clark, but was best known for his Rush Street runs at the Black Orchid and, between 1972 and 1990, the Acorn on Oak. He moved to the Drake in 1990. His songbook was profound. Buddy could play everything from Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan to Cole Porter and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. He always connected with people because of his love of humanity. "He was gracious no matter how drunk you were, how disheveled you appeared," one of his longtime fans stated. He led the city in decades of sing-alongs. But Charles was much more than a piano man. He was a father, a husband, an amateur psychologist, a boxer and a Sunday school teacher. Buddy Charles is survived by Pat, his wife of 54 years, and four adult children. 
Page Cavanaugh 
Eartha Kitt 
Alexander Viazovtsev & Laraine Kaizer-Viazovtsev And more sad news from the world of music. Jazz pianist and singer Page Cavanaugh died on December 19th of kidney failure. He was 86. The Page Cavanaugh Trio was one of Southern California's most popular nightclub acts from the 1940s to the 1990s, performing at Ciro's, the Trocadero, the Captain's Table on La Cienega Boulevard, the Money Tree in Toluca Lake and the Balboa Bay Club. The group played in the film Romance on the High Seas with Jack Carson and Doris Day and in movies such as A Song Is Born, Big City, and Lullaby of Broadway. Cavanaugh's trio also appeared with Frank Sinatra at the Waldorf-Astoria and elsewhere, and on his Songs By Sinatra radio show. He also played for NBC Radio's The Jack Paar Show. The Page Cavanaugh Trio, which placed in Top 10 polls in Down Beat and Metronome magazines from 1946 to the early '50s, had chart hits such as The Three Bears and She Had to Go and Lose It At the Astor. In the early '60s, he formed a seven-piece group, The Page 7, that recorded for RCA and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and other TV programs. Around the same time, he opened his own club in Studio City. "At the end of the '50s, when rock 'n' roll came in, prices went down, and you couldn't get arrested," he said in a 1992 interview with The Times. "I'd end up playing in bowling alleys. It was a bad time." Still, he said, "a life in music was a good choice for me. It's been a damn roller coaster, flying high one day, poor as Job's turkey the next. But I can't think of anything I'd trade it for." "He was always a creatively fascinating artist throughout his long career," music critic Don Heckman told The Times. "What he did with his most famous group in the '40s and '50s was to develop a new style, in which all three members of the group would sing in unison in a whisper fashion." It was a time, Heckman said, "when jazz and popular music were in much closer sync than they are today, so that groups like Nat King Cole and George Shearing and Page Cavanaugh could play with a distinctly jazz flavor and still reach large audiences and sell a lot of records." Walter Page Cavanaugh was born January 26th, 1922, in Cherokee, Kansas, and grew up on his family's farm. Both of his parents played ragtime piano, and he switched from his first instrument, ukulele, to piano when he was about 9. He later won high school solo piano competitions four years in a row and earned a scholarship to Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kan. But he stayed less than a semester and joined a Kansas-based band. At age 20, he moved to Los Angeles and joined the Bobby Sherwood band, with whom he toured until he was drafted during World War II. While serving in the Army Signal Corps, he joined the Three Sergeants, a trio with Al Viola on guitar and Lloyd Pratt on bass, which played for officers' club dances and other functions. After the war, they became known as the Page Cavanaugh Trio. The latest edition of the Page Cavanaugh Trio, featuring Phil Mallory, Cavanaugh's bass player of 18 years, and Jason Lingle on drums, released its last CD, Return to Elegance, in 2006. Cavanaugh made his final appearance with his trio in June 2007 at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, where the band had played on Thursday nights for more than a decade. In the 1980s, Page Cavanaugh performed in Las Vegas, sans sidemen, at places like the Union Plaza (now the Plaza) downtown. "He loved to entertain," Mallory said. Cavanaugh, who never married, had no immediate surviving family members. No services were planned. Is it a coincidence that Eartha Kitt, the woman who made a hit of Santa Baby, would die on Christmas day? According to author SQuire Rushnell, who wrote the book When God Winks, there are no coincidences. The sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, was 81 when she lost her battle with colon cancer. Kitt, famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys. An aunt eventually brought her to live in New York, where she attended the High School of Performing Arts, later dropping out to take various odd jobs. By chance, she dropped by an audition for the dance group run by Katherine Dunham, a pioneering African-American dancer. In 1946, Kitt was one of the Sans-Souci Singers in Dunham's Broadway production Bal Negre. Her travels with the Dunham troupe landed her a gig in a Paris nightclub in the early 1950s. She was spotted by Orson Welles, who cast her in his Paris stage production of Faust. That led to a role in New Faces of 1952 (which also featured Carol Lawrence, Paul Lynde and, as a writer, Mel Brooks) where Kitt became a hit singing Monotonous. While traveling the world as a dancer and singer, Kitt learned to perform in nearly a dozen languages and, over time, added songs in French, Spanish and even Turkish to her repertoire. Usku Dara, a song Kitt said was taught to her by the wife of a Turkish admiral, was one of her first hits, though she says her record company feared it too remote for American audiences to appreciate. Her first album, RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt, came out in 1954 It featured such songs as I Want to Be Evil, C'est Si Bon, and the saucy gold digger's theme song, Santa Baby, which is revived on radio at Christmastime. The following year, the record company released That Bad Eartha, with Let's Do It, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, and My Heart Belongs to Daddy. In 1996, she was nominated for a Grammy in the category of traditional pop vocal performance for her album, Back in Business. Kitt also acted in movies, playing the lead female role opposite Nat King Cole in St. Louis Blues in 1958, and in the 1990s appeared in Boomerang and Harriet the Spy. On television, she was the sexy Catwoman on the popular Batman series, replacing Julie Newmar who originated the role. A guest appearance on an episode of I Spy brought Kitt an Emmy nomination in 1966. She was outspoken about causes she believed in, making headlines in the 1960s for denouncing the Vietnam War while attending a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson. For some years afterward, Kitt performed almost exclusively overseas. She was investigated by the FBI and CIA, which allegedly found her to be foul-mouthed and promiscuous. In 1978, she returned to Broadway in the musical Timbuktu!, which earned her a Tony nomination and an invite back to the White House by then president, Jimmy Carter. In 2000, Kitt earned another Tony nod for The Wild Party. Two years later, she played the fairy godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. In 2003, she was back on Broadway after replacing Chita Rivera in a revival of Nine. Over the years, Kitt had liaisons with wealthy men, including Revlon founder Charles Revson, who showered her with lavish gifts. In 1960, she married Bill McDonald. They divorced after the birth of their daughter, Kitt. On stage, Eartha was sexy and flirtatious. Offstage, she described herself as shy and almost reclusive. In her autobiography, she wrote that her mother was black and Cherokee, while her father was white, and she was left to live with relatives after her mother's new husband objected to taking in a mixed-race girl. She referred to herself as "Eartha Mae, that little urchin cotton-picker from the South." For years, she was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as January 17th, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on January 26th. "I'm an orphan. But the public has adopted me and that has been my only family," she told the Post online. "The biggest family in the world are my fans." Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. In addition to her daughter, Eartha Kitt is survived by millions of family members. And speaking of Vita Corimbi, in addition to playing piano for Tony 'n Tina's, Vita is also a member of the all girl musicombo (thank you, Forrest Duke), Killians Angels. The ladies will be entertaining at Brendan's Pub in The Orleans on December 26th, 27th and New Year's Eve, beginning at 9 p.m. At the Celebrity Nightclub, at 201 N. 3rd Street in downtown Las Vegas, 714Entertainment will present The Barkays, Darcus, comic J. Reid, and DJ Chris Brown bringing in the New Year. Galaxy Glenn will host the evening which will include entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. General admission is $99 a person. VIP tickets are $175. For $500, up to four guests get a cabana and two bottles of their liquor of choice. For reservations and/or more information on this New Year‘s Eve event, call (702) 498-2622. * * * * * * When it comes to the Kaizer family, music definitely runs through the gene pool. The public will be able to see and hear for themselves on Thursday, January, 8th, when the group gets together to perform a 6:30 p.m. free concert at the Clark County Flamingo Library. Sponsored by John Meren and Tom Gallagher of the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, the concert will feature Dr. Ed Kaizer and wife Janet Kaizer on piano, their daughter Dr. Laraine Kaizer-Viazovtsev, on violin, Laraine's husband Alexander "Sasha" Viazovtsev on flute, and non-relative Mert Sermet on cello. The program will include Classical, Jazz, Ragtime, and Boogie-Woogie, with selections from Bowling Suite for Flute and Jazz Trio, the Ravel Piano Trio, Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 B Major, and more. Dr. Ed Kaizer and his wife Janet are both piano professors at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. They are both amazing ragtime pianists, and Ed Kaizer is a fantastic jazz pianist. We would recommend getting to the library early, as this offering should generate a full house. When it comes to a show like this, the old saying "You get what you pay for," goes right out the window. 
Dr. Ed & Janet Kaizer 
Lola Falana 
Annie Gaybis & John Byner * * * * * * Claire Voyant reader, Dee in Florida, informs us that the picture of Tanya Tucker used in last Friday's column was taken by a Tanya fan named Bob Suomela. If we had known that, we certainly would have given the gentleman from Minnesota credit. It was a fine picture, Mr. Suomela, and we thank you making it available for our use. Dee says she hopes that Tanya pops up in Vegas soon. We are sure that her fans would hope for that as well. * * * * * * From Annie Gaybis, now on tour in Jacksonville, Florida, comes this e-mail inquiry...
I was wondering if you could let me know how Lola Falana is doing. She has always been an inspiration. I have tried with no success to get The Professional Dancers Society in LA to honor her. I don‘t know why they don‘t ...
We don't know why they don't honor her either, Annie. Lola Falana, who is now 66 years old, was a headliner here for a number of years. In fact, during the 1980s, she was known as the First Lady of Las Vegas. A multi-talented dancer, singer, actress, and all-around entertainer, Falana was a sexy superstar. Under the tutelage of blues singer Dinah Washington, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Cosby, and Wayne Newton, for a time, Falana became the highest-paid female performer in the history of Las Vegas. In the late 1980s, her career came to a temporary halt when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She briefly returned to the Las Vegas Strip for a couple of engagements, one that took place at the Sands soon after the announcement of her illness, creating lots of unanswered questions. How could a person, suffering from MS, and described as unable to walk, make such a miraculous recovery? At that Sands performance, she was able to do high kicks and other difficult dance moves and perform like in the good old days. We were told that calls were coming in from all over the world, from people wanting to know how this was possible, and what kind of treatment Falana was undergoing to improve her health so quickly...or at all. Today, it still puzzles those who witnessed the performance. Lola didn't stay around Las Vegas for long. The story was she went home to Philadelphia to be near her family. We know of more than one instance when the still beautiful lady was recognized by fans, but, when asked if she was Lola Falana, said that she wasn't. In recent years, Falana was back in the Entertainment Capital, but this time, religion had replaced show business in her life. She became a regular worshiper at the Guardian Angel Cathedral just east of the Strip, where dressed in long robes she kept to herself. She seems to have disappeared once again. Interestingly, as difficult as it is to get current information about Ms. Falana, it is equally difficult to locate a current photo of her. We trust, if we were to find something recent, the attire would be very different than what audience members remember her wearing in her Vegas heyday. As for the e-mail writer, Annie Gaybis, she herself is a singer, dancer, actress, having just finished Il Trovatore for The Orlando Opera and the Orlando Philharmonic where she was the principal dancer. "Never in a million years did I think I would be dancing to The Anvil Chorus," says Annie. Recently, she was also guest artist for First Coast Ballet and The Jacksonville Symphony for their production of Nutcracker. In early February, Gaybis will be starring in a touring production of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters for Independent Artists. Her first film was Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. A number of movies followed, including the controversial Showgirls, where, under Marguerite Pomerhn-Derricks' choreography, she was featured throughout the film as one of its main dancers. She worked with Eddie Murphy in The Distinguished Gentleman, and with Kevin Costner in Waterworld. She has also been a guest on Baywatch, Married With Children, and Leeza. Annie has been featured opposite John Raitt (father of Bonnie) in the Los Angeles production of South Pacific, and worked with Placido Domingo in a number of productions at the Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, including Carmen and Othello. Ms. Gaybis has toured the world with her cabaret show, sharing the stage with headliners such as Vic Damone, Phyllis Diller, Rodney Dangerfield, Peggy Lee, David Brenner, Hal Linden, Red Buttons, Little Richard, Michael Buble, Joel Grey, Kevin Meaney and Jeff Ross. She has also been profiled on 60 Minutes. Annie is married to comic impressionist, John Byner, and has guest starred with him in two holiday specials for the Family Channel. Like Ms. Falana, Byner was a Strip regular for many years, including a stint in Sid and Marty Krofft's Comedy Kings at the Sands. Cousin Claire had one of those being-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time experiences about 22 years ago. The occasion was an event-filled weekend at Caesars Palace as the property celebrated their 20th anniversary. There were all kinds of planned activities, with celebrities and media-types involved. The Circus Maximus showroom (now but a fading memory, the performance space having been replaced by the Colosseum which has played host to the likes of Celine Dion, Elton John, Bette Midler, Cher and Jerry Seinfeld), welcomed back many of its two decades of headliners in a special taped for cable television. During that weekend, we spent a wonderful evening, sharing a table with funnyman Byner, Tom and Dick Smothers, and the Smothers Brothers' musical director, Michael Preddy. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner (carving Beef Wellington, Crepes Suzette, etc.) and a delightful couple of hours of interesting conversation. It was a once in a lifetime experience and an evening that we will always remember fondly.
And speaking of the Smothers Brothers, the musical comedy twosome return to The Orleans, January 30th through February 1st. 
Dick & Tom Smothers 
Oh, What a Night! 
Shades of Sinatra * * * * * * Oh, What a Night! (A Tribute To The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons) will fill the Suncoast Showroom with familiar favorites on January 2nd, 3rd and 4th, at 7:30 p.m. Audience members can expect to hear hits such as Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll, Bye, Bye Baby, Let's Hang On, Working My Way Back To You, and, of course, Oh, What a Night. A ChapQuist Production, the cast consists of Paul Holmquist, George Solomon, Brandon Albright, and Rick Morgan. Tickets start at $19.95, plus applicable taxes and fees. Call (702) 636-7075 for reservations. And in other tributes, today you can enjoy memories of past Christmases, beginning at 4 p.m., when "Judy," "Frank" and "Dino" sing familiar favorites. Okay, so it's not the REAL thing, but it's darn close, as Denise Rose, CJ "Frank the Voice" Sinestro, and Luciano Correa, with Ronnie DiFillips on piano, recreate the sounds of Garland, Sinatra and Martin at Aurelio's, 10960 S. Eastern (waaay South) in Henderson. Join in the sing-along, enjoy some great tasting Chicago-style pizza and toast the season. Call (702) 685-6000 for directions. * * * * * * The Cannery Casino & Hotel brings the Legends of Motown Old School Tribute Show into The Club on Friday, January 2nd, and Saturday, January 3rd. The show features acts paying tribute to The Supremes, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The O'Jays and more. With a 15-member cast, the Legends of Motown Old School Tribute Show features tributes to more than 30 legendary acts, using vocals, choreography and a brief biography of each. This gives audiences from all generations an opportunity to learn about the musical legends they are about to see. The shows begin each night at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. * * * * * * Broadway's Jerry Herman's music can be heard in the most interesting places...in addition to theaters along the Great White Way and around the world. Wal-Mart used his We Need a Little Christmas song, from Mame, for their holiday TV commercials. In addition to Mame, Herman is the composer and lyricist of Hello, Dolly!, La Cage aux Folles, Milk and Honey, and the as yet unproduced Las Vegas-inspired, Miss Spectacular. * * * * * * Shades of Sinatra, made up of Ryan Baker, Larry Liso, Carmen Mandia and Lisa Smith, will provide entertainment at noon on, Wednesday, December 31st at the Suncoast. Tickets start at $19.95 plus taxes and fees. Call (702) 636-7075 for reservations. On the same day, at the South Point, it's Bill Fayne's Le Voci Vegas in the Grand Ballroom at noon (doors open at 11 a.m.), and Tony Orlando at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8). The cost for the afternoon show is $25 per person and includes entertainment, party favors and an early champagne toast. The nighttime event is $150 per person and includes dinner, party favors, an open bar and champagne toast at midnight and, of course, Tony Orlando. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Tags: Rebecca Ramsey Keith Thompson Dick Feeney Rene Lavan Barbara Ann Rollins Sa
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - One day late for December 19, 2008  Las Vegas, December 17, 2008
 The Great Tomsoni & Company
 Dangerous Curves
Blame the delay and shorter column on Las Vegas' biggest snowfall in decades (or ever). Telephone and computer equipment are not at all familiar with freezing white stuff, therefore... In last week's column, we neglected to give credit to Gary Oakes, Keith Thompson and Carmen Yurich for their behind-the-scenes help in getting, and keeping, everything running smoothly for the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's recent Holiday Celebration. While 23 entertainers were in front of the curtain, performing and receiving audience applause, these three fellows were backstage keeping things, and people, in order. Take a bow, gentlemen. Also, last week we didn't have the time or space to give The Great Tomsoni & Company its proper accolades. The Great Tomsoni & Company, made up of John Thompson and his wife, Pamela, was one of the acts, along with John Archer, Tony Chapek, Joseph Gabriel and Kevin James, in Paul Stone's World Stars of Magic at the Suncoast last weekend. Known as "Poland's Finest Magician," the Thompsons are versatile performers with a background of music, magic, comedy and drama. John (The Great Tomsoni) got his start in show business as a musician and musical arranger. He has toured and recorded with Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, The Harmonica Gang, and The Harmonica Jazz Quartet. He later joined forces with a comedy team with whom he co-authored and co-performed three record-breaking revues for the New York and Chicago Playboy Clubs. It was during this period that John developed his successful comedy magic act, in which he plays the role of a dapper but buffoonish gentleman. Known as The Great Tomsoni, when wife and partner Pamela Hayes, actress and comedienne, joined the act, the billing became The Great Tomsoni and Company. John, who has lived in Las Vegas for many years, performed in Nevada casino venues as a supporting act for numerous stars including Carol Channing, Eddie Fisher, Ed Ames, the Pointer Sisters, Jose Feliciano, Robert Goulet, Brenda Lee, B.J. Thomas, Vic Damone, and Diahann Carroll. The act has been the recipient of many awards including Stage Magician of the Year, Society of American Magician's Superstar of Magic award, Prince Rainer's Prix S.B.M., and Magiques de Monte Carlo, Europe's most prestigious magic award. John has worked as a consultant to his protégé, Lance Burton, as well to the late Doug Henning, Penn & Teller and Mindfreak's Criss Angel. He also worked on an I-Max movie, The Magic Box, with Siegfried and Roy, as well as on the Oak Ridge Boys Live in Las Vegas, the World's Greatest Magic and the PBS Special, The Art of Magic. Over the years, John Thompson provided material for several television productions including Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, One Day at a Time and Beyond Westworld. His film credits include Michael Ritchie's film version of off-Broadway's longest running musical, The Fantasticks, Norman Jewison's film, Bogus, and Turner Broadcasting's cable release, Houdini-Believe. As a theatrical special effects designer and consultant, Thompson has invented and presented a variety of unique optical illusions for trade shows, industrial shows and theme parks. There is probably not a professional magician on the planet who doesn't know the name Johnny Thompson. Now you do too. * * * * * * This week, we can also give you readers a little more info regarding CDs for sale by some of our talented local artists. In no particular order (other than "ladies first"), we have Dangerous Curves, made up of Margaret "Gret" Menzies, Karen Merstik-Michaels and Lisa Smith, are very excited with the release of their debut CD, Girl Talk. Song selection includes Cloudburst, Old Cape Cod, Is This Any Way To Fall In Love (by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy), The Girl Who Used To Be Me, Faithless Love, Stephen Sondheim's Children Will Listen, I Love Being Here With You, By the Way, Moon River and Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens. The price is $17.95. If you order by December 31st, shipping is FREE (we love that word). To order, go to www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com. Bruce Ewing (from Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) and Joey Singer (Mamma Mia! and Debbie Reynolds piano man) are Remembering To Dream (which also happens to be the name of their new CD and one of the tracks, written by Jason Forbach, also a Phantom cast member, and Singer) this holiday season. Some of the other song selections (there are 20 tunes on the CD) include, O Holy Night, Mary Did You Know, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, All Those Christmas Clichés, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Just In Time For Christmas, and Joy To The World. You can share the Dream. To order the CD, visit www.BruceEwing.com. Then there is Philip Fortenberry's latest, Home For the Holidays. In addition to his current position as associate conductor for Jersey Boys at the Palazzo, Philip is also a pianist for Faith Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, and performs his one man show (although there are some talented guests stopping by to join him on occasion), Liberace and Me, at the Liberace Museum's Cabaret Showroom at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Home For the Holidays features Philip's beautiful arrangements of winter favorites such as It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Ave Maria, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Do You Hear What I Hear?/ Ding Dong Merrily On High/ Angels We Have Heard on High, and many others. Purchase one CD for $15, three for $40, or five for $60. Home For the Holidays and Philip's other CDs are available online at http://www.philipfortenberry.com. Any and all of these recordings would make for great stocking stuffers and, remember, music is the gift that keeps on giving and can be enjoyed by the entire family. 
Bruce Ewing & Joey Singer 
Philip Fortenberry 
Liberace Museum And speaking of the Liberace Museum...
This Tuesday, December 23rd, and Saturday, the 27th, at 1 p.m. the Liberace Cabaret features the Glenwillow Strings Trio, who will present traditional holiday songs and classical selections. Tickets are $17.50 per person. A Liberace Christmas, Blinging in the Season, a new exhibit in the museum's Costume Gallery, runs until January 4th. The staff and volunteers are excited to share this display, developed from the Liberace Archives. The holiday season, especially Christmas, was Liberace's favorite time of the year. He called it "the month of Christmas." Mr. Showmanship's own Christmas cards became as spectacular as his stage presence. Just as no one in the history of show business performed in such glittering costumes, took to the stage in dazzling cars, played beautiful custom designed pianos, and wore fabulous jewelry, no one sent Christmas cards that were gifts in themselves. Receiving one of Liberace's Christmas cards was on of the joys of the holiday season. The museum hopes visitors will enjoy a sample of these "mini works of art." This exhibit has been made possible because of generous donations to the Liberace Adopt the Collection Fund, and was designed and installed by volunteer cast member, Taylor Johnson, with special thanks to Hilda Scheiner. The project was coordinated by Jerry Goldberg, manager of Archives and Special Projects. The exhibit includes some cards donated from the personal collection of Peter Marino, Jr., courtesy of Pam Christian. The silver plate is on loan from the collection of Neil Glick. For those that don't know, the Liberace Museum is located at 1775 E. Tropicana Avenue (at Spencer). For additional information and holiday hours, please call (702) 798-5595. * * * * * * 
Max Katchanov & Nataliya Tymoshenko 
Jered Guzman 
Tanya Tucker
Wish we had received the information we requested in a more timely manner. We didn't, so here is the last minute news for Holiday Lights On Ice, being performed on the 1st Street Stage in downtown Las Vegas as a free show. Tonight (Saturday), there will be four shows, at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Featuring Russian National gold medalists ice dancing team, Max Katchanov and Nataliya Tymoshenko, the ice revue also presents soloists Meegan McDonald, USA National Ladies figure skating gold medalist, and Jered Guzman, Men's National gold medalist in figure skating. Guzman also serves as Holiday Lights On Ice production manager. The ensemble skaters are Yulia Sudakova, Colleen Smith, Brittany Howe and Lisa Montibello. Yevgeni Malimon and Oleksiy Snarskyy, gymnasts from the Ukrainian national gymnastic team, also perform. Peter Gordon serves as choreographer, is in charge of costumes, and a myriad of other creative issues. Liz Lieberman represents Rand Productions and Jeb K. Rand, producer of Holiday Lights On Ice. Rand also is the producer of Holiday Ice Spectacular, currently at the Eldorado Hotel & Casino in Reno through January 4th. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, in celebration of Hanukkah, the Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place on Fremont Street, between Las Vegas Boulevard and 4th Street. The ceremony will be led by Rabbi Shea Harlig, Director of Chabad of Southern Nevada. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and Senator John Ensign are expected to be among the many Las Vegans in attendance. The Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment complex located in historical downtown Las Vegas. In 1995, Fremont Street was closed to vehicles and a giant screen was suspended 90-feet over the street to display spectacular light and sound shows on its 1,500 foot surface. The 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen dazzle 365 nights a year and make the Fremont Street Experience a one-of-a-kind venue. With direct pedestrian access to 10 casinos, more than 60 restaurants, specialty retail and free nightly entertainment, the Fremont Street Experience attracts millions of annual visitors. * * * * * * If you blinked your eyes, you probably missed it. We thought maybe we had imagined seeing Tanya Tucker's name as an upcoming act at the new Eastside Cannery. If we DID see it, where did it, and she, go? On a getaway with Glenn Campbell, perhaps? We think not. So? We started doing a little research. What we found, on Ms. Tucker's very own Web site, was months of one canceled show after another. Beginning in early July, none of Tanya's booked dates have been fulfilled. According to her representative, Frank Wing, Ms. Tucker is, and has been, having health and other problems. We would imagine that the Cannery might be having problems as well, like in having to refund money on unusable sold tickets. For those that don't know this already, Tanya Tucker, who is now 50, spent part of her early life in Southern Nevada. She was just a teenager when one of Ed Wood's favorite actresses, Dolores Fuller, became Tucker's manager. Fuller, who is now in her mid-80s, became a respected songwriter, collaborating with Duane Eddy, Peggy Lee and Nelson Riddle, and even penning more than a dozen tunes for Elvis Presley. She has lived in Vegas for quite some time and, while already into her 70s, appeared in some Ted V. Mikels films. Mikels is also a Las Vegan. 
Glenn Campbell 
Dolores Fuller 
Clint Holmes * * * * * * We got a kick out of Las Vegas CityLife's December 11th cover story (and the art work by Courtney Wotherspoon), so we are going to give a little teaser in the hopes you will be able to go to the Web site and read the article. Spoiler Alert: This will primarily be of interest to Las Vegans. Here's a sampling...
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. In other words ... GET OUT OF TOWN! We wish these people would leave. Like, now. Don't make us say it twice! These are tough times for everybody. And we at CityLife won't lie to you. We can't fix the economy, revive the housing market, curb the unemployment rate, lower your electricity bill or put a stop to those creepy commercials featuring Steve Wynn sitting like a gargoyle on top of his new casino. But we can make all our lives a little better by shipping a few of our homegrown douchewads safely beyond state lines. Among those on the weekly tabloid's Get Out of Town list are Criss Angel, Jerry Lewis, Senator John Ensign, and Dipak Desai, late of the shameful Endoscopy Center. To read the article (written by an assortment of CityLife staff members), go to http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/. We have some folks that we would like to see on a Get Out of Town list. Although we aren't going to print this particular persons name this week, if she doesn't do the right thing very soon, you can expect to see her name AND her picture here...possibly as soon as next Friday. She might be called a voucher broker, an event planner, general manager (of who or what, we don‘t know), or maybe an agent of sorts. In the past few years, she has worked for and been dismissed from positions with a couple of local producer and/or performer-types who run their own theaters. She was primarily let go for not doing the job she was paid to do. As if that isn't bad enough, her latest dirty deed is much worse. Now, it seems, she has committed a punishable crime - giving a longstanding Las Vegas business owner a bad check (for more than $1000) for product and services rendered. This took place more than a month ago, yet, in spite of trying to collect the money, the victim in this deception has not been able to do so. So far, we can find no record of any Clark County licensing for the numerous "business" names being used by this unsavory character. We continue to investigate. Interestingly enough, we learned of this con artist because of our articles about Regina Edwards of Caylix Jazz Supper Club. BOTH of these women belong on the Get Out Of Town list. Hopefully their victims will be able to get the money they are owed, BEFORE these two artists of deception disappear. On the somewhat bright side, after stalling around since November 1st, Edwards made a partial payment to Jeanne Brei, but only after Brei sent a certified legal letter to the night club owner. We will keep readers apprised of what happens next. Will Jeanne Brei get the balance of the money owed her? Will lady No. 2 make good on her bum check? Stay tuned. * * * * * * Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment present the Starbright Theatre return engagement of Good Vibrations - A Tribute to the Music of the Beach Boys, tonight at 7 p.m. If you missed their sold-out performance earlier this year, Good Vibrations is the ultimate tribute to the music and spirit of America's greatest pop band, the Beach Boys. It's a musical journey of sun, surf, cars and girls capturing the harmonies of the Beach Boys with faithful renditions of classic hits like California Girls, Surfing USA, I Get Around, Help Me Rhonda, Fun, Fun, Fun and the group's namesake hit, Good Vibrations. Don't miss an opportunity to experience a feel-good performance with Good Vibrations. Tickets are $18 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $23 for non-residents. All shows at the Starbright are first come, first served with no limit on the number of tickets purchased. Saving seats is prohibited. Show tickets may be purchased at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle. All ticket prices include Live Entertainment Tax. Tickets are non-refundable. Starbright Theatre shows are open to everyone ages 12 and over. To order by credit card (for ChapQuist productions only) call (702) 869-2064. For up-to-date information on Starbright shows, call (702) 240-1301. * * * * * * It's Holmes For the Holidays, starring Clint Holmes, through Sunday at the Suncoast. Bill Fayne will serve as musical director (he sings, too) and guests will include two very talented ladies, his sister Gayle Steele and his wife, Kelly Clinton. Singer Holmes only managed to notch one entry into the record charts, but his 1973 hit Playground in My Mind (My Name is Michael) was one of the more memorable songs by a one-hit wonder. The song was played on the radio in conjunction with the holidays (apparently feeling that the sing-song nature of the track gave it a seasonal feel) it drew a massive response. In June 1973, Playground in My Mind climbed to No. 2. It sold more than a million copies, lodging behind Paul McCartney's My Love. Born in Bournemouth, Dorset, England, to an opera-singing mother and a jazz-musician father, Clint grew up in Farnham, New York. Singing and acting since childhood, he was playing in rock bands by high school and went on to study music in college. A stint in the Army found Holmes singing in a military chorus and when he was relocated to Washington, DC, he continued to sing in clubs after his discharge gaining a regional following. Clint's first real break came when Joan Rivers invited him to be her sidekick and announcer on the now defunct The Late Show. This was followed by a two year stint on Entertainment Tonight, for which he served as their musical feature event correspondent. Although his career was greatly enhanced by those roles, it did not all come together until he landed his own Emmy winning talk/variety show entitled New York at Night. Clint, in his dual role as host and singer, had the opportunity to showcase the full range of his talents as he performed, interviewed guests, and interacted with his audience. Named Atlantic City's Entertainer of the Year three times, Clint starred in Clint Holmes' Sophisticated Rhythms, a dynamic stage show journey that takes you through the music of the 1940s to the present. In the world of theater, Clint is a seasoned performer and writer. Along with Nelson Kole he created the book, music and lyrics for the musical Comfortable Shoes. Clint starred in the World Premiere of this musical at the legendary Paper Mill Playhouse. Clint also anticipates taking his most recent creation, Just Another Man, to Broadway. Clint is one of Prince Albert's favorite entertainers, and jets off to Monte Carlo every summer at the Royal Family's request to appear at the Sporting Club, Hotel Paris, and other hot spots. His sizzling performance has taken him from London, Germany and Italy to Las Vegas, where he had long runs at both the Golden Nugget and Harrah's. Tickets for Holmes For the Holidays are priced from $29.95 plus tax can be purchased by calling the box office at (702) 636-7075. If Clint's show is sold out (and we hear it might be), get your motor running, head out on the highway (sorry, we were just born to be wild) to the South Point. Susan Anton will be headlining there this weekend, tonight through Sunday, in her Magic of Christmas show. Shows start at 7:30 and ticket prices start at $20, including tax. A group of our favorite "boy" singers, The Four Freshmen, play the South Point, January 2nd through 4th. Call (702) 797-8055 for reservations and/or additional information. 
Susan Anton 
Ava Stanley & Frank Marino 
Frankie Randall * * * * * * When we first saw the accompanying photo of An Evening at La Cage star, Frank Marino, we thought the person seen with him was one of his fellow (fellowette?) cast members. We were mistaken. That's a real girl. It's actually 14-year-old Arizona resident, Ava Stanley, who happens to be fascinated by female impersonators. While visiting her great-aunt Mary Marcella Schwartz (who, along with Barbara Ciarlantini, is the creator of the Handy Girls concept), Ava took in the long-running Riviera La Cage revue. She loved it. We have a feeling that hanging out with Frank Marino will only increase Ava's interest and curiosity in handsome men who can turn themselves into beautiful women with only the flick of a makeup brush (and a few other tricks). * * * * * * New Year's Eve is almost upon us. Here are some of the special things taking place, here, there and everywhere, on the last day and night of 2008...
From longtime friend, Eric Michael Gillett comes this news. Following his return from Rochester, where he has been appearing in A Christmas Story, Eric, along with special guests, Broadway's Raissa Katona Bennett and Melanie Vaughan, as well as comedian Richard Cramer, direct from his recent appearances at Caroline's on Broadway, will be entertaining at New York's Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street in Manhattan, on New Year's Eve. Don Rebic will serve as musical director for Life of the Party. The show is a one-night only event,
Wednesday, December 31st at 10:45 p.m. Doors open at 10:15. Tickets, at $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity), include the show, open bar, and midnight champagne toast. For reservations, call (212) 206-0440, or buy tickets online at www.metropolitanroom.com. AMEX/ VISA/MC accepted. As Cabaret Scenes magazine suggested, "Go see this amazing man sing his heart out!" The four-month-old Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel & Casino goes Sicilian for their first New Year's Eve celebration. That's Italian, starring Dick Contino, Frankie Randall, Pete Barbutti and Vinnie Falcone, with special guest, Jerry Vale, will play at 7 p.m. We will have more New Year's Eve news next Friday.
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Tags: Tomsoni Bruce Ewing Joey Singer Fotenberry Liberace Museum
  Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - December 12, 2008 
Walter Morciglio 
Philip Fortenberry 
Domenick Allen & Cayleigh Capaldi Although, in Cousin Claire's opinion, Los Angeles let the disgraced onetime football Hall of Famer, O.J. Simpson, get away with murder, Las Vegas didn't let the now 61-year-old get away with anything. On October 3rd, Simpson was found guilty of all 12 criminal charges against him (kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy, burglary, assault and coercion), as the result of a confrontation in a hotel room at the Palace Station in Las Vegas. Based on the sentence handed down by Judge Jackie Glass, O.J. won't even be eligible for parole until he is 70-years-old. The once cocky O.J. didn't look quite so cocky at his December 5th sentencing. Facing up to 33 years in prison can do that to a person, even a former sports hero. * * * * * * Although we haven't seen or heard them perform yet, we have it on good authority (from one of our bosses, Charleston Communication's Gene Balmain) that the musical group, Neon Venus, is hot! The Puerto Rican alternative band was formed in the late '90s after guitarist Peter Valentine, who had previously participated in the Los Angeles underground scene, met Lissette Napoleoni in New York's Central Park. Sharing their passion for music, the twosome decided to start a new project called Neon Vegas. They were later joined by percussionist Nestor Salazar. The three-piece act released its first album, The Birth of Neon Venus, in November 1999. The album included a bilingual track called Strange, inspired by the 50 most famous relationships of the 20th century as published by a popular national magazine. Following the release of the album, Neon Venus made two videos, one based on Strange, and another on a song called Aliens. An interesting name for a band, Neon Venus is also an interesting name for a performance space and gallery. Peter and Lissette are the proprietors of the relatively new Neon Venus Art Theatre, located at 1404 S. 3rd Street in the downtown Las Vegas arts district. The space features lots of interesting happenings, including live music (of course), art exhibits and classes in music, acting, voice, and art, all taught by pros including Cirque du Soleil cast members. Tonight, Friday, December 12th, the theater will present two-time Latin Grammy-nominee, singer/songwriter Walter Morciglio, with special guest, Ismael Garcia. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are only $10. For additional information, call (702) 787-2481. * * * * * * The December edition of the Composers Showcase will take place on Thursday, December 18th. The Special Holiday Celebration, that starts at 10:30 p.m., after theater, will feature the songs of local composers and songwriters, Jason Andino, Erich Bergen, Bob Bray, Vita Corimbi, Jason Forbach, Wayne Green, Steven Kalas, Jason Martinez, Rebecca Ramsey, Rene Ruiz, Joey Singer, Keith Thompson and Mark Wherry, and the vocal stylings of Bradlee Benjamin, Robin Baxter, Charl Brown, Joseph Anthony Byrd, Bruce Ewing, Elena Gutierrez, Temple Hall, Kristi Holden-Walrod, Colin Israel, Sarah Lawrence, Jeff Leibow, Lisa Richard, Nadine Roden, Sharone Sayegh, Alana Simone, Lauren Tartaglia, and Derrick Trumbly. Guest instrumentalists will be Glen Colby, Patricia Diaz, Philip Fortenberry, Keith Hubacher, Don Meoli, Rebecca Ramsey, Laurence Sobel, Geri Thompson, Moonlight Tran and Drew Zingg. Richard Camuso handles the sound. All of this takes place in the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, 1775 East Tropicana (at Spencer), next door to Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens Restaurant. A cash bar (no credit cards, please) is available, along with a $5 hors d'oeuvres buffet, provided by Carluccio's Restaurant and the Liberace Museum. The mission of the Liberace Foundation is to help talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts through scholarship assistance. Donations to the museum are welcome and much appreciated. And speaking of the Liberace Museum they have a number of exciting events going on over there during the month of December. This Sunday it will be another of the Music in the Museum presentations. This edition will feature a special performance of holiday tunes presented by Jersey Boys pianist Philip Fortenberry and friends. Fortenberry will celebrate the launch of his new CD Home For The Holidays and perform music from the new album on Liberace's Baldwin piano. The CDs will be available for purchase at the museum. At $15 each they would make great end-of-the-year gifts for the music-lovers in your life. Shows will be at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. with limited seating on a first-come first served basis. Although there is no set price for this holiday treat donations to the Liberace Foundation are suggested. Museum doors open at 12 noon. On Sundays museum tour admission is free for Nevada residents with proper ID and their guests. This Tuesday December 16th at 10:30 p.m. it's Mamma Mia's Last Stand event (the show ends its Mandalay Bay run on January 4th). A $10 donation at the Liberace Museum Cabaret Showroom door is suggested. A cash bar and buffet will be available at the event. Call (702) 798-5 595 for more information. * * * * * * Following the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's musical Holiday Celebration last Sunday, one of the performers stated, "the holiday season starts here." We say it was a delightful start. A host of talented pros provided an afternoon of entertainment at the Clark County Flamingo Library, much to the delight of about 250 audience members. The entire program was terrific but, as always, there were highlights. Among our personal favorites were (in order of appearance) Domenick Allen and Daddy's Little Girl, Cayleigh Capaldi (Cayleigh's mama, singer/actress Leigh Zimmerman, and her maternal grandma, Lynette, were front row center and beaming); pianist Harold Meeker, who was with the Russ Morgan Orchestra for eight years (and usually takes tickets at the PASN events), playing a lovely version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Lou Garcia and Gary Oakes, singing and dancing their way through Silver Bells; Lloyd Ziel's Silent Night; Philip Fortenberry's holiday piano medley; soprano Joan Sobel's beautiful rendition of Ave Maria (using no mic), and Wes Winters' Liberace-inspired holiday mix. The afternoon celebration was celebrated by all in attendance. 
Joan Sobel 
Jay Leno 
Kara DioGuardi And speaking of Joan Sobel...Tomorrow, Saturday the 13th, Ms. Sobel will be one of the guest soloists when the Las Vegas Philharmonic presents the second concert in its new and exciting Pops series. In addition to Joan Sobel, A Christmas Celebration! will also feature guests Leslie Harper, Matt Newman and Tod Fitzpatrick, along with performances from The Las Vegas Master Singers and The University Children's Chorale. The media release tells us that the concert will also welcome a surprise visit from a special international guest celebrity who is sure to bring the holiday cheer! Might that guest be on the plump side and look especially good in a red outfit and do a lot of ho, ho, ho shoutouts? Just a guess on our part. The musical holiday celebration will take place in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV. There are two performances, at 2 and 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $65, excluding tax and fees. To purchase tickets for these two events, or to subscribe to remaining season of Pops and Masterworks concerts, please call the UNLV Box office at (702) 895-2787 or visit LasVegasPhilharmonic.com. Founded in 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is the third largest arts organization in the state and a six-time recipient of the Best Performing Arts Group award. The Philharmonic has grown into a nationally recognized orchestra, entertaining growing audiences with a continuously expanding program which currently includes: a Masterworks Series featuring some of the best touring artists in the world; a Connoisseur Series that presents top soloists performing in some of the city's most luxurious homes; a variety of special events; a new Pops Concert Series for 2008-2009; and its annual Fourth of July Star Spangled Spectacular concert. * * * * * * Talk about a deal...Call it a "freecation" or a "staycation." With times being tight, Terrible's Casino Resorts in Primm are giving away free rooms. No, really! There is only one little string attached to the offer...you must be a local with a Nevada driver's license to prove Clark County residency. All three of Terrible's Primm Valley Resorts (Buffalo Bill's, Whiskey Pete's and Primm Valley Resort) are participating in the offer, which includes one free night's stay at Buffalo Bill's, two all-day attraction passes valid for the Desperado Rollercoaster, Attraction Zone Arcade, Turbo Drop and the Adventure Canyon Log Flume at Buffalo Bill's, and two free tickets to the Sin City Kitties, a burlesque cabaret production, inside Whiskey Pete's showroom. Realizing that just about everyone is feeling the economic pinch, Terrible's wanted to do something for the community, and, of course, to attract fun seekers to their properties, about a half-hour south of Las Vegas. Needless to say, the marketing mavens at the Nevada/ California border hope visitors will spend a few bucks on their own - dining, drinking and... gaming, but that is not a requirement. The free room offer runs through December 29th. For more information, call 1.800.FUNSTOP. And speaking of gambling...If we were a betting woman (and sometimes we are), we might put our money where our mind is (we usually leave mind reading to pros like mentalist Gerry McCambridge). But we are, after all, Claire Voyant (according to Mr. Webster, a clairvoyant has a quick, intuitive knowledge of things and people). Based on that fact, we would like to share some thoughts on two personalities...Jay Leno and Paula Abdul. Regarding Mr. Leno's move to primetime, we think that this is yet another bad decision on the part of NBC (remember Rosie Live?). For the most part, TV watchers are a loyal bunch. Will they give up dramas such as CSI, Law & Order, Without a Trace, and ER, or reality/news programs like Dateline and 20/20 to watch Jay at 10? We don't think so. Who will benefit by Leno's move? David Letterman, for sure, and probably ABC's Nightline and former Las Vegan Jimmy Kimmel's, Live. As for the quirky Ms. Abdul - with her future as an American Idol judge already in jeopardy (there's a new lady judge added for the 2009 season, Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi), what does this genius do? She does the talk show circuit, including Barbara Walters' Sirius radio show. And what does the former Los Angeles Laker Girl talk about? Her unhappiness with American Idol. Why? Because Ms. Abdul claims that the other two judges, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, as well as the show's producers and the Fox network, were well aware that Abdul was being stalked/harassed by an obsessed FANatic, and yet the powers-that-be allowed 27-year-old Paula Goodspeed (the lady changed her first name to Paula) to audition for Idol's fifth season in 2006 anyway. According to Ms. Abdul, this torment had been going on for 18 years! You can go to YouTube, put Paula Goodspeed's name in, and watch the audition for yourselves. What we find most interesting about this is that, not only does Ms. Goodspeed (who was found dead near Abdul's home last month) mispronounce the Idol judge's last name (calling her Abdula) throughout the audition, but Ms. "Abdula" does not appear to be worried, intimidated or uncomfortable in any way during the minutes that Goodspeed performed (or attempted to perform). We are sure that an expert on body language would detect no fear or concern in Paula Abdul. Why would all of this come out more than two years after the fact? Is this not a perfect example of "biting the hand that feeds you"? Until she hooked up with Idol, Paula Abdul was pretty much of a distant memory to many people, and a total unknown to those that do much of the Idol voting. We think Ms. Paula will depart American Idol, sooner than later. Let's see how Claire Voyant does on her latest "predictions." And speaking of jeopardy, the popular quiz show, Jeopardy!, is celebrating part of its 25th Anniversary in Las Vegas. On January 8th, 9th and 10th, in conjunction with the annual Consumers Electronics Show, will telecast from the Sony Electronics booth at the Convention Center. As all of you smarty pants probably already know, Jeopardy! was created by the late Merv Griffin in the early 1960s. It debuted on NBC in 1964. Alex Trebek became the show's host in September of 1984. Since that time, Jeopardy! has consistently placed among the top-rated shows in syndication. The show holds the record for number of Emmy Awards (11) in the category of Best Game Show. For tickets to be in the Las Vegas Jeopardy! audience, go to http://www.jeopardy.com/cestickets/. Please note that tickets are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Guests will receive tickets by mail. All ticket submissions must be received by Tuesday, December 16th. 
Alex Trebek 
Mac King 
Darcus * * * * * * Cousin Claire, along with another local entertainment columnist in Las Vegas (not the fellow with the eye patch), received an e-mail from Florence in New Jersey, inquiring about, as Florence calls him, "that brilliant entertainer," Jimmy Hopper. We would love to tell you that Jimmy had a steady gig here in Las Vegas, but, at this time, he does not. His last local appearances were at Trader Vic's at Planet Hollywood and in the showroom at the Suncoast. These days (or nights), Jimmy's home is at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California. He also tours and stays busy with corporate events. Hopper is working on a new musical, hoped to be heading to Broadway. The working title (which may be changed to something a bit shorter) is The Day There Was No More Music. As we get more information on Mr. Hopper, we will pass it on to our readers. Like Florence from New Jersey, we also consider Jimmy Hopper to be a brilliant entertainer. If you would like to see what all the excitement is about, until the real thing comes along, check out this unique performer at www.JimmyHopper.com. * * * * * * One door closes and another one opens. One of the proofs of that took place yesterday when, at 2 a.m., the 25-year-old center-Strip McDonald's (next to Circus-Circus) turned out their lights and closed up. Fear not, you Big Mac fans. At 11 a.m., a bigger, the largest in the state, and better McDonald's opened right next door to the familiar Strip pioneer. Known as Viva McDonald's, the new flagship restaurant, described as "technology-inspired," is the first of its kind anywhere. To celebrate the occasion, the first 111 guests received gifts from McDonald's, and a 12:30 p.m., Ronald McDonald arrived at the eatery in Las Vegas style, via a red Cadillac. At 2 p.m., Mayor Oscar Goodman helped in the ribbon cutting for Viva McDonald's and gifted Ronald McDonald with a Key to the City. Between 5 and 6 p.m., comic/magician "Big Mac" King worked with Viva McDonald's to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Las Vegas by getting behind the counter and selling McDonald's food items. For the one hour, all the proceeds of food sold at the store went to the local charity that provides temporary housing for families whose children are obtaining medical treatment in Las Vegas. The very funny and clever Mac King currently headlines his own show at Harrah's. And speaking of Key's to the City (and we were)...How about a Key to the City for longtime (about three decades) Las Vegas entertainer, Darcus? The talented lady has worked around this part of the world - both as a paid performer and by donating her services for worthwhile charitable events - since the late 1970s (although we have to say, this young grandmother looks great!). Darcus has earned her stripes and deserves the acknowledgement for her deeds in the community. Are you listening, Mayor Goodman? * * * * * * Celebrate the holidays, F.I.O.R.E. style! Come one. Come all. Join this friendly and funny bunch of party animals for an evening of live music (personally, we find that much better than dead music), entertainment, dancing, yummy food and a no-host bar. It starts at 6:30 on Wednesday evening (December 17th) at the Italian American Club at 2333 E. Sahara. The cost for all of this frivolity is $30 per person. RSVP to either NSardelli@aol.com or ConradVillella@cox.net. See you at the party! * * * * * * 
Liza Minnelli 
Nina Foch 
Julie & Gary Olds After seeing Liza Minnelli on the TV bomb known as Rosie Live, we wondered if Ms. Minnelli would sound any better in her new show, that opened December 3rd at the Palace, and how the New York critics would treat her. We thought Liza looked great on Rosie's show. She looks like she is back to her fighting (and dancing) weight, and her face looked like it did in the 1970s and '80s when we were regulars at her Vegas shows. It has been almost 10 years since Liza with a "Z" played Broadway. The lady is a real trouper, and at 62, she has bravely taken on a month of shows on the Great White Way. Apparently, some of the important Big Apple critics heard what we did. On December 5th, Steven Holden from The New York Times wrote in his Theater Review, "I would love to report that Ms. Minnelli's voice and physical agility have been magically restored to their former glory, but those days seem to be gone. On Wednesday night her voice was in tatters, her diction unsteady. When she belted, her wide vibrato wobbled to the breaking point. Most of her s's were slurred sh's. Frequently short of breath, she swallowed phrases. Many of her highest notes were dry, piercing caws." Holden followed that statement up by saying, "But there were still occasional moments of beautifully focused dramatic singing. She wrung every drop of emotion from "He's Funny That Way," turning the phrase "crazy for me" into a sweetly exultant cry." Brian Scott Lipton of TheaterMania wrote, "To get the big questions out of the way, Minnelli's voice isn't what it was many years ago, but it's strong and powerful and mostly gets the job done, and she moves rather than really dances. But her skills as a performer, honed over five decades, and her genuineness and vulnerability make these shortcomings seem relatively unimportant." Variety's David Rooney writes, "There's a standard set of questions to be asked about any Liza Minnelli show: 1. How did she look? 2. How did she sound? 3. Did she open wearing black, white or red? 4. How many superlatives did she spout? 5. Did she mention David Gest? 6. Was she fabulous? A trainwreck? A fabulous trainwreck? For the peace of mind of all the hardcore acolytes desperate to know about "Liza's at the Palace," let's get those answers out of the way immediately: 1. Terrific. 2: Pretty darn good. 3. White (vintage Halston). 4. Lost count. 5. Only obliquely, and not by name. 6. Kinda fabulous. Assisting Liza in song and dance are Johnny Rodgers, Cortes Alexander, Jim Caruso and Tiger Martina. Orchestrations and arrangements for Liza's current Broadway run are by Ralph Burns, Ned Ginsburg, Marvin Hamlisch, Sonny Kompanek, Don Sebesky, Billy Stritch, Torrie Zito and Las Vegas' own, Artie Schroek. Liza's at the Palace...! runs through December 28th. * * * * * * Film and stage star Nina Foch died in Los Angeles on December 5th at the age of 84. Foch had been suffering from myelodyplasia, a blood disorder. The Dutch-born actress appeared on Broadway five times early in her career, including appearances in King Lear and Twelfth Night, as well as the plays John Loves Mary, A Phoenix Too Frequent, and A Second String. She also directed one section of a 1967 production of Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30. Ms. Foch was best known for her work in Hollywood, earning an Oscar-nomination for her role in Executive Suite. Some of her other film credits included An American in Paris, Scaramouche, The Ten Commandments, and Spartacus. She also appeared in guest spots on dozens of television shows, and earned an Emmy Award nomination for her appearance on Lou Grant. Foch became a respected acting coach, and was teaching until the day before her death. In a Vegas connection, busy Gary Olds, known mostly around these parts as a drummer (although he did appear in a local production of the late Studs Terkel's Working some years back), studied with Ms. Foch in Los Angeles. And speaking of Gary Olds, he is a recent newlywed. On October 12th, he and Julie Newman were married (for the second time) on a boat at Lake Mead. Officiating at the beautiful ceremony was musician/minister, Keith Nelson. We wish the bride and groom a long and happy life together. * * * * * * Congratulations to the all-girl trio, Dangerous Curves, on the release of their debut CD, Girl Talk. The ladies, Lisa Smith, Karen Merstik and Margaret "Gret" Menzies, are very excited about this latest step in their musical career. When we find out what songs are on the album, and how you can get your copy, we will let you know. * * * * * * Even in our floundering economy, Ronnie Rose is keeping busy. On Wednesdays, from 10 p.m. to midnight, Rose can be seen and heard at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues Restaurant. Accompanying Rose is Tex Richardson on keyboards, Noah King on drums, Chris Gordan on bass, and Dave Hart on guitar. There is no cover charge. On Tuesday and Wednesday (December 16th and 17th), from 7 to 9 p.m., Ronnie and Gina Lombardi perform at the Rampart Casino, backed by the Tom Lipps Trio, and on Christmas day, from 1 to 6:30 p.m., Ronnie Rose will be at the Gold Coast where he will perform with musicians Tommy Alvardo on sax, Cliff Workman on drums, Danny DeMorales on bass, and Peter Radd on keyboards. Another entertainer in survival mode is singing impressionist/comedian, Larry G. Jones. Not only has he defied the medics regarding serious health issues, Jones has managed to work pretty steadily in Las Vegas for the last seven years - quite an accomplishment for a performer without a lot of name recognition. Jones plied his trade at both the downtown Plaza (for two years), and Fitzgeralds (for almost five). These nights, "The Man of 1002 Voices" is performing just off the famed Las Vegas Strip in the intimate performance space at the Royal Resort, 99 Convention Center Drive. Among the many male voices that Jones does are Elton John, Aaron Neville, Al Green, Michael Crawford, Brian Adams, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Caldwell, Wayne Newton, Stevie Wonder, Dan Fogelberg, Frankie Valli, George Michael, and too many others to list in our limited space. Oh, and did we forget to mention that Mr. Jones also duplicates the voices of some female vocalists as well? He does. Cher, Aretha Franklin, Kim Carnes, Minnie Ripperton, Patti LaBelle, Tina Turner and Anita Baker, are among the ladies that get the Larry Jones treatment. Also performing with Jones is clever Red Skelton impersonator, Brian Hoffman. Show times at the Royal Resort are 9 p.m., on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For ticket information and reservations, call the Toll Free number at (800) 595-4849. 
Larry G. Jones 
Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil McGraw & Jim Rees 
Kevin James * * * * * * Where to take a 19-year-old bottomless pit for his birthday dinner? Our choice of Hash House a Go Go proved to be a wise choice. The kid loved everything...the strawberry lemonade, the homemade biscuits with whipped butter and honey, and his choice of Sage Fried Chicken Penne Pasta (two sage fried chicken breasts on penne all tossed in a porcini mushroom cream with fresh tomato, green beans and parmesan cheese) as his Main Meal. Cousin Claire had the Stuffed HH Meatloaf (with fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, cream sauce and griddled mashed potatoes). We got there fairly early (a little before 6) and had no trouble getting a table. By the time we departed around 8, however, the place, at 6800 West Sahara just east of Rainbow, the place was jumping. If you have never been to Hash House a Go Go, we highly recommend the place. The food is good and so is the service, and you definitely get your monies worth. The presentation is an entertaining show in itself, and we can guarantee that no one will go home hungry. During visits to Las Vegas, TV's Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin, as well as domestic diva Martha Stewart, all dined at Hash House a Go Go. As Ms. Stewart frequently states, "It's a good thing." At this time, the only other Hash House location is in the Hillcrest section of San Diego at 3628 Fifth Avenue. Personable Las Vegas Chief Operating Officer, Jim Rees, tells us that plans are underway to open a second Southern Nevada store, most likely in the Green Valley area. Stay tuned. In Las Vegas, call (702) 804-4646 for reservations (they are closed on Sunday). In Southern California, call (619) 298-4646. * * * * * * Paul Stone, who presented Variety Live! at the Suncoast last month, returns to the Suncoast with another variety show this month. World Stars of Magic will play tonight through Sunday, with shows at 7:30 p.m. The lineup of performers includes Tony Chapek, Kevin James, John Archer, Joseph Gabriel and The Great Tomsoni and Company. Tony Chapek's Interactive Media Magic is a fascinating and hilarious live performance that combines the latest in video technology with traditional sleight-of-hand to produce stunning "never before seen" illusions. Combined with a full script of comedy dialogue, this has proven to be one of the most captivating and entertaining performances imaginable. All the principles and techniques used are Tony's original creations and are not being done by anyone else in the entertainment industry. Kevin James' style of performance is anything but conventional. His unique comedy and magic has gained him a reputation as a world class visual artist. Kevin is also a very prolific magical inventor. Not only is his show original, he has created many illusions that have been performed in the shows of other famous magicians like Doug Henning, Mark Wilson and David Copperfield. This Kevin James is not the star of TV's King of Queens, but he is the Kevin James who did extremely well on the TV reality show, America's Got Talent. He is like a modern P.T. Barnum. His art vision was to assemble the most unique artists on the planet, creating a very special show. Kevin is one of the surest rising stars on the magical horizon. John Archer is one of the best comedy magicians in the UK today. He has been working as a professional Comedy Magician for the past 13 years. Sometimes referred to as 'Table Magic,' John's magic is performed up close up, with no camera tricks, quick cuts or clever boxes. John performs unbelievable feats with cards, coins, elastic bands, nails and corks or whatever comes to hand. His tricks are so unique and contemporary that he has won accolades from his peers. He is a comedian, magician, actor and singer, an all round modest kind of guy. Joseph Gabriel is a master magician and illusionist. In addition to his amazing sleight-of-hand, Joseph has created some of the most spectacular illusions in the world of magic. His stage presence is commanding, distinctive, and hypnotic. It is Gabriel's creativity and power of performance that has brought him to the forefront as one of the leaders in shaping the future of magic. The Great Tomsoni and Company are versatile performers with a background of music, magic, comedy and drama. The Great Tomsoni and Company, aka John Thompson and Pam Hayes, add a comedic touch to an already upbeat show. They have been classified as a contemporary George Burns & Gracie Allen, with a unique blend of off beat comedy and award-winning magic. Tomsoni is to magic what Victor Borge is to music. You won't believe your eyes. The Suncoast Showroom is a 450-seat venue featuring booth and table seating. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, priced from $19.95 plus tax, can be purchased by calling the box office at (702) 636-7065, or obtained online at suncoastcasino.com. * * * * * * The Sun City Musicmakers will present three performances of The Annual Winter Holiday Show at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., in Sun City Summerlin. Shows are tonight at 7, tomorrow (Saturday) at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Some 50 singers, dancers and musicians, under the direction of returning, ever popular Ryan Duff and accompanied by our new, incredibly talented pianist, Spencer Baker, will entertain. Both Duff and Baker hold Music Degrees, honors and extraordinary credentials as teachers and soloists, having worked locally, nationally and abroad. Recently Ryan directed Peter Pan at Palo Verde High School. This year, he is Choral Music Director at Mohave High School, where his students will also be accompanied by Spencer Baker. Working with young people as well as senior musicians, proves that both Duff and Baker can rise to the occasion. Among the selections performed will be Hanukkah tunes, Christmas Wonderland and Carol of the Bells. The shows promise to set the mood for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations. Tickets, at $8 a person, may be purchased from any Musicmaker member or by calling 478-6164. All shows at the Starbright are first come, first served with no limit on the number of tickets purchased. Saving seats is prohibited. Be sure to get your tickets early so you don't miss out! If an event sells out, every attempt will be made to provide additional show times, if possible. Show tickets may be purchased at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle in Sun City Summerlin. All ticket prices include Live Entertainment Tax. Tickets are non-refundable. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required). No credit cards accepted. This program is open to everyone ages 12 and over. For up-to-date information on all Starbright shows, call (702) 240-1301. * * * * * * A benefit for ailing musician Michael McDaniel will be held from 2 to 9 p.m., this Sunday at the Red Hawk Tavern, 2634 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson (on the NE corner of Horizon Ridge and Eastern). McDaniel has performed with musical legends such as Luther Vandross, Branford Marsalis, B.B. King and Isaac Hayes among others. While on tour a year ago, the 38-year-old saxophonist suffered a severe stroke. During treatment for the stroke, it was determined that McDaniel had a rare blood disease. He is unable to walk, can barely speak and cannot care for himself. McDaniel is now in a state-run hospital in Nashville, as he has no insurance. Fellow musicians have come together to raise money to help Michael with some of his medical expenses. During the event, prizes will be raffled. Music will be performed by some of the top local talent in the city - The Jimmy Lee Smith Band at 2 p.m., Dusty Barron at 3, Maz & Monk at 4, Hoo Doo Blues at 5, Fred Watstein's Jazz Mecca at 6, and the West Coast Blues Conspiracy at 7. A good show, for a good cause. Lend your support if you are able.
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Tags: Walter Morciglio Philip Fortenberry Domenick Allen & Cayleigh Capaldi Jay L
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - December 5, 2008 
Kristen, Shea & Dana Satterwhite 
Mark Kalin & Jinger Leigh 
Ed Alonzo It's a beautiful baby girl for Kristen Hertzenberg Satterwhite (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) and her husband, Dana Satterwhite. The newcomer, Shea Mitchell Satterwhite, was two days late for Thanksgiving, entering this world on Saturday afternoon and weighing in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. We doubt that any Christmas package that the Satterwhites might get this month will generate as much joy as the one that they received on November 29th. Congratulations to all. * * * * * * While Rosie O'Donnell was debuting her new NBC variety show, Rosie Live, the night before Thanksgiving, at the very same time, Neil Patrick Harris was hosting The 2008 World Magic Awards on another channel. Although this didn't appear to be a big budget production, it was leaps and bounds better than the turkey that Rosie served up for her foray into primetime. One thing that both shows had in common was a number of Southern Nevada-associated guests. Former Las Vegas Academy of International Studies Performing & Visual Arts student, recording artist Ne-Yo (real name Shaffer Smith) was one of Rosie's guests, as were occasional Las Vegas acts, Liza Minnelli and Kathy Griffin. And speaking of upcoming R&B star Ne-Yo, his latest album, Year of the Gentleman, recently earned the former Las Vegan Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary R&B album, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the single Closer, and Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for Miss Independent. Ne-Yo, 26, wasn't the only Vegas musician up for a Grammy. Panic at the Disco, a Las Vegas group, is also nominated for a Grammy. The award show will take place in Los Angeles on February 8th and will be broadcast live on CBS. As for the World Magic Awards, many magicians associated with Las Vegas had TV face time. Among those honored and/or performing on the special were Hans Klok (late of Planet Hollywood), Lance Burton (Monte Carlo), Jeff McBride (recently performing at Palace Station), Amazing Johnathan (Harmon Theater at Krave), and Dan Sperry (most recently at the Greek Isles in Dick Feeney's World's Greatest Magic Show). Also appearing on the show were Franz Harary, Greg Gleason, Mark Kalin and Jinger Leigh, Florian Zimmer, Kirby and Bambi Van Burch (Kirby was a onetime Las Vegan, who now lives and works in Branson.), Kyle Eschen, Sos & Victoria and Topas & Roxanne. It was also nice to see old friend Ed Alonzo, who used to perform in Las Vegas, on the 2008 World Magic Awards. And speaking of Rosie O'Donnell, her show was supposed to be a "pilot" for a weekly variety series for 2009. One has to wonder what on earth NBC decision-makers were thinking when they agreed to this idea. The smartest thing they did was to dump the show after only one episode. Rosie Live is now dead in the water following its debut the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. New York's Little Shubert Theater will probably have to be fumigated after this stinker. And what's the story with David Friedman, best known as a film and theater composer and lyricist (Listen To My Heart, We Can Be Kind, I'll Be Hear With You, If You Love Me, Please Don't Feed Me, My Simple Wish and We Live On Borrowed Time among others)? How did the talented Mr. Friedman wind up as co-Executive Producer, with O'Donnell, on this mess of a television special/pilot? Only five million people were even interested enough in Rosie and/or variety to tune in to the show. Even worse than the pitifully small number of viewers, were the abysmal reviews. We have to wonder what comes next for Rosie. As for the New York-based Mr. Friedman, he was the conductor of scores for Disney's animated features, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He also worked on the Broadway musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He was also music supervisor for the Broadway version of Song and Dance. In September, Family Promise presented an all-star cast singing Friedman's revue, Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman, at the Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. * * * * * * On a more positive TV viewing note...This year, the Kennedy Center Honors will pay tribute to Barbra Streisand, actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry of The Who, on December 7th. Among those scheduled to honor Streisand, are Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo (he's everywhere), and Beyonce Knowles, who will sing The Way We Were. The special, always a winner, will air on CBS, December 30th. 
Barbra Streisand 
Wes Winters 
Spencer Baker * * * * * * It's hard to believe that December is already here. How the years fly by...especially once you pass 50! Anyway, holiday entertainment is popping up all around our city (and other cities as well). Here are some of the upcoming events in Las Vegas... At 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 7th, the Performing Arts Society of Nevada Brown Bag Concerts will present their Holiday Celebration concert at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo. Holiday Celebration is PASNV's annual tribute to the joys of the season. Artists from Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, Jubilee!, and a number of other Las Vegas productions, will donate their talents for this special event. The lineup of entertainers runs the gamut from "A" (Domenick Allen) to "Z" (Lloyd Ziel), with Bert Anderson, Tony Arias, Laurie Caceres, Cayleigh Capaldi, Dolly Coulter, Phillip Fortenberry, Thomas Gallagher, Lou Garcia, Randy Hendrickson, Jim Hodge, Cyndi-Lee Mack, Harold Meeker, Gary Oakes, Randall Patterson, Nicole Pryor, Tim Searcy, Joan and Laurence Sobel, Lenny Talarico, Tina Walsh, Wes Winters, and Kelli Wright filling in between. Accompanying the vocalists on piano will be Greg Bosler. The holiday program will include T'was the Night Before Christmas (Gallagher), Daddy's Little Girl/Toyland/Ordinary Miracle (Allen and Capaldi), Frosty the Snowman (Anderson), It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Wright), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (piano solo by Meeker), It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Mack), Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Talarico), Silver Bells (Oakes and Garcia), Count Your Blessings (Walsh), The Christmas Waltz (Searcy), Silent Night (Ziel), Holiday Arrangement (piano solo by Fortenberry), It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Arias), I'll Be Home For Christmas (Hendrickson), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Pryor), Oh Holy Night (Coulter), The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (Hodge), No Place Like Home For The Holidays (Caceres), Winter Wonderland (Patterson), Ave Maria (the Sobels), White Christmas (Arias and Lloyd Ziel), and a holiday piano medley (Winters). Join these wonderful purveyors of joy and reminisce with the PASNV. As December 7th marks the 67th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, there will be a brief acknowledgement of that historical day. Tickets for Holiday Celebration are $15 per person. For further information or to make reservations, call the Performing Arts Society's office at (702) 658-6741. Concert tickets will also be available at the Clark County Library Theater box office, beginning at 1 p.m. the day of the show. The performance begins at 2 p.m., with doors opening for the unreserved seating at 1:30. And speaking of Wes Winters, his five Winters Wonderland luncheon shows at Carluccio's (December 2nd, 9th, 16th, 17th and 18th) sold out almost as soon as they were announced. Winters travels to Denver to do a December 3rd Christmas Show at The Boulder Theater, before coming right back to Vegas for the rest of the Carluccio's gig. If you were shut out of the luncheon shows, don't despair. The talented pianist/entertainer will be performing his Musical Tribute to Liberace shows at 7:30 p.m. in the showroom at the Suncoast on January 16th, 17th and 18th. In addition, Wes has some pretty terrific things coming up over the next few months. We will keep his fans posted as the dates are confirmed. Also on December 7th, but at NIGHT (which means you can do both if you are anywhere near the 89101 zip code), the Mountain View Presbyterian Church Concert Series Presents Spencer Baker at the piano. Last month's concert series featured an all Brahms program presented by Philip Fortenberry. It was very well received. Last year, Spencer performed
the Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Concert at Mountain View. On Sunday, Baker will be joined by The New Las Vegas Men's Choir (formerly the Las Vegas Gay Men's Chorus), directed by Greg Davis. Soloists Lance Taubold, Shannon Cangey, Shelley Martinsen, and Dan Frank, from the Nevada Opera Theater, along with two of Mr. Baker's students, Lacey-Rose Bruce and Michelle Barszcz, will also participate. The program will include Holiday Music (Hebrew, Carols, and Secular), Solo Classical Piano, an American Music Tribute in honor of Pearl Harbor Day, and the Full Length Solo piano version of Gershwin's beautiful Rhapsody In Blue. Tickets are only $15 for the concert AND Christmas dinner. For the concert without dinner, the cost is $8. Tickets can be purchased at the church or by calling (702) 341-7800. The church is located at 8601 Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Summerlin. Baker's newest CD, Standards and Favorites, will be available for sale at $10, before and after the concert. We have just learned that all of the 170 dinner tickets have been sold, so eat before or after the 7 p.m. concert. 
Patricia Welch 
Joe Williams by Merryl Jaye 
Artie Butler And on the subject of holiday music comes this recommendation from fellow columnist, Norm Johnson. Johnson directed us to Patricia Welch's new recording, Christmas in Your Eyes, written by Edgar Arens and Johnny Blue Star. You can hear the song by going to http://www.airplaydirect.com/music/bands/23629/index.php. Check it out. And still speaking of music, and another event taking place on Sunday (so many decisions, so little time)...A celebration, in honor of what would have been the late jazz great Joe Williams' 90th birthday, will be held in the 300-seat Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Presented by the Las Vegas jazz Society, music will be provided by the Vince Falcone Quartet, featuring Falcone on piano, bassist Chris Gordon, drummer Tim Pratt, and guitarist Joe Lano. For those that don't know, Falcone was Franks Sinatra's longtime pianist/arranger. Marlena Shaw, Ronnie Rose and The Cunninghams will supply the vocals.
General admission tickets for the 2 p.m. concert are priced at $20. Seniors and Las Vegas Jazz Society and Guitar Society members, are admitted for $15. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Joe Williams Foundation. Prior to his death on March 29, 1999, Joe Williams, his wife Jillean, and some of his closest friends and collaborators, created the foundation. Its aim is to provide support for music and musicians, especially those in jazz, and to create career opportunities for deserving young talent. In 1989, Dr. Tom Ferguson, of the College of Southern Nevada's (then known as Community College of Southern Nevada) music program, contacted Joe Williams about doing a benefit concert for the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name. Not only did Joe accept the invitation, but he also donated a sizeable sum to get the fund off the ground. In the years following, the annual scholarship fundraiser became an anticipated gala event in the Las Vegas area. Many great talents, including Pete Barbutti, Carl Fontana, The Four Freshmen, Gary Marshal and Ms. Shaw, donated their time and talent to help the fund grow. In 1994, the college opened its new Performing Arts Center, and the Joe Williams Music Scholarship Fundraiser featured its namesake in a grand opening concert. The concert featured a 40-piece studio orchestra, and Joe sang songs from his wonderful Here's to Life CD. The concert was such a hit, Joe vowed to return each year to sing for the occasion. He stayed true to his promise until his death in 1999. No one will ever replace Joe, but the outstanding fundraising concerts continue in his honor. The annual concerts have become much more than a scholarship fundraiser; they have grown into an opportunity for the entire community to remember the great Joe Williams. In more recent years, the late Ruth Brown and Robert Goulet, Bill Acosta, Bob Anderson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Artie Butler, The Cunninghams, Victor Fields, Buddy Greco, Clint Holmes, Jack Jones, Barbara Morrison, Cork Proctor, Frankie Randall, Roz Ryan, Jimmy Wilkins and others have contributed their talent to the cause. Since 1989, the Joe Williams Music Scholarship Fund has raised well over $150,000. The music program has grown from about 300 students to more than 2,700. The Fund helps 30 to 50 music students each semester, with the level of assistance based on musical ability and financial need. Jazz students at CSN have the opportunity to study with many of Las Vegas' finest musicians, and to practice and perform in outstanding ensembles. The jazz program features two big bands, a jazz vocal ensemble, and several combos, many of which have been in existence for more than 20 years. Many of Las Vegas' finest musicians have directed these bands and combos over the years, including Walt Blanton, Walt Boenig, Matt Carr, Ferguson, Dick McGee, Jack Montrose, Herbie Phillips, Tom Snelson, Matt Taylor and Mark Wherry. Tickets for the Joe Williams 90th birthday celebration may be purchased at the Summerlin Library, beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the performance. Seating is limited, and a sellout is anticipated. For additional information, call (702) 507-3860.
On an interesting note, blues singer Joe Williams shared the same December 12th birth date as blue eyed Frank Sinatra, with Frank born in 1915, and Joe born in 1918. * * * * * * 
Billy Joel 
Neil Diamond 
Britney Spears If your sweetie is a Billy Joel fan, you might want to get tickets for his upcoming Vegas concert. Tickets are now on sale for The Piano Man, who comes into the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, February 14th (that's Valentine's Day, folks...as well as columnist Norm Johnson's birthday). Since his return to the stage in 2006, more than one million people have seen Billy Joel in peak form, delivering more than two hours of hits at each performance. Tickets are $183.75, $131.25, $78.75 Inclusive of LET (plus $8 handling fee) and are available at the MGM, ticketmaster, through MGMGrand.com, or by calling (702) 474-4000. And don't forget, it's Neil Diamond at the MGM on January 2nd, and Britney Spears there on April 25th. * * * * * * Obviously Gerry McCambridge is doing something right over at Hooters. Since he opened at the East Tropicana hotel/casino in June of last year, The Mentalist's shows have grown from a two night a week schedule to seven nights a week! Through January 4th, McCambridge will be performing TWO shows a night, one at 7 and the other at 9 p.m., seven nights a week. Since moving to Southern Nevada three years ago, Gerry has chalked up more than 650 Las Vegas performances. Prior to moving to Hooters, McCambridge was a headliner at the legendary Stardust until the casino closed two years ago. Gerry then started performing at Hooters Casino Hotel in June of 2007, filling in two nights a week when comic Bobby Slayton's show was dark. Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Hooters added a third, fourth, fifth, and eventually sixth night to Gerry's performing schedule, making him a full-time headliner in the Hooters Casino Hotel Night Owl Showroom. In addition to competing on NBC's reality show, Phenomenon, in 2004, McCambridge had his own special, The Mentalist on NBC (the show continues to air around the world), and has appeared on countless talk/variety shows, including Late Night With David Letterman, the Today show, and The Best Damn Sports Show Period. In 2005, McCambridge was awarded Mentalist of the Year by the Psychic Entertainers Association. The same year, Gerry was also voted Best Lounge Act in a Las Vegas Review-Journal readers' poll. In 2007, Gerry was nominated as Best Magician in Las Vegas by the R-J's readers. In 2008, he won the prestigious Merlin award for Mentalist of the Decade from the International Magicians Society. And on the subject of Gerry McCambridge, the much talked about magician Criss Angel, and his latest main-squeeze, Hugh Hefner's ex, Holly Madison, recently made a surprise visit to Hooters to take in The Mentalists' show. (It was Holly's first time watching Gerry at work, but Criss co-starred with Gerry as a judge on the TV show Phenomenon.) In his show's finale, Gerry invited a couple on stage to assist him. Said Gerry, "A fan of my show at Hooters and my TV show had asked me if he could propose to his girlfriend during my show. I tricked her into "volunteering," and when they were both up there to help in my lottery routine, I told her that before I predicted the winning numbers, I sensed the man wanted to say something special to her. "He turned to his girlfriend, dropped to one knee and proposed in front of the sold-out crowd. Fortunately, she accepted, and then they both started crying and hugging. McCambridge told the audience it was a very special night, not only because of the proposal, but because Criss and Holly were in the audience. Gerry then invited the twosome up on stage to join the newly engaged couple. Criss made a joke and asked them if they'd proposed because of my mind tricks. The entire audience yelled out 'Congratulations' to the two loving couples. Gerry couldn't resist asking them if anyone else wanted to propose to their lady on the special night. That started people immediately wondering if Criss and Holly would be next! Only The Mentalist knows if that will happen! 
Gerry McCambridge 
Lorrie Morgan 
Oscar De La Hoya & Manny Pacquiao * * * * * * The cowboys are in town for the National Finals Rodeo through the 13th, so there is plenty of country western entertainment in the city. Lorrie Morgan will perform at the Casablanca Room inside Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel on Saturday, December 13th at 8 p.m. Morgan is one of country music's most popular and successful female artists, having charted more than a dozen Top 10 hits including Five Minutes, What Part of No, and I Didn't Know My Own Strength, which all landed at No. 1. As the daughter of Grand Ole Opry star George Morgan, Lorrie spent many nights backstage at the Opry and made her debut there at the age of 13. By 21, she was opening shows for award-winning country singer George Jones. In 1989, Morgan topped the U.S. country charts with the hit single, Trainwreck of Emotion. Since then, she has charted more than 25 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and tracks charts. Other hits include Out of Your Shoes, Watch Me, Something in Red and Except for Monday. She has also recorded more than 15 studio albums. Morgan has earned nine industry awards including four wins as Female Vocalist of the Year. She has made countless appearances on major network television shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Good Morning America, among others. Tickets start at $24.95 plus tax and fees and can be purchased at the Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel's ticket sales counter located at the front desk, or by calling (702) 856-5300. One of Cousin Claire's favorite holiday albums is Lorrie Morgan's Merry Christmas from London. We especially love her Blue Snowfall duet with Johnny Mathis, with the two accompanied by the New World Philharmonic. Among the additional country acts appearing in Las Vegas during the next week are Sawyer Brown (Boulder Station, tonight), Brooks & Dunn (Las Vegas Hilton, tonight and tomorrow), Travis Tritt (Tropicana, tonight and tomorrow), Reba McEntire (Thomas & Mack Center, tomorrow, December 6th), Lee Greenwood (the Orleans, Sunday, December 7th), Ronnie Millsap (Thomas & Mack, December 10th, and Golden Nugget, December 9th and 10th), Charlie Daniels (Golden Nugget, December 11th and 12th), and others. * * * * * * Songwriter/musician/entertainer David Pomeranz's beautiful love song, Born For You (co-written with Tony-winner, David Zippel), has been featured throughout a month-long promotional campaign leading up to tomorrow night's highly-touted Oscar De La Hoya/Manny Pacquiao Pay-Per-View welterweight battle airing on HBO. See and hear Filipino boxing champ, Pacquiao himself, sing Born For You. The song is one of his favorites! * * * * * * A memorial service for the late Bea Fogelman will be held this Sunday, December 7th, in the Nevada Ballroom (second floor) at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Since her funeral was held so quickly following her death, many of those that knew her did not have the opportunity to pay their final respects. Bea was a major part of the celebrity impersonator and tribute act industry. In addition to forming The Entertainment Network, Bea was involved with organizing and supporting a great many fundraising shows for victims of Hurricane Katrina and other worthy causes, the last being a fundraiser for the VFW that includes a tribute to the USO event which will also take place at the Gold Coast on Sunday. The tribute show will begin at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to end at 5. The memorial for Fogelman will follow and is expected to last for an hour. Everyone is invited to attend the tribute to the USO show at a cost of $15. Tickets will be available at the door. Monies will benefit the VFW and support many worthy causes, including the Veterans day parade. For those who do not or can not attend the USO tribute show, but do want to attend the memorial, there is no charge. Anyone arriving after 4:30 p.m., will be admitted at no cost. For information about the Tribute to the USO show, contact Fern Jennings at (702) 737-6664 or (702) 375-5155. * * * * * * In our November 7th column, we warned unsuspecting musicians and customers about the underhanded business practices going on at Caylix Jazz Supper Club (formerly the site of Café Nicole and Kiss). We are printing it again, in case you missed it and so the response from the club's owner will make sense (although it really doesn't). Here goes, chapter-by-chapter...
Don Hill's 87th birthday party turned out great, in spite of the unbelievably poor business tactics used by the owner of the site of the celebration, the six month old Caylix Jazz Supper Club (formerly Café Nicole) on West Sahara. About 100 of Don's personal friends and fellow musicians turned out to honor the half-century long, saxophone-playing member of the Treniers, last Saturday night. Among those in attendance to toast and roast Hill (some also performed), were 91-year-young Prince Spencer of the famous dancing Step Brothers, and his daughter Holly; Skip Trenier and "Cousin" Harry Walker, both former members of the famed Treniers show band; the multi-talented husband and wife team of Artie Schroeck and Linda November; trombonists Jimmy Wilkins (Count Basie and Clark Terry) and Brian O'Shea; musician/artist Gene Redden; entertainer Paul Stubblefield; drummer Joe Locatelli; and comics Peter Anthony and Cork Proctor. The big negative aspect of the evening was Regina Edwards, the owner of Caylix. Edwards created plenty of bad-will, doing everything she could come up with to financially take advantage of the group. The hostess/party giver, Jeanne Brei, was required to put up a $500 deposit, from which money spent on drinks by the party attendees would be deducted. Edwards was going to get $500 in bar business any way that she could. In a display of greed and gall, this woman did not deduct or credit the sales of the overpriced soft drinks, coffee or bottled water (at $3 a bottle) toward the $500 deposit/ guarantee. Brei paid the Speakeasy Swingers - Charlie Shaffer on piano, Merv Harding on trumpet, Bob Scann on trombone, Bruce Harper on drums (those would be, as it turned out, the rented-for-the-night drums), and Roy Shain (filling in for absent Ty Lemley) on bass - who not only entertained the expected party guests, but the handful of Caylix customers as well...all at no cost to the club owner. Although Brei was told that she did not need to have her musicians bring their own drum set, as there were drums at the club that could be used, Ms. Edwards added $50 to the group's bill for the use of those drums. We were also told that, although the hostess brought the birthday cake to the party, there may have been an attempt to charge a $15 "cake cutting fee" (our words, not theirs) for the use of a knife and dessert plates. From what we understand, there is very little chance that those who attended Mr. Hill's celebration will be returning to Caylix in the future. It is our suggestion that potential customers send a strong message to the proprietors of this establishment by spending their hard-earned dollars someplace else - someplace where they are appreciated and welcome, and not being ripped off and taken advantage of. With the recent/unexpected closing of Bugsy's (where Don Hill's birthday party was originally scheduled to be held), Sonny's on South Grand Canyon Drive, both Louis's Fish Camp and Louis's Las Vegas (owned by Louis and Marleen Osteen) at the Town Center Mall, one would think that people in the hospitality business would be doing everything that they could to attract and KEEP customers. It seems that Regina Edwards knows very little about hospitality. We won't be surprised, if within a few months, we learn that this establishment has an Out of Business sign on their front door. Yesterday, while telling the tale of Caylix to a local friend, we learned that six to eight weeks before the place opened, the owner hired a group of musicians to play at the club on Tuesdays. When they showed up for their first night of work, they were totally ignored for about half-an-hour before finally being acknowledged by an unknown employee. They were told that since the owner wasn't present, they wouldn't be playing that night, at which point they left the place. Needless to say, they never returned. Although the musicians did not want to be named in this article, they did say that, if needed, they would verify this story. We received this e-mail from the owner of Caylix on November 27th. We are leaving her poor spelling, punctuation and grammar exactly as she wrote it...
Claire, or whatever your name is, my name is Regina Edwards the owner of Caylix, let me start out by saying you are a lier, you have slander my business with lies and I will be sueing you for it. I also spoke to Jeanne Brei today about what you written about my business and she stated she never said any of this. Let me tell you the truth about the story, you can hear it now or in court. Jeanne called me one week before the date of Don Hill birthday, she asked to rent my place for his party, they had absolutly no money that they wanted to spend, she stated it was free at Bugsy's and it should be free at my upscale beautiful restaurant. I met with Mr Hill and his wife, they were a beautiful couple so I decided to allow them to have it there without charging them. The only thing that I asked Jeanne to do was to do a bar gaurntee of $500.00 which $350.00 was returned to her that same night, I have proof of that payment. Their band did not want to bring all of their music equipment in my club for two hours, so they asked the band leader of the band that was playing that same night if they could use his keyboard, and he said no, but he did say yes to the drums with a $100.00 fee, this was for the drummer to come in early and set up the microphones the drums, and the sound. How can I ask that man to do this for free. He told Jeanne the price, she agreed, I even paid half of it for her so that she would be happy. I bent over backwards for this party, and maybe Bugsy's and Sonny's went out of business because they dealt with customers like this. Oh by the way Jeanne told me how you got fired at the News Paper, I can see how, you probably wrote things that was not true about someone else. Just so you know you have 48 hours to remove your lies about Vox and I or we both will see you in court. We forwarded Edwards e-mail to Brei for her perusal and this was her response...
When I see Regina on Tuesday, I'm going to take this email and ask her if I can get the $350 instead of the $171 for the check that bounced. As for the discrepancies in the story: - Bugsy's closed on Oct. 14 and I started trying to call her by Oct. 15 & 16 & when I finally reached her, she said I had to ask Phil Flowers if I could have an hour of his set (which was supposed to start at 8 p.m.) I called Phil and left a voicemail and when he called back he said no problem -- so this was set up nearly two weeks prior to the gig on Nov. 1.
- I told her I didn't have the money to put on a private event (ie, I didn't want to pay to rent a room) which was why I was asking her to just let my band play for two hours on Saturday night - and I would pay them myself. It wasn't going to cost her anything and other than paying the band, it wasn't going to cost me anything. This was fine with her the first time I spoke with her.
- When I sent her the press release on Oct. 20 or 21, she replied that she needed a $10 cover and a two drink minimum (per person). I was very surprised since, as you told me, the ads for Caylix (and on their website it still says "No cover from 8:00 to 10:00pm") said 'no cover, no minimum'. I sent Mom and Don and Gloria to speak with her (since I was still in NYC) and she tried to talk them into doing a food buffet that she wanted us to pre-pay for ($15/per person for 40 people minimum). I called her back and AGAIN explained that we didn't want to do a private party/event - that we didn't want to pay for food - if people wanted to order off the menu that was their responsibility. Mom had talked her out of the two drink minimum reminding her that at an 80th birthday party, there would be a lot of elderly people there and it wasn't responsible to have them drinking so much and driving. Regina said if we weren't going to pre-pay for food, then we had to guarantee the bar at least $500. I tried to explain that the REASON we were doing this as a PUBLIC event in a PUBLIC restaurant that would already be open on a Saturday night from 7-9 p.m. was because we didn't want to pay private party expenses - but Regina insisted that if we wanted to play at her club during those two hours, we had to guarantee the bar. Regina wouldn't take a credit card or a check, she insisted on $500 cash that Mom took over to the club on Oct. 27.
- On Oct. 30th, when I got back from New York, I went to the club to meet Regina and the following night I took my drummer, Bruce Harper, to check out the sound system/instruments/ etc. Regina was on the phone with Phil Flowers' musicians and I did ask them if we could use their piano. Unfortunately, he said no, so then I asked him if we could pay to rent his piano and he still said no. At NO time did we ASK to use the other musicians drums - WE were asked if we could use Phil Flowers' drummers' drums so that the band changeover at 9 pm would go faster.
- On the night of the gig, I arrived at 6 pm and the first words out of Regina's mouth was that the drummer wanted $100 to "rent" his drums. I flatly said no way, I would just call Bruce and have him bring his own drums and they could set up side by side and we wouldn't slow down their setup (since they were still going to have to set up their piano anyway). When I tried to call Bruce, he had already left, so Regina said that she would split the $100 with me and only take $50 to rent the drums. I still said no -- that he would have had to say that the night before and then I would have just told Bruce to bring his drums. Unfortunately, at the end of the night, she just deducted $50 from the money she owed me on the bar guarantee so she got her drum rental money despite my saying no.
- At the end of the evening, she informed me that the bar only sold $221.10 (the word alcohol was written next to that amount). I then said that I thought the bar tab was supposed to include waters, sodas, lemonades and coffees too (Cork said the coffee was $6 and the lemonade was $3) but she said no. When I spoke with Mom, she disagreed but we didn't have it in writing so I was just going to take the loss. She then subtracted $279 from $500 and got $221 and then deducted the $50 for drums and then proceeded to write me a check for $171 -- which then promptly bounced. And I incurred a $5 check returned fee as well. When I spoke with Regina, she said to come down on Tuesday (12/2) and she'd make good on the check.
- Lastly, I DID NOT say you were fired - Regina called me up and asked how to contact you - I said to just use the email at the bottom of your column. She asked me who you were and I said you are on my press list.
- Sidenote: I heard from more than one party attendee that their check was incorrect - Helen told me that her bill had two extra martinis that they hadn't ordered on it as well as a $13 charge for spaghetti that should have only been $3. They had to send the check back TWICE to get both things corrected.
So, the primary difference is that she has "proof of payment" of $350 -- and I can't wait to see her on Tuesday to see if I can actually get $350 -- thanks again for forwarding the email. I'll let you know how it goes on Tuesday.
Not too surprisingly, the check (not for $350, as Ms. Edwards stated, but for $171) was NO GOOD. Edwards set up an appointment to meet Brei at Caylix on Tuesday evening to make good on the money. As we predicted, Ms. Edwards never showed up. From Brei update...
Well, you were right...I called her on Tuesday afternoon at 4 pm like she asked and not only did no one answer the phone, it didn't even go to voicemail -- after about 7 rings, it just disconnected.
Needless to say, the 48 hours have long passed and we have not removed ANYTHING that we said about this establishment, and we have absolutely no intention of doing so.
In fact, the story gets even uglier. It was learned that the money that the drummer supposedly wanted for the use of his drums, went not to him but to Regina Edwards. The owner of the borrowed drum set knew nothing about, and received no money for, allowing Bruce Harper to use his drums. Considering that Caylix had no lettuce for salads, or catsup available for their dining customers on November 1st (in spite of the fact that said the expected almost 100 patrons were charged a $10 cover at the door), and Edwards has yet to make good on Jeanne Brei's check, we have to wonder how this businesswoman would pay her attorney to sue us? * * * * * * We just received this bit of interesting news from one of our loyal readers...
Anthony Curtis, of the Las Vegas Advisor, writes, "Believe This or Not - Scuttlebutt on the Two Way Hard Three blog has it that Cirque du Soleil will fold its widely razzed Criss Angel showcase, Believe, and rotate touring Cirque shows through the customized Luxor theater, up to six months at a stretch. Curtis goes on to say, "It's only a rumor but it would put an interesting new wrinkle in Cirque's Vegas presence." We say...HMMMM.
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Tags: Kristen Shea & Dana Satterwhite Mark Kalin & Jinger Leigh Ed Alonzo Barbra
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant Las Vegas - November 21, 2008, AND November 28, 2008 
Gerald Gordon & Roslyn Kind (1981) 
Gerald Gordon & Roslyn Kind (2008) 
Sam Port
We're sure you have heard of Sleepless in Seattle. How about Computerless in Las Vegas? That's where Cousin Claire found herself for most of last week, thus, no November 21st column. Although we get a flu shot every year, we still were hit with a very nasty virus. This one doesn't send you to bed for a week, instead it keeps duplicating all the files in your computer (there were 80 copies of one particular e-mail), leaving it with no memory to do anything. Although we do admit to keeping too much "stuff" in our PC, we knew we didn't really have 800,000 e-mails stashed away in this HP tower. So, our computer spent five days in the "hospital," under the good care of guru/computer whiz, Michael Carter. (Thank you, Michael.) This week, instead of giving readers a heads-up on some terrific things that they may have wanted to attend during our sabbatical, we will let you know what we did and what you may have missed. The weekend of November 14th, Cousin Claire played tourist, spending three nights vacationing in the west...the west part of Las Vegas, that is. On Friday night, we were at the Cannery, on Craig Road in North Las Vegas. There we saw the very talented Roslyn Kind in her first Las Vegas appearance since the 1970s. Following a summer engagement at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Nikko Hotel, Steve Murray of Cabaret Scenes magazine had this to say about Ms. Kind...
Roslyn Kind put on a dynamic, crowd pleasing appearance at the new Rrazz Room (which she re-dubbed "the Ros Room") with her trademark humor and astounding voice. Kind has a wide vocal range, singing with an unadulterated, emotive style well suited for cabaret and theatre. Ms. Kind can blow the roof off with that voice, clear as a bell, sonorous and pitch perfect. She chooses material that amply shows off her instrument and offers up a joyous love-filled philosophy of a life full of hopes and dreams. Looking fabulous in black and diamonds, Ms. Kind opened with 'You and I' and the hopeful (Leslie) Bricusse/(Anthony) Newly tune 'Pure Imagination' displaying incredible control of both the material and her voice. Launching into Jerry Herman's 'Its Today' from "Mame" reminds the listener of what Kind is all about - bold, sassy and bigger than life. Not able to avoid the inevitable comparisons to her famous sibling, Ms. Kind pokes fun at the situation that has dogged her career with a sampling of Streisand's 'People' that morphs into 'I Gotta Be Me'. Point acknowledged, now back to the fabulous Roslyn Kind. Beautiful ballads are a forte for her voice and she delivered on 'Come What May', the title track on her newly re-issued CD, the unreleased 'What Love Has Done' and a tender version of Michel LeGrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman's 'How Do You Keep The Music Playing.' Ms. Kind arranged a pairing of Burt Bacharach's sensuous 'The Look of Love' with the Bergman's 'The Island' to great success, and nailed a huge Broadway version of 'Meadowlark' from her starring role in the musical revue "3 From Brooklyn". Closing the show with the love theme from "Superman" 'Can You Read My Mind', I wanted more - more of her youthful energy, eternal optimism and much more of that gorgeous voice.
Lauded by critics from The London Times, New York Post, Time Magazine and New York Times, Ms. Kind has forged a successful career in all facets of entertainment, from critically acclaimed recordings to sold-out performances on Broadway and in some of the top concert venues and nightclubs the world over, including Lincoln Center, The Greek Theater and London's Café Royal. In 2006, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with her frequent musical collaborator and friend, Michael Feinstein. Ms. Kind began her performing career while still in her teens with the release of her first album, Give Me You. Ms. Kind's latest CD is a re-release of Come What May (with a few additional tunes added). The New York Times described Come What May as "splendid and sizzling." Concurrent with her recording career, Ms. Kind has appeared in both movies and television. She made her feature film debut with a challenging dramatic role in I'm Going to be Famous. Ms. Kind's list of television credits includes the film Switched at Birth, multiple episodes of NBC's Gimme a Break, Throb, starring Jane Leeves, and CBS's The Nanny. Los Angeles Times jazz writer Don Heckman once said, "Forget that Roslyn Kind is Barbra Streisand's kid sister. She's too good and too special to have to worry about comparisons." One of the premiere interpreters of popular song, the multi-talented Ms. Kind's dazzled audiences at the Cannery Casino & Hotel on both Friday and Saturday (November 14th and 15th) with her one woman show. For her Vegas appearance, Roslyn was backed by David Snyder on piano, Kenneth Seiffert on bass and Jess Gopen on drums. With tickets priced at only $10, it's no wonder that both shows at The Cannery were sellouts. Bring this lady back to Las Vegas...even at higher ticket prices! And when you see that Roslyn Kind is back in Vegas (and we are sure she will be), go see her show, even if you aren't a diehard Barbra Brolin fan. Among those in the weekend audiences to catch Roslyn Kind at work were her onetime mentor (and the man who cast her in Ferguson the Tailor, her first large scale musical), Las Vegas drama coach Gerald Gordon (who attended both the Friday and Saturday performances); Jubilee! principal, Sam Port; Katrina Loncaric, most recently in The Producers; actors Michael Cassano, most recently in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire, and Nathan Ferrier (Caesars Palace gladiator). And speaking of Gerald Gordon (and we were, weren't we?), Las Vegas' most successful acting coach (if we are basing it on his past students, that include Best Actor Academy Award-winner for The Pianist, Adrien Brody; Christopher Titus; Greg Grunberg, of TV's Heroes; Marcia Lewis, from Broadway and Las Vegas' Chicago; American Graffiti and Melvin and Howard's Paul LeMat; and Mark Curry of Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, among others) made his first trip to Europe at the end of September. During a five-week dream getaway, Gordon took in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe in London (where he also saw Jersey Boys for the second time). In Paris, he attended the Crazy Horse where two of his onetime students are working, in Zurich it was Aida, and in Florence he saw one of his favorite operas, Tosca. In Vienna, he saw a performance of Faust (the first time he ever saw the Gounod opera). Gordon stated that there were so many places to see and go to, and that it was all exciting because it was new to him. While in Venice, Gordon stayed in an old villa. The adventure was so wonderful that, for a moment, he thought, "Maybe I'll never go home." That wasn't really an option, as there were students waiting to learn, and a Las Vegas event that he couldn't miss. Gordon had scheduled his journey and return so he would be back in Southern Nevada before Ms. Kind's November 14th and 15th engagement at The Cannery. By the way...If you are not familiar with Cabaret Scenes magazine, but are a fan or cabaret and/or musical theater, you should check it out at www.cabaretscenes.org. On SaturDAY, we made our first trip to the popular Bagel Café, on Buffalo near Washington, where we lunched with the owners of Charleston Communications, Gene Balmain and Frank Sener. (Disclosure Notice: These gents are Cousin Claire's bosses.) You never know who you might run into at the eatery. During our late, late lunch, we spotted 83-year-old violinist/conductor, Sasha Semenoff, dining at the café. Semenoff and his violin have been Vegas mainstays for decades. 
Kelly Clinton (It Amazes Me) 
Kelly "Cher" Clinton & Lena "Sonny" Bono 
Jan Hellesoe, Chipper Lowell & Anders Hansen
On Saturday night, we were REALLY in the west...as far west on Lake Mead as you can go today (although it looks like construction is underway to go even further west, maybe to Utah...or whatever the state is west of us). We attended Kelly Clinton's one woman tour de force, presented by Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment, at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. Although Kelly refers to it as a "one woman show," a more accurate description might be a "multi-cast show." This lady can do it all - she sings, she's funny, she does impressions, acts, and even throws in some Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. "Kelvis" has something that many performers lack - personality plus. Whether it's her characterization of "Madonica," Elvis, or "Joe Joe Spaghetti Moretti," the clever, audience-pleasing Baldheaded Men, or a beautiful version of Ervin Drake's Good Morning Heartache, Ms. Clinton handles it with ease. Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's It Amazes Me, an homage sung to and about Clint Homes, Kelly's husband of one year, was very touching...for both the singer AND the audience (see photo). The influence of Kelly's idols, Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball, shines through in her performances. Clinton was backed by Michael Clark on piano, Jeff Neiman on keyboard, Adam Shendal on drums, Tommy Steele on horns (his part on Good Morning Heartache was outstanding), and Tim Fahey on bass. Special guest, the uber-talented Reva Rice, added a classy touch with her John Kander and Fred Ebb/Fosse Chicago-inspired All That Jazz song and dance, in costume, no less. Reva's solo turn was followed by she and Kelly re-creating the Mein Heir number from Cabaret. Clinton's show was directed by her close friend, Lena Prima, who also stepped in to play an angelic Sonny Bono to Kelly's very well done Cher. We spotted some familiar faces at the Starbright, among them, busy photographer Don Cadette; Billie Holiday tribute artist, Janice "Lady Day" Merkerson; Carole Hassell; Judy Garland look-alike/sound-alike, Denise Rose; well-known photographer, Jerry Metellus; and entertainment maven, Frank H. Lieberman.
The accompanying photos of Kelly and Lena are the work of Lindsay Hebberd. Look for Hebberd's latest book, Las Vegas ~ Imagination to Reality, in your favorite bookstore. On Sunday night, we were at the Suncoast for Paul Stone's Variety Live! Featuring pretty hoopster, Larissa Youens; the clever physical comedy of young Rob Torres; magician Joseph Gabriel and his winged co-stars; the hilarious Jeff Hobson (the lovechild of Liberace and Paul Lynde); foot juggler Antje Pode; singer Ben Stone; and Variety Award Winner, Charlie Frye & Company. We saw a number of familiar faces at the Suncoast (there are lots of familiar faces around these parts), both before and after the show - Tony Ruivivar and Mendrei Leelil of the Society of Seven (why isn't this talented group working here?), magic man Norm Nielsen, and producer Bill Moore - and met a number of new-to-us, interesting people in the crowd - among them, young magicians Anders Hansen and Jan Hellesoe (known professionally as Anders & Jan), and entertainer Billy Scadlock, who does everything from impersonations (Charlie Chaplin and Rod Stewart among them), magic and mime, to juggling and comedy. We also met the Stephen Caplan family. Steve, an oboist of great acclaim, is with the music department at UNLV and is a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Sierra Winds. Caplan has performed as a soloist with many of classical music's leading members, including violinist Hilary Hahn, flutist Ransom Wilson and singer Jan de Gaetani. He has performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and has accompanied superstars as diverse as Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, Roger Daltry, Dudley Moore, and Luciano Pavarotti. Stephen also happens to be the brother of Sherry Frye of the above mentioned Charlie Fry & Company comedy act. We could SWEAR that soon to be former president, George W. Bush was posing for photos with audience members after the variety show. We were somewhat relieved to learn that the amazing look-alike was John Morgan, who appeared as the Leader of the Free World on both network TV's The Next Best Thing AND America's Got Talent.  John Morgan as George W Bush  Mark Giovi  Jersey Boy, Erich Bergen (Composers Showcase) Last Sunday afternoon (November 23rd), there was Lou Garcia doing his one man show at the Clark County Flamingo Library under the banner of the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's Brown Bag Concert Series, and Bruce Ewing and Joey Singer performing songs from their new holiday CD, Remembering to Dream, in the sanctuary/theater of the Community Lutheran Church on East Tropicana. That evening, it was Mark Giovi, one of the original Las Vegas Tenors, at the new in spot, View 215, located at 215 and Russell, hosted about 100 guests for dinner and Giovi's concert. A few nights earlier, Mark's mother, who lives on the East Coast, was a birthday surprise at a party celebrating his 40th. We were unable to attend any of these three events, but the reports we got were all very positive. Also, late on Sunday (things get underway at about 10:30), it was Composers Showcase night. Approximately 150 people showed up at the Liberace Museum - songwriters and performers, but also plenty of music lovers - for about 90-minutes of pure entertainment by some of the most creative people in our community. Among those participating in the late night showcase, local composers and songwriters: Erich Bergen, Travis Cloer, Vita Corimbi, Christopher Lash, Jeff Leibow, Jason Martinez, Renee Marino, Sharon Paquette, Kevin Stout and Keith Thompson, and the song stylings and vocal powers of: Brooks Asher, Charl Brown, Jennifer Cantorna, Bruce Ewing, Tee-Jay Jones, Nadine Roden, Savanah Smith-Thomas, Joan Sobel, Lauren Tartaglia, Scott Watanabe, Lisa Wilson, Melody Wilson, Renata Renee Wilson, Carmen Yurich and other special guests. On piano, bass, woodwinds, guitar, horns, cello and other assorted instruments were: Jim Belk, Patricia Diaz, Philip Fortenberry, PJ Gopaoco, Tina Hadley, Keith Hubacher, Jim McIntosh, Don Meoli, Jeremy Meronuck, Moonlight Tran, and the Yucca Mountain String Band, featuring Crazy Doc (Kevin) Stout, Joey Singer, Matt Taylor and Fred Watstein. Sound was handled by Richard Camuso.
In recent months, we have noted some behavior by a select few who attend and/or participate in these wonderful evenings. The staff of the Liberace Museum volunteers their time to come back to the facility, hours after their work day should be over, to reopen the museum so this monthly event can have a home. They do not charge for the use of the hall. There is a cash bar available, and a more than reasonable $5 PER PERSON hors d'oeuvres buffet provided by Keg and Cork Catering or Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens. It has been noted in recent months, that there is an inordinate (make that unacceptable) amount of food "sharing" going on. We are not talking about taking a few grapes or a single cream puff off your friends' plate. Some folks are paying their $5, then piling their plates dangerously high and feeding their entire table for $5. At five bucks, this is not a moneymaker for anyone. It barely covers the cost of the spread. We are all feeling the economic crunch, but come on kids, please don't abuse our hosts. Personally, Cousin Claire would hate to see these showcases end because of selfishness and greed. Play fair. Even if you don't take advantage of the buffet, $5 is an amazing bargain for what you get at the Composers Showcase. Do your part to keep this going. If not, everybody loses. End of (this) speech. * * * * * * There has been a Brown Out of sorts in downtown Las Vegas for a quite a spell...since March of 2006, to be specific. All of that ends on February 5th, when things become a lot brighter in the Entertainment Capital of the World as Gordie Brown returns to the showroom at the Golden Nugget. Brown first played the room beginning in July of 2004, where he performed in the then 400-seat theater, accompanied by a real, live band, for almost two years. From October 2006, to February 13, 2008, Gordie entertained in a 740-seat theater at The Venetian. This was followed by a short stint in a theater space in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, where Brown was playing to prerecorded tracks. For someone as quick and spontaneous as Gordie, tracks just won't do. The accompanying music needs to take its lead from Gordie, not the other way around. The entertainer needs to be able to add things and improvise, as the situation calls for it (like when a celebrity is in the audience). It was an offer from Celine Dion that saved Brown from the mall and prerecorded music. He is currently on a world tour with fellow Canadian, Dion. Fortunately, when he reopens at the Nugget in five weeks, the Hardest Working Man in Las Vegas, will once again be enhanced by a real, live band. Gordie, a former political cartoonist for the Ottawa Sunday Herald, is well known for his amazing comedy and vast repertoire of celebrity impressions such as Robin Williams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Woody Allen, Robert DeNiro, Jim Carrey, Bob Dylan, Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Henry Fonda, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jackson, Garry Shandling, Ozzy Osbourne, Clint Eastwood, Neil Young, departing president George W. Bush, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, as well as Las Vegas icons like Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis, Jr. For the younger crowd, Gordie does his unique take on Green Day, Smash Mouth, James Blunt, Coldplay, Sixpence None the Richer, and other contemporary artists. Brown consistently receives rave reviews by both critics and audiences alike, and has been recognized as Entertainer of the Year and Best Show in both Northern and Southern Nevada. Gordie will perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. The Golden Nugget's Showroom, which completed a major expansion and renovation in October 2006, is an intimate, 600-seat theater on the third level of the hotel's Spa Tower. It features plush seats and an advanced, state-of-the-art digital audio and visual system. The history of the Golden Nugget's showroom sets it apart from other venues of its size. Outstanding headliners of all genres, such as Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Don Rickles, Rich Little, Randy Travis and Regis Philbin have played the showroom, which continues to bring in a variety of acts and headline entertainment appealing to all tastes. When the entertainer begins his multi-year headlining Golden Nugget deal in February, it will be in a room bearing his name, as it becomes the Gordie Brown Showroom in his honor. Tickets are on sale at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office starting at $39.95. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office or toll free by calling (866) 946-5336. VIP tickets are available for $99.95 and include front row seats and an artist meet and greet. *Ticket prices are subject to change and do not include service fees and taxes. The Golden Nugget's current show, Defending the Caveman, starring Kevin Burke, will end its run on December 4th, instead of in mid-January as originally announced.  Gordie Brown  Sawyer Brown  Keith Robinson And speaking of Brown...Country band Sawyer Brown (no relation to Gordie, mentioned above) comes into Boulder Station's Railhead, next Friday, December 5th. Since winning Star Search, this small town, five-man band has performed more than 3,500 shows, released several gold and platinum albums, worked with Elvis Costello and Robert Randolph, won a CMA Horizon award and an ACM Vocal Group of the Year Award - all within 27 years. In addition, Sawyer Brown hit No. 1 on the Top Country Singles with Step That Step, Some Girls Do, and Thank God for You. Formed in Florida in 1981, the current band is made up of lead vocalist Mark Miller, keyboardist Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard, lead guitarist Shayne Hill, bassist Jim Scholten and drummer Joe Smyth. Their most recent album, Rejoice, was released in 2008. Show time for Sawyer Brown is at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $24.50, $29.50, $34.50 and $44.50 plus tax and applicable fees. All ages welcome, but those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. Some of our friends went to see comic/actress Wanda Sykes at Planet Hollywood on Saturday, November 15th. The funny lady has performed in the hotel/casino's 1,500-seat Planet Hollywood Showroom (the home of Stomp Out Loud until January 4th) on three previous occasions - in March, July and August. Obviously, she is doing something right as they keep bringing her back. Our "stringer" reporter tells us that the theater was almost full. The diverse audience ranged in age from 21 to AARP recipients. Sykes' subject matter was about as diverse as her audience, covering subjects from politics, to male enhancement drugs (or, as Sykes calls it "broke dick problems"), to travel, to Proposition 8. The comedian says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about her own sexuality. "You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a surprised crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas earlier in the day on the 15th. "Everybody that knows me personally, they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said. Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked." "Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay." At this time, Wanda does not have any additional dates booked at Planet Hollywood. They are hoping to book her for future engagements in 2009, but do not yet have anything confirmed. Opening for Sykes was Keith Robinson. The comic has appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, Def Comedy Jam and BET. After realizing these credits weren't getting him noticed in the white comedy rooms, he started doing shows like MTV Half Hour Comedy and Star Search where he became a $100,000 finalist. He had an acting role in the HBO production Rebound, and toured two years with the late Bernie Mac. He also taped his own half hour special for Comedy Central and was a writer on Comedy Centrals Chappell's Show.
Robinson is a favorite of Wanda Sykes and tours with her frequently. * * * * * * Bea Fogelman, a Las Vegan since the early 1980s, passed away on Friday, November 14th at the age of 83. If the name isn't familiar, you are probably not an entertainer, or more specifically, an impersonator. Born in Detroit, during her lifetime, Bea had successful careers as a Big Band singer, a dental hygienist, real estate broker, and writer of books on entertainment and fiction. She was also the founder of The Entertainment Network, a worldwide organization devoted to uniting performers, producers and agents in pursuit of their careers. Bea Fogelman truly changed the entertainment industry. She was married to pharmacist, Leo Fogelman, for more than 55 years. She is survived by her three children, Jayne Juster, Bob Fogelman and Sherie Rae Parker, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bea will be truly missed. A public memorial service was held on Sunday, the 16th, at the Palm Mortuary on North Jones in Las Vegas. Fogelman's daughter, Sherie Rae Parker, is a well-known celebrity impersonator with a history in Legends In Concert. She is best known for her interpretations of Bette Midler, Janis Joplin, and Phyllis Diller.  Bea Fogelman  Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler  Harold Kreloff And speaking of Legends in Concert, after 25 years at the Imperial Palace, the celebrity impersonator show will make a somewhat lateral move...north. Legends will do its last performance at the IP on December 13th, reopening two days later in the main showroom at Harrah's where it will share space with comic Rita Rudner. Also, sympathies go out to artist Martin Kreloff on the loss of his father, Harold Kreloff, who died on Wednesday, November 19th, at the age of 94. As a young man, Harold worked as a barker for impresario Mike Todd at the 1939 New York World's Fair (for those too young to remember, Mr. Todd was the third husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor) . During this time, he met and married fellow New Yorker, Florence Cantor. Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly before the outbreak of World War II, and was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following the war, his careers included stints as a gas station owner, New York cabbie and a travel agent. He moved his family to Miami in 1967. Following the death of his wife in 1984, he met Dora Grupeter, and they lived together until her death in 2001. Harold moved to Southern California in the mid-90's to be close to his son, Martin; and relocated to Las Vegas with his son in 2004. Harold will be remembered as an entertaining raconteur. He will be buried next to his wife, Florence, at Vista Memorial Gardens in Miami. In addition to his two special ladies, Harold was preceded in death by his brother, Samuel. Harold is survived by his son Martin and Martin's partner, Tim Olsen, of Las Vegas. Other survivors include son Rev. Steven Kreloff and wife, Michele, of Clearwater, Fla.; grandchildren, Benjamin Kreloff of Clearwater, Sarah Cotton of Chicago, and Rachel Goode of Clearwater; great-grandchildren, Abby, Naomi and Luke Kreloff, and Drew and Jack Goode; brother, Bernard Kreloff of Florida; and his sister, Gudy Koenigsberg of Israel. * * * * * * Happy birthday to the Sagittarians (November 23rd through December 21st) whose natal dates we know about...Kenny Kerr, Mark Giovi, Billy Chapel, Rich Little (who turns 70), UNLV's Larry Henley, Johnny Pate, Doug Breniser, Skip Trenier, Roger Caldwell, Danny Cohen, Paul Lowden, Bill Fayne and George Verbiwski. And anniversary greetings to Ken and Melissa Miles Gardner, and Steven Lee and Brenda Leonard Cowart. * * * * * * We don't like to toot our own horn...except when we deserve it. Las Vegas Channel 3's entertainment reporter succeeded in teasing those that were interested when it came to revealing the new show coming into Planet Hollywood following the departure of Stomp Out Loud on January 4th. Those that read our November 7th column, already had the answer to the burning question before the big announcement during a news broadcast...at least 10 days later. For those that missed the news (through either source), Stomp Out Loud's replacement will be the strictly adult, Peepshow. Tony-winning choreographer/director Jerry Mitchell will be at the helm. Heading up the 20+ Peepshow cast will be former Spice Girl, Mel B, and Dancing With the Stars' first season winner, General Hospital soap star, Kelly Monaco. Previews will begin on March 30th, with the "official" opening night scheduled for April 25th. * * * * * *  Skip Trenier  Liza Minnelli  Rosie O'Donnell From Primm to the Palace...Liza Minnelli (is there any other Liza?), whose last performance in Southern Nevada was NOT at Caesars Palace, or Bellagio, or the Luxor (where she played a few dates in late 2006 and early 2007), but at Buffalo Bill's in Primm, the little burgh close to the Nevada/California border. Beginning Wednesday (December 3rd), Liza takes her magic to Broadway, when she stars in her new show, Liza's At The Palace...!, at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street). Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents and Jubilee Time Productions, and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, such as Cabaret, Maybe This Time, and New York, New York - all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb - followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, the late Kay Thompson. Thompson was a legendary performer (Think Pink! from Funny Face) and author (Eloise at the Plaza), as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios, working with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza will perform musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act, including numbers such as I Love a Violin, Clap Yo' Hands, Jubilee Time, and Hello Hello, set to brand-new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis. Accompanying Minnelli onstage will be Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers. The concert performance will be scripted by Liza and Tony Award-winner David Zippel, and will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences embraced in a theatrical setting. Gary Labriola will serve as Executive Producer. There will be a twelve-piece orchestra, led by conductor/ drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch. Liza made her screen debut in 1949 as a toddler in the musical In the Good Old Summertime. She won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965, and The Act in 1978, along with a third, for Best Personal Achievement, thanks to her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as "Sally Bowles" in Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award. She won an Emmy for Liza with a 'Z' (1972) and was the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainments' top six awards. Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards - for The Sterile Cuckoo, Cabaret and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Additional film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968), Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza, now 62, recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning sitcom, Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. Ron Lewis has been a staple on the Las Vegas scene for decades, and last choreographed Liza in her Tony Award-winning performance in The Act on Broadway. Having worked on more than 80 productions, Lewis has directed and choreographed shows for some of the biggest names in show business, including Ann-Margret, Debbie Reynolds, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Paul Anka. Liza's At The Palace...! will play Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with matinees on Sundays at 3 p.m. Originally scheduled to run for two weeks, Liza has been extended and will play the Palace through December 28th. Ticket prices range from $55 to $125. At Ms. Minnelli's request, $25 first row seats will be made available at the box office by daily lottery. And speaking of Ms. Minnelli, she was one of the guests on the debut of Rosie O'Donnell's new TV variety show that aired on Wednesday night. Is Rosie ready for primetime? Based on what we saw, in our opinion, the answer is a resounding "NO." What was wrong with Rosie Live? The major problem is Rosie. If a successful variety show, ala the old Hollywood Palace, Ed Sullivan, Andy Williams, Carol Burnett, Sonny & Cher, etc., is what NBC was aiming for, this one is way off base. The idea is good, the host isn't. You already have the job, Rosie. All the screaming and shrieking is not only unnecessary, it is very annoying. A number of the segments were just plain embarrassing. The "Nancy Grace" (played by comic Kathy Griffin) bit fell flat, and the Clay Aiken spot was a mess. Aiken, an American Idol runner-up who is currently appearing in Spamalot on Broadway (his second go-round in this musical), came on in his costume. His short (but not short enough) segment involved discussing what he and Rosie had in common, via a pitiful shaggy dog story attempt at humor. The twosome both like musical theater. They both got their big break via a reality TV talent competition - Rosie on Star Search and Clay on Idol. They both have sons named Parker. They then pretended to try to think of what else they have in common. There were the expected, painful dramatic pauses (do we know where they are going here?), before O' Donnell says, "I know. We're both Gay...briel Byrne fans." Oh, puleeeze! Barbara Walters and Donald Trump must be jumping for joy. We think NBC served up THEIR turkey the night BEFORE Thanksgiving! * * * * * * Opportunity Village's annual Magical Forest opened last Saturday. It will operate nightly - Sundays through Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. - ending on December 30th. The Magical Forest, located at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. (there is Free Parking in the College of Southern Nevada lot), is a wonderful experience for "kids" of all ages. From the moment you enter, you are enchanted by the sights and sounds of the holiday season. From strolling through decorated trees and displays, to photos with Santa and nightly entertainment, there is something for everyone. Enjoy a ride on our passenger train. The Forest express winds its way through the two acre Forest, giving visitors another angle to view the many trees and displays. The Enchanted Carousel will delight riders and spectators alike. Featuring beautiful animals, lights and traditional carousel music, you will find yourself lost in the moment. Looking for more of a thrill? Then climb to the top of the 40' Alpine Slide. The view is simply amazing. For the little ones, check out the Junior Alpine Slide. If you are feeling hungry, visit the Gift Box Café as you are entertained nightly by local performing groups. All proceeds raised at the Magical Forest will benefit people with disabilities. General Admission, for children ages 3 to 11, is $7.50, and adults (12 and up) is $9.50. Passport prices are, children $14, and adults $16. Passports include entry to the park and unlimited rides on the Train, Carousel and Alpine Slide, as well as visits to the newest attraction, the Storytime Theatre sponsored by Penta Building Group. Tickets and Passports for the Magical Forest can be purchased at any area CVS/pharmacy location. Bulk ticket purchases are also available by calling Holly at (702) 880-4096. Since 1954, Opportunity Village has been serving men and women in the Southern Nevada community, providing them with programs and services to help enrich their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Village, taking a daytime tour of the campus, or getting involved with any of the programs, please call (702) 259-3741. * * * * * * We would like to share an e-mail we received from a longtime Vegas musician. Although we have assured this fellow that we will not mention him again, we also added the tag line "unless it's to print your message of today." In our homage to etiquette expert Emily Post, or author Dale Carnegie, of How To Win Friends and Influence People fame, we have decided to do just that (we are not changing the spelling, punctuation or syntax, for fear of doing something else to offend this man). This is exactly what we wrote in our column of October 17th... Veteran entertainer, Howie Gold, has found himself a piano at the very comfortable Ichabod's Lounge at 3300 E. East Flamingo, just west of Pecos. Reminiscent of the old Chateau Vegas atmosphere, Gold provides easy listening music for a mostly locals crowd from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Gold, who has spent more than 30 years entertaining in piano bars here and in Palm Springs, is very particular about who can sing along with his tasty piano playing. He has wisely decided that Diane Ellis and Danny Calico meet his high standards and has invited the twosome join him on Wednesdays and any other nights they have available. With Ellis at the mic, and Calico on vocals and drums, the threesome create a great crowd-pleasing sound. Ellis and Calico may be remembered when they were part of a vocal group called Chazz. As a duo, they called themselves D'Cal (a play on their names). Ichabod's is a 24-hour place with an extensive menu. They are located in the Renaissance Center, between Hollywood Videos and Food 4 Less. See you there. Here is Mr. Gold's response... you wrote a write up about me and icobod.s that i did not know about that i found on the internet its content should be approved by me before its reaches public knowledge!
And here is ours...
A "THANK YOU" for the mention would have been more appropriate, Mr. Gold, not a message saying I need to get your approval for giving you and your gig a plug. Do you get approval before playing Stardust, I Write the Songs, or Here's To Life? What you are asking is ridiculous, unreasonable and something no writer/journalist would go along with. I am not your paid publicist that needs your final okay before a press release goes out. In your case, I was just trying to promote Ichabod's and the work of some talented people. I would have thought you might welcome the plug. Wonder how Ichabod's would feel about your orders?
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Claire Voyant’s portrait by Charlie Frye
Tags: Gerald Gordon Roslyn Kind Sam Port Kelly Clinton Kelly Cher Clinion Bono Ha
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - November 14, 2008 
Susan Egan 
Spectrum 
Roslyn Kind As long as Cousin Claire has a couple of bosses who put no restrictions on her (thank you gentlemen, for believing in Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Speech, and freedom on the Internet), she feels free to say what is on her mind. We have no qualms about saying that we voted with our gut instincts and heart. The man whose name we checked on our ballot will be our next president, come January 20th. We have strong feelings about Proposition 8 as well. In case you aren't aware, Proposition 8, a ballot measure looking to overturn the May, 2008 California Supreme Court decision granting marriage equality, was approved by a narrow margin on November 4th. It means the state has rescinded the right of same sex couples to marry. It means that was okay for the last five months is now not okay. Legally, what does this mean for the couples who said their vows between May and now? Susan Egan, a very respected Broadway star - Thoroughly Modern Millie (playing Millie Dillmount), Cabaret (as Sally Bowles), Triumph of Love (Princess Leonide), Beauty and the Beast (Belle, for which Egan received both a Tony and Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress in a Musical), State Fair (Margy Frake), and the national tour of Bye, Bye Birdie (Kim MacAfee) - started a fire, via blogs and the Internet, regarding what she felt was a betrayal by a member of the entertainment community. Because we like what she had to say, we are printing Ms. Egan's, now, widespread message. Dear Friends --
I thought you might be interested to know that Scott Eckern, Artistic Director of California Music Theatre (Sacramento Music Circus) contributed $1000 in support of California's divisive Proposition 8, which eliminates (not just bans) the right for same-sex couples to marry and receive all of the emotional, economic, and social benefits that married couples often take for granted. Mr. Eckern's affiliation with CMT, as well as his title and the amount donated to legislate the lives of others, is public information that can be found (by clicking on the Link below). Marc Shaiman, composer (most notably of "Hairspray", which was produced at CMT last year) has already contacted Sacramento's CMT and expressed his disgust with the idea that a theatrical organization, employing and making money from gay artists and audience members, harbors an executive who uses a portion of his income to publicly support hate legislation (my term). I believe Mr. Shaiman may have told them they would no longer be allowed to produce his work, and has contacted the creators of "Avenue Q" (to be produced in March of '09) to enlighten them. I am deeply troubled by the news about Scott, as I have worked for and known him since 1993. I find his behavior hypocritical at best and, more likely, distressingly prejudiced. Many of you friends who, like myself, have worked for Scott might be floored to know this news. I think at this point I shall do my best to "out" him and any others like him. Folks who show (and make money) playing one game, but with an inner intolerance that denies everything our industry represents. I have personally been in contact with Marc Shaiman to confirm all the information. In his words: "Yes, it's all true! Of course, there is nothing much I can do since they've already done HAIRSPRAY, but the AVE Q guys (at least one of them) may do something, perhaps picket his own show! But, as I hope people realize, it is not really up to a writer to cancel a production that has already been licensed. What I could do I did, which was to call Mr. Eckern directly and say what I had to say. Reading this past week how people still actually think being gay is a choice (the only choice we make is not to lie about who we are) and that that one line from a beautiful book proves we are sinners (a book that also allows for the stoning of wives and of people who wear two different kinds of fabric at the same time), well, I am starting to feel that the only way to make people change is, I think, to now greet every person I meet and say "Hi, I'm Marc, God made me gay and I think that that He and I are both fabulous!" and leave the rest up to them." Sacramento Music Circus holds a cherished place in my heart, primarily because of Leland Ball and the inspirational talents he would gather for his productions. I feel the spirit of Leland is lost under Scott's leadership. As a private citizen, I choose not to support California Music Theatre while it operates under Mr. Eckern's tenure. I support Marc Shaiman in his boycott of CMT, and hope others will follow -- as ticket-buyers, writers, musical directors, crew, designers and performers and more. I feel compelled to write because I have heard from so many beloved friends the last few days. People who are in every way caring and generous citizens. Friends who are for the most part very quiet on the political front, who have had to awaken because of last Tuesday, due to their shock that their lifestyles are not "accepted" by so-called friends!! The irony of electing Obama and Prop 8 passing astounds me. I am not ordinarily a political fighter, but I do believe in information for all, and let them decide. And more than anything I believe in "holding the space" for what is right. In support of my gay and lesbian friends, I find it a travesty that the entire arts community is not standing in solidarity for equal rights. Shame on Scott. That our industry should be the first to raise money and awareness for AIDS to the result of awakening a country and world to the issue...well then, marriage (and every other sort of) equality is a no-brainer ...and a duty and obligation. I hope with this email to find others to "hold the space" with me...full equality in marriage rights. If you should feel compelled to pass the information about Scott Eckern on to others...by all means, do.
Hoping for change...still,
Signed Susan Egan
http://antigayblacklist.com
California Musical Theatre is Sacramento's oldest professional performing arts organization and state's largest nonprofit musical theater company. It has 32 full-time employees and its budget for 2007 was $16.5 million. The CMT produces the Music Circus, presents Broadway Sacramento, and recently opened Forever Plaid at the capital's newest performing venue, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Scott Eckern, who had been with the company for 25 years, was named CMT's artistic director in July 2002 after longtime producing director Leland Ball stepped down. Eckern also holds the post of chief operating officer. As a result of Egan's letter, and those of many others, by Monday (November 10th), gay and lesbian show folk were calling for an artistic and audience boycott of California Musical Theatre. "I feel so sad that someone from within my field and someone from within my community, who actually knows me, would contribute to an initiative that reduces me to second-class citizenship," said openly gay composer Gregg Coffin. "I feel so sorry that he (Eckern) chose to support divisiveness and hatred rather than equality and inclusion; especially a man of the theater who works with gay actors, dancers, directors, designers and staff at CMT. The duplicity of it makes me so incredibly sad." In a post on one Web site, Mark Shaiman relayed what he told Eckern during a Thursday (November 6th) phone call: "The idea that your donation came from a salary that for a short amount of time was drawn from profits from a show I wrote upsets me terribly and I would never allow anything I write to play there and will encourage my colleagues to consider doing the same." Shaiman has contacted colleagues in the theater, including Jeff Whitty, whose show, Avenue Q, comes to Broadway Sacramento next spring. Whitty's Web site details a telephone conversation he had with Eckern on Friday. "There's a great degree of hue and cry over getting Mr. Eckern fired," Whitty wrote. "I've searched my soul about this. I'm instinctively not comfortable with the idea of his dismissal, though my activist side still whispers, 'Punish!' "I fear for what Mr. Eckern's dismissal would say about theater: that there's only room for the pro-gay crowd. In a way, if we only allow people we agree with, if we only allow people who share a broad sympathy for the human condition, then we become one of those dreaded fantasy 'elites.' " Epilog...On Wednesday, Scott Eckern announced his resignation from CMT and stated that he was leaving the organization, saying "I chose to express my views through the democratic process, and I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused in doing so. I want to support not only my friends and loved ones, but everyone in their efforts to receive equal rights." He also stated that he was making a comparable donation ($1,000) to the Human Rights Campaign. Personally, we would have liked to see Mr. Eckern donate $5,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or a similar organization. Cousin Claire knows how she feels about this issue. If you would even consider donating money to a campaign of discrimination and hate, or are sitting on the fence and don't have an opinion about Proposition 8, one way or the other, maybe connecting to this site (see Link below) and listening to the heartfelt words of a straight, and straight thinking man, MSNBC‘s, Keith Olbermann, might help you understand what it is you are being asked to do. PLEASE, open up your mind and take the six minutes and 30 seconds to listen to Mr. Olbermann's emotional editorial.
http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/prop8repeal And speaking of Susan Egan, folks in the Southern California area can see the talented lady, a Seal Beach gal, at the Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, 6725 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, as she performs The First Farewell Tour this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, plus dinner or a two-drink minimum. Call (323) 466-2210 for reservations and/or additional information. (Lainie Kazan is at the Catalina through tomorrow night, and Roslyn Kind, at the North Las Vegas Cannery tonight, performs at the Hollywood club on December 30th and New Year's Eve.) * * * * * * To Sheila in Los Angeles who wrote asking,
A few years back I went to see an R&B group called Spectrum. Are they still performing in LV? If so where? Do they have a web site?
We went right to the source for the answer. Cushney Roberts, the founding member of Spectrum, informs that the group works regularly, although since the closing and destruction of the Boardwalk Casino on the Strip, most of their work has been headlining on cruise ships (primarily the Royal Caribbean, Princess and Norwegian lines) and as the featured vocalists with symphonies around the country. In past months, the gentlemen - Darryl Grant, Pierre Jovan, David Prescott and Roberts - have appeared with the Long Beach Symphony (CA), Claremont Symphony Orchestra (CA), Tampa Bay's Florida Orchestra, Hartford Symphony (CT), and Huntsville Symphony (AL). Upcoming for the musical quartet are dates with the Syracuse Symphony (NY), Symphony of Southeast Texas, Virginia Symphony, Augusta Symphony (GA), and Charlotte Symphony (NC). In California, where Sheila lives, Spectrum will perform the hits of the Temptations, Four Tops, Drifters and other "boy" groups with the Santa Rosa Symphony, March 21st and 22nd, and the San Diego Symphony, July 17th and 18th. You can keep tabs on the fellows by clicking onto their Web site at www.spectrumsings.com. Hope that helps, Sheila. * * * * * * Weekend reminders...Singer/actor Bruce Ewing (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) and musical director/pianist Joey Singer (Mamma Mia! and Debbie Reynolds) are presenting songs from their brand new holiday CD, Remembering to Dream. This Sunday (November 16th), at 1:30 and 3 p.m., the gentlemen will perform in the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana (at Spencer), presenting songs from the album that includes old and new holiday favorites such as O Holy Night, Mary Did You Know, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Christmas Song, All Those Christmas Clichés, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Just In Time For Christmas, Joy To The World and others. Ewing and Singer will also introduce an original song, the title track of the new CD, Remembering to Dream, written by Joey Singer and Ewing's fellow Phantom cast member, Jason Forbach. For additional information, call the museum at (702) 798-5595. If you can't make it to the Liberace Museum this weekend, you will have another chance to see and hear Ewing and Singer the following Sunday (November 23rd) at the Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana, just west of Sandhill. Show time at the church is at 2 p.m. Admission is free on both weekends, but a "free will offering" will be accepted, with proceeds going to the Liberace Foundation and Family Promise of Las Vegas. The CD will be available for purchase at the three concerts, and in the Community Lutheran Church Bookstore throughout the holiday season. It has been more than 30 years since Roslyn Kind performed in Las Vegas. She will have to change her bio after this weekend, when she goes into the North Las Vegas Cannery Club for shows tonight and tomorrow. The good, almost unbelievable news, is that the cost to see this talented singer/actress is a mere $10! The not so good news, it's on a first come, first served basis (as in no reservations). We have a feeling that, unless you get to the Cannery, and into the line outside the Club entrance, very, VERY early, you will miss the opportunity to see Ms. Kind in performance. (Show starts at 8 p.m. Maybe you should go REALLY early, and with a sleeping bag!) We have to wonder, why so long away for Mz. Rozzie? If the response is as good as we think it will be for this booking, maybe Kathie Spehar (the Cannery's entertainment maven) will bring Roslyn Kind back to our city...and not 30 years from now! 
Kelly Clinton 
Bill Nolte & dancing partner 
Pam Drews Phillips And don't forget, singer/dancer/comedian Kelly Clinton (presented by Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment), who makes her Starbright Theatre debut tomorrow night, beginning at 7 (NOT 7:30, as Cousin Claire learned after arriving late for one of the Starbright's terrific productions). Not that this multi-multi talented lady needs any assistance (she can more than carry a show on her own), but Kelly will be joined by Reva Rice (late of Spamalot and Just Another Man), and Lena Prima (yes, Louis Prima is her dad). The Starbright is located in Sun City Summerlin at 2215 West Thomas Ryan Blvd. (take Rampart to Lake Mead and head west, way west). Tickets ($18 for Sun City residents, $23 for the rest of us) are on sale at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle Community Centers. To purchase by credit card, call (702) 869-2064. For additional information, call (702) 240-1301. This weekend, it's talented entertainers, such as funnymen Jeff Hobson and Rob Torres, magic man Joseph Gabriel, foot juggler (she juggles FEET???) Antje Pode, hoopster Larissa Youens, singing man Ben Stone, and put-upon man (thanks to his lovely assistant, Sherry) Charlie Frye and the Company he keeps, all in Variety Live! at the Suncoast. Tickets start at $19.95 plus taxes and fees for the 7:30 p.m. shows, through Sunday. Call (702) 636-7075. Since the Suncoast is much easier to get to than the London Palladium, we will see you there. * * * * * * From friend Bill Nolte comes a report on his debut at New York's famed Birdland. Says Bill, who performed his one man show, All of Me (seen in Vegas in February as part of the Performing Arts of Nevada's Brown Bag series), for the New York crowd last Monday. Some East Coast references were added and Bill‘s Dancing With the Stars homage took on a new twist, when, at the end of the choreographed number, Nolte discarded his "partner" (see accompanying photo), thanking Cloris Leachman. It brought down the house. "It was fantastic," says Nolte. "I really didn't expect a crowd, but the club was almost full." His accompanist, Pam Drews Phillips, was thrilled to be playing at Birdland on the late jazz great, Oscar Peterson's, Royal Blue Bosendorfer grand piano. Jennifer Perry ("Rosie" in the Vegas version of Mamma Mia!) was there, Mark Sendroff (famous theatrical lawyer and agent), Patrick Parker from Paper Mill Playhouse, Stephen Berger, Mark Waldrop, Jan Herndon, Mary Murfitt (Oil City Symphony), Jill Geddes (Into the Woods, Delphi Or Bust), Carl Baldasso (art director/set designer), Jim Geyer and Pat Bases (ukulele act), Carol Purkiss, and several people from Calgary, Australia, England, Turkey, and Greece. (Boy, I hope the names of the people I don't know and am not familiar with are spelled correctly.) At the end of this month, Nolte will be going cruising on Seabourn for two weeks, traveling to Oman, Dubai and India. He will perform two different shows, All of Me and a Broadway-themed one-man revue. Bill hopes to do his new Broadway show in Las Vegas, perhaps in the spring. He says he is missing his Vegas home and family, "especially now that the leaves have fallen and it's getting chilly in New York." (We didn‘t tell him that, although we don't have as many falling leaves, it‘s getting cooler here as well.) * * * * * * Tomorrow (Saturday, November 15th) at 2 p.m., The Glenwillow String Trio will present their Simple Gifts program of classical chamber music and American folk music in celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The program will begin with the Serenade in C for String Trio by Ernst von Dohnanyi. The concert will include the music and arrangements of American composer and fiddler, Mark O'Connor, from his award-winning CD, Appalachia Waltz. The trio is composed of Las Vegas Philharmonic members Rebecca Ramsey (violin), Hanna Suk (viola) and Moonlight Tran (cello). Ramsey has played first chair for many orchestras and recording projects. A composer, she has enjoyed presenting her original works at the Liberace Composers' Showcase. This concert also will include her arrangement of the traditional Shaker tune, "Simple Gifts," and her composition, "Before the Dawn," from the CD "The Stone Sanctuary, Silhouettes of Zion." Suk has a master's degree in music from the National Music Academy of Ukraine and was an artist with the Kiev Chamber Orchestra and the National Ukraine Symphony Orchestra. She toured Europe and Ukraine as a solo performer and as a chamber musician. Tran has a bachelor of music performance degree in cello from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. She teaches for the Nevada School of the Arts, the College of Southern Nevada and in her own cello studio. Admission is free. Call (702) 229-6211 for more information. * * * * * * 
White Lion 
Giovanna Sardelli 
Bette Midler The Canyon Club, located inside the Four Queens Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, presents White Lion tomorrow (Saturday, November 15th) with doors opening at 9:30 p.m. Formed in 1983, the Brooklyn-bred rockers left their distinctive mark on the MTV generation in the late 1980s with smash hits such as Wait, Tell Me, Broken Heart and Little Fighter. The band was also recognized for meaningful songs that transcended social and political themes such as Cry For Freedom, Lights and Thunder, and Warsong. Their most memorable classic hit, When the Children Cry, reached double platinum. In March, White Lion released Return of the Pride, their first record in more than 16 years. Tickets for White Lion are $15 for locals and $25 general admission, and can be purchased by calling The Canyon Club box office at (702) 387-5175, or online at tickets.fourqueens.com. The box office is open Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. * * * * * * Nelson Sardelli has instructed us to "Start Spreading the News...It's Up to You New York, New York." Although we are Las Vegas, Las Vegas, not New York, New York (but there is a pretty good replica on the corner of the Strip and Tropicana), we certainly don‘t mind spreading the news. Sardelli‘s daughter, Giovanna Sardelli, has won the 2007-2008 Joe A. Callaway Award for Outstanding Director of her production of Rajiv Joseph's Animals Out of Paper. What makes this honor especially impressive is the competition that Giovanna faced. The finalists for the award were: Walter Bobbie (Footloose, Sweet Charity, Tony Award winning director for Chicago), for Christopher Durang's The Marriage of Bette and Boo, produced by The Roundabout Theatre Company; former Chicagoan, David Cromer, for Adding Machine, A Musical, produced by Scott Morfee, Tom Wirtshafter, and Margaret Cotter; Michael Greif (Rent, Grey Gardens, Never Gonna Dance, Jane Eyre), for Next to Normal, produced by Second Stage Theatre (they also produced Animals Out of Paper); and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Oscar-winner as Best Actor for the lead role in Capote), The Little Flower of East Orange, produced by The LABrynth Theatre Company, The Public Theatre. "I can't tell you how thrilled and honored I am to be included in this amazing company of talent," said the delighted Ms. Sardelli. Established by Equity member Joe A. Callaway in 1989 to encourage participation in the classics and non-profit theatre, the awards are administered by Actor's Equity Association. The winners, selected by a panel of critics, receive $1,000 and a commemorative plaque...and, of course the honor itself. Coincidentally, The Marriage of Bette and Boo (mentioned above) is playing at UNLV's Black Box Theatre through Sunday. The Las Vegas Review-Journal's theater critic, Anthony Del Valle, gave the production an "A" rating. It must REALLY be good! Tickets are $15. Show times are tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call (702) 895-2787 for reservations. * * * * * * We want to remind you about the upcoming Thanksgiving Semi-Formal Dance at the Italian-American Club, on Thursday, November 20th. Mark the date on your calendar and plan to attend a wonderful evening of dancing and entertainment. Dancing and Mingling on the Sahara features the music of Nobody Famous and The Infamous Horns. In addition to playing for your listening enjoyment, the group will also be playing dance music - everything from the Foxtrot, Two Beat, West Coast Swing, Waltz and Latin, to Shuffle, Polka and more. Robert Baumann, from Dance Charisma, will teach free dance moves and routines from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Open dancing will be from 7:30 to 10:45 p.m. The Italian-American Club is located at 2333 E. Sahara near Eastern. Admission at the door (the club opens at 6 p.m.) is $12 for singles, and $20 for couples. Save a couple of bucks by making your reservations in advance ($10 for singles, and $18 for couples). Call (702) 220-6325 * * * * * * A sure Bette? Since we rarely, if ever, saw commercials promoting Celine Dion's shows at Caesars, and don't recall seeing any for Elton John, or Cher, or Jerry Seinfeld, we have to wonder if the fact that we are seeing plenty of TV ads for Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On, means that the Divine One is not doing the big business the Colosseum is set up for. We know that Ms. Midler is one helluva dandy entertainer and this is a gambling town, but was this long term booking a bad Bette or is it just a case of the poor economy jitters? * * * * * * 
Jeneane Marie 
Mark Giovi 
Lou Garcia And speaking of divas, it's Jeneane Marie at the new Eastside Cannery next Friday and Saturday, November 21st and 22nd. Delivering pop, rock, blues and R&B in her own unique style, Jeneane Marie has been a Las Vegas favorite since the 1980s. Show times are at 9 p.m. in Marilyn's Lounge. Marilyn's is a great place to dance or listen to the sounds of incredible live local bands, unbelievable tribute acts, classic lounge crooners and some headliners while quenching your thirst on the coolest cocktails and the most twisted tequila libations. The room, with a state-of-the-art audio and lighting system, can accommodate 200 people in a cocktail table configuration, and 300 in concert style. If you haven't checked out the Boulder Strip at Tropicana property (where the Nevada Palace once stood), the sultry Jeneane Marie is a good reason to do so. * * * * * * The glitz and excitement of early Vegas is coming back to town with the launching of a new series of Classic Cabaret Nights at the glamorous new banquet facility, View 215. Opening night is Sunday, November 23rd. The first presentation will headline singer Mark Giovi. The evening of dining and entertainment will begin with flashbulbs popping, as a bevy of lovely costumed showgirls welcome guests to a bright red-carpeted entranceway. At 5 p.m., cocktails and complimentary Hors D'oeuvres will be served on the View 215 terrace. As the name suggests, the facility features a spectacular view of the Las Vegas Valley for the enjoyment of its guests. A three-course dinner - offering a choice of Chicken Picatta with Lemon Caper Butter sauce, Mahi Mahi with Teriyaki glaze and mango tropical salsa or
Penne Pasta Primavera - will be served at 6 p.m., with the show following at 7:30. The dinner and show package price is $50 (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required. Call (702) 307-4959 or email to Bavaro626@aol.com. Recently opened View 215 is located at 9130 W. Russell Road at the 215 freeway. The facility is available for all types of special events. For details, check out their Web site at www.view215.com. Giovi will draw upon his vast array of musical genres - from rock to opera and everything in between. A founding member of the Las Vegas Tenors, Mark performs six nights a week as the featured vocalist in the long-running Strip show, Bite. He has toured internationally, sharing the stage with Michael Jackson, Mark Anthony, Vanessa Carlton, Alanis Morisette and Shakira, among others. Since leaving the Tenors, Giovi has been spreading his artistic wings. In recent months, he has performed his own show at the upscale MacDonald Ranch Community Center; contributed his talents at the Aree Bray Cancer Benefit, where he sang an original song called Rise, written by Roger Fisher (Barracuda), Heart's founding guitarist who also performed; and at Nellis Air Force Base's Aviation Nation air show, Giovi sang the National Anthem as 15 parachutists drifted from the sky to the ground. Mark has become a favorite of Opportunity Village. At a black-tie event for the organization‘s 2008 Magical Forest launch, Giovi sang This Is the Moment (from Frank Wildhorn's Broadway musical, Jekyll and Hyde) and Puccini's Nessun Dorma, bringing the crowd to its feet before the big finish. On Tuesday, the married father of two will be featured as part of Opportunity Village's Golf Tournament, at the fabulous Cascata Golf Course in Boulder City. Calling him "The Voice of Opportunity," Mark, who was born with cerebral palsy, exemplifies the mission statement of Opportunity Village. Since 1954, the organization has been serving disabled people in the Las Vegas community, providing them with programs and services to help enrich their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Village, taking a daytime tour of the campus, or getting involved with Opportunity Village or the Magical Forest, please call (702) 259-3741. We will have more information about the Magical Forest next Friday. Classic Cabaret Nights is a presentation of Bavaro ETC, Exclusive Talent Concepts, headed by producer Jeanne Bavaro. Bavaro, who is the personal manager of singer/impressionist Bill Acosta, tap phenom, Jay Fagan, and Giovi, is a woman on a mission. Her goal is "to bring back the golden days of the Supper Club era" - top quality talent and good food at affordable prices - reminiscent of early Vegas. And speaking of the Las Vegas Tenors, they have performance dates scheduled at the Suncoast, January 30th through February 1st. Also on Sunday, but in the afternoon...Singer/dancer/actor Lou Garcia, who often appears with his Amigo in Song, Gary Oakes, will go solo for his 2 p.m., Sunday, November 23rd show at the Clark County Flamingo Library Theater, at 1401 E. Flamingo. Calling his one-man-show From Havana to Broadway, the accomplished Cuban-born singer/dancer/actor presents a repertoire of material, ranging from Latin love songs and rhythmic calypso melodies, to popular American standards and favorite show tunes from popular Broadway musicals such as Follies, Gypsy, Mame, The Roar of Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd and Cats. Lou's show business career has spanned more than 40 years, beginning with his stint as principal vocalist with the United States Navy Steel Band. From there, it was on to nightclubs, television, trade shows and summer stock productions, culminating in appearances on Broadway in musicals Ilya Darling and Zorba. His first Las Vegas appearance was in the cast of the musical Mame with Juliet Prowse at the International Hotel (now the Las Vegas Hilton) and later as a principal in Donn Arden's musical extravaganza, Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM Grand (now Bally‘s). Many years as a headliner on numerous cruise lines attests to the versatile talents of this accomplished performer, who is sure to entertain audiences in his entertaining nostalgic song and dance journey From Havana to Broadway. Presented by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, tickets for From Havana to Broadway are $15 per person. For further information or reservations, call the PASN office at (702) 658-6741. Tickets will also be available at the Clark County Library Theater box office, at 1 p.m. The performance begins at 2 (doors open for the unreserved seating at 1:30). * * * * * * 
The Association Next weekend, November 21st through 23rd, it's The Association at the Suncoast. Starting in the mid-1960s, the California pop music band had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts, among them, Cherish, Along Comes Mary, Never My Love, Windy, Goodbye Columbus, and Darlin' Be Home Soon. The Association is notable for being the leadoff band at 1967's first multi-group rock festival, the Monterey Pop Festival. Known for their tight vocal harmony, The Association was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Tickets are from $19.95 plus taxes and fees. Shows are at 7:30. For reservations, call (702) 636-7111, or toll free at (877) 677-7111. * * * * * * Matisyahu will perform at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues on November 22nd. What is a Matisyahu, you may ask? If not for certain young relatives, we wouldn't have the answer. But since we do, we know that Matisyahu (born Matthew Paul Miller) is an American reggae musician who blends traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip-hop sounds. The 39-year-old stands out for wearing the traditional clothing of Hasidic Jews and not performing on Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday). Since 2004, he has released two studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs, and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production, including Bill Laswell, and duo Sly & Robbie. Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard. Matisyahu appears with the Flobots and Chester French. Tickets range from $28 to $35, plus taxes and fees. For reservations, call the House of Blues at (702) 632-7600. 
Matisyahu 
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano * * * * * * Cutting-edge magician Jeff McBride will end his Magic at the Edge run in the Sound Trax Showroom at the Palace Station on November 22nd. We give McBride an "A" for effort (or should it be an "E" for effort?), for taking his classy act to an off-Strip property, not really known for "cutting-edge" entertainment. Actually, in spite of entertainers such as Earl Turner who have worked the West Sahara hotel/casino, the place is probably best known as the location of OJ Simpson's most recent notoriety. However, we digress (we do that often). Tonight and tomorrow, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., McBride will host the next to last weekend of Wonderground at Palace Station. The magical, interactive club experience will be putting on a spectacular end to its run with special guests Ross Johnson and young Berk Eratay, a student of McBride's. Johnson is a psychic entertainer specializing in mind reading, magic, fortune telling, telepathy and mentalism. He has been honing his craft for more than 20 years, performing for hundreds of top corporations. Berk, a mentalist from Istanbul, Turkey, recently won TV's Uri Geller's Phenomenon - Turkey. Wonderground is a magical club experience that features interactive close-up magic, uncommon variety acts, performance art, a psychic sideshow and DJ Leo Diaz spinning house, mash-ups and down-tempo techno. The performers have been different every week and you never know who might show up. Past celebrity guests include our favorite mentalist Gerry McCambridge (Hooters), Lance Burton (Monte Carlo), Criss Angel (Luxor) and Keith Barry (at Planet Hollywood through the 27th). Entrance is $10 at the door, or half price for patrons showing up in magical costumes before 10:30 p.m. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. * * * * * * Okay, you New Yorkers, or Big Apple visitors...This Sunday, it's the husband and wife musical team of Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano remembering John Wallowitch, Lew Spence and Murray Grand at the Metropolitan Room. Join Barbara and Eric as they salute three masters of the art of theater and café music. David Hurst of Cabaret Scenes magazine writes about the presentation, "A triumph in every sense of the word, Remembering... is a showcase not only for the composers of the title, but for Comstock and Fasano as well. For those unfamiliar with Wallowitch, Spence and Grand, here's a quick synopsis: Singer-songwriter-pianist Murray Grand, who died March 7, 2007, at the age of 87, created the first café revue in New York City and had his most famous composition, Guess Who I Saw Today, included in the Smithsonian Institute's collection of "the 25 most important night-club songs of all time." John Wallowitch, a singer-composer of thousands of songs and a familiar face on New York television's cable-access show, John's Cabaret, died August 15, 2007, at the age of 81. Best known for songs that reveled in word play and witty social observation, such as Bruce, which was popularized by Blossom Dearie, Wallowitch was often compared to Noel Coward and Cole Porter for his smart and snappy tunes. Lew Spence, who didn't publish his first song until he was almost thirty, was best known for Nice ‘n' Easy, a smash hit for Frank Sinatra, died January 9, 2008, at the age of 87. He was also notable for becoming a full-time lyricist in his late forties after almost two decades of providing only melodies for other people's words. (Thanks for your help, Mr. Hurst.) The Metropolitan Room is at 34 West 22nd Street. Show time is 7 p.m. You don't want to miss this one. Call (212) 206-0440 for reservations.
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Tags: Susan Egan Spectrum Roslyn Kind Kelly Clinton Bill Nolte Pam Drews Phillips
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant Las Vegas - November 7, 2008 
Criss Angel 
Jerry Mitchell 
Steve Solomon WOW!
In this corner, the big winner is...our new president, Barack Obama. In the other corner, the big loser...the Bad Boy of Magic, Criss Angel. There are no hanging chads involved here, and no demands for recounts. The critics AND audience members, seem to be unanimous when it comes to Angel's (in association with Cirque du Soleil) new show at the Luxor. It appears, to most who have seen it, that Believe is an $85 million + (some figures claim as high as $100 million) disaster. A year ago, Cousin Claire called a small musical revue that she saw at a local's favorite venue, a "slight misstep" in an otherwise impressive series of offerings. From what we are reading and hearing, Believe it or not, this production is a MAJOR misstep. A speed bump of epic proportions. A bust. A bomb. A great big, very expensive disappointment. We have yet to hear one reviewer (and we don't consider Las Vegas Channel 3's Alicia Jacobs to be a qualified, unbiased and fair critic, especially when it comes to attractive male show business types) speak well of this Cirque du Soleil effort. When entertainment writers (not us, as we haven't seen this one) use words like "boring" to describe a new, much hyped production that is supposed to run for 10 years, friends, you got trouble...BIG trouble! Oh, you've got trouble. Terrible, terrible trouble. Oh yes you've got trouble, trouble, trouble! Lots and lots a' trouble. (Thank you, Music Man Meredith Willson.) It's almost inconceivable to believe that Believe could generate so much consistent bad press. We have not seen one positive piece on Believe. Prior to all the bad reviews (or maybe in spite of all the bad reviews), it is claimed that there had been $5 million in tickets sold before the first public performance. One show business-type suggested that those early ticket buyers fell into one of three categories, (1) Angel's following built through his Mindfreak TV series, (2) the Cirque fan base who like to see all new Cirque shows, and (3) the crowd that will pay to see a train wreck. Maybe, instead of hanging out with the likes of Pamela Anderson; Cameron Diaz; Minnie Driver; Miss Nevada, Veronica Grabowski; Paris Hilton; Lindsay Lohan; Britney Spears, and now, 80-year-old Hugh Hefner's former playgirl, Holly Madison (29), our 40-year-old Angel should have been taking acting lessons and working more on his live performance on stage than his reputation as a ladies man. If it was publicity he was seeking, Criss Angel is definitely getting it...although, certainly not the kind he was hoping for. When other Cirque, or Cirque-related shows (Zumanity, Le Reve, Celine Dion's A New Day, and Ka) opened to lukewarm reviews, they were described as "works in progress." Some of the problems in those shows could be fixed (with new choreographers, some rewriting or rethinking) or hidden. What do you do with a show where the problem is the STAR? We have heard that the powers-that-be (who ARE these people, anyway?) won't try to make any changes in Believe until January. Acting lessons for Mr. Angel or, at the very least, an on-the-scene coach, might be a good starting place to fix this humongous problem. No one who loves Las Vegas, or lives and works here, wants anything with money, creativity and/or effort involved, to fail - whether it be a well-run, well-crafted hotel, restaurant, publication, department store, specialty shop...or show. It is a black-eye for the community.
SPOILER ALERT: If you do decide to see this show, based on the dark and scary photos we saw - featuring blood and gore and injured bunnies - we suggest leaving the kids at home. In the past few weeks, Believe is the second Vegas show to take a critical hit. Mike Weatherford gave the Sahara's new show, Raw Talent Live, a "D" rating. We don't recall the entertainment writer/critic ever giving any other show a "D." Raw Talent Live must really be a stinker to generate a "D." Mediocrity, or worse, does not bode well for a city that calls itself "The Entertainment Capital of the World." Bad news for Stomp Out Loud cast members, crew and fans. Things will be a lot quieter around Planet Hollywood after January 4th, when the raucous and rhythmic production winds up its 21-months at the Strip hotel/casino. Coincidentally, Stomp Out Loud will end its run on the same night that Mamma Mia! shuts up shop and sails off into the sunset. The Lion King will replace Mamma Mia! in the Mandalay Bay Theater. Hopefully, the award-winning Lion King will have the same success as its predecessor. Although there has been no announcement regarding what will go into the theater at Planet Hollywood, a little birdie tells us to look for Tony Award-winning (Best Choreography for La Cage aux Folles) director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell's adult-geared Peep Show to take over the 1,500-seat performance space occupied by SOL for the next eight weeks. More than a year ago, BroadwayWorld hinted at things to come in Las Vegas. Here is some of what was written in June of last year. Could this be the time? And could Planet Hollywood be the place? What do you think? Variety reports that Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS's racy, popular benefit series "Broadway Bares" may be headed for Sin City. "The venture has been so successful that (Jerry) Mitchell and producer Scott Zeiger have plans to retitle (sic) it 'Peep Show' and take it to Las Vegas for a sit-down commercial production at one of the casinos," states the article. In the meantime, if you haven't seen Stomp Out Loud and would like to, make your reservations soon. There are bargains to be had during the final performances. Remember, if you snooze, you lose. * * * * * * Steve Solomon's hit comedy, My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy!, returns to the Suncoast this weekend, where it will run tonight through Sunday. The show concluded its nearly two-year New York run on August 24th, after 724 performances. Solomon, the show's creator and original star, continues to play to sold-out houses in cities around the country. "We couldn't be more thrilled with our New York run," says Solomon. "When we first announced the New York engagement, the plan was to stay for only three months before taking the show on the road. But the audiences just kept coming back and bringing their families with them." Described as "Twice the holidays! Twice the hollering! Twice the guilt! One part canoli, one part kreplach and two parts Prozac." TV host Regis Philbin, of ABC TV's Live with Regis & Kelly, calls My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy!,
"beautifully written and hysterically funny! Non-stop laughs all the way!" WOR Radio raves "The show's a big hit! It's an hour-and-a-half of laughter!" while Joe Franklin of Bloomberg Radio calls the show "the sleeper hit of the season!" WCBS-TV heralds the show as "A funny look at family relationships" that WWOR-TV raves "brings down the house!" The one man show returns to the Suncoast, tonight through Sunday, following three sold-out nights at the hotel in May. Tickets are priced from $19.95 (plus taxes and fees). Call the Suncoast at (702) 636-7075 for reservations. * * * * * *  Michael Kessler & Melinda Jackson  Don Hill & Charlie Shaffer  Reichard, Raben, Chandler, Engel & Ross South Point Hotel & Casino presents M&M (that stands for Michael & Melinda) in Let's Dance!, on Sunday. Described as "A Romantic Musical Comedy," Let's Dance! stars the husband and wife team of Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson. With M&M American Dance Theatre, a cast of 11 international artists, the musical tells the story of a Dancin' Man from the streets of New York, whose search to "leave his footsteps on the sands of time" leads him to a ballet class where he discovers the girl of his dreams. Featuring great dancing and the timeless music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, this humorous and poignant love story follows our heroes back in time to relive a life of "rhythm and rhyme." The Miami Herald wrote, "Kessler & Jackson dance like a dream... Kessler sings persuasively... Generous helpings of Fred & Ginger elegance," while the New York Times described the show as, "...lively...acrobatic...elegant..." The Las Vegas Review-Journal stated, "It was unusual to find a pair of performers who can carry with equal grace dance, song and acting...top notch entertainment...genuine romance..." Let's Dance! starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15, $20 and $25, and can be purchased in person through the South Point Box Office, or by calling (702) 797-8055 or (866) 796-7111. If you like Dancing with the Stars, you'll love Let's Dance! * * * * * * Don Hill's 87th birthday party turned out great, in spite of the unbelievably poor business tactics used by the owner of the site of the celebration, the six month old Caylix Jazz Supper Club (formerly Café Nicole) on West Sahara. About 100 of Don's personal friends and fellow musicians turned out to honor the half-century long, saxophone-playing member of the Treniers, last Saturday night. Among those in attendance to toast and roast Hill (some also performed), were 91-year-young Prince Spencer of the famous dancing Step Brothers, and his daughter Holly; Skip Trenier and "Cousin" Harry Walker, both former members of the famed Treniers show band; the multi-talented husband and wife team of Artie Schroeck and Linda November; trombonists Jimmy Wilkins (Count Basie and Clark Terry) and Brian O'Shea; musician/artist Gene Redden; entertainer Paul Stubblefield; drummer Joe Locatelli; and comics Peter Anthony and Cork Proctor. The big negative aspect of the evening was Regina Edwards, the owner of Caylix. Edwards created plenty of bad-will, doing everything she could come up with to financially take advantage of the group. The hostess/party giver, Jeanne Brei, was required to put up a $500 deposit, from which money spent on drinks by the party attendees would be deducted. Edwards was going to get $500 in bar business any way that she could. In a display of greed and gall, this woman did not deduct or credit the sales of the overpriced soft drinks, coffee or bottled water (at $3 a bottle) toward the $500 deposit/ guarantee. Brei paid the Speakeasy Swingers - Charlie Shaffer on piano, Merv Harding on trumpet, Bob Scann on trombone, Bruce Harper on drums (those would be, as it turned out, the rented-for-the-night drums), and Roy Shain (filling in for absent Ty Lemley) on bass - who not only entertained the expected party guests, but the handful of Caylix customers as well...all at no cost to the club owner. Although Brei was told that she did not need to have her musicians bring their own drum set, as there were drums at the club that could be used, Ms. Edwards added $50 to the group's bill for the use of those drums. We were also told that, although the hostess brought the birthday cake to the party, there may have been an attempt to charge a $15 "cake cutting fee" (our words, not theirs) for the use of a knife and dessert plates. From what we understand, there is very little chance that those who attended Mr. Hill's celebration will be returning to Caylix in the future. It is our suggestion that potential customers send a strong message to the proprietors of this establishment by spending their hard-earned dollars someplace else - someplace where they are appreciated and welcome, and not being ripped off and taken advantage of. With the recent/unexpected closing of Bugsy's (where Don Hill's birthday party was originally scheduled to be held), Sonny's on South Grand Canyon Drive, both Louis's Fish Camp and Louis's Las Vegas (owned by Louis and Marleen Osteen) at the Town Center Mall, one would think that people in the hospitality business would be doing everything that they could to attract and KEEP customers. It seems that Regina Edwards knows very little about hospitality. We won't be surprised, if within a few months, we learn that this establishment has an Out of Business sign on their front door. Photo of Hill and Shaffer by Gloria Hill. Yesterday, while telling the tale of Caylix to a local friend, we learned that six to eight weeks before the place opened, the owner hired a group of musicians to play at the club on Tuesdays. When they showed up for their first night of work, they were totally ignored for about half-an-hour before finally being acknowledged by an unknown employee. They were told that since the owner wasn't present, they wouldn't be playing that night, at which point they left the place. Needless to say, they never returned. Although the musicians did not want to be named in this article, they did say that, if needed, they would verify this story. And speaking of poor business tactics...
Some local musicians want to share a recent experience they had, as a sort of warning to others who might become victims. In June, a five-piece band called BLU7, and led by James Barela, was hired to play on Friday and Saturday nights at the VOX Wine Lounge, located at Eastern and Horizon Ridge in Henderson. In the beginning, they were paid $300 a night (always in cash), to be divided among the five players. In August, the musicians' pay was increased to $500 a night. At the end of the night on Wednesday, August 27th, restaurant management said the club was short on petty cash and asked if the musicians would agree to be paid at their next appearance, scheduled for the following Friday. BLU7 agreed to the arrangement. When the time came to be paid on Friday, the men were told that they had to return the following week to get a check for both nights, and, oh by the way, that they would not be working on Saturday, as planned, because VOX had booked somebody else. The following week, James went to see Carl Goldner, one of the VOX partners, to get paid. Goldner told James that they didn't have the money to pay the group and that they don't pay $500 a night for entertainment. (This was in spite of the fact that is what they had been paid for each of the previous five gigs.) The musicians were also told they would have to accept a cut in pay, back to $300, if they wanted to work the four Saturdays in September they had already booked them for. Barela turned down the September dates, telling Carl that he only wanted the money owed for the nights the group played, and that he would forget about the last-minute cancellations. As is the nature of the business, the musicians had turned down other work to be available for what they thought were firm, and confirmed, dates. Carl said he did not agree to the $500 even though he knew that both of his managers had done so. After additional conversation, Goldner did finally agree to pay the $1000 for the last two nights, but told James to come back again because he needed his partners' signature for their two-signature checks. James has left several phone messages and visited twice since his meeting with Carl. As of today, Barela has received no return phone call, and when he went to VOX in person, was given the brush off. More than two months later, BLU 7 has not been paid. Las Vegas musicians, you have been warned. By the way, bass player extraordinaire, Fred Watstein, one of the BLU7 players, will be the featured guest artist for Ed Mathews' Hit Parade show at the Suncoast on Thursday, November 13th. For a couple of months in the summer, Fred was part of the "house band" for the Suncoast's weekly, very well attended, afternoon gigs. Watstein will be joined by some of the Hit Parade musicians while performing selections such as Henry Mancini's Walkin' Bass, Duke Ellington's Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, Fever (a hit for both Peggy Lee and Little Willie John), Bob Haggart's Big Noise From Winnetka, and a blues medley featuring the band and more Ellington. You can never have too much Ellington. The much in demand Mr. Watstein will also join Mike Shane and his Metropolitan Club Orchestra in establishing a holiday show to benefit Child Haven in Las Vegas. Fred has done two previous gigs with this group, stating that the participating musicians are top-notch as are most of the entertainers. This is for a great cause, as Child Haven provides temporary shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children in Southern Nevada. The variety show will be held at Calico Jack's Saloon & Restaurant, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 16th. In addition to the live big band, the classic Las Vegas show will also feature music and comedy. Calico Jack's is located at 8200 W. Charleston at Cimarron, and their phone number is (702) 255-6771. There is no admission charge for the show, although donations for Child Haven are happily and gratefully accepted. * * * * * * And then there's COLABO. We have written about this bunch before. Since things had been quiet from their camp for a spell, we hoped they had left the area. They hadn't...or if they had, they're back. If you are a regular reader, you know that, since early June, this pseudo "theater company" had been promoting their intention to put on three different plays/revues - Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Evening with Billie Holiday, and Light My Fire: The Jim Morrison and The Doors Story - all at one of the local Family Music Centers. In the beginning, we thought this was a legitimate and, on that basis, plugged their upcoming projects (see Claire Voyant's June 20th past column). Our mistake. Cancelled performances (almost all of them). Many rescheduled dates that came and went with no shows. Changing cast members. Unpaid musicians. What is going on here? Why is the Family Music Center still working with this flaky outfit? Don't they realize how this affects their credibility? Surprise (or not). Once again, they are promoting the same three shows, this time with November performance dates. Maybe Las Vegas should enact the same "three strikes and you're out" laws (also known as habitual offender laws) that California uses when it comes to repeat criminals. COLABO has had more than three strikes around here. Time for them, or "Mr. Adams," to move on. And speaking of "Troy Adams," we find it more than a little suspect that, even after five months, "Adams", who is listed as Artistic Director of Colabo on the Web site (see colabo.biz), and claims to be a working actor (he is listed as the star of Hedwig), has no photo up on the site. How many real actors do you know of that have NO photo to promote themselves? There are pictures of everyone else in the Hedwig cast, but still none of the mysterious Mr. Adams (or whoever he is). We suspect that "Troy Adams" is not the name this character has used throughout his career in show business (if in fact that is the business he is in). We can find NOTHING under his name anywhere on the Internet (very unusual for an actor). As far as the 'Picture Coming Soon' thing where his headshot should be, maybe this fellow doesn't want to be recognized by anyone who may have had questionable dealings with him before he turned up in Las Vegas. "Troy Adams" bio states that he received a BA in Journalism from San Diego State University and promptly created the non-profit organization UMOJA Theatre Company. Through UMOJA. he produced over 30 stage productions in 10 years, employing over 1200 performers and musicians in large scale productions such as THE WIZ, FAME, ANNIE, and WEST SIDE STORY. It goes on to say that he also founded San Diego's first fully integrated independent youth theater (PYT), giving many children of all race, creed and religon (sic) their first taste of the Arts. Troy appeared on Broadway as a swing/understudy in the two time Tony award-winning musical revue 5 GUYS NAMED MOE and often stunned the audience with his 3.5 octave range. He graduated high school from the School of Creative and Performing Arts in San Diego and is an in-demand choreographer and actor. We can find NOTHING to back up any of this information. Nothing about these theater companies. Nothing about the "large scale productions." If, in fact, he appeared in ANY Broadway show, why isn't Troy Adams listed anywhere on the Internet Broadway Data Base (IBDB), and why doesn't he know that the show he claims to have been in is correctly titled FIVE (not 5) Guys Named Moe? There are way too many unanswered questions about this man. Purchase tickets to their promoted shows, or get involved with these operators at your own peril. We say it once again...You have been warned. * * * * * * Cutting-edge magician Jeff McBride hosts Wonderground, a magical, interactive club experience, following his Magic at the Edge shows in the Palace Station's Sound Trax Showroom on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tonight and tomorrow night (November 7th and 8th), from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., McBride's special guests include magicians Mark Kornhauser and Sophie Evans. Kornhauser, a very successful comedy magician, has performed as an opening act for Tom Jones, Elvis Costello and Frankie Valli, among others. He has consulted for several magicians and entertainers, including David Copperfield, and is currently consulting for ventriloquist Terry Fator. Evans is a versatile magician with skills that range from close-up magic to fire-eating. She recently appeared in the BBC television series, The Sorcerers Apprentice, and is the only woman to ever win an International Close-up Magic title. There are different guests each week. One never knows who may appear (or disappear). Lance Burton, Criss Angel, and Defending the Caveman's comedian/star, Kevin Burke, have all been to Wonderground. Entrance is $10 at the door, or half price for patrons showing up in magical costumes before 10:30 p.m. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. For more information, go to www.vegaswonderground.com. * * * * * * For all you Forever Plaid fans, here's good news. The tale of the singing Plaids has been filmed for release as a movie! No release date has been announced for the film that features Tony Award-winner David Hyde Pierce as the celestial emcee, and stars Daniel Reichard (as Francis), Larry Raben (as Sparky), Stan Chandler (as Jinx) and David Engel (as Smudge). Stuart Ross, the creator of the revue that has played worldwide, directed. The creative team also included set designer Neil Peter Jampolis, musical director David Snyder and costume designer Deborah Stein. The musical is being produced for the silver screen by Benni Korzen, Barney Cohen and Suren M. Seron. Forever Plaid, according to press notes, takes audiences on a "trip to Fiftiesville with Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Frankie, a fictional 1950's boy band. Tragically, and inconveniently struck down before their first big gig, 'The Plaids' will be brought back to earth to take the stage one last time." To date, the worldwide total box office gross for Forever Plaid is $265,000,000. The revue has played non-stop worldwide for nearly two decades, including in Las Vegas at both the Flamingo and the Gold Coast. Engel was one of the cast members of Forever Plaid during its Vegas run, while Raben played Leo Bloom in the Las Vegas version of The Producers until its closing earlier this year. When we have more details about the film, we will share them with our readers. * * * * * * And speaking of The Producers, our friend, actor/singer Bill Nolte, who played Franz Liebkind in the Mel Brooks musical romp, made CBS Channel 2's news in New York on Wednesday. No, it wasn't to tout a smashing performance on Broadway, or to promote his upcoming show at Birdland this Monday night (although Nolte's one-man-show, All of Me, should be promoted on television). Nolte, who works all around the country but still maintains a home in Las Vegas, was interviewed as one of the thousands of people in the Big Apple trying to buy copies of the Wednesday New York Times with the Obama Wins headlines. * * * * * * 
Marvin Lashever w/Yellow Ribbon Medal 
Wanda Sykes 
Garry Shandling As he has done for the past 14 years, Tony Orlando will host the 15th Veterans Day Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom ceremony to be held at 2 p.m. on November 11th at the Lawrence Welk Theater in Branson, Missouri. Orlando's 1973 hit, Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree, became an anthem for soldiers returning home from countries with hard to spell and hard to pronounce names. The song opened doors and started a relationship between Tony and vets from around the United States. One of the things to emerge from that relationship is this specially produced, annual extravaganza, open only to veterans and their families and offered to them free of charge. As a part of this salute to those who have served to protect our freedom, Tony presents the special medal, designed by Las Vegan Marvin Lashever, to a deserving recipient. Past honorees include Bob Hope, former POW Major Stephen Long, Ross Perot, former President Gerald Ford, BoxCar Willie, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony Principi; former Branson Mayor, Lou Schaefer, and Connie Stevens. In 1999, the Eisenhower family, represented by Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, received the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom. Last year's recipient was recent presidential candidate, John McCain. This year, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, recipient of the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts, will be honored and presented with the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom medal. * * * * * * Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian and actress, Wanda Sykes, returns to the Planet Hollywood Showroom, where she will perform 10 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday, November 14th and 15th. Sykes is an Emmy Award-winning comedian and actress. She is well known for her blunt observations on current events (we are sure she will have plenty to see about our country's newly elected president), the differences between the sexes and races, and life in general, as well as for her roles on the Emmy-winning series, The New Adventures of Old Christine, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Sykes also appears as herself on Larry David's HBO series, Curb Your Enthusiasm. For reservations to see funny lady Wanda Sykes live, call ticketmaster at(702) 474-4000. And more funny stuff
On November 10th, Richard Belzer, Lewis Black, Margaret Cho, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, Jon Stewart and Lily Tomlin, will be among an all-star lineup of entertainers who will honor the late comedian George Carlin at this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It will be awarded during a tribute performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The program will be broadcast on PBS at a later date. The prize was announced just before Carlin's death in June and is being awarded posthumously for the first time in its 11-year history. Carlin passed away on June 22nd after checking into a Santa Monica, California, hospital for chest pain. He was 71. Carlin had performed at The Orleans in Las Vegas only a week prior to his death. Previous Mark Twain Prize honorees are Richard Pryor (1998), Carl Reiner (1999), Jonathan Winters (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), author/ playwright Neil Simon (2006), and last years recipient, Billy Crystal. * * * * * * Entertainer Ronnie Rose, who was scheduled to perform at Louis's (in the Town Square Mall) Jazz Brunch on Sunday, reports that the business has closed, another victim of the current economic situation. Rose, who would have been accompanied by Ned Mills on piano, states it was a pleasure working for Marleen and Louis Osteen over the past few months, going on to say that they were gracious employers, providing musicians with a meal, a drink, and a place to do their thing. * * * * * * Tickets for the Dancing with the Stars Tour, coming to The Orleans Arena on December 29th, go on sale at 10 a.m., this Monday. ABC TV's No. 1-rated reality competition is hitting the road and taking an entirely new cast of celebrities and professional dancers to 37 cities around the country. The fourth national Dancing with the Stars tour features the most popular and exciting competitors from the hit television show, including celebrities Lance Bass, Toni Braxton and Maurice Greene from Season 7, as well as Marlee Matlin from Season 6. Joining the celebrities on the tour will be some of the show's professional dancers, including Mark Ballas, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough, Kym Johnson, Alec Mazo, Lacey Schwimmer, Edyta Sliwinska, Karina Smirnoff and Fabian Sanchez. The two-hour show features a larger-than-life recreation of the TV show's actual stage and set design - complete with intimate, cabaret-style VIP table seating on the floor, putting the fans in the center of the action. In addition, the cast will be accompanied by an unstoppable ten-piece live band, performing all of the much-loved hits featured on the TV show as well as popular hits to accompany the new production numbers, produced exclusively for the tour. The production will also feature two huge high-definition video screens showcasing never-before-seen rehearsal footage, exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and outtakes, as well as many extra surprises. Tickets can be purchased at www.DancingWithTheStarsOnTour.com as well as through www.orleansarena.com. * * * * * * The weekend of November 14th is going to require an eeny, meeny, miny, mo, or a coin toss for entertainment lovers. Here are some of the TOO MANY choices available over a three day period. So many shows, so little time... Singer/songwriter/musician Don McLean comes into Texas Station next Friday, November 14th. McLean, who penned Vincent (Starry Starry Night), American Pie, Empty Chairs, Castles in the Air, Superman's Ghost (a tribute to actor George Reeves) and Wonderful Baby (an homage to Fred Astaire), was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. Showtime is at 8 p.m. For reservations, call (702) 547-5300. 
Don McLean 
Gerald Gordon & Roslyn Kind (1981) 
Roslyn Kind Singer/actor Bruce Ewing (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) and Joey Singer (Mamma Mia! keyboards, and Debbie Reynolds musical director/piano) will introduce their new Christmas CD during two live performances in the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum on Sunday, November 16th. The first of the free concerts will take place at 1:30 and the other at 3 p.m. Remembering To Dream contains a collection of 20 songs performed by tenor Ewing and Singer. Among the selections are Mary Did You Know, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Holy Night, Just In Time for Christmas, All Those Christmas Clichés, and the title track, Remembering To Dream, written by Joey Singer and Phantom cast member, Jason Forbach. Although admission is free, a "free will offering" will be accepted, to be split between the Liberace Foundation and Family Promise Of Las Vegas. Remembering To Dream will be available for the first time at this event. The Liberace Museum is located at 1775 E. Tropicana on the corner of Spencer. For more information on this concert, or on this album, visit www.BruceEwing.com On Friday and Saturday (the 14th and 15th), it's Roslyn Kind at The Cannery in North Las Vegas. Born and raised in New York, Roslyn now makes her home in Los Angeles. Although she is frequently compared to her half-sister, Barbra Streisand, Ms. Kind has her own unique and unmistakable singing style, making her a popular act across the United States in theaters, nightclubs and concert halls, as well as in sold out appearances in England, France, Budapest, Hungary, Germany and Canada. She cut her first record the day she graduated from high school. Since that time, Roslyn has released albums and singles that confirm the rich and lyrical depth of her performances. On Broadway, Roslyn starred in Three From Brooklyn at the Helen Hayes Theater, and off Broadway, in the musical Show Me Where The Good Times Are, for which she received rave reviews. Her acting skills were also critically acclaimed in a star-studded, limited engagement Los Angeles production of Elegies, directed by Marshall Mason. Roslyn's film roles include I'm Going To Be Famous and The Underachievers. On television, she appeared in the NBC Movie of the Week, Switched At Birth, had a recurring guest-starring role on the NBC comedy series, Gimme a Break, and a guest-starring role on the hit sit-com, The Nanny. Roslyn has been a guest on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and many others. In recent years, Roslyn has at some of the most prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, The Greek Theater and London's Café Royal. The London Times noted "To say she is superb would be an understatement." In 2006 she made her long awaited Carnegie Hall debut with her frequent musical collaborator and friend, Michael Feinstein. Due to popular demand, Kind's Come What May album has recently been re-released. Cannery show time is at 8 p.m. Admission is an unbelievably low $10. For information, call (702) 617-5585 in Las Vegas, or Toll Free at (866) 287-4643. Acting coach Gerald Gordon, who has been a Las Vegan since 1996, has a direct connection to Ms. Kind. In the early 1980s, Rozzie (as he calls her) was one of his students. She was so good, that Gordon cast her in her theatrical debut, the Los Angeles premiere of Ferguson the Tailor, which he directed. You can bet Gordon will be sitting ringside for both of Roslyn's Cannery performances. On Saturday night, November 15th, Las Vegas' own Kelly Clinton brings her one woman show to the intimate Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. Clinton is a multiple-threat performer. A singer, dancer, actress, impressionist, and comedienne, Kelly has been described as a "kaleidoscope of talent." As a youngster, her idols were Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball. Her one-woman show reflects her love for this type of entertainment. "I always identified with Carol Burnett and Lucy's style of sketch comedy and didn't worry about glamour," says the bubbly Ms. Clinton. "I was always going for the humor, mimicking family members and trying for a laugh." A Las Vegan since she was barely legal, Kelly had her own band and was a favorite on the local lounge circuit. The New Jersey-born entertainer has performed with both Engelbert Humperdinck and Wayne Newton and headlined at the Suncoast Hotel/Casino. Kelly can frequently be found entertaining at the Turnberry Towers' exclusive Stirling Club, where she also serves as the club's entertainment director. In September, Kelly performed her Baldheaded Men number on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Kelly and her husband, fellow entertainer Clint Holmes, will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on Tuesday, November 11th. Presented by Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment, Kelly Clinton's Out of My Mind starts at 7 p.m. The Starbright is located at 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., off west, west Lake Mead. Tickets are $18 for Sun City Summerlin residents, and $23 for non-residents. For ticket information, call (702) 240-1301. To purchase by credit card, call (702) 869-2064. On a personal note...Cousin Claire thinks it is an insult to charge non-residents more than those from the neighborhood. In the first place, it makes it appear that Sun City Summerlin is trying to discourage "outsiders" from patronizing the Starbright. In the second place, it is already costing the outsiders more to travel to the hills of Summerlin so, if anything, they should pay less than those who have to fill up their gas tank to get to the theater . So there! Right down the street from the Starbright Theatre, at the Suncoast, Variety Live!, presented by Paul Stone, returns for another back-by-popular-demand engagement, November 14th through 16th. This version of the Ed Sullivan-inspired show features a variety of performers including Larissa Youens' breathtaking hula-hoop act, the post modern magic of Joseph Gabriel, Variety Award Winner Charlie Frye & Company, the hilarious Jeff Hobson, the outstanding physical comedy of Rob Torres, England's new singing sensation Ben Stone and Antje Pode, the fantastic foot juggler. Larissa Youens is a graduate of the prestigious Cirque School. She was voted Best New Young Performer by her State Circus School in the Ukraine. In 1989, she received first place in the Russian Circus Festival for best Novelty Act – hoops on a skateboard. Joseph Gabriel is a master magician and illusionist. He is a master of sleight-of-hand and has created some of the most spectacular illusions in the world of magic. Jeff Hobson was serious about his magic as he grew up in Detroit. Rigorous practice was a ritual, and by age 12 he was routinely winning national magic competitions. At age 17, when he was booked to perform his manipulation act at Boblo Island amusement park, things changed for Jeff when he realized he had forgotten to unload his equipment. As a result, Jeff had to improvise, utilizing only a simple prop or two, along with his innate sense of humor. It was a hit, and Jeff has focused on comedy magic ever since. Rob Torres has a unique way of bringing out the absurdity of everyday tasks, whether he is changing his clothes, setting the table or just sitting down. His award winning international comedy has made him one of the foremost visual comedy acts in the world today. Ben Stone, a native of Liverpool, is England's new singing sensation. At 23, Ben has already performed at many of the major theaters in London's West End, including the London Palladium. He has performed around the world for and alongside big name celebrities including Lionel Richie, Simon Cowell, Matthew Perry, as well as Las Vegas legends, Siegfried and Roy. Germany's foot juggler, Antje Pode, is one of the stars of European Variety Theater. She provides entertainment for all, by combining skills of a juggler with artistry of a high wire act. On a personal level, Charlie Frye & Company are one of our favorite specialty acts. We first saw them here in a production show called, From the Top (circa, sometime in the '80s). In the years since, we have watched these two clowns (Charlie and Sherry Frye really are clowns, having attended Clown College in Florida) in a number of other revues. Charlie had a role in the Tom Hanks film, That Thing You Do, and the twosome toured with Liza Minnelli as her opening act. Charlie Frye & Company synthesizes virtuosic skills and a passionate love of their art into something classic yet undeniably fresh. Something that astounds even as it entertains. For the past 20 years, Charlie and Sherry have been delighting audiences worldwide with their singular blend of silent comedy, slapstick, magic, juggling, and acrobatics. Charlie is often compared to classic comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel and Dick Van Dyke. Charlie plays the rubber-faced, put-upon juggler/magician. Sherry plays his elaborately bored, beautiful assistant. The couple have a residence in the Green Valley section of Henderson, but they don't spend much time there. The reason? The clever comedy juggling act is very popular and much in demand in other parts of the world. See them, and the rest of the talented variety performers, during their weekend Suncoast engagement. Show time for Variety Live! is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced from $19.95, plus tax, and can be purchased by calling the box office at (702) 636-7075. Oh yes, we almost forgot to mention...Charlie Frye is also a fine cartoonist and caricature artist. He is responsible for Claire Voyant's portrait used with this column.
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Tags: Criss Angel Jerry Mitchell Steve Solomon Michael Kessler Don Hill Shaffer R
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - October 31, 2008
Gerry McCambridge 
SQuire Rushnell 
Criss Angel Trick or treat! Sometimes both. Cousin Claire could try to weasel her way out of this one and say that her omission of a certain entertainer from last Friday's very short Scorpio birthday list was a deliberate action. She is not that kind of gal, so she will admit that it was an unintentional oversight. But, for Gerry McCambridge, the omitted one, it works out to his advantage. Not only does he get his own paragraph, it's at the top of today's column! So, happy birthday, to The Mentalist, who celebrates his 46th TODAY...on Halloween. How cool is that? Is it just a coincidence that our mentalist/magician was born exactly 36 years, to the day, after the Halloween death of the great Harry Houdidni? According to SQuire Rushnell (yes, with a capital "S," AND a capital "Q"), author of When God Winks, there are no coincidences in life. (Mr. Rushnell, by the way, is the husband of comic/impressionist Louise DuArt, who performed here regularly with Tim Conway and the late Harvey Korman during the Stardust days.) McCambridge tells us that he will spend part of his birthday (his show at Hooters is dark on Friday nights) trick or treating with Gerry's kids (that's McCambridge‘s kids, not Lewis‘), after which he will walk the red carpet and attend the official opening of Criss Angel's new show at the Luxor. We are hoping that Mr. McCambridge will share his honest thoughts on Mr. Angel's show after his viewing. Also, birthday greetings to Rolando Larraz, publisher of the Las Vegas Tribune, The Only Independent Newspaper in Clark County. To say that most of the early reviews of Criss Angel's multi-million dollar Cirque du Soleil show, Believe, have been lukewarm, would be putting it mildly. Did you ever notice that whenever a show opens to less than raves (Celine Dion‘s A New Day, Le Reve, Zumanity), the spin doctors describe it as "a work in progress"? If those same shows opened to glowing reviews, would they STILL have been deemed "works in progress"? We think not. The good news is that the three shows we mentioned went on to do well and are still up and running. Hopefully, the same will happen with Believe. Incidentally, CBS TV's new series, The Mentalist, has achieved high ratings, much like Gerry McCambridge's very entertaining offering at Hooters. Two weeks ago, McCambridge performed his 600th show in Las Vegas. Prior to his current engagement at Hooters, Gerry performed at the Rampart, and then at the Stardust, until that hotel/casino's closing exactly two years ago. A little (sort of) personal Harry Houdini story on the anniversary of his death...
In 1953, a VERY young Claire Voyant and her family were given a VIP tour of the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles (our family was in the movie theater business in Chicago). It was during the time that they were filming Houdini, starring Tony Curtis and his then wife, Janet Leigh. To say that we were excited at the prospect of seeing the oh so handsome Mr. Curtis in person is an understatement. To our great disappointment, they happened not to be filming that day (timing is everything). As we crossed the studio lot, feeling very blue, a shiny convertible, carrying two gentlemen, comes roaring into the area. Tony Curtis was the driver! We were thrilled, calling out, "Hi, Tony!" as he got out of the car. When I told him the tale decades later during a chance meeting at the Desert Inn, Mr. Curtis asked me, "Did I answer you?" When I said, "yes you did." He laughed and said, "I'm glad this little story had a happy ending." And so it did. 
Tony Curtis (then) 
Nobody Famous & The Infamous Horns
Tina Walsh And also on the subject of Houdini (real name Erik Weisz or Erich Weiss)...
Tonight, Halloween, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and again tomorrow (Saturday) at the same times, Jeff McBride, Master of Masks magician will display numerous masks from his extensive collection at Wonderground, in the Palace Station's Sound Trax Showroom, this weekend. McBride has collected masks from all over the world during his travels and currently owns more than 400 masks. Special guest magician Jon Randall will be back by popular demand to lead another Houdini séance on Saturday. Wonderground, a magical club experience hosted by Jeff McBride, features interactive close-up magic, uncommon variety acts, performance art, a psychic sideshow and DJ Leo Diaz spinning house, mash-ups and down-tempo techno. In addition to the mask display, UK magician Jon Randall will return to lead a Houdini séance on Saturday night. The séance will be a historical recreation of the final séance held by Harry Houdini's widow in 1936. Entrance is $10 at the door and costumes are encouraged. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. For more details, visit www.vegaswonderground.com. Maybe Cousin Claire needs a long nap...or a short vacation. Not only did she forget (did we say "forget"?) to put Gerry McCambridge in with the other Scorpio birthday folks, she also neglected to mention the fact that the Nobody Famous & The Infamous Horns Las Vegas Dance and Show Band was playing for dancing and listening at the Italian American Club last night. Nobody Famous performs the greatest dance hits of the past 50 years. The group's musical director is Steve Phillips (Filippini), from Spokane, WA. Steve has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. As a solo trumpeter, he toured extensively with the famous Sounds of Nine. His show bands have played for high society dances, major events, festivals, and the Worlds Fair. Steve has performed with such stars as Bobby Vinton, Mel Torme', Liberace, Bobby Rydell, Bob Hope and others. Lead vocalists, Kat Downey and Ray Lopez are seasoned show performers with extensive tours around the world. They bring a wide variety of vocal styles to the band. Together, Kat and Ray sing love songs, rock n' roll, soul, country and party medleys. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kat was formerly a member of the legendary New Christy Minstrels. She has toured the U.S. and Canada, appearing with Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Pat Boone. With an incredible four octave range, her repertoire includes the music of Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Trisha Yearwood, Patsy Cline, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, and Gloria Estefan among others. Ray, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, became a tribute artist in Las Vegas with the show Memories of the King. He has toured extensively in England, Jamaica, Hawaii and throughout the U.S. Known for his vocal artistry and energetic stage presence, Ray performs tributes to Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, K.C. and The Sunshine Band, and The Blues Brothers. His repertoire includes music by such artists as Hank Williams Jr., Michael Bolton, Huey Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and others. The Infamous horn players are Kim Ehrnman from St. Charles, Illinois, on alto sax and vocals; Russell Burt from Los Angeles on tenor sax; Tony Babecka from Church Hill, Tennessee, on baritone sax and vocals; Alan Hott from Peoria, Illinois, on trombone; Ray Underwood from Long Beach, California, on trumpet; and Phillips. The fabulous four piece rhythm section is made up of Rachel Delgado from New York City on keyboards; Mike Fredrickson from Wood River, Illinois, on lead guitar; Rick Hemphill from Cleveland on drums; and Mike Batchelder from Merrill, Wisconsin, on bass guitar and vocals. Together, the group dazzles audiences wherever they perform. When you see the name on a marquee (or in an online column), go see and hear Nobody Famous & The Infamous Horns.
* * * * * * Singer/actress Tina Walsh and pianist Philip Fortenberry's Burt Bacharach tribute, presented by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, last Sunday (October 26th), offered some nice surprises. Walsh and Fortenberry are pros (she is in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian, and he is with Jersey Boys at Palazzo and is also currently performing in his own show, Liberace and Me, three afternoons a week at the Liberace Museum) and did a fine job of interpreting some of the 80-year-old Bacharach's music. There were some unadvertised bonuses to the program, with vocalists Kristen Hertzenberg (on maternity leave from Phantom as she awaits the birth of her first child), Lisa Richard and Victor Wallace (both with Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay) adding their talents to the program. A real treat was a jazz quintet, made up of five high school students from the award-winning Las Vegas Academy of International Studies Performing and Visual Arts. Calling themselves Narrative, the musicians are Eric Andrews on bass, Kyle Henry on tenor sax, Austin Pooley (Tina Walsh's son) on drums, Mohammed Shakir on alto sax and flute, and Steven Van Betten on electric guitar. The performers earned a well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative and impressed audience. And speaking of the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, who have been presenting top talent at affordable prices to the Las Vegas community for almost 20 years...
Our friend Bill Nolte, who played Nazi Franz Liebkind in the Paris Las Vegas production of Mel Brooks' The Producers, will perform his one-man show, All of Me, at the world famous Birdland at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 10th. Bill Nolte's All of Me is presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party, as part of the award-winning Nightlife series, Broadway at Birdland. It was in Las Vegas last February that Nolte debuted the music and comedy show as part of the PASN series. The singing actor sheds his helmet (The Producers), feline makeup (Cats), wigs (1776), and dance belt (Joseph...) to present his solo cabaret act. Directed by Mark Waldrop (When Pigs Fly), with musical direction by Pam Drews Phillips (Crazy for You), All of Me features original material along with standard tunes by Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Fats Waller, Johnny Cash and others. Using both music and comedy, Nolte puts his unique spin on his varied 32-year stage career, touring and travel, life in Las Vegas, and reality TV (Dancing With the Stars) in his thoroughly entertaining revue. Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street in Manhattan. There is a $25 cover and a $10 food/drink minimum. Tickets can be ordered by phone. In New York, call (212) 352-3101 or (212) 581-3080, or call toll free at (866) 811-4111. If you are in New York, check him out. Tell Bill that Claire Voyant sent you. 
Bill Nolte 
Jennifer Hudson 
Laura Bell Bundy & Linda Hart * * * * * * Regular readers know how much we love the monthly Las Vegas Composers Showcase. Unfortunately, we didn't have the list of last night's participants early enough to give them advance publicity, so we will give them a little ink now. As usual, the evening was wonderful. The Cabaret Showroom inside the Liberace Museum was, once again, standing room only, as audience members listened to original material by local composers and songwriters, Jason Andino, Michael Brennan, Erich Bergen, Travis Cloer, Clint Holmes, Christopher Lash, Jeff Leibow, Keith Thompson and Tyler Williams. The songs were performed by vocalists Nathalie Gauvin, Kristofer McNeeley, Renee Marino, Paige Pardy, Elizabeth Share, Tina Walsh, Lisa Wilson, Melody Wilson and Renata Renee Wilson, accompanied by musicians Jean Ainsley, Patricia Diaz, Philip Fortenberry, Rebecca Ramsey and Fred Watstein. We are always excited to see how a newcomer to the showcase reacts. Last night, we sat next to a show business maven, experiencing this phenomenal experience for the first time. At the end of the evening (actually it was early morning as the last composer presented his work), she exclaimed, "I will never miss one of these again." Yep, that's the kind of reaction we expected. * * * * * * Don't forget that Saturday the 1st is Don Hill's birthday party. The former member of the legendary Treniers group for more than 50 years, is turning 87. Age hasn't diminished Hill's musical chops at all. The onetime Louis Armstrong band member can still play the sax with the best of them. Help Don celebrate by joining him, and a few of his closest friends, at Caylix Jazz Supper Club, 4760 W Sahara Blvd.(at Decatur), Ste 13 (formerly the location of Café Nicole). Hosted by Jeanne Brei, there will be live music (paid for by Don's friends and offered at no cost to Caylix and their other customers), dancing and birthday cake for the guests. Be prepared to cough up $10 for a cover charge, and buy a couple of drinks. This is not Don's doing, but that of the new club owner. What do we say about the lady's business practices? Hmmm. For many people, this will be their first visit to Caylix. Wonder how many people will go back there after the birthday party. There is plenty of competition out there, and in this economy one would think that a savvy club owner would be doing whatever they could to get new customers and keep them. Wonder how long Caylix will remain open with these kinds of house rules. For additional information, call the club at (702) 645-5299. Happy, happy birthday, Don Hill! * * * * * * Piero's, at 355 Convention Center Drive (between the famed Las Vegas Strip and Paradise), has given Carmen Mandia & Friends an additional night to entertain customers at the popular five-star Italian eatery. Now, in addition to Friday and Saturday night shows, you can also catch Mandia and his talented cronies on Thursdays as well. Show times run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Call Piero's at (702) 369-2305 for additional information. * * * * * * What a tragic situation for Oscar-winner (Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Effie" in Dreamgirls) Jennifer Hudson and her surviving family members. As you more than likely have read or heard, the onetime American Idol competitor's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were murdered in Chicago. For the past few years, Ms. Hudson seemed to have the world at her feet...until this unimaginable chilling crime that has taken this young lady from the highest high to the lowest low. We can't help thinking about the story of local Monte Carlo cocktail server Cynthia Jay-Brennan, who on January 26th of 2000, after investing $27 in a Megabucks machine at the Desert Inn (now buried under Wynn Las Vegas), won what was then the largest Megabucks jackpot ever...$34.9 million. Weeks later, on March 11th, the then 37-year-old Jay-Brennan was sitting at a red light, when her Camaro was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The accident killed Brennan's sister, Lela, and crushed Jay-Brennan's fifth vertebra and severed her spinal cord, leaving the Megabucks winner paralyzed from her chest down to her toes and confined to a wheelchair for life. It is said that everything happens for a reason. Very often, like in these cases, there is no explanation for the reasons. * * * * * * Next Friday, November 7th, at 8 p.m., it's C. H. at C. H. - that would be Clint Holmes at Carnegie Hall. Yes, THAT Carnegie Hall. Do you know how you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, baby, practice. Holmes, who is making his very first appearance at the mid-town Manhattan concert venue, has been practicing for this moment since he was a kid. Here are the details...With Eric Stern (Rags, The Will Rogers Follies, Tyne Daly's Gypsy) and Vegas' own Vincent Falcone on piano (Frank Sinatra, Steve & Eydie and MANY others) and sharing conducting duties, the New York Pops is celebrating its 25th anniversary with classic songs of New York and the world premiere of original works about the city by Kenneth Laub, with some help from Holmes. Calling the concert New York Songs: A Love Letter to the City, in addition to Holmes, Ashley Brown, star of Broadway's Mary Poppins; Laura Bell Bundy, from Broadway's Hairspray and Legally Blonde; and former Las Vegan, Linda Hart (daughter of Vegas socialite Toni Hart and sister of Larry Hart), also from Hairspray, will provide the vocals. Along with the new original works, favorites including Jule Styne's Funny Girl Overture; Stephen Sondheim's What More Do I Need? from Saturday Night, and Broadway Baby from Follies; Roger Edens/Ralph Blane/Hugh Martin's The Joint is Really Jumpin' Down in Carnegie Hall, from Thousands Cheer; Leonard Bernstein's Times Square from On The Town; Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's Manhattan from The Garrick Gaieties; Cole Porter's I Happen To Like New York from The New Yorkers; Gordon Jenkins' New York's My Home; Jule Styne and Bob Hilliard's Every Street's a Boulevard in Old New York from Hazel Flagg; and Laub's A Love Letter to the City, will be performed in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. Tickets range from $29 to $100, and may be purchased through the Carnegie Hall Box Office, or by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800. * * * * * * Last Sunday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal debuted the first in a series of profiles on stars who have played the Las Vegas Strip. At this point, there are 20 tales scheduled to run. The byline reads Stephen Michael Shearer. Shearer is the author of Patricia Neal: An Unquiet Life. The subject of the first of the Review-Journal profiles was Rose Marie, best known for her role as Sally Rogers on television's popular Dick Van Dyke Show, and the perpetual bow in her hair. Readers of this series might be very surprised to learn some of the entertainers with a Las Vegas history. How many folks, besides Shearer, would have known that Rose Marie was the first act to play Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel's new Flamingo Hotel. If you missed the Rose Marie piece, you might be able to find and read it online by going to lvrj.com. We are looking forward to reading more of Mr. Shearer's work. 
An Unquiet Life by Stephen Michael Shearer
Jerry Lewis 
Donny & Marie Osmond * * * * * * The fact that he is 82-years-old (and perhaps not thinking or speaking with his full faculties), does not excuse Jerry Lewis for his continuing insensitive, anti-gay remarks. We have no idea if this is Mr. Lewis' feeble attempt at humor, or if he is just dumb (we suspect the latter). Most recently, (there was a similar "incident" during last year's Labor Day Telethon), his statement occurred following a news conference to promote his current stage show in Sydney, Australia. Lewis was asked by a Network Ten national TV reporter for his opinion on the sport of cricket. "Oh, cricket? It's a f-- game. What are you, nuts?" Lewis replied. The network broadcast the comment in full on its evening news, along with footage of Lewis handling an imaginary cricket bat with an effeminate gesture. In 2007, Lewis apologized for using a similar anti-gay slur in Las Vegas during his annual telethon that raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Lewis has performances booked in Australia through tomorrow (November 1st). His show, with a 24-piece band, is a retrospective of his career. We find it interesting that Lewis is able to travel as far as Australia to work, but has not fulfilled his dates at The Orleans in Las Vegas, only miles from where he maintains a home. We have never liked Mr. Lewis, either as a performer or a person. This recent type of bad behavior only goes to confirm our decades long feelings about him. We might also suggest, in our opinion, that homosexuality is not a conscious choice. Stupidity is. * * * * * * After less than two months, of what was supposed to be an eight month gig, Donny and Marie Osmond have decided to take advantage of a good thing. This early into their current engagement (the show debuted on September 9th), it has been announced that their musical variety show has been extended for two more years. The 90-minute multimedia show is now scheduled to run through October of 2010 at the Flamingo. The toothy siblings took over the theater that was previously the home of Toni Braxton. Braxton, if you recall, took time off in April to deal with her health issues. She was supposed to return and perform at the Flamingo until her contract ended in August. She never came back. Apparently Ms. Braxton didn't recovered enough to complete her commitment to the hotel, but did recover enough to become a competitor on this season's Dancing With the Stars. We are happy to report that the diva was voted off the show...even before 82-year young Cloris Leachman, who was ousted from the show earlier this week. * * * * * * Over the years, Aree Bray mastered all areas of stage production, becoming one of the best "high riggers" in the business. His reputation, along with his responsible and reliable ethics, led to touring with hundreds of artists like Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Wayne Newton, U2, Britney Spears and War, to name a few. In August of last year, Aree was involved in a horrible accident at the Las Vegas convention center. Using a snorkel lift, the piece of equipment malfunctioned, pinning Bray between the metal cage of the lift and a water pipe. The result was a fractured and crushed kidney. Upon examination, it was discovered that Aree had a four pound cancerous tumor in the kidney. As a result of the accident, the tumor broke loose, releasing cancer cells throughout his body and infecting all his organs. Mr. Bray is a determined man who has tried and explored almost every available treatment - from experimental chemotherapy and holistic approaches, to aggressive cancer treatments. We all know that the healthcare industry is unforgiving and expensive. In the entertainment field, medical insurance is generally not provided, and Aree, who has been out of work for more than a year, has no coverage. His medications and other treatments are becoming impossible for him to manage. As a result, friends in the community have banded together to help. From 6 p.m. to midnight, on Sunday, November 9th, a benefit concert will be held to assist Aree as he struggles in the most difficult fight of his life. This extravaganza, to be held at Stoney's Rockin' Country, will feature almost a dozen musical acts that include some of the finest talent in Las Vegas. This event is not only an important cause for a friend, but promises to be an important gathering of music industry professionals. The event will be emceed by "The Soup Nazi" from TV's Seinfeld, actor Larry Thomas. Entertainment will be provided by the Louis Prima Orchestra (from 6 to 6:30 p.m.), Lydia Vance (from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.), Five Cent Rides, with Shelley Miller and guest of honor Aree Bray on blues harp (from 8:15 to 8:30 p.m.), Dario Lorina and Karneval (from 9 to 9:30 p.m.), Heart guitarist Roger Fisher, featuring Lenita Erickson from Vixen and Helles Belles (from 9:45 to 10:15 p.m.), Rock of Ages, classic rock show (from 10:30 to 11 p.m.), Santa Fe (from 11 to 11:15 p.m.), Skip Martin, performing his new single When (from 11:20 to 11:30 p.m.), and The Stoney Curtis Band (from 11:30 p.m. to midnight). In addition to helping a member of the community, you probably won't find a better entertainment bargain. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Stoney's Rockin' Country is located at 9151 Las Vegas Blvd. South #300. Sponsors for this event include Stoney and Chris Lowden (son of Vegas hotel man, Paul Lowden) at Stoney's Rockin Country, New World Audio, Vegas Rocks magazine, and Cowtown Guitars for their contribution to this important cause. All proceeds will be processed through a 501C non-profit account entitled "Frankies Dream" into a separate trust account with funds to be dispersed for Aree's care. Las Vegas attorney Bob Kortland is donating his services. To help, or for additional information about the benefit, please call Greg Fox at (702) 326-7973. 
Aree Bray 
Darrin Memorial flowers by Botanica 
Estelle & Carl Reiner * * * * * * To Philip of Philadelphia, who e-mailed to ask who the florist was that provided the beautiful arrangements for the July 29th memorial service for his late cousin, Emmy Award-winning dancer/choreographer/designer Michael Darrin, we have the answer to your question...thanks to some of Michael's close friends. Robert Craig responded almost immediately to say that MD's "favorite florist," and the one that provided most of the beautiful arrangements for the service, is called Botanica and is owned by Michael Flach and Larry Hart (yes, that would be entertainer Larry Hart). Charlie and Sherry Frye came in second, providing some clues that helped us do our detective work. Darrin, who died on July 2nd at the age of 62, had exquisite taste, so you know this outfit has to be damn good. To see just HOW good, note the attached photo and check out their Web site at www.botanicalv.com, and prepare to ooh and ahhh. We hope this information will help to make Philip's friends' Las Vegas wedding one spectacular event. And speaking of Charlie and Sherry Frye, the talented twosome, with one of Cousin Claire's favorite specialty acts, will perform "at home" in mid-November. Under the name Charlie Frye and Company, these two work almost non-stop...but rarely in Las Vegas, where they maintain their home. Charlie Frye and Company will be part of the lineup for Variety Live!, coming into the Suncoast November 14th, 15th and 16th. We will have more details on this show next Friday. * * * * * * Are you a Dancing With the Stars fan? Do you like to do a little fancy footwork yourself? Do you like the opportunity to dress up a bit? If so, get out your glitz and glamour duds and head for the VZ Ballroom Academy at 8390 W. Sahara on Sunday, November 2nd, when Jeanne Bavaro of Bavaro ETC (Exclusive Talent Concepts) presents An Evening of Rhinestones & Rhythms. From 6 to 7 p.m., it's a Red Carpet Wine and Cheese Reception, followed by a Beginning and Intermediate Group Lesson from 7 to 7:45, Open Social Dancing from 7:45 to 8:45, and a Professional Ballroom Dance Exhibition from 8:45 to 9:15. Tickets are required. They are $25 per person. Call Bavaro at (702) 367-9805 or the ballroom at (702) 823-1063 for more details. * * * * * * Tomorrow evening at 7, and Sunday afternoon at 2, jazz great Richard McGee returns to the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin with the Classic American Songbook, Part II. Presented by SFS Entertainment, McGee will be joined by some of the Valley's most exciting musicians. It's Henry Mancini to Gershwin to Cole Porter, plus a special tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. Richard McGee, associate conductor for the Las Vegas Philharmonic, has performed and conducted on the Las Vegas Strip for more than 20 years - eight of them at the Tropicana, and 11 at Caesars Palace. The recipient of the 2002 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Community Achievement Award in Arts and Entertainment, Richard brought cheering Starbright audiences to their feet last March with the Classic American Songbook, Part I. This weekend's program is expected to generate the same reaction. Tickets are $15 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $20 for non-residents, and may be purchased at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle. Starbright Theatre shows are open to everyone ages 12 and over. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required). No credit cards accepted. For additional information, call (702) 240-1301. * * * * * * Estelle Reiner, wife of comic/actor/director Carl Reiner (they had been married for 65 years) and mother of actor/director Rob Reiner (known as "Meathead" on the TV series All In the Family), died last Saturday at the age of 94. Although she had roles in a number of films (Fatso, directed by Anne Bancroft and starring Dom DeLuise; The Man With Two Brains, directed by her husband and starring Steve Martin), was a painter, and, in her later years, built a reputation as a jazz singer, performing in clubs in Los Angeles and New York even into her late 80s, Estelle Reiner will mostly be remembered for one unforgettable movie line. In 1989's When Harry Met Sally, directed by her son, Rob, actors Meg Ryan, as Sally, and Billy Crystal, as Harry, are sitting in a restaurant, arguing over whether women can realistically fake orgasms, when Ryan loudly demonstrates that they can. After Ryan's vocal display, Reiner's character, seated at another table, tells her waiter, "I'll have what she's having."
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Tags: Gerry McCambridge SQuire Rushnell Chriss Angel Tony Curtis Nobody Famous Ti
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - October 24, 2008 
Burt Bacharach 
Tommy Tune 
David Loeb And speaking of talented musicians, on Sunday, October 26th, the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's Brown Bag Concerts presents The Music of Burt Bacharach, featuring vocalist Tina Walsh, with Philip Fortenberry on piano. Of course most people are familiar with the songs of Burt Bacharach. He and his writing partner, Hal David, are responsible for most of Dionne Warwick's (or is it Warlock?) hits, as well as a number of Johnny Mathis, Gene Pitney, Bobby Vinton, The 5th Dimension, Dusty Springfield, Jack Jones and BJ Thomas chart toppers. Do You Know the Way to San Jose, Walk On By, Alfie, The Look of Love, Anyone Who Had a Heart, That's What Friends Are For, One Less Bell To Answer, Wives and Lovers, Make It Easy On Yourself, Any Day Now, What the World Needs Now Is Love, Promises, Promises, I Say a Little Prayer, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, Don't Make Me Over, You'll Never Get To Heaven, Message To Michael, Raindrops Keep Falling On Your Head, and Cousin Claire's favorite Bacharach song, A House Is Not a Home, are only SOME of 80-year old Burt Bacharach's hits. As for Tina Walsh, her Las Vegas history includes co-starring in the original EFX with Tommy Tune and Michael Crawford at the MGM Grand. She also co-starred with Rick Springfield in the new Broadway version of EFX ALIVE! That was followed by a two-year run in the lead role of Donna Sheridan at the Luxor's Mamma Mia!. Currently she is Madame Giry at The Venetian's Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular. Philip Fortenberry is a virtuoso pianist who is currently the associate conductor/music director for the Palazzo's Jersey Boys. Previously he held the same positions at the Luxor's Hairspray and at the Paris Las Vegas musical We Will Rock You. His original one-man show Now Just Me was premiered at the Clark County Library Theater. Tickets for The Music of Burt Bacharach are $15 per person. For further information or ticket reservations, call the Performing Arts Society's office at (702) 658-6741. Concert tickets will also be available at the Clark County Library Theater box office, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, the day of show. The performance begins at 2 p.m., with doors opening for unreserved seating at 1:30 p.m. We look forward to hearing what new spin Fortenberry and Walsh put on the Bacharach songbook. And speaking of Tommy Tune...
We probably spend way too much time surfing YouTube, but it's fun, informative and gives us the chance to see (and hear) things we either never saw before, or forgot about and now have another opportunity to enjoy. One of the things we saw a few days ago was a brilliant production number from the Tony Award-winning Will Rogers Follies. It reminds us just how talented a dancer/choreographer/director Tommy Tune is. If you even remotely like dancing, we suggest checking out the Our Favorite Son number on YouTube. (Using Las Vegas dance pioneers, Our Favorite Son has been recreated in Golden Rainbow's annual Ribbon of Life show on more than one occasion - always generating a standing ovation from the audiences.) Will Rogers Follies won the 1991 Tony Award for Best Musical, while Mr. Tune won two Tony's that year, as both Best Choreographer and Best Direction of a Musical. And speaking of the Will Rogers Follies, Las Vegas residents Leigh Zimmerman (late of The Producers) played multiple roles in the Broadway production, while Susan Anton portrayed "Ziegfeld's Favorite" on the Great White Way. Anton was a recent headliner at the Suncoast. And speaking of the Suncoast, it's Clint Holmes and Friends, tonight through Sunday (October 24th though 26th) in the cozy Suncoast showroom. Clint Holmes has many friends, so you never know who might turn up on his stage. One thing is guaranteed, however, is that whoever those friends might be, they will be talented. Tickets start at $29.95 plus taxes and fees. For reservations, call (702) 636-7075. * * * * * * Tonight at 7:30 p.m., spend A Night at the Movies, via familiar music such as Night Fever from Saturday Night Fever, As Time Goes By from Casablanca; It Could Happen To You from And the Angels Sing; Invitation from the film of the same name; Body and Soul from Body and Soul; You've Got a Friend In Me from Toy Story; You Made Me Love You from Love Me or Leave Me; Happy Trails from Spoilers of the Plains; Unchained Melody used in a number of films including Ghost; The Way We Were; Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid, Where the Boys Are; Teddy Bear from Elvis Presley's Loving You; Round Midnight; Georgia from Ray, and Footloose. All of these great songs, and more, will be performed tonight at the Community Lutheran Church (3720 E. Tropicana, just west of Sandhill), by the 17-piece UNLV Jazz Ensemble, conducted by David Loeb, director of Jazz Studies at UNLV, and the 65-piece Las Vegas Master Singers, directed by Jocelyn Jensen. The singers are accompanied by organist/pianist Douglas C. Wilson. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. All proceeds will go to the UNLV Jazz Studies Area Scholarship Fund and The Susan L. Johnson Scholarship For Choral Studies * * * * * * 
Robert Spencer and Mr. Blackwell with Martin Kreloff portrait 
Don Hill
Golden Rianbow's Beaux Arts Ball
The famed Mr. Blackwell (real name Richard Selzer) died in Los Angeles on October 19th at the age of 86. A onetime actor, Blackwell's greatest claim to fame came as the result of his annual Worst Dressed List, where he dissed the fashion sense (and nonsense) of the rich and famous. Blackwell's "critiques" did not always win him fans, especially among his victims. Here are some examples of why that was the case. About Madonna, Mr. Blackwell referred to her as "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon." He stated that Barbra Streisand looked like "a masculine Bride of Frankenstein," Christina Aguilera is "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer," and Meryl Streep "Looks like a gypsy abandoned by a caravan." He described Sharon Stone as "An over-the-hill Cruella DeVille" and stated that Lindsay Lohan went "From adorable to deplorable." Ann-Margret was called "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night," while Camilla Parker-Bowles was "The Duchess of Dowdy." The critic acknowledged he had mixed feelings about appearing so publicly mean. Most of the women he put through the wringer, he said, were people he genuinely admired for their talent if not their fashion sense. Mr. Blackwell is survived by Robert Spencer, his partner of almost 60 years. Artist Martin Kreloff, a relatively recent Vegas transplant, captured the essence of Mr. Blackwell in a portrait (seen in accompanying photo) done in the 1990s. Kreloff said about Blackwell, "He was a bright and savvy man, and very often "on target" with his amusing fashion and life observations." * * * * * * Here's the positive news...After the sudden closing of Bugsy's Supper Club, with only a couple of weeks to try to find a new location, host Jeanne Brei was able to locate another establishment where she could hold Don Hill's 87th birthday party. Caylix Jazz Supper Club, at 4760 W Sahara Blvd.(at Decatur), Ste 13 (where the old Café Nicole used to be) is celebrating musician Hill's birthday on Saturday, November 1st. We have talked about saxophonist extraordinaire Mr. Hill in earlier columns, but in case you missed it, we will repeat the information. Mr. Hill's amazing career began at Alabama State College where he roomed with Claude Trenier. When Don left college, he joined Tiny Bradshaw, one of the most prominent jump-blues bandleaders of the '30s and '40s. Tiny led jazz-trained musicians into the developing and more commercial field that came to be known as rhythm and blues. After working with Bradshaw, from 1944 through 1946, Don played, toured and recorded with Louis Armstrong. In 1947, Hill started his own band, and the following year joined forces with his old college roommate, Claude Trenier to form The Treniers. The Treniers, with Claude and his twin brother, Cliff Trenier, at the front of the band, performed continuously for 55 years. They signed with the legendary Okeh label and produced a remarkable string of rock 'n roll sides, including Rockin' Is Our Business, Rockin' On Saturday Night, and It Rocks, It Rolls, It Swings! The group appeared on various TV shows, including Jackie Gleason's and Red Skelton's programs, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis's Colgate Comedy Hour, and through a number of movies, including Don't Knock the Rock and The Girl Can't Help It, appearing with Alan Freed, Little Richard and Bill Haley. After Claude passed on in 2003, Don Hill found himself playing with Ms. Brei, a vocalist who had frequently been invited to sit in with The Treniers. Don Hill was once again a founding member of yet another band, The Speakeasy Swingers. The Speakeasy Swingers had performed at Bugsy's for the last three months, until the club's unexpected closing. They will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hill's party, followed by Phil Flowers and his band. As part of the festivities, in addition to swing dancing by the Vegas Swing Dancers, there will be videos of early Trenier television and movie appearances, a "This Is Your Life" segment and birthday cake. Here's the (little bit of) negative news...Instead of buying Don Hill a tie for his birthday (he probably has too many ties anyway), plan on spending about $20 to pay your way into his birthday party. This is not Don's doing. The owner of Caylix feels it is necessary to charge the attendees a $10 cover charge, plus is requiring them to buy two drinks (minimum). We feel this is very shortsighted thinking by the owner of a new, to her, business who is getting the entertainment at no cost and will have a crowd of people at Caylix that would normally have no reason to be there. At any rate, don't punish Don Hill for the errors of the club owner. Come, have a good time, and help a fine gentleman celebrate his special day in high style. Reservations are recommended. Call the club (702) 645-5299. * * * * * * On Thursday, October 30th, Studio 54 at the MGM Grand will once again be the site of the Golden Rainbow sponsored Beaux Arts Ball. The annual Halloween costume party is now in its 42nd year. Started by the late journalist Mark Tan as a private event, the Beaux Arts Ball took on a life of its own, outgrowing anyone's private residence. Over the years, at one time or another, the ball was held in just about every hotel in Las Vegas. This was not only a place for the local show folk to attend, but the headliners on the Strip would also participate in the festivities, either as costume competition judges or as spectators. At Halloween, the Beaux Arts was THE place to be. After Mark Tan's death in April of 1997, with the blessing of Mark's daughter, Tracey, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) became the sponsor for a few years before Golden Rainbow took it over. The Beaux Arts Ball is open to everyone who dares to enjoy. The night features live performances by cast members from many of the Las Vegas production shows, along with dancing, costume contests offering cash prizes totaling more than $3,000, and the most outrageous costumes seen anywhere in Las Vegas. This year's event will also feature the winners of MTV's second season of America's Best Dance Crew, Super CR3W. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. They may be purchased by calling Golden Rainbow at (702) 384-2899. Table and bottle reservations are available. Golden Rainbow is a uniquely caring and responsive non-profit organization that exists to ensure that the fundamental needs of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS are met. On a personal note: We feel, and always have felt, that this event should be known, now and forever, as Mark Tan's Beaux Arts Ball. * * * * * * Levi Stubbs, lead singer with The Four Tops, died last Friday, October 17th, at 72. Stubbs, who possessed one of the most dynamic and emotive voices of all the Motown singers, had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife. The Four Tops dominated the charts in the mid-'60s, selling millions of records. The group performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel. Stubbs' death leaves one surviving member of the original group, Abdul "Duke" Fakir. The Four Tops began singing together in 1953 under the group name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers. They also recorded for Red Top, Riverside and Columbia Records and toured supper clubs. The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top 40 hits over the next 10 years. Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967 with the in-house songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Both 1965's I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) and 1966's Reach Out (I‘ll Be There) went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart. Other hits included Baby I Need Your Loving (1964), It's the Same Old Song (1965), Shake Me, Wake Me (1966); Bernadette and Standing in the Shadows of Love (both 1967), and Ain‘t No Woman (Like the One I've Got) (1973). In 1986, Stubbs provided the voice for "Audrey II," the man-eating plant, in the film Little Shop of Horrors. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Four Tops appeared in Las Vegas over the years. Stubbs is survived by his wife, five children and 11 grandchildren.
Levi Stubbs is the second from the right in the accompanying photo. 
Levi Stubbs and The Four Tops 
Dee Dee Warwick (circa 1969) 
Terrence Flannery, Judge Judy and Michael Feinstein Dee Dee Warwick, a noted soul singer who won recognition for both her solo work and her performances with her older sister Dionne Warwick, died Saturday. She was 63. Warwick died at a nursing home in Essex County. She had been in failing health in recent months. Dee Dee Warwick had several hits on the soul and R&B charts in the 1960s and ‘70s, including Foolish Fool, She Didn't Know (She Kept on Talking), and a version of I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, that was later covered by Diana Ross and The Supremes. Warwick also was a two-time Grammy Award nominee and sang backup for Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and others before starting her solo career. A member of a musical family, Warwick was the niece of noted gospel singer Cissy Houston and a cousin of pop star Whitney Houston. Born in Newark, Warwick was a teenager when she began singing with her older sister in the late 1950s. The two performed as The Gospelaires and collaborated and sang with the Drinkard Singers, a long-running gospel group that also featured some of the Warwicks' aunts and uncles and was managed by their mother. * * * * * * Last Friday, on October 17th, pianist/singer Michael Feinstein and his partner of 11 years, Terrence Flannery, were married at their Los Angeles estate by TV's Judge Judy Scheindlin and Gabriel Ferrer (the son of Jose Ferrer and Rosemary Clooney). Among the 100+ attendees at the ceremony were Warren Beatty; Annette Bening; Alan and Marilyn Bergman; Mrs. Gabriel Ferrer, Debby Boone; the former Mrs. Johnny Carson, Joanna Carson; Gary Collins; Joan Collins (who is not related to the aforementioned Gary); Florence Henderson; Anne Jeffreys; Michele Lee; Lorna Luft; Ginny Mancini (widow of Henry Mancini); Barry Manilow; Tony Martin; Nolan Miller; Liza Minnelli; Freda Payne; David Hyde Pierce; Stefanie Powers; Doris Roberts; Barbara Walters; Paul Williams and Henry Winkler. There was a special performances by Minnelli and Manilow in honor of the couple's special day. In spite of the much opposed Proposition 8, the initiative measure currently on the 2008 California General Election ballot entitled 'Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry,' the couple firmly believes that their blessed union will be legally recognized as long as they both shall live. Michael Feinstein, best known as the ambassador of the American Song book, began his career at the age of 20 when he was introduced to the great lyricist, Ira Gershwin, by the widow of the legendary concert pianist-actor, Oscar Levant. Feinstein became Gershwin's assistant for six years, archiving the extensive Gershwin works and gaining unprecedented access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, which he has since performed and recorded. Discovered by Liza Minnelli, Michael's career took off after his Broadway show, Isn't It Romantic, which opened in 1986. Through his live performances, recordings, film and TV appearances, and his song writing (in collaboration with the Bergmans, Lindy Robbins and Carol Bayer Sager, who was married to the above mentioned Burt Bacharach from 1982-1991), Feinstein has become one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song. Last month, he released his 24th album, The Sinatra Project, a tribute to "The Chairman of the Board" himself, Frank Sinatra. * * * * * * Happy birthday wishes to our Scorpio celebrants, including Chris Hudson, Greg Smith, John Wertz, Roseanne Barr, Elliot Ames, Rick Smith, Charlette Krane, Kid Cary, Frank Marino and Don Hill. And anniversary greetings to Ron and Nancy Lee Andrews, and Clint and Kelly Clinton Holmes (who are celebrating their first as Mr. and Mrs.). 
Kelly Clinton Holmes & Clint Holmes 
Kenny Kerr 
Phillip Officer And speaking of birthdays...Entertainer Laurence T is celebrating his with two, count them, TWO, parties. On Tuesday, October 28th, his actual birthday, party No. 1 will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Orleans Mix & Mingle Lounge. Party No. 2 (also referred to as an "After Party Party") happens from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Tom Peter's Gaming Bar, located at 465 S. Decatur (at Alta behind McDonalds). There is no admission charge. Mr. T reminds readers that he and his band host a 5 to 9 p.m. fish fry and jam session at Tom Peter's, on Fridays. * * * * * * The Palm Springs club, Copy Kats (previously known as Atlas)), closed on Monday, October 13th (13 being an unlucky number for former employees of the establishment). No notice was given to the staff, some who are owed back wages. One of the victims of the sudden closing is longtime Las Vegas entertainer, Kenny Kerr, who had been performing at the club for almost two years. You can‘t keep a good man down...even if he's wearing a gown and high heels. Look for the clever, caustic comic/female impersonator to do his one-man/woman show, Kenny Kerr Uncensored, at 10 p.m. on two Fridays in November - the 7th and the 21st - at that Italian joint on Las Vegas Blvd. South. If we weren't boycotting the place, both in print and in person, we would surely attend the late night show. Since we don't patronize the place anymore - due to extremely poor customer (non) relations - we will wait for Kenny, the star of the long-running Boy-Lesque, to show up at another, more user-friendly establishment. In the meantime, for those that haven't had an unpleasant experience at the bistro, go, enjoy yourself and tell Kenny that Cousin Claire sent you. * * * * * * The 2008 Mabel Mercer Foundation's New York Cabaret Convention (now in its 19th year) takes place from Wednesday, October 29th to Saturday, November 1st, at the Frederick P. Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, produced by Donald Smith.
The opening Wednesday night gala, beginning at 6 p.m., features powerhouse cabaret performers Karen Akers, Adam Alexander, Judy Butterfield, Jason Graae, Karen Mason, Phillip Officer (who now makes his home in Las Vegas), Paula West, and additional surprise guests. Making their auspicious NY Cabaret Convention debuts on opening night are Matt Cavenaugh, Shelley MacArthur, and Gregory Moore. The Julie Wilson Award will be presented to Judy Butterfield, and The Dorothy Loudon Foundation Award will go to Gregory Moore. On Thursday, the 30th, it‘s Hats Off to Liz Smith! night. Beginning at 6, the cabaret world cheers Liz Smith, as they celebrate the famed syndicated columnist who has championed this vital and exciting world of song. Performing will be Klea Blackhurst, Ann Hampton Callaway, Christine Ebersole, Jeff Harnar, Marilyn Maye, Sidney Myer, Catherine Russell, Jennifer Sheehan, Tommy Tune, and additional surprise guests.
Daniel Reichard will make his NY Cabaret Convention debut.
On Friday, starting at 6 p.m., We Hear America Singing, a glorious roster of some of the best performers in cabaret salute the great American Songbook. Nancy Anderson, Barbara Brussell, Eric Comstock, Tony De Sare, Barbara Fasano, Mary Cleere Haran, Justin Hayford, Steven Lutvak, Craig Rubano, Stacy Sullivan, Lumiri Tubo, and Julie Wilson. Tony DeSare will be presented with The Dick Gallagher Award.
On closing night, November 1st, A Lovely Way to Spend An Evening will feature some of the greatest songs ever written. They will be sung by Barbara Carroll, Mary Foster Conklin, Baby Jane Dexter, former Las Vegan Eric Michael Gillett, Todd Murray, Karen Oberlin, Julie Reyburn, K T Sullivan, and making their Cabaret Convention debut, Barb Jungr, Steve Santoro, and Olivia Stevens. KT Sullivan, who has appeared with Mark Nadler at the Charleston Heights Arts Center a number of times, will be presented with The Mabel Mercer Award. Of course, all artists are subject to availability (as in, if they get a paying gig...).
Box Office is at Broadway at 60th Street (Ground Floor), and is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or 30 minutes past curtain), and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. (or 30 minutes past curtain). To order by phone, call CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500. And speaking of Mark Nader, he is currently performing (through November 16th) his Broadway bound Russian on the Side at the Marines Memorial Theatre at 609 Sutter Street in San Francisco. The show is written and performed by Mark Nadler and directed by Mark Waldrop. Last Monday, Mark appeared on the TV show, View From the Bay, where he joined the hosts to prepare his own creation, Salmon a la Russian (on the Side). If you don't live in the Bay Area, you can see the segment by logging on to the site at http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/food_wine&id=6459220. If you are in Northern California, and want to see the amazing Mr. Nadler REALLY cook, go see his show that irreverently explores the lives, loves and legacy of the world's great composers, with songs from Gershwin, Berlin, Sondheim and others. Russian on the Side is a laugh out loud look at who got to live forever....and who didn't. Stephen Holden, of The New York Times, describes Mark as "A comic spark plug touched with brilliance!" Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 and 7 p.m. On Saturday, November 8th, the evening performance will be at 9 p.m. Tickets are $39 and $49 and are available through www.Ticketmaster.com. 
Mark Nadler 
Liz Larsen 
George Wallace * * * * * * And if you are in or around New York...
Producer Sharon Carr is over the moon, as one of her many projects, Glimpses of the Moon, a new Jazz Age musical based on Edith Wharton's 1922 novel, returns to the Oak Room by popular demand. Glimpses of the Moon delighted theatre audiences and reviewers last winter and is back for a long-term engagement. In January, when the original musical first played the famed Oak Room, the critics hailed Glimpses of the Moon, describing it as "One of the best new musicals I've seen in ages...A well-crafted, witty musical comedy...a sparkling valentine to the Jazz Age. The cast of six is flawless, all singing and acting to perfection. Composer John Mercurio captures the jazzy-flair of the 1920's...glorious music...well-suited to book-writer Levis' marvelously clever lyrics." Duncan Pflaster, BroadwayWorld; "Clever and intelligent...a droll comedy...creative and very funny...A novel way to fill winter Monday nights." Steven Suskin, Variety; "Glimpses of the Moon has already bested most of the current crop of musicals for civilized entertainment." Michael Dale, Broadwayworld.com Showtime!; "I loved it...a dizzy delight of a musical.. a champagne flute of sparkling songs!" Bixby Elliot, Yahoo's Broadway Blog; "Glimpses of the Moon is delightful!" Eugene Paul, TheatreScene; "Exploding with charm and infectious songs...an evening of classy, frothy entertainment... Glimpses of the Moon offers a whiff of honesty that takes musical theater back where it belongs." Amy Krivohlavek, OffOffOnline. With plenty of friends, but little money, Susy Branch and her friend Nick Lansing devise a clever scheme to live beyond their means. They'll marry and live off the wedding gifts, while they help one another trade up to suitable millionaires. The plan works perfectly - until they fall in love. Glimpses of the Moon features Jane Blass, Autumn Hurlbert (the MTV runner-up for "Elle" in Legally Blonde, who actually has played the lead and other roles in the show on Broadway in the past few months), Laura Jordan, Daren Kelly, Chris Peluso (who is currently playing "Sky" in the Broadway version of Mamma Mia!), and Glenn Peters, with Russell Arden Kaplin and Matt Lutz. Special guest stars will play roles over the weeks, with Liz Larsen on October 27th, and Tamara Tuni on November 3rd and 10th. Additional performers will be announced. Tajlei Levis and John Mercurio wrote this new musical. Lisa Zinni, associate costume designer for Rent, created a look, which instantly evokes the Jazz Age world of the wealthy. It wouldn't be a musical without dancing. Choreography is by Denis Jones (Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). There is no stage, yet scenic consultant, Ted leFevre (Country Girl, Rock 'n' Roll, Grease, Coram Boy, Sweeney Todd) has created a deceptively simple scheme which transforms the Oak Room into eight different locations over the course of the show. Glimpses of the Moon features lighting by Jim Milke (Grease). Start the evening at 6 p.m. with an elegant dinner or cocktails before the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $65 plus a $30 food and beverage minimum. (A prix fixe dinner is available for $60.) Glimpses of the Moon plays every Monday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 and seating is general admission. Final seating for dinner service is at 6:30. Doors close at 7:30 and there will be no late seating. Tickets are available by calling (866) 468-7619 or online at www.TicketWeb.com. The Oak Room is located in the Algonquin Hotel, at 59 West 44th Street. * * * * * * George Wallace, headliner of "Las Vegas' Best 10 p.m. Show," is offering one complimentary ticket for his show to all patrons who present an "I Voted" sticker at the Flamingo box office. Early voters may redeem their "I Voted" sticker for a George Wallace show ticket any time between now and November 11th. This offer can't be combined with any other offer, and the "I Voted" sticker must be surrendered upon receiving the complimentary show ticket. Wallace is in his fifth year as a headliner at the Flamingo Las Vegas and has packed the showroom every night with thousands of laughing fans. Known best for his "Yo Mama" jokes and his infamous "I Be Thinkin'" lines, Wallace creates a one-on-one atmosphere with his audiences, including them in the show and giving away a multitude of prizes during each performance. George Wallace performs at 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday at The Flamingo Hotel & Casino. All ages are welcome. For ticket information please call (702) 733-3333. We be thinking' that this is a dandy thing for Mr. Wallace to do. Anything that will encourage folks to get out and vote is a very good thing to do.
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Tags: Las_vegas_gossip
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - October 17, 2008
IDAHO! cast 
Philip Fortenberry 
Doug Taylor We have some pretty excited people in the Las Vegas entertainment community. That's because Keith Thompson's original comedy musical, IDAHO!, did extremely well at the just concluded New York Musical Theater Festival. Thompson is currently the musical director for Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. The Musical Theater Festival began its fifth season on September 15th and ended on October 5th, having presented 241 performances over the course of 21 days. A record-breaking 25,000 people, selling the festival to 87.5% of capacity, attended the NYMF. More than 75% of productions had sold-out performances, and 11 productions extended their runs to accommodate the high demand. On Sunday, November 2nd, a gala will honor the winners of the NYMF 2008 Awards for Excellence, along with producer Robyn Goodman. Ms. Goodman was the co-founder and Artistic Director of Second Stage Theatre for 13 seasons. She spent four years as Supervising Producer of One Life to Live, and two seasons as Director of Artistic Development at Manhattan Theatre Club. Since forming her own production company, Aged in Wood, Goodman has produced Bat Boy the Musical, Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM! (both won Outer Critics Circle Awards), Our Lady of 121st Street and Red Light Winter. On Broadway: A Class Act, Metamorphoses (Drama Desk Award, Best Play 2001), Avenue Q (2004 Tony Award, Best Musical), Steel Magnolias, Barefoot in the Park, Altar Boyz, In the Heights and the revival of West Side Story. She is also on the Board of Counts Media and Artistic Consultant to the Roundabout Theatre Company. Goodman will be recognized for her dedication to new work and new artists.
THE 2008 NYMF AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE:
Best of Fest Audience Prize: Idaho! by Buddy Sheffield and Keith Thompson
Most Promising New Musical Honorable Mention: Idaho! by Buddy Sheffield and Keith Thompson
Excellence In Direction: Matt Lenz, Idaho!
Excellence In Overall Design: Idaho!
Hailed as "The Sundance of Musical Theatre," NYMF exists to revitalize one of America's greatest art forms by discovering, supporting and promoting new musical theater artists, producers, and projects, and by introducing a diverse audience to the vibrancy of contemporary musical theater. Since its inception in 2004, this three-week annual festival has premiered more than 130 new musicals - many of which have gone on to award-winning productions in New York, in regional theaters and on tour in 38 states, and nine countries worldwide. The NYMF 2004 hit, Altar Boyz, has played well over 1,500 performances off-Broadway and spawned two National Tours; fellow NYMF alum [title of show] recently played at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway; Nerds is coming to Broadway this Spring; and off-Broadway audiences will soon see My Vaudeville Man. The evening will include cocktails, a silent auction, seated dinner and star-studded performances celebrating NYMF's fifth anniversary. Tickets are $500 / $375. The event will take place at the Hudson Theatre, 145 West 44th Street. For reservations, call (212) 664-0979 x13, or e-mail gala@nymf.org
And speaking of Keith Thompson, as regular Claire Voyant readers know, he and Michael Brennan (Le Reve musical director) are the originators of the Las Vegas Composers Showcase. Because both Thompson and Brennan have been occupied with theater projects in New York, there was no end-of-the-month showcase in September. Instead, the September showcase was held on October 5th. There will be a REAL October version at the end of this month (stay tuned for details). As for the October 5th edition, it was very impressive, with the very pregnant Kristen Hertzenberg (on leave from Phantom), Damon Innerarity, Richard Oberacker, Rochelle Collins, Janien Valentine, Clint Holmes, Vita Corimbi, Rebecca Spencer (formerly in Phantom, visiting from New York), Philip Fortenberry, Erich Bergen, Fred Watstein, Tina Walsh, Wayne Green, Scott Watanabe, Victor Wallace, Jeanne Brei, Reva Rice, Sandra Benton and others taking part in the late night show in the cabaret at the Liberace Museum. This was a kind of farewell appearance by composer Dana Allen, as he and partner, artiste Frederic Kahler, are departing Las Vegas (although we expect they will return for visits). Dana presented some of the songs from his Hayes Hotel musical. As usual, it was a great night. And speaking of the Liberace Museum...We made a trip over there on Tuesday to see pianist extraordinaire, Philip Fortenberry, in his new afternoon show, Liberace and Me. Playing Liberace's beautiful touring nine-foot Baldwin Grand (covered in small mirrored tiles done by John Hancock), is inspiring for Fortenberry, a man who was an admirer of Mr. Showmanship since he was a small child. This is a must-see presentation for music lovers. Fortenberry plays everything from Liberace's version of Chopsticks, to Broadway tunes, standards, inspirational numbers, ragtime, and ends his show with Liberace's usual closing number, I'll Be Seeing You. Singers from Strip production shows are expected to stop in on occasion and join Philip on a song or two. Performances are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. Tickets are priced at $17.50 and may be purchased by calling (702) 798-5595, ext. 14. The museum is located at 1775 E. Tropicana at Spencer. We will have more on Philip Fortenberry and Liberace and Me in future columns. * * * * * * Due to budget cuts at the upscale Red Rock Resort (everyone is doing it), this will be Doug Taylor's last weekend at T-Bones Chophouse & Lounge (at least for right now). You can catch the talented musician tonight and tomorrow from 7 p.m. to midnight. Over at Boulder Station, you can see and hear More & Gendel in the Kixx Bar on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to midnight. On Saturdays, one-man-band Van de Guzman, entertains in the same venue, also from 7 to midnight. * * * * * * Olympic Gold Medal-winner Maurice Greene is currently displaying his athleticism and good sportsmanship as a competitor on this seasons‘ (No. 7) popular Dancing With the Stars. The 34-year-old is paired with two-time Dancing With the Stars champ, Cheryl Burke. The winner of two gold medals, in the 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, track star Greene was dubbed the "World's Fastest Man" during his career. In addition to being the former world record holder in the 100m sprint, and winning multiple world championships, he also won silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He is the current Indoor World Record holder in the 60m at 6.39 seconds. Greene is currently being managed by Las Vegan Marvin Lashever, President/CEO of G.E.M. (Global Entertainment & Management) Group, Inc. Dancing With the Stars can be seen on ABC TV. 
Cheryl Burke & Maurice Greene 
Michael Stacey & Jennifer Hudson - A Tale of Two Cities 
Joe Bologna & Renee Taylor * * * * * * So, maybe you think Cousin Claire mentions David Pomeranz too often. Well, if he would stop writing music (he won't), winning awards and honors (he won't), and selling out venues around the world (he won't), we wouldn't have anything to say about the talented gentleman. One of Pomeranz's latest projects is the Charles Dickens inspired musical, A Tale of Two Cities, which opened at Upstairs At The Gatehouse Theatre in London on September 27th. Steven David Horwich and David Soames wrote the book for the production, the lyrics are by Horwich and the music was written by Mr. Pomeranz. It isn't just us who has great things to say about this gentleman. Here are a few of the things critics are saying about A Tale of Two Cities...
TOTALLY THEATRE.COM
October 9, 2008
By Lizz Brain
Every now and then there comes the chance to discover a new gem, a show which revives your passion for Musical Theatre and sends you home wanting to tell the world to see it. The London premiere of "A Tale Of Two Cities" is such a joy, it deserves to be championed - soaring tunes, evocative underscoring and a gripping, powerful story of sacrifice. This is an ensemble piece and there's not a weak link. Jennifer Hepburn is a glorious soprano who makes Lucie Manette a genuinely pleasing lady. Her final few scenes and beautiful duet with noble husband, Charles Darnay (earnest and likeable Michael Stacey) are packed with emotional punch, while Sarah Dearlove and Richard Stirling provide the comic relief as Miss Pross and Jarvis Lorry. There's an exquisite trio too, between Carton, Manette and Darnay, as good as anything you'll hear in bigger blockbuster Musicals. Director Paul Nicholas keeps the story tight (book by Steven David Horwich and David Soames) and the action moves swiftly. The musical numbers with lyrics by Horwich and music by David Pomeranz manage to be both intelligent, accessible and pleasing on the ear. The set is simple and the performers transform it easily from Aristocratic homes to courtroom, London to Paris and visa versa. It‘s atmospheric, enthralling and moving - and whether you're fascinated at the historical tale or end up bawling at the tragedy, it IS the best of times. A must see! Ham & High
By Aline Waites
A beautiful tale of love and sacrifice
*****
".......a stunning production - not to be missed."
".......Dickens' unforgettable characters come alive on a musical stage and this has all the hallmarks of becoming a long-standing show." Reviews Gate
Geoff Ambler 30 September, 2008
It was the best of evenings
A Tale of Two Cities is an epic musical, with a score to match and songs that pleasingly lodge themselves in your head and leave you humming "The Best Of Times" all the way back down to the Tube. Songs of love unrequited thrill. Horwich and Soames' book thankfully précises Dickens for the stage but brings more humour than I remember and with Paul Nicholas's tight direction it retains the drama and darkness of the piece, yet keeps it a compelling tale throughout. A Tale of Two Cities feels every part the epic classic musical, which keeps the pulses racing with stirring, impassioned music and characters to care about. Camden New Journal
Sarah Nowakowska, October 5, 2008
A musical trip through two cities that goes like the Dickens
THE light is dim, a sallow glow weighing on the stage set as though immersed in a nightly mist. The London premiere of the new musical based on the novel by Charles Dickens plunges you straight into an eerie atmosphere of impending doom. Paul Nicholas holds the directing reins in this latest adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities and introduces a cast of passionate actors intent on filling their songs with enough emotion to make you quiver. This latest adaptation of Dickens's classic manages to transform an intense story into musical escapism with a cast that sizzles with emotions and conviction. An American Look at London Theatre
Posted by Rogue Zentradi
THOUGHTS: "A Tale of Two Cities"
No, the RZ hasn't made a journey to see the (show) currently running on Broadway. This OTHER version of the classic novel, running at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, is the brainchild of David Pomeranz (score), Steven David Horwich (Book/Lyrics) and David Soames (Book) manages to condense Dickens's epic into a svelte 2:40 (with interval) without sacrificing characterization or major events in the plot. Director and co-producer Paul Nicholas has brought together an excellent and experienced cast and in this case things do get better with age: they sell the show marvelously. Pomeranz has supplied a chamber score reproduced here on two pianos. Sound tech Andy Evans has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide a wonderful mix, Mike Lee's costumes are lovely to stare at and his set design is clean and simple. Sometimes smaller is better, and this intimate production is worth checking out. The RZ would not be surprised were it to have a lovely future ahead. There's a gem of a show here, and with some polishing it can become brilliant.
If you happen to be hanging out in London over the next few weeks, A Tale of Two Cities, set against the background of the French Revolution, the enduring Dickens classic takes audiences on a journey of love, revenge and sacrifice, is at the Gatehouse through November 2nd. * * * * * * The annual Old Time Reunion Party will be held this Sunday, October 19th, at The Orleans. The event is primarily for people who have lived in Southern Nevada for at least 30 years. After years of meeting for breakfast and talking about the "good old days, a group of Vegas "pioneers" (Joe Delaney, Ron Lurie, Abe Fox, Thalia Dondero, Ken Johann, Paul Endy, Lou and Davey Pearl and others) decided to make the nostalgia fest into an annual event. Eleven years ago, the first gathering at the Stardust attracted about 500 people. The interest and attendance has grown, with the more recent reunions generating larger numbers of folks who come to visit. This year the event is being co-hosted by the Old Time Reunion Party Reservation Committee and the Las Vegas Centennial. The ticket price is $35 per person, which includes dinner, cocktails and entertainment. Cocktails are at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 7. Call (702) 382-6336 for tickets and information. * * * * * * Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna are back at the Suncoast this weekend, performing their ode to marriage (their marriage, anyway) in If You Ever Leave Me...I'm Going With You! We have seen this both funny and touching show twice, and enjoyed it both times. Shows are tonight, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $19.95 plus taxes and fees and may be purchased by calling (702) 636-7075. * * * * * * 
Neil Diamond 
Ellen DeGeneres 
Monster Mayhem Neil Diamond, who, following his July 1976 sellout concerts at the Aladdin‘s, then, brand new Theater of the Performing Arts, vowed never to perform in Las Vegas again, returns to our city on Saturday, January 2nd of next year (which, hard to believe, is less than three months away). Neil will perform in the (up to) 16,800-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena, where in spite of his "threat," he has performed on a number of occasions. Cousin Claire, who didn't become a Las Vegan until October of 1976, made the trip from Southern California to see Mr. Diamond launch the Aladdin's 7,500 seat theater. We knew he would be back. Diamond has made numerous appearances in Vegas since his Aladdin gig 32-years ago and we are sure the January 2008 visit will not be his last. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, staring at 10 a.m. Go to mgmgrand.com, contact ticketmaster, or call (702) 474-4000. Never say never, Neil. * * * * * * If you need some laughs, and who doesn't today, The Comedy Festival, starring Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Dunham, Dane Cook and Katt Williams, will take place at Caesars Palace, November 20th through 22nd. In addition to Seinfeld, DeGeneres, Dunham, Cook and Williams, Tracy Morgan, David Allen Grier, Andrew Dice Clay, Mike Epps, The Kids in the Hall, and a number of other funny folks, will also perform. Tickets are on sale at (877) TCF-FEST (823-3378, for those who hate to try to transcribe letters into numbers while dialing). * * * * * * Pretty Scary Stuff...
Monster Mayhem - The Haunted Village opened last Friday (October 10th) in the Town Square Mall at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. So. Returning once again to frighten the beejesus out of Las Vegas residents and visitors, Monster Mayhem promises to deliver the goods when it comes to getting your fright on this Halloween season. The collaboration of two of Las Vegas' longest running Halloween entertainment providers, Haunted Enterprises and Great White Entertainment, presents a most horrifying collection of haunted houses for 2008. Three complete, haunted attractions, including a remodeled and up-dated perennial favorite, The Haunted Mansion, plus the 3-D Morbid Clown Manor, and a completely new Haunted Attraction, tailor made for Las Vegas, The Aces & Eights Haunted Casino. Custom built in the off-season, aces and eights, as any gambling aficionado can affirm, represents the Dead Mans Hand, and those unfortunate souls who played it out to the end, seem to have shown up in this location to take out their frustrations on our unlucky visitors. Throw in the Boneyard, an aboveground graveyard just like in New Orleans, and you've got the look, the sound, and the smell of terror. Hours of operation are 7p.m. to midnight, Thursday thru Sunday, and every night beginning October 21st. Tickets to experience all the attractions are $20 per person For old and young alike). Monster Mayhem, which runs through November 1st, may be quite scary for young children. Suggested minimum age is six-years-old. For additional information, call (702) 676-FEAR (3327). And, on the other side of the city, frightening strikes as the Morbid Manor makes its horrifying debut in Las Vegas. The Morbid Manor is the first high tech haunted attraction in Las Vegas to be built inside an actual Halloween retail store, the Halloween Connection, located at 5675 S. Rainbow at the corner of Russell Road. First created for a Hollywood insider's party in 2007, the Morbid Manor features the state-of-the-art effects, far beyond the usual trailer haunt fare. In addition to the spectacular walk through Fright Fest, this location features a creepy new creation called The Last Ride. This claustrophobic, spine chilling contraption simulates your final trip to the cemetery by placing you in an actual coffin and then simulating a frenetic hearse ride to your plot, your lowering to your final resting place, and lastly, the sounds of dirt being shoveled on you and the increasingly muffled sounds of your mourners. This is definitely not for the squeamish! The Morbid Manor promises to make your blood run cold this Halloween season. Morbid Manor is currently open Wednesday through Sunday. Beginning October 21st, it will be open daily, through the 31st. Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight. Admission price is $15 per person. Call (702) 682-6677. And speaking of Halloween, as part of the Haunted Harvest, Zavier Blue, a favorite at Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que in The District at Green Valley Ranch, will perform four sets of live blues, soul, and rhythm and blues at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve in the Desert Living Center Amphitheater, October 17th, 24th and 31st, between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m. Enjoy the museums and celebrate the harvest with live music, our narrated Haunted Hay Ride, Garden Tricks and Cafe Treats. The Gardens will be aglow and fog over with the season's traditions. Don your costume for 'Safe Street' trick or treating, entertainment, creepy characters and an all-ages, family-friendly spooky atmosphere. See the winners of our first community-wide Scavenger Scarecrow Contest! Admission is free to Annual Pass members, $9 for adult non-members, and $6 for youngsters 5 to 17. There is no charge for children four and younger. Tickets include admission to Preserve museums and galleries. The Preserve is located on Valley View just south of Rte 95, across from the Meadows Mall. And STILL speaking of Halloween (we were, weren't we?), and ghoulies, ghosties, goblins and witches, how many readers know that Cassandra Peterson, perhaps better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, was a Las Vegan for a number of years? Born in Manhattan, not in New York, but in Kansas (Kansas is also the birthplace of singer/actor Brent Barrett and pianist/entertainer Wes Winters), Peterson grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1969, just days after her high school graduation, Cassandra drove to Vegas where she became one of the city's youngest showgirls. She had a small role as a showgirl in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, briefly dated Elvis Presley, had a very brief fling with Tom Jones, played a topless dancer in Working Girls (1973), and posed for the cover of Tom Waits' 1976 album, Small Change. In addition to being a former Vegas showgirl, Peterson has another local connection. In 2002, she licensed the name and likeness of "Elvira" to International Game Technologies (IGT) for use in an Elvira-themed video slot machine. 
Cassandra Peterson 
Slaughter 
Freda Payne * * * * * * Slaughter, the hard rock/glam metal band formed in Las Vegas, plays Sunset Station at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th. The group is led by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bass player Dana Strum. Strum was formerly with the band Modern Design, along with one time Beggars & Thieves members and current Las Vegans, Louie Merlino and Ron Mancuso. Ron Mancuso is the son of former Nevada Lieutenant Governor, Lorraine Hunt-Bono, and longtime Vegas musician, Gus Mancuso. Slaughter reached stardom in 1990 with their first album, Stick It to Ya (containing Up All Night, Spend My Life, Mad About You, and Fly to the Angels. The album reached double platinum status in the United States. Slaughter was signed by Orion Pictures to record Shout It Out for the film Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. The song was accompanied by a music video and received heavy airplay. The band remains a steady act in national tours. Tickets for Slaughter's, standing room only, concert are $15, plus taxes and fees. Must be 21+ to attend. Call (886) 264-1818, or (702) 547-5300 for reservations. * * * * * * Internationally celebrated vocalist Freda Payne brings her critically acclaimed show, A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, to the Cannery Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas. Lauded by critics from such publications as USA Today, Daily Variety and the Los Angeles Times, Ms. Payne delivers the thrill of experiencing the entirety of the great Ella Fitzgerald's career with a dazzling performance of Ella's classic tunes. The special two-night engagement will be held at The Club, located inside the Cannery, next Friday, October 24th, and Saturday, October 25th, with both shows starting at 8 p.m. Ms. Payne's multi-faceted career spans more than four decades and includes Broadway, concerts, television and movies. When Payne was 17, the legendary Pearl Bailey gave the teenager her first professional job, paving the way for an extraordinary career that has included sharing the stage with such legends as Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, Quincy Jones, Bill Cosby and many others. Her ever-expanding repertoire includes roles in the award winning musicals, Blues in the Night and Jelly's Last Jam. She has also starred in the Broadway production of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, Ain't Misbehavin‘, and the Tony Award-winning production of Hallelujah Baby. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. And at the new Eastside Cannery on the Boulder Strip, it's Michael John's Tribute to Billy Joel at 8 p.m., tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are a very reasonable $5. * * * * * * 
Danny Calico & Diane Ellis 
Larry Edwards 
Oliver Richman Veteran entertainer, Howie Gold, has found himself a piano at the very comfortable Ichabod's Lounge at 3300 E. East Flamingo, just west of Pecos. Reminiscent of the old Chateau Vegas atmosphere, Gold provides easy listening music for a mostly locals crowd from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Gold, who has spent more than 30 years entertaining in piano bars here and in Palm Springs, is very particular about who can sing along with his tasty piano playing. He has wisely decided that Diane Ellis and Danny Calico meet his high standards and has invited the twosome join him on Wednesdays and any other nights they have available. With Ellis at the mic, and Calico on vocals and drums, the threesome create a great crowd-pleasing sound. Ellis and Calico may be remembered when they were part of a vocal group called Chazz. As a duo, they called themselves D'Cal (a play on their names). Ichabod's is a 24-hour place with an extensive menu. They are located in the Renaissance Center, between Hollywood Videos and Food 4 Less. See you there. * * * * * * Never one to miss a photo op, impersonator Larry Edwards (aka Hot Chocolate and Proud Larry) skipped his usual Tina Turner/Patti LaBelle garb in lieu of dressing up like a sea creature, to pose with the now gone aquarium at the Piranha nightclub along the Paradise Road "Fruit Loop." One of Larry‘s many interesting jobs (he wears lots of different hats...and dresses, and high heels, and wigs, and, on occasion, fins), is at Piranha, where he acts as a greeter. He tells us that the authorities (whoever they may be) ordered that the tank be removed from the club, so it is now history. Our Piranha Goddess "misses those fishes." * * * * * * The family of seven-year old wunderkind Oliver Richman are beaming. This young man is not only an amazing singer, his first film, Man Overboard, has just been released. Mother, Lisa Dawn Miller, father Howard Richman, stepfather, Sandy Hackett, and little sister, Ashleigh Hackett, attended the movie's premiere last Saturday, at the Rialto Theatre in Pasadena, California. Cousin Claire predicts big things and a bright future for Oliver. * * * * * * Reminder...
Tomorrow and Sunday, at 2 p.m., there will be a staged reading concert of Dracula - A New Musical in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne in North Las Vegas. Composed by Richard Oberacker (conductor of KA at the MGM Grand), directed by Carmen Yurich (formerly from Spamalot), and produced by Bruce Ewing (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Dracula will feature a 15-piece orchestra conducted by Oberacker, and presents 25 singers and dancers from current and past productions including Phantom, Jubilee!, KA, Spamalot, The Producers, Mamma Mia!, and the Soprano's Last Supper. Performers from both UNLV and CSN are also contributing their time and talents. Tickets are $50 for VIP orchestra seating, plus a post-show reception with the cast, and $30 for second tier seating. Proceeds will benefit the CSN Performing Arts Center and Family Promise of Las Vegas. For reservations, call (702) 651-LIVE (5483). 
Richard Oberacker 
Carmen Yurich 
Edie Adams * * * * * * Edie Adams, who died on Wednesday at the age of 81, was more than just the wife of comic Ernie Kovacs and the Muriel Cigar girl of 20-years ("Why don't you pick one up and smoke it sometime?"), she was a graduate of Juilliard School of Music who went on to win Broadway's prestigious Tony Award for her role as the cartoon-inspired Daisy Mae in Al Capp's Li'l Abner. Adams had planned to become an opera singer. Broadway and Ernie Kovacs had other plans for Adams' future. She first attracted notice on TV's Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. Kovacs, who was doing a comedy show on a Philadelphia TV station, and his director saw her and invited her to audition. With her innocent face and refreshing manner, Adams became the ideal partner for Kovacs' far-out humor. In 1954, they eloped to Mexico City. Kovacs moved his show to New York, where he became a favorite of critics and viewers, as well as an influence on other comics. In 1957, both Kovacs and Adams earned Emmy nominations for best performances in a comedy series. Adams also had success on Broadway. She played Rosalind Russell's sister in the 1953 musical, Wonderful Town, and in 1957 won her Tony as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for her role Li'l Abner. In the late ‘50s, the couple moved to Southern California where they became active in movies. Edie appeared in a number of films, including Billy Wilder's1960's Oscar-winner for Best Picture, The Apartment (Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine), Lover Come Back (Rock Hudson, Doris Day), Call Me Bwana (Bob Hope), the all-star comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (as Sid Caesar's wife), Under the Yum Yum Tree (Jack Lemmon), Love With the Proper Stranger (Steve McQueen, Natalie Wood), The Best Man (Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson), and The Honey Pot (Rex Harrison, Susan Hayward). In 1962, Ernie Kovacs died instantly following a single-car accident, leaving Edie to raise their three-year-old daughter, Mia, as well as his two daughters from his first marriage. At the time of his death, Kovacs owed the IRS several hundred thousand dollars in back taxes (he felt that the tax system was unfair, and simply refused to pay it). Adams took it upon herself to pay the back taxes, refusing offered help from Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and other stars. She did movies, TV musical revues, commercials and a Las Vegas act to raise the money. After several years, the debts were fully paid off. There was also a lengthy custody battle over Kovacs' daughters. She won custody of her stepdaughters, telling reporters after the verdict: "This is the way Ernie would have wanted it." During a career that spanned some six decades, Adams appeared in various stage productions; had a short-lived TV show in 1963 that earned her two Emmy nominations; performed in nightclubs and released several albums. In the 1980s and 1990s, she made appearances on TV shows such as Murder, She Wrote and Designing Women. In 1978, she played Tommy Chong's mother in the first Cheech and Chong movie, Up in Smoke. Over the years, she strove to keep Kovacs' comedic legacy alive by buying rights to his TV shows and repackaging them for television and videocassettes. In more recent years, Adams had two brief marriages, including to trumpet player, Pete Candoli. In a strange twist of fate, exactly 20-years after the death of her father, Mia Kovacs, the then 22-year-old only child of Edie and Ernie, was also killed in an auto accident. And speaking of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, after many years apart, the comedy twosome have reunited and will perform in the Palms Pearl theater tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and again at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $75, plus taxes and fees. Call (702) 942-7777 for information and reservations.
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Displaying keen perception and great insight.
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Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - October 10, 2008 
The Lion King 
Kim Criswell 
Killian's Angels It appears to be official. The Lion King will be the next production to grace the 1,600-seat theater at Mandalay Bay, after Mamma Mia! closes in January. Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA, will have completed a six-year run at the Luxor when it ends its successful run early in 2009. We will have more details on The Lion King as they become available. * * * * * * Brent Barrett hasn't had much time to relax since leaving his role in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular four months ago. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts; Bernstein's Broadway as part of Barbara Cook's Spotlight Series at the Kennedy Center; special guest with Anna Bergman at Feinstein's Loews Regency; and Romantic Journey: The Broadway Concert with the Akron Symphony, have kept Barrett busy. His next gig keeps him busy AND racking up the frequent flyer miles. Next Friday (October 17th), Barrett and Kim Criswell will perform in Dublin with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. With John Wilson conducting, Barrett and Criswell will sing selections from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook. With 34 Tony Awards, 15 Oscars, a Pulitzer Prize, and two Grammys to their credit, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were undoubtedly one of the greatest creative partnerships in history. Sing-along with the stars and guests in an evening dedicated to the re-creation of this golden age of musical theatre. Featuring favorite songs from The Sound of Music, The King and I, South Pacific, Flower Drum Song, Oklahoma!, State Fair, Carousel, Cinderella, and lots more classics. Show time is 8 p.m. at The Helix...if you happen to be in the neighborhood. * * * * * * For the 15th year, a medieval kingdom will take over Sunset Park in the southeast Las Vegas with lavishly attired knights, knaves, fine ladies and wenches, as Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival, tonight through Sunday. Several stages will feature entertainment, with costumed performers presenting more than 50 shows per day along with historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments, medieval pageantry and more than 100 artisans, including blacksmiths, stained glass designers, jewelers, wood workers, toy makers, perfume blenders, stone carvers and sword, dagger and armor craftsman demonstrating and selling their wares. A wide assortment of food and beverage vendors will be on hand. Everything from fish and chips, meat pies to bangers and mash, to a whole English feast will be available. Your favorite beers and ales will be sold to adults with proper identification. Don't forget to tip the beer wenches! There will also be Shakespeare in the Park. The shows will be performed at the appropriately named Old Globe Stage. Today (Friday), Romeo and Juliet will play at 2 p.m. and Hamlet at 9 p.m. On Saturday, it's Romeo and Juliet at 12:15 p.m., Much Ado About Nothing at 3:30, and Hamlet at 6:15. Sunday, Much Ado About Nothing starts at 10:30 a.m. Weekend concerts will feature local acts such as Killian's Angels along with nationally known acts such as Tempest and The Tossers. There will be a royal parade with kings, queens, warriors and peasants, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. The festival offers full-contact jousting tournaments; no-holds-barred gladiator battles; black powder demonstrations, strolling minstrels, contortionists, magicians, storytellers, jokers, jugglers, flame eaters, belly dancers, trained parrots and pirates. Additional attractions include rides, bow and arrow and axe target games, medieval barber and surgeon demonstrations and Renaissance guilds. In the 16th Century Village, German, Italian, Ottoman Turk, French, Celtic, Polish and British military encampments meet on the Field of Honor for battle. Visitor hours are Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No admittance after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, or after 4 p.m. on Sunday. There are two entrance gates to the Fair, with one located next to the Sunset Administration building on the north side of the park, and the other on the south side of the park, next to Area F. Sunset Park is located in southeast Las Vegas at 2601 E. Sunset Road at Eastern. Admission is $10 per day, or $25 for a three-day pass for adults, and $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass for seniors (55+) and children (6-12). Children 5 and younger are free. Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster or at the park ticket booth. Security will be enforced, so no cans, drinks (one plastic bottle of water is OK), bottles, alcoholic beverages, coolers, firearms (with or without permit), sticks, balls, bats, chains or clubs, bullhorns, animals (except service dogs), lawn chairs, squirt or water guns or unauthorized vending, concessions, merchandise, literature or promotions. No re-entry will be enforced throughout the day. Once you leave, you will have to purchase another ticket for admission. Alcohol sales will begin Friday at 2 p.m. and will cease at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Alcohol sales will cease at 4 p.m. Sunday. No exceptions. For more information about this and other events, please call (702) 455-8200. * * * * * * For OJ Simpson, the number 13 and Las Vegas proved to be very, very unlucky. On September 13th of last year, Simpson and five others were charged with armed robbery and kidnapping after they burst into a room at the off-Strip Palace Station hotel to confront and threaten some sports memorabilia dealers. OJ claimed that the dealers had items that had been stolen from him. The robbery victims claim that Simpson left their hotel room, taking more than $75,000 in collectibles with him. Simpson was tried here during a trial that lasted 13 days. It took the jurors about 13 hours to reach their unanimous verdict. The 61-year-old former football player was found guilty on all charges against him. In a strange twist of fate, the guilty verdict came in exactly 13 years to the day after a Los Angeles jury acquitted Simpson of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Simpson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5th. He could spend from five years to life in the Nevada state prison. 
OJ Simpson 
Johnny Thompson 
Randy Jackson * * * * * * And speaking of the Palace Station, magician Jeff McBride hosts Wonderground, an interactive club experience, following his Magic at the Edge show at that very hotel. Tonight, McBride's special guest will be veteran magic man, Johnny Thompson. Thompson, also known as The Great Tomsoni, has been performing comedy magic since the '70s and has made appearances all over the world. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the very prestigious Masters Fellowship award from the Academy of Magical Arts. In recent years, Thompson has served as a consultant to many magicians, including Lance Burton, Penn & Teller, and Criss Angel. Wonderground is a magical club experience that features interactive close-up magic, uncommon variety acts, performance art, a psychic sideshow and DJ Leo Diaz spinning house, mash-ups and down-tempo techno. The guests are different every week, and you never know who might appear. Past celebrity guests have included Burton, Angel, and Sophie Evans from the BBC television series, The Sorcerers Apprentice. Entrance to Wonderground, which runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., is $10 at the door, or half price for patrons showing up in magical costumes before 10:30 p.m. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show in the Sound Trax Showroom earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. Palace Station is located at 2411 W. Sahara. For more information, go to www.vegaswonderground.com. * * * * * * On October 17th, the Orleans Arena will be the site of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew LIVE. In case you have been hiding under a rock in the Mojave Desert, dog, you probably already know that this show's executive producer, Randy Jackson, is one of the three judges on American Idol (the other two being Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell). Due to the demand for tickets, the dance show added additional dates to its 2008 North American tour, expanding across 25 cities this to now include Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, and Grand Prairie and Houston, Texas. The top-rated smash MTV program, which attracted more than six-million fan votes on its last episode, recently won the Teen Choice Award for Best Reality Dance Show as broadcast on FOX TV. Beginning in Miami on September 18th, and running for five weeks through October 23rd, the tour will feature five of the hottest dance crews from the show's first two seasons as they battle it out, live on stage each night. The electrifying tour will feature the return of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1 winners, the incredible masked men of JabbaWockeeZ. They will be joined by the amazing b-boys on wheels, BrakeSk8, an equally exciting crew full of surprises. America's Best Dance Crew was ranked No. 4 on the Top 10 Dance Shows of All Time, as listed in the August 4th issue of TV Guide. Tickets to Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew Live are available at Ticketmaster.com. 
JabbaWockeeZ 
Ronnie Rose 
David Engel & Larry Raben * * * * * * We are saddened to report the death of Louis Papp. Papp, who passed away on October 1st at the age of 86, was born in Cleveland but had lived in Las Vegas for more than 50 years. A veteran of World War II, Papp was the recipient of the Purple Heart medal. An accomplished bassist, Lou was a longtime member of the Musicians Union. For many years, Papp provided accompaniment for his wife, pianist Mafalda, as part of the Mafalda Trio. A memorial service was held for Lou Papp earlier today at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church. Our sympathies go out to Papp's family and many friends. * * * * * * Singer Ronnie Rose will entertain on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Louis's in the Town Square Mall. Cocktails will be served on the patio. Town Square Mall is located at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. So. Rose will also entertain at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues on October 15th and November 5th (both Wednesdays), from 9 p.m. until midnight. On Tuesday, October 21st, and Wednesday, the 22nd, Ronnie will perform in the Rampart Casino's Lounge, from 7 to 9 p.m. You can also see him on Tuesday, October 14th, at the Square Apple, 1000 E. Sahara, from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Busy, busy, Mr. Rose. * * * * * * Lee Roy Reams, who played the outrageous Roger DeBris in the Las Vegas version of The Producers, reports that he went to see Keith Thompson and Buddy Sheffield's musical romp, IDAHO! (part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival) at the 37 Arts Theatre in New York, and "laughed himself silly." In addition to having a great time, Reams had the opportunity to visit with some of his former Producers cast mates - Bill Nolte, who played Franz Liebkind, and Jessica Sheridan, who played multiple roles (Shirley, Kiss Me, Feel Me, and the Jury Foreman), and who both had roles in IDAHO! Sheridan is currently appearing in Mary Poppins on Broadway. And speaking of The Producers, Larry Raben, who played Leo Bloom in the Las Vegas production (and understudied the roles of Carmen Ghia and Leo on Broadway), is a 2008 Ovation Award nominee as Best Director of a Musical for Singin' in the Rain. David Engel is also an Ovation nominee as Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Don Lockwood in the same show. Now in its 19th year, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards will celebrate the 168 theater companies, 390 registered productions, and more than 2,000 individual artists who participated during the September 1st, 2007, through August 31st, 2008, season. Of course, it's an honor to even be nominated, but we want these fellows to win! If you have voting privileges...well, you know what to do. The awards ceremony, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will take place at the Harriet & Charles Lackman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State, 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17th. For ticket information (they start at $40 for balcony seating), call (213) 614-0556. * * * * * * 
Kevin Burke 
Rita Moreno 
Linda Eder The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino is proud to announce that Kevin Burke, star of Defending the Caveman, was honored as "Entertainer of the Year" by a local group. This organization pays tribute to talented entertainers, members of the press, chefs, sommeliers, entrepreneurs and many others who have helped make Las Vegas into the entertainment capital of the world. "Kevin Burke is an accomplished and hilarious actor, and has been a wonderful asset in our entertainment lineup," said Amy Chasey, vice president of marketing for the Golden Nugget. "We are very happy to see him receive this well-deserved award for his entertainment contributions to Las Vegas." Despite the club-wielding sound of its title, Defending the Caveman is a funny, even sentimental, celebration of the relationships between men and women. It has been performed to more than 8 million people worldwide and mines the heterosexual relationship with razor sharp comedy. Show times are at 8 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, with additional matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets for Defending the Caveman are on sale at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office, starting at $39.95 for matinee performances and $47.25 for evening performances. VIP tickets are available for $49.95 for matinee performances and $57.25 for evening performances. Tax and service charges are additional. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office, toll free at (866) 946-5336 or online at www.goldennugget.com. * * * * * * We know she WAS good - after all, she's one of only nine people who has captured every major entertainment award - an Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy during her career. But at 76, what kind of show would Rita Moreno put on during her last Friday night's show at UNLV? The answer is, one helluva show! The lady is amazing! She can still belt out a tune with the best of them or deliver a ballad with just the right amount of sincerity and drama. She moves as well as a woman half her age, and is still a sultry spitfire (as confirmed by her Fever number, aided by a very happy piano top), even in her mid-70s. The material was varied, including a couple of Cousin Claire's personal favorites, the very funny Class from John Kander and Fred Ebb's Chicago, and Artie Butler's beautiful Here's To Life, which was Moreno's encore song. The trio accompanying Ms. Moreno - Russell Kassoff on piano, Jon Burr on upright bass, and Ted Sommer on drums - was wonderful. The only criticism we have is that there weren't more people in the audience to witness and enjoy this remarkable performer. We are not sure why the Artemus Ham Concert Hall wasn't sold out. Ticket prices too high ($45, $60 and $90)? The general public isn't familiar enough with Rita Moreno? Not enough pre-show hype? Whatever the reason, the problem should be remedied. Las Vegas needs and deserves this type of entertainment. If it isn't supported, it will go away, and that would be very sad. And speaking of Broadway/cabaret artists, Linda Eder is back at the Suncoast this weekend, with shows at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Sunday. Ms. Eder, who was first discovered by the American public via Star Search, starred in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde. She has recorded and released a dozen albums. Tickets for Linda Eder start at $29.95, plus fees and taxes. For reservations, call (702) 636-7075. And just up the road from the Suncoast, the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin offers I'll Be Seeing You - Hollywood Canteen: 1943, on Saturdays, October 11th and 18th at 7 p.m., and Sundays, October 12th and 19th at 2 p.m. Travel back 65 years to the pivotal war year of 1943. The tide was turning. America and her allies were slowly but surely going on offense. The home front, an important part of the war effort, was honoring our brave men and women with the musical magic that inspired a nation. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, I'll Be Seeing You, Skylark, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Rum and Coca-Cola, This Is The Army, Mr. Jones, and many, many more of the greatest generations' most memorable wartime music in song and dance. Presented by SFS Entertainment, tickets are $15 for Sun City Summerlin residents, and $20 for non-residents. Call (702) 240-1301 for additional information. * * * * * * At 2 p.m., on Saturday, October 18th, and Sunday the19th, the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, located on the East Cheyenne campus of College of Southern Nevada, will be the site of a staged reading of Dracula - A New Musical. A 15-piece live orchestra and more than 20 performers from the Las Vegas Strip will donate their time and talent to bring Dracula to the stage. Carmen Yurich, formerly of Spamalot, has taken up the creative task of directing the unique musical written by Michael Lazar and Richard Oberacker. "Oberacker's Dracula is all about the music," says Yurich. "His score, comprised of 23 songs, is highly visual and fills the imagination with pictures and movement. The foundation of a concert reading is to suggest the text rather than literally show an entire staging. The audience's imagination will let their mind's eye take them on the journey. In lieu of a reader, who usually gives stage directions in a staged reading, we are using projected headings and visual images to help convey the story. The orchestra, instead of just a piano, will accompany the actors' singing to help our audience experience as much of this visual ear movie as possible." The role of Dracula is being played by Ian Jon Bourg of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular. He is joined by fellow Phantom cast members Doug Carfrae, Bruce Ewing, Jason Forbach, and Benjamin Hale. Other cast members are Rochelle Collins from KA, Ron McClary from Mamma Mia!, Aaron de Jesus from Spamalot, and Janien Valentine from The Soprano's Last Supper. The ensemble and dancers are all performers from Jubilee!, Mamma Mia!, and Phantom. The two shows, complete with silent auction and VIP reception, are being held as a benefit for the CSN Performing Arts Center and Family Promise of Las Vegas who have partnered to produce the show. Both non-profit organizations share the mission of a desire to build a stronger community and improve the quality of life for area residents. Family Promise assists homeless families in the Las Vegas valley to achieve lasting independence by mobilizing the community to provide safe shelter, meals, and support services for them. The Performing Arts Center, which provides artistic, cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities for the College and the community, receives no state funding for presenting, and will use its share of the proceeds to enhance productions by bringing in guest artists and more diverse programming. VIP tickets for each show are $50 and will include preferred seating and a post-show reception with the performers. Second tier seating is $30. Call the CSN Box Office at (702) 651-LIVE (5483) or visit www.FamilyPromiseLVTickets.com for reservations. The CSN Performing Arts Center is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. one mile east of I-15. 
Ian Jon Bourg 
Jason Forbach 
Janien Valentine * * * * * * The Liberace Museum presents its new cabaret-style entertainment show, Liberace and Me, featuring pianist Philip Fortenberry. Fortenberry, who is currently the assistant musical director for Jersey Boys at The Venetian, will perform in the 75-seat Liberace Museum's Cabaret Showroom every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. Cousin Claire recommends this show to anyone who even remotely enjoys the piano. Fortenberry is a master. Watching him play is like watching a ballet - fluid and beautiful. Admission is $17.50 and reservations are recommended. Tickets can be purchased online at www.Liberace.org, by phone at (702) 798-5595, ext. 14, or at the Museum Store cashier, based upon availability. For group discounts of 15 tickets or more, please call (702) 798.5595, ext. 13.
* * * * * * Next Friday, October 17th, the 2008 winner of the America's Got Talent TV reality show, Neal E. Boyd, will collect one his prizes when he performs in the 16,000-seat Garden Arena at the MGM Grand. In addition to the $1 million booty, Boyd, an insurance salesman from Missouri, won the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old opera singer will be joined by the other semi-finalists - Eli Mattson, Nuttin' But Stringz, Donald Braswell and "Queen" Emily Baloney (don't get us started). The 2007 AGT-winner, singer/impressionist/ventriloquist Terry Fator will make a special guest appearance. Also appearing and performing, Jonathan Burkin, Joseph Hall, Jessica Price and Paul Salos. Tickets are $39.50, $49.50, $57.50 and $99.50, plus taxes and fees, for the 8 p.m. show, and may be purchased at the MGM Grand box offices, or online through ticketmaster.com, mgmgrand.com., or AEGLIVE.com. Call (702) 474-4000 for additional information. Also next Saturday, Katey Sagal, the star of TV's Married...With Children and 8 Simple Rules...For Dating My Teenage Daughter, will perform at the Henderson Events Plaza. For those that only know Sagal as Peg Bundy and Cate Hennessy, they might be surprised to learn that during the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was one of the Harlettes, the all-girl backup group for Bette Midler. Sagal is also an accomplished songwriter. In 1976, while a member of The Group With No Name, she contributed to their album Moon over Brooklyn. She also performed backing vocals on the solo album by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, as well as background vocals on Olivia Newton-John's 1986 single Soul Kiss. In 1994, Sagal released her first solo album, Well... Ten years later, she released her second album, Room. Show time is at 8 p.m. The price? Free! For additional information, call (702) 267-4TIX or check the Web site at HendersonLive.com. 
Neal E. Boyd 
Katey Sagal 
Dick Feeney * * * * * * Dancing and Mingling on the Sahara, featuring Nobody Famous and the Infamous Horns, will be performing for listeners and dancers at the Italian American Supper Club tomorrow night. The theme is the 1950s and Big Bop, featuring music made famous by Bill Haley and the Comets. If you are/were a fan of "The King," Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra and others from the era, get out your dancing shoes and head to 2333 E. Sahara (near Eastern). Call (702) 220-6325 for ticket information and reservations, or go to the Nobody Famous Web site at www.nobodyfamouslasvegas.com. * * * * * * Regular Claire Voyant readers know how we feel about the "Las Vegas Walk of Stars." In case you are a new reader, or have not been paying close attention, let us give you our take (once more) on this operation. We feel (and many agree with us on this one), that anything you have to "buy" is not a true honor. At a minimum of $15,000 per sidewalk square, this is strictly business. The monies to pay for the small piece of Strip property come from fan clubs, possibly a hotel, or from the recipient themselves. None of the funds go to improve anything in Las Vegas or to a reputable charity. On the contrary. The money goes into the pockets of a few private individuals. That being said, we are going to congratulate producer Dick Feeney (that's with three "e"s), who, next Friday, October 17th, will become the 31st person to "earn" a star, joining the likes of Elvis Presley, Wayne Newton, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Rich Little, Siegfried and Roy, John Stuart, Trini Lopez, Frank Marino, and Liberace. (Note that as of this date, pioneers such the Mary Kaye Trio, Frankie Laine, the Treniers, Dean Martin, and Forrest Duke, among others, have not yet had their names imbedded in the sidewalks of Las Vegas). Dick Feeney has paid his Vegas dues, and deserves to be recognized, but he and his friends shouldn't have to keep paying for the "honor." After years of touring with the popular Boston-based band, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Feeney formed his own group, Gemini. In 1981, he produced his first show, Lullaby of Swing in Honolulu. He then toured the production for successful runs in both Atlantic City at the Tropicana and Boston at the Bradford Theatre. Feeney first came to Las Vegas in 1985 as associate producer of An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. In 1987, he produced Crazy Girls and won a prestigious ADDY award for producing his first television commercial. In 1991, Feeney opened Viva Las Vegas at the Sands Hotel & Casino. Now in its 19th year, Viva is playing at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. The revue remains the longest running and most successful afternoon show in Las Vegas history. In 1992, Feeney organized the skydivers appearing in the hit movie Honeymoon in Vegas to form the now world-famous Flying Elvi skydive team. Based in Las Vegas, the Flying Elvi is the only such team officially licensed by the Elvis Presley estate. In doing so, Feeney actually invented the word 'Elvi' that has now become the accepted plural of Elvis. In 2002, Feeney produced The Rat Pack is Back, the tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean currently playing at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. The show is the only Las Vegas created and based show with an award from the Congress of the United States and national touring theatre productions. In 2003, he conceived and produced the family-friendly World's Greatest Magic Show at the Sahara Hotel & Casino with a unique format of multiple award-winning magicians all in one show. The magic show moved to the Greek Isles where it ran for more than four years before its recent closing. Feeney has produced a number of other award winning shows worldwide, including Showgirls, The Great Gleason, Bottoms Up, Forbidden Vegas, and Playboy Girls Hit Parade. His television productions include The Entertainment Page, Las Vegas Tonite, and Karaoke Krazy. Outside of showbiz, Feeney has volunteered much of his time as coach and speaker for PSI Seminars. In 1993, he started the Annual PSI Seminars Charity Volleyball Tournament, which over the past 13 years has raised thousands of dollars for local Las Vegas charities. Feeney is one of only a dozen or so worldwide individuals to receive the Golden Eagle Award for outstanding leadership, contribution and service. With a wife, Melissa, and four children including Christopher, 26; Katherine, 7; Matthew, 5; and Samuel, 2, Feeney may seem busy, but he loves it all. His star will be placed in front of the New York, New York Hotel & Casino. A special ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on October 17th in the New Copa Showroom at the Plaza Hotel & Casino located at Number One Main Street in downtown Las Vegas. Family, friends and dignitaries will join together for the celebration. * * * * * * David Pomeranz 'Gets the Feeling Again' on the season premiere of Boston Legal. Singer/songwriter/musician/entertainer Pomeranz's classic song, Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again, was prominently featured in the September 22nd episode of, ABC's Boston Legal. Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again, a No. 1 hit recording for Barry Manilow, is one of the most performed ASCAP songs of all time, and has sold in excess of 25 million records. Among his other musical contributions, David also wrote The Old Songs, another hit for Manilow. * * * * * * LBS, the classic American burger joint has chosen two local bakeries - Amatos Bakery and Layer's Bakery - to serve as suppliers of fresh and mouthwatering baked goods for the burger restaurant that opened on September 29th at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa. Amato's Bakery is owned and operated by master baker Mike Amato. A Vegas hot spot since 2003, the bakery produces handcrafted high quality baked goods. With more than 50 years experience, Amato's will be producing the handcrafted challah style rolls and the seven-grain whole wheat rolls to accompany LBS' one-of-a-kind burgers. Layer's Bakery, voted the best pastry shop four years in row by the Las Vegas Review-Journal Readers' Poll, will supply pastries and desserts for LBS. The dessert selection will feature a different seasonal homemade pie each month. Layer's is owned and operated by Gregg and Jeanne Forrest and produces cookies, cakes, pies, tarts and many more succulent desserts without using artificial ingredients, preservatives or trans fats. "Bigger is not always better, so based on the high quality of these boutique businesses we have proudly selected local bakeries as our providers of burger rolls and desserts," said Billy Richardson, creator and operator of the restaurant "Our customers can expect the best quality food, and we feel that these bakeries represent the best of what Las Vegas has to offer." "Our menu items were scrutinized not only for the highest quality and taste, but whether or not they originated from a sustainable and local vendor," added Executive Chef, Anthony Meidenbauer. "The LBS executive team are long-time Vegas residents, so supporting the local community is very important to us." LBS will join nine other restaurants at Red Rock Resort, including T-Bones Chophouse, Terra Rossa Italian, Hachi modern Japanese, The Feast Buffet, The Grand Café, Turf Grill, Cabo Mexican restaurant, Salt Lick Bar B-Q, the Sand Bar poolside restaurant and a food court. Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa is located at 11011 W. Charleston Blvd. How come, all of a sudden, we have a craving for baked goods?
Have a question about Las Vegas? Want to make a comment (be nice, now)?
If so, drop an e-mail and ask. Click Here
Cousin Claire will do her best to find the answer for you.
You can find Past Columns HERE
Tags: Gossip Lion King
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - October 3, 2008 
Dana Allen & Frederic Kahler 
IDAHO! 
Wes Winters Due to the extremely busy schedule of Keith Thompson and Michael Brennan (the gentlemen responsible for the monthly Composers Showcase), there was no September edition. Instead of skipping a month, and having a gathering at the end of October, there will be a showcase on Sunday, the 5th. One of the main reasons for doing this so early in the month (in addition to the fact that the music-loving public can't go for a month without their "fix"), is to give artists Dana Allen and Frederic Kahler, who are Leaving Las Vegas within the next week, the opportunity to participate and share their material one final time before their departure. Much of the music presented on Sunday will be from Dana's musical, Hayes Hotel. Among the entertainers scheduled to perform the material are Clint Holmes (Just Another Man), Tina Walsh (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Philip Fortenberry (Jersey Boys),
Kristen Hertzenberg (on maternity leave from Phantom), Victor Wallace (Mamma Mia!), Jason Forbach (Phantom), Jeanne Brei, Reva Rice (Just Another Man), Sandra Benton (Menopause the Musical), Wayne Green (Spamalot) and other surprises. Cousin Claire has heard some of the songs from Hayes Hotel and she is very impressed. What better testimonial is needed? Other composers presenting material include Jason Andino, Jeff Day, Erich Bergen, Vita Corimbi, Damon Innerarity, Jeff Liebow, Jim McMains, Steven McMains, Richard Oberacker and Keith Thompson. Those singing the songs will include Ian Jon Bourg, Rochelle Collins, Janien Valentine, and Renata Renee Wilson. Accompanying musicians are Philip Fortenberry, Dan Philippus, Nielle Santos, Micah Santos, Victor Santos, and Fred Watstein. Showcase is at 10:30 p.m. (after theater), in the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana at Spencer (next door to Carluccio‘s Tivoli Gardens Restaurant). There is a cash bar (no credit cards, please), and a $5 hors d'oeuvres buffet provided by Keg and Cork Catering. The mission of the Liberace Foundation is to help talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts through scholarship assistance. And speaking of Keith Thompson...On September 26th, on NYTHEATRE.com, David Gordon had this to say about Thompson's and Buddy Sheffield's "comedy musical love story," IDAHO! "If you're a fan of Golden Age musicals, you'll love IDAHO! IDAHO! has the potential to be a crowd-pleasing Broadway smash. Hopefully, some producer will see Idaho! and snap it up for a Broadway outing. It's got everything going for it - and it's original, too! Judging by the audience's reaction, it certainly seems like there's a long life in there beyond the six performances at the festival." Elena Shaddow, Rob Sutton and Bill Nolte get special mention. Sutton and Nolte both have recent Vegas history, Rob in Mamma Mia! and Bill in The Producers. Two extra performances have been added to the original IDAHO! schedule. If you are in New York, or plan to head there for the weekend, if seats are available, the last two IDAHO! performances are tomorrow (October 4th) at 1 and 9 p.m. at the 37 Arts Theatre C. * * * * * * And speaking of Liberace's, the talented Wes Winters, who was the featured entertainer in the museum's showroom for more than four years, joins a club that already had too many members. Wes opened at the Wyrick on June 30th and closed less than three months later. The divorce was not a happy, amicable one. It never is with this operation. Winters is not the first performer to become more than disenchanted with the Wyrick tactics. (Hopefully he will be the last, but there are always other unsuspecting hopefuls waiting in the wings for a stage to perform on.) Wes Winters joins a list of entertainers that include comic/ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, the Cirque inspired Aga Boom, Fan Yang and his Gazillion Bubbles Show, Filipino singing sensation Martin Nievera, and impressionist Tom Dane. All of these performers have used the lost-in-the-maze theater, located in the Miracle Mile Shopping Mall at Planet Hollywood. Although this group of professional entertainers possesses all the elements for success, in our opinion, they were doomed before they started when they decided to take their shows to this venue. Since its delayed opening in February of 2007, the Wyrick complex has had a dark cloud hanging over it. The dark cloud, we feel, is Steve Wyrick himself. Defending the Caveman wisely chose to back out of their anticipated opening at the mall theater and head to the downtown Golden Nugget instead. We are sure that if Kevin Burke and company had chosen to bring their show to the Wyrick, as originally planned, they would have met the same fate as Lucas, Aga Boom, Nievera (last seen here with the Society of Seven), the Gazillion Bubbles Show, Dane and pianist/singer/songwriter Winters. Instead, the Caveman is entering its second year in the 600-seat Nugget showroom. The multi-talented singer/songwriter David Pomeranz also did two performances at the Wyrick (both on the same night). Pomeranz's situation was a bit different from the other acts who have taken a chance at this venue. His plan was to use the theater as a showcase, not for a long-term run. If he had done his two shows anywhere else, David probably would have had a bigger and better turnout. After all, although he is a New Yorker by birth, Pomeranz is a major recording and performing artist, with a very strong fan base, primarily in the Philippines. Almost everyone who has performed at the Wyrick theater has had to use discount ticket outlets to get warm bodies into the 500-seat theater...including Steve Wyrick himself. In May, Fan Yang told Las Vegas Review-Journal entertainment columnist, Mike Weatherford, "There's something wrong with this organization. I think this theater will work only when they get rid of Steve Wyrick. He has too much ego." Of his own experience, Yang said, "I don't see the future there. We cannot fix the issues." There are numerous problems when it comes to this space...some that might possibly be remedied and others that can't be. Frankly, we are amazed that this theater is still up and running. We feel it will take a miracle (or thousands of them), new owners, or a much better magician than Wyrick, to keep this place from disappearing. 
Martin Nievera 
Rebecca Spencer 
Paul Newman * * * * * * Rebecca Spencer, who played Madame Giry in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular from its opening at The Venetian in June of 2006, to February of this year, returns to the role she created here through October 16th. Spencer stepped in for the injured Tina Walsh, who took the Madame Giry role after Spencer's departure almost eight months ago. Rebecca was recently featured in the New York Musical Theater Festival's Heaven in Your Pocket. Welcome back, Becky, if even just for a brief time. * * * * * * Paul Newman, was a mensch! The actor, who died on September 26th at the age of 83, will be remembered, not only for his film work, but also as a quiet philanthropist. In 1982, with writer A.E. Hotchner, Newman founded Newman's Own, a line of food products - salad dressing, pasta sauce, popcorn, lemonade, salsa and wine among them. Newman established a policy that all proceeds from the sale of Newman's Own products, after taxes, would be donated to charity. As of May 2007, Newman's Own products have generated more than $250 million for charity. One of the beneficiaries of Newman's philanthropy is the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Located in Connecticut, where Newman and Joanne Woodward, his wife of more than 50 years, resided, the summer residential camp provides for seriously ill children. Named after the gang in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Hole in the Wall (which now has several camps around the world), serves approximately 13,000 youngsters every year, free of charge. If you don't know the meaning of the word "mensch," look it up. Paul Newman's picture should be right next to the word. * * * * * * Paul Campanella, co-star of Tony 'N Tina's Wedding at the Rio, is starring as FBI Special Agent Charles McDermot in the new feature film, Heroes. Also starring in the action drama are Las Vegas favorite Tezz Yancy, from the Clint Holmes musical production, Just Another Man; Sean Newman, and Richard "Shott" Brown. Las Vegan, Malcolm Brooks of MB Films, is the writer, producer and director of this R-rated action thriller. The official debut is today, October 3rd, at the Galaxy Neonopolis Theater Complex at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. The film will play at Neonopolis for one week. Call the theater at (702) 383-9600 for show times. 
Paul Campanella 
Michael Kessler & Melinda Jackson 
Nicole 'ND' Durr * * * * * * The husband and wife team of Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson, along with members of the M&M American Dance Theatre, will tap and glide their way across a couple of local stages, in both October and November. This month, the talented troupe will perform Dancin' Feet at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush Street, this Sunday, October 5th, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $15 and may be purchased by calling (702) 229-6383. On Sunday, November 9th, Michael, Melinda and the M&M American Dance Theatre will perform Let's Dance - A Romantic Musical Comedy at 7:30 p.m. in The Showroom at the South Point. Tickets are $15, $20 and $25, and may be purchased by calling (702) 797-8055 or (866) 796-7111. * * * * * * Performances of Raw Talent Live begin tonight at the Sahara Hotel & Casino. Creator, producer and director, Nicole Durr (also known as ND), says that the production will bring a new side of entertainment to the Las Vegas Strip. The show's intricate plot will transport audience members into a virtual world through raw, interactive, adrenaline-packed performances interlaced with surreal characters and high-tech digital imaging. Raw Talent Live features talented dancers, singers and musicians along with original music. Tickets are $79.95, inclusive of tax and fees, and can be purchased by visiting RawTalent.com, SaharaVegas.com, or by calling the Sahara box office at (702) 737-2515 or toll free at (888) 696-2121. Show times are 8:30 p.m. Dark on Wednesdays. * * * * * * Las Vegas musician Gary Olds will be getting married on Sunday, October 12th. If his wife Julie finds out, she probably won't mind, as Gary is marrying her for the second time. The vow renewal ceremony will take place aboard a boat on Lake Mead. Fellow musician, bass player extraordinaire Keith Nelson, who is an ordained minister, will officiate as Gary and Julie reconfirm their love for each other. * * * * * * Brent Barrett, former star of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, will perform Broadway's greatest love songs with the Akron Symphony Orchestra tonight. Barrett will be joined by Patty Goble for Romantic Journey: The Broadway Concert. Christopher Wilkins is conducting. The program will include some old favorites along with some dazzling new hits, with songs from Chicago, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, and many more! Showtime is a t 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets for the Pops Series range from $28 to $40, and may be purchased through ticketmaster. As a bonus, and back by popular demand (it was a sell-out last year), there is a pre-concert Martini Tasting. Sample up to four different specialty martinis with fellow Broadway music lovers. Tasting begins at 6 p.m. Prices are $10 for season subscribers, and $15 for non-subscribers, and is limited to the first 150 reservations. For additional information (if it's not too late), call (330) 535-8131 
Brent Barrett 
Sheryl Crow 
Criss Angel & Larry Edwards * * * * * * There will be a big change for this year's Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children. For the first time in 13 years, the major charitable event will not be held at the MGM Grand. Instead, the 2008 event will take place on Saturday, October 11th, at Wynn Las Vegas. Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow are making return appearances at the Grand Slam for Children, while Las Vegas' homegrown band, The Killers, and David Spade will make their Grand Slam debuts. Rod Stewart continues to captivate and inspire five generations of music fans worldwide as a brash pub-rocker, sophisticated balladeer, soul man, folk troubadour and rock ‘n' roll singer. The Grammy winner has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. Since emerging in the early 1990s, Sheryl Crow has been profiled as one of the most popular mainstream rock recording artists and activists the world over. Her music and lyrics have earned her numerous awards and recognition, including multiple Grammys and American Music Awards. David Spade has earned notoriety for his wry humor and biting witticism. The "Buh-Bye" and "And you are...?" phrases he made famous during his five-year run on NBC's landmark Saturday Night Live are now part of the mainstream vernacular. He also has found success on the big screen in Benchwarmers, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Joe Dirt, Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. Spade received critical acclaim for his role in NBC's Just Shoot Me, and can now be seen starring in CBS' Rules of Engagement. The Killers - Brandon Flowers (vocals/keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar), Mark Stoermer (bass) and Ronnie Vannucci (drums) - are one of America's most popular, critically acclaimed bands. The group's achievements include two platinum-plus albums, multiple Grammy and American Music Award nominations, MTV VMA Awards and NME Awards. The Killers' highly anticipated third studio album, Day & Age, will be released next month. The chart-toppers were recently honored at UNLV and inducted into the Nevada Entertainment Artist Hall of Fame. Of course, David Foster will once again serve as musical director, a job he has done since 1995. For more information, please contact The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation at (702) 227-5700 or visit www.agassifoundation.org. * * * * * * The Bernie Allen garden is now a growing, thriving living memorial to the kind clown who died in Las Vegas on January 16th, 2004, at the age of 88. So far, seven trees have been planted in a designated section of Desert Bloom Park at South Maryland Parkway and Wigwam. Thanks to the generosity of a number of caring people, there is a credit with Star Nursery which will be used to add another tree or two. There are also plans to put in a plaque and, perhaps a bench where visitors can sit and remember Bernie and some of the other local entertainment pioneers we have lost over the years. * * * * * * Unlike some of the reviews we have read regarding the new Criss Angel show, Believe, at the Luxor, impersonator Larry Edwards gives the Cirque du Soleil magic production high marks. We will give this one a little more time to iron out the kinks. Hopefully, much like the initially poorly reviewed Zumanity at New York -New York, and Celine Dion's A New Day at Caesars, this too shall turn into another success story. The price tag on Believe is astronomical, so you better believe it has to be more than just good. * * * * * * Radio station 100.5 JACK FM presents Jacktoberfest at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino Amphitheatre tomorrow, October 4th, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Your $20 not only get you in the door, but also gets you twenty tickets good for food and drinks (it‘s like buying the food and getting the entertainment for free). Enjoy live music all afternoon long from Mini KIIS, Mini YMCA and local favorites, Rock Daddy! Beginning at 8:30, the party continues inside Club Madrid with Have a Nice Day - a Bon Jovi Tribute Band, featuring Larry Atello up front. Not an alcohol drinker? Don't fret, $5 at the door gets you a designated driver wristband good for water and soft drinks. It's still a Jacktoberfest regardless of your beverage preferences. Rain or shine. Must be 21 years or older. No exceptions, ID will be checked at the door. We JUST found out that Have a Nice Day will also be appearing TONIGHT inside the Club Madrid at Sunset Station, beginning at 11 p.m. See you there!!! 
Larry Atello 
Mickey Manners 
Dangerous Curves * * * * * * When the phrase 'Goin' Ol' School' is mentioned, you can definitely think of Mickey Manners. Funnier than ever, the 82-year old comedian has been wowing audiences for nearly 50 years. Early on, Mickey's idol was the legendary Milton Berle, and Berle's jokes and style of comedy are what inspired Mickey to start his own comedy variety act. Known as a 'clean' comedian, Mickey doesn't go for off-color jokes to make his audiences laugh and through the years, this seemingly insignificant difference has set him apart from his peers and furthered his career as a funnyman who doesn't resort to common tactics to get a rise out of his listeners. From stand-up to variety to touring with Berle, Manners made numerous television appearances (Get Smart, Lost In Space, Hogan's Heroes, Murphy Brown, Silk Stalkings and many more popular series). He has also appeared on The Tonight Show, and as a guest on shows hosted by Steve Allen, Merv Griffin and Joey Bishop. In addition to two Jerry Lewis movies, Manners is most famous for his panelist role on CBS' Stump the Stars and on the original Hollywood Squares. Mickey will headline the Riviera's Comedy Club, from October 6th through 12th. Appearing with Mickey are Kathleen Dunbar and Chris Monty. Kathleen Dunbar says being a single mother has given her a sharp tongue and sarcastic wit. Her comedy has been called "sexy and sassy," but never dirty. Kathleen has performed with Bob Saget, Emo Philips, Bobby Slayton and Bob Zany. Chris Monty is New York's freshest rising comedy star. Born and raised in Long Island, Chris has expanded his career into radio and television. He has hosted his own radio show on Long Island's WGBB and later co-hosted On A Roll with fellow comedian John Larochia. Chris has written jokes for other comics, and has appeared in numerous television commercials. Tickets are $24.99 plus taxes and fees. Call the Riviera Box Office at (702) 794-9433, or click on www.rivierahotel.com. Ask about the special dinner/show combos. Children under 18 not permitted. * * * * * * Next Friday, October 10th, Anthem's New Song Lutheran Church, 1291 Cornet Street, near the northeast corner of Anthem Parkway and Reunion, in Henderson, will be hosting a special evening with Dangerous Curves, Las Vegas' premier all-girl jazz trio! In addition to performing many favorite Dangerous Curves' classics, like Moon River and Is This Any Way To Fall In Love, the girls will also be featuring several new songs (from Broadway to the cabaret world), and will even be premiering some songs from their soon-to-be-released CD! The gals with the curves, and the pipes, are Margaret "Gret" Menzies, Karen Merstik, and Lisa Smith. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are a reasonable $10, and can be purchased by contacting Jason Manlapaz at jason@newsonganthem.org. A portion of all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Alliance for Lupus Research. * * * * * * The Las Vegas Philharmonic is very excited about their 2008/2009 Pops Series...and so are we! Leading off the season, on October 11th, is Trumpeter and Showman, Byron Stripling, in a tribute to Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The series' second offering is A Christmas Celebration!, with 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows on Saturday, December 13th. The concert we are most looking forward to features former Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular star, Brent Barrett, who will perform on Saturday, March 21st at 8 p.m. The Broadway leading man is calling his presentation, You and the Night and the Music. For tickets and information regarding the Las Vegas Philharmonic Pops Series, call UNLV at (702) 895-2787. 
Byron Stripling 
Cantors Goldberg, Goldstein, Friedman & Kornworcel 
Susan Anton * * * * * * In honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, the Las Vegas Philharmonic will celebrate with a gala concert on Sunday, October 12th, at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. Four of Las Vegas' Top Cantors - Cantor Marla Goldberg (Temple Sinai), Cantor Philip Goldstein (Congregation Ner Tamid), Cantor Daniel Friedman (Temple Beth Shalom) and Cantor Andres Kornworcel (Midbar Kodesh Temple) - will perform with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The concert will also feature special performances by world-renowned mezzo-soprano Eugenie Grunewald, tenor Nathan Brian Wine, clarinetist Shelley Hanson, and the Adelson Educational Campus Choir and will feature a variety of traditional Israeli, Jewish folk, patriotic, liturgical and Klezmer music performed by the Las Vegas Philharmonic and directed by musical director, David Itkin. The celebration is supported by Dr. Miriam Adelson and Sheldon G. Adelson, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. with a Kosher VIP reception; VIP tickets are $300 per person and include the reception and premium concert seating. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and ticket prices are $30, $60 and $90, on sale now. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please LasVegasPhilharmonic.com or UNLVtickets.com, or contact the UNLV box office at (702) 895-2787. * * * * * * It's Susan Anton at the Suncoast this weekend. Anton and her filmmaker husband, Jeff Lester, make their home in Las Vegas, where they own Big Picture Studios. Susan was one of the rotating stars (along with Paige O'Hara, Maurice Hines Jr. and Marlene Ricci) in the Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular featuring the Rockettes that played at the Flamingo from 1994 until 2000. She also was a featured cast member of the musical Hairspray, during its short 2005 run at the Luxor. On Broadway, Anton played Ziegfeld's Favorite in The Will Rogers Follies. In addition to her engagements at the Suncoast, Anton has also performed her cabaret act here at the Desert Inn (now Wynn Las Vegas), the Cinegrill in Southern California, and Feinstein's in Manhattan. Many people don't know that, in the 1970s, Anton was a principal singer in a production show at the Hacienda (now the site of Mandalay Bay). Producer Bill Moore was blown away by the tall, beautiful and talented Anton. She was exactly what he had been looking for to co-star in a new Las Vegas revue called Turn It On, starring French Canadian sensation, Jean-Paul Vignon. The show opened in 1974 with Vignon and Anton making their Las Vegas debut. It ran for nine months. Anton was held over for six more months to headline in Moore's new ice show, Fantasy on Ice. You never know when this information might come in handy. Jeopardy! anyone? Show times for Susan Anton are at 7:30 p.m., through Sunday. Tickets start at $19.95 plus applicable taxes and fees. For reservations, call (702) 636-7075. And on the subject of the Suncoast, Chef Chas La Forte, formerly of Fellini's on West Charleston, has opened Salvatore's Italian Steakhouse at the northwest Boyd Gaming property. * * * * * * We would like to think that our little column had some bearing on the outcome of America's Got Talent, but we doubt that it did. If that were the case, we would gladly take a bow. On Wednesday night, the opera-singing insurance salesman, Missouri's Neal E. Boyd, was declared the winner, taking home a monetary prize of $1 million and earning a spot in a show on the Las Vegas Strip. We were rooting for 32-year-old Boyd, or Nuttin' But Stringz (a pair of fiddle playing young brothers named Damien and Tourie Escobar), to take the top prize. What we didn't want to see happen was Queen Emily (real name, Emily Baloney or Emily David), with her fictionalized bio, win. Of the five finalists, Miss Full-of-Baloney came in last. Sometimes, crime (and/or lies) doesn't pay.
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Tags: Dana Allen Frederic Kahler IDAHO Wes Winters Martin Nievera Rebecca Spencer
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - September 26, 2008 
Rita Moreno 
Brandon Albright 
Kelly Albright If you are a lover of musical theater, and happen to be in the Las Vegas area next weekend, lucky you. On Friday (NOT Saturday as is usual), October 3rd, at 8 p.m., the UNLV Performing Arts Center opens its New York Stage & Beyond Series by presenting Rita Moreno. Moreno is one of only nine performers to ever win all four of show business' most prestigious awards: the Oscar (for her performance in West Side Story), two Emmys (one for her performance on The Muppet Show, and the other for a dramatic guest appearance on The Rockford Files), a Tony (for her role as Googie Gomez in The Ritz), and a Grammy (for her performance on The Electric Company Album for children). In fact, Rita Moreno is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for this achievement. Born in Puerto Rico, in 1931, Moreno and her mother moved to New York City in 1937. Eleven-year-old Rosita (real name Rosita Dolores AlverÃo) got her first movie experience dubbing Spanish-language versions of American films. Less than a month before her 14th birthday, she made her Broadway debut in the play Skydrift at the Belasco Theatre, where she co-starred with Arthur Keegan and a young Eli Wallach. Although she would not appear on Broadway again for almost 20 years, Rita Moreno, as she was billed in the play, had arrived professionally. It was in 1961 that Moreno become the first Hispanic to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita, the Puerto Rican girlfriend of Jets' leader Bernardo in West Side Story. Ms. Moreno is also the recipient of the Golden Globe Award, the Golden Apple Award, and the Joseph Jefferson Award for her performance as Serafina in The Rose Tattoo. For her portrayal of Olive Madison in the female version of The Odd Couple, she received the Sarah Siddons Award. Moreno was featured in Hal Prince's She Loves Me, and Lorraine Hansbury's The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. Her Broadway credits include Gantry, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, The National Health, and Wally's Café. Her film credits include Untamed, Seven Cities of Gold, The Lieutenant Wore Skirts, Garden of Evil, The King and I, The Night of the Following Day, Marlowe, Popi, Carnal Knowledge, The Four Seasons, The Italian Move, and the film version of The Ritz. Ms. Moreno also starred in her own television series, the TV version of the film 9 to 5, B.L. Stryker opposite Burt Reynolds , Fox-TV's The Top of the Heap, and Bill Cosby Mysteries. She performed for President Clinton's inauguration, and later that month was asked to entertain at the White House. At 76, Rita continues to perform concerts in theaters and also guest stars with symphony orchestras. In 2004, Moreno was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian. Recently, Ms. Moreno has been seen in the CBS drama, Cane. Tickets for Rita Moreno at UNLV are $35, $50, and $80, and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 each and are available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts are also available. A $1 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. * * * * * * When mentioning the past students who attended Gerald Gordon's Actor's Showcase on September 13th, Cousin Claire accidentally omitted the talented husband and wife team of Brandon Albright and Kelly Albright from the list. Don't know how that could have happened, and we deserve to be tarred and feathered (or at least feathered) for the oversight, especially after the good reviews that Brandon got for his role in Super Summer Theater's recent production of Aida. It is most impressive to Cousin Claire, that people like the Albrights, who have both studied with Mr. Gordon, continue to support those who have helped them on their career journey. * * * * * *  David Pomeranz & Manila Mayor Eduardo Lim  Gerry McCambridge  Christopher Joel Carter Friend David Pomeranz's Born For You - His Best And More has reached the 10 times Platinum mark! The CD of love songs, on EMI Records, has exceeded the 500,000 mark in sales throughout Southeast Asia, and has become the best selling, highest-grossing Pop album in the history of the Philippines. David was recently presented the Key to the City by Manila's Honorable Mayor, Eduardo Lim (see attached photo). In addition to many self-penned hits, including Tryin' To Get the Feeling Again and The Old Songs recorded by Barry Manilow, Pomeranz has a wonderful musical called Little Tramp, based on the troubled life and career of Charlie Chaplin. Although he performs in major venues around the world, Pomeranz has had only limited exposure in Las Vegas - at The Orleans, exclusive Stirling Club, and Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex at Planet Hollywood. We would love to see entertainer David Pomeranz become a regular performer in this city. * * * * * * Since there will be no Composers Showcase in September (hosts Keith Thompson and Michael Brennan have more pressing things on their overflowing plates right now), there will be a "makeup" edition on Sunday, October 5th. (There will probably be another showcase in late October as well.) In addition to the fact that the showcase lovers, both performers and audience members, can't bear the idea of a month with no show, two regular presenters, the talented and creative Dana Allen and Frederic Kahler, will be departing Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. They have put something musical together as a farewell (hopefully, they will return to the city occasionally) to their friends. We expect to hear some of the songs from Allen's original musical, Hayes Hotel, on the 5th. We will have more information on the upcoming showcase, held in the cabaret at the Liberace Museum, next Friday. Incidentally, Dana and Frederic have some real treasures (art work, cookie jars, unique pieces of furniture, etc.) that must be sold before their departure. If you are interested in seeing any of the items, contact Cousin Claire. * * * * * * If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that one of our favorite Vegas "under the radar" acts is Gerry McCambridge, The Mentalist. McCambridge doesn't perform in a great big elaborate theater. He uses no pyrotechnics. There are no acrobats or contortionists. No helicopters on stage. No dancing showgirls. No wild beasts (except maybe for an occasional audience participant). Instead, McCambridge presents a unique, enjoyable, mystifying (even by skeptics) 75-minutes of pure entertainment in the 250-seat Night Owl Showroom at Hooters, located just east of the Strip on Tropicana. As a result, we were quite surprised to read Mike Weatherford's Review-Journal column of September 18th. What we thought was going to be a positive piece on Gerry and his show, turned out to be a negative-sounding "attack" on McCambridge's connection to the new TV series called The Mentalist. We don't like taking swipes at other local writers - unless they really deserve it - and, in this case, we were prepared to stand up for McCambridge and try to help right a wrong. Weatherford wrote in his September 18th column, "A spokeswoman for Warner Bros., the series producer, said Wednesday she was not aware of McCambridge doing any sanctioned interviews for the series, and had no comment on the rights issue concerning the term "Mentalist." After an angry letter from McCambridge, implying that Weatherford's earlier column questions Gerry's credibility, the R-J writer is backpedaling when he states in his September 25th column, "An update on The Mentalist, the live act, and 'The Mentalist,' the CBS television series. Last week, representatives of CBS and Warner Bros., the series producer, could not verify by deadline Hooter's performer Gerry McCambridge's claim that he is a paid spokesman for the TV series." That "could not verify by deadline" is the key here. It doesn't mean that McCambridge was not being truthful about his claims. It means that the article on this subject went to press before it should have and before the facts had been obtained. After McCambridge objected to last week's story, saying, "I hope your next newspaper column makes the proper corrections to the facts, and I also hope you research your topic a little better before putting someone's character in question," they (CBS/Warner Bros.) did additional research and now verify and confirm that McCambridge, who owned and copyrighted The Mentalist title in 2004 when he starred in and produced an NBC show using that name, was indeed paid by CBS to do promotional interviews for radio stations in different cities around the country. Gerry McCambridge, who is well into his second year at Hooters, is anticipating that a hit TV series, with the same name as his Las Vegas show, can only help increase his already decent ticket sales. If you haven't seen his show, we highly recommend it. After you go, we would like to hear your comments. Show times are at 7 p.m., every night but Friday. Call Hooters at (866) 584-6687 for reservations. * * * * * * The top prize winner of the 2008 Liberace Piano Competition, was personable Southern gentleman, Christopher Joel Carter of Albertville, Alabama. On Sunday, Christopher joined ten other artists, ranging in age from six to 69, for the finals held in the auditorium of the Community Lutheran Church in southeast Las Vegas. Other competitors included, in the Classical Junior Division, Tiffany Koo (6) from South Pasadena, California; Kevin Meng (10) of Las Vegas; and Abigail Varghese (8) from Henderson, Nevada. In the Classical Senior Division, competitors were Grace Kim (14) of Las Vegas; Carmen Lai (18) from Las Vegas; and Seth Thompson (16) of Henderson. The Classical Open Division was made up of Otto Ehling (20) from Los Angeles, and Ashlee Young (21) from Billings, Montana. In addition to Christopher Carter, the Showmanship Division included Melissa Alcazar (26) from Los Angeles, and Hector Montes de Oca Ruiz (69) from Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. As the winner of the Showmanship Division, Carter, who started playing piano at age five, took home $1,000. Today, he plays piano with the Florence Camarata at the University of North Alabama, and the organ at a church in Fayetteville. The annual competition, now in its 15th year, is presented by the Liberace Foundation to help talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts. The Foundation has awarded more than $5.2 million in scholarships to some 2,500 students at more than 120 colleges and universities. The talent was wonderful, and we enjoyed the afternoon very much, but we were quite surprised to see so many misspelled names and words in both the printed booklets and on the video screens used during the afternoon recital. These errors created some problems for the competition hosts, Bruce Ewing and Dana Rogers Martin. Through no fault of their own, because of the misspells, Ewing and Martin had to stumble through words like Coppelia and Mephisto, as well as proper names such as Hector Montes de Oca Ruiz during introductions. If people like D. Gause Snelson, David Kancsar and Anna Nateece are important enough to deserve an honor or a mention in a classy-looking program, crabby Cousin Claire feels they should also be important enough to have their names spelled correctly. And as long as we're telling other people how to do their business, let us mention last Saturday night's Screen Actors Guild 75th Anniversary Gala. The local gathering was only one of a number of celebrations being held around the country to pay homage to the nation's largest labor union. Established in 1933, SAG represents nearly 120,000 working actors in film, television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and other new media. The guild was created and exists to enhance actors' working conditions, compensation and benefits. It is a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists' rights. The Guild has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s, to fighting for performer protections amid the digital revolution sweeping the industry in the 21st century. Over the years, these revolutionary contributions have made Screen Actors Guild the respected union in entertainment. The Las Vegas celebration was held at DreamVision Studios on South Eastern, thanks to the generosity of owner, Phyllis Carreon-Taie. The event attracted approximately 400 people and was hosted by Women In Film Las Vegas, established in 2002 by Carreon-Taie. A portion of the proceeds from the party will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. This is all very positive. Unfortunately, the evening presented a number of glitches. Doors to the venue, scheduled to open at 6:30, did not open until after 7, leaving lots of costumed (requested attire was 1930s-style) guests standing outside for much too long. When the building was finally opened up, only a few people at a time were admitted. Everything (buffet dinner, raffle, silent auction results) seemed to lag behind the indicated schedule. There were problems with sound and lighting, leaving some speakers, including emcee Cork (misspelled "Cort" in the very nice Commemorative Program) Proctor, unheard. On the plus side, music was provided by the Arnie Webster Band, there was a lot of socializing and camaraderie, some good Kodak moments, a psychic named Angela Kay, and a great display of beautiful photos of former SAG presidents, among them Eddie Cantor, Robert Montgomery, James Cagney, George Murphy, Ronald Reagan (also misspelled in the program), Walter Pidgeon, Leon Ames, Howard Keel, Dana Andrews, Charlton Heston, John Gavin, Dennis Weaver, Edward Asner, Patty Duke, Barry Gordon and Melissa Gilbert. These large photos (produced and provided by Passkey Systems) were to be auctioned off during the evening. The auction had still not started when we left at 10 p.m. We have not been able to find out how much money the gala generated, but we hope to have that information sometime soon. We realize that this was a labor of love, put together by all volunteers. Their hearts were in the right place, but it is our wish that by the time SAG is celebrating their 100th anniversary, some professional party planners will offer their services to the organization so they can do it up really right.  Ronald Reagan  Don Rickles  Dick & Tom Smothers One of the many hard-working volunteers for the anniversary gala, music man George Dare, apparently is not pleased with our take on the event. Here is what Mr. Dare had to say... Yes, the Nevada SAG event would not match the highly funded, star-studded, red carpet Galas of Hollywood, but Las Vegas has potential. Just as when I first moved here 30 years ago after winning a national competition to write the jingle ad campaign for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, I've had to work very hard to elevate the image of original music in a city where cover artists were so dominant. Today, my original music is used and requested throughout the world and Las Vegas is now known as a place where artists, movie and production show producers and organizations can go for high-end, original music scores and theme songs. This did not happen over night. My request is that you consider looking at the potential that SAG in Nevada and Las Vegas has and help to support it. As my children were growing up and learning to walk, when they fell, we cheered them on to try again and again. We applauded every step as they learned how to be more sure-footed with each attempt. Now they are teaching my grandchildren. I remember the first year that the National Finals Rodeo came to town...I created their theme song and sang there frequently. With the exception of opening and closing nights, you could have shot a cannon into the Thomas & Mack Arena and been hard pressed to hit someone. Today it is sold out a year in advance. There will be more Nevada SAG Galas, there will be more movies made in Las Vegas and there will be more work for actors, which means money into our economy. You have the power of the pen and although I am not an actor nor a SAG member, I am requesting that you consider supporting SAG in your articles, now and frequently in the future. Your help is appreciated.
Musically, George Dare We agree with everything you say, George, and absolutely WILL support SAG, and any other legitimate organizations that protect the working actors, and entertainers in general. We just want to see things done right and in a professional manner. We are sure that much has been learned through this recent gathering and that the next one will be better and better organized, as will the ones after that. Thank you for taking the time to share your feelings. And on the subject of the Screen Actors Guild, we received this important alert from Hrair Messerlian, SAG's Nevada Branch Executive Director... We have been advised that a film titled Kites, produced by Happy Hour Productions, LLC, is filming in the Las Vegas, NV, area and members will not be cleared to work on this production until and unless they satisfy certain Guild requirements. Should the production provide the materials to the Guild necessary to allow members to work on the production, we will send a follow up notice to let you all know. Members are asked to please contact Hrair Messerlian in the SAG office at (323) 549-6440 if you are contacted for work on this film production in the next week or so. Thank you for supporting the Guild's effort to ensure that any performers who may be hired for work on this show are adequately protected by our contract terms. * * * * * * Last weekends' Emmy Award show not only earned abysmally low viewer numbers, reviews for the show itself were also very poor. The Vancouver Province had this to say...Sunday's Emmy production was an atomic bomb. The hosts weren't funny; the musical numbers were embarrassing; the sets were amateurish. From the self-aggrandizing Oprah Winfrey to the career-killing musical stylings of Josh Groban, the show was practically without a redeeming moment of entertainment. We said, practically. Kudos to 82-year-old comic Don Rickles for an outrageously funny five minutes in an almost humourless three hours. If Emmy is looking for a host for next year's show, why not give Rickles a crack? Don Rickles bagged this year's Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Comedy, Variety or Musical program. He received two standing ovations during the function - one when he went on stage as a presenter with Kathy Griffin, and another when he received the award for HBO's Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. "It's a mistake," Rickles said. "I've been in the business 55 years and the biggest award I got was an ashtray from the Friar's in New York." Rickles gladly and gratefully accepted this latest honor. And Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune critic, had this to say about the Emmys and Tommy Smothers... TV has a new train wreck to make fun of, in the form of the 60th Emmy broadcast that aired from Los Angeles on ABC Sunday. Ryan went on to say, "One of the high points of the otherwise colorless opening hour came when Steve Martin presented a commemorative Emmy to 71-year-old Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. "Tommy Smothers is a man who has given me so much," said Martin, a former writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. "(Smothers gave me) nothing I wanted. Mostly corporate gifts." Martin pointed out that in 1968, when the rest of the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" writing staff won Emmys, Smothers didn't get a statue. He had taken his name off the list, thinking that it was too controversial and would ruin the show's chances of winning. The television academy, "in an effort to fill time," Martin joked, had decided to right that wrong and give Smothers his statue 40 years later "It's hard for me to stay silent when I keep hearing that peace is only attainable through war. There's nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action," Smothers said in his acceptance speech. "I dedicate this Emmy to all people who feel compelled to speak out and not afraid to speak to power and won't shut up and refuse to be silenced." Congratulations to both Mr. Rickles and Mr. Smothers, both with a long Las Vegas history, on their well deserved and long overdue awards.
On second thought...If the pros, with a great big budget, didn't do too well putting together the usually much touted Emmy Awards show - providing very few highlights, but plenty of lowlights - maybe the SAG crew didn't do so badly after all. * * * * * * We mentioned this event before, but because it is a worthy cause, we are mentioning it again. Consider it a friendly reminder... The Tropicana Las Vegas presents Laugh to Cure Diabetes, October 5th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Tiffany Theater. The all star comedy line-up includes: Jon Manfrellotti, Pam Matteson, John Padon, Rob Sherwood, Fielding West and several special celebrity guests. Tickets for Laugh to Cure Diabetes are priced as low as $25 and are available at the Tropicana Box Office or by calling 702-739-2411. All ticket proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Nevada Chapter. "We feel that it is important to not only be part of a community but to give back to it as well," said Tropicana Las Vegas Casino General Manager Penny Baratta. "We encourage guests, employees, visitors and locals alike to help raise money and awareness for a worthy cause through an evening of entertainment." JDRF is the leading charitable advocate of type one diabetes (juvenile diabetes) research worldwide. The foundation's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type one diabetes is a disease that strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications. Complications may include: kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation. This program is not appropriate for children, so please leave the kids at home. For additional information call (702) 739-2222, or visit www.tropicanalv.com and www.jdrf.org. 
John Padon 
Artie Schroeck & Linda November 
Joey Gian * * * * * * We have good news! Norman Kaye, who has been confined to either a hospital or rehab facility for many months, was able to celebrate his 86th birthday at home. Yes, the original member of the famed Mary Kaye Trio (along with his sister, Mary Kaye, and Frank Ross) is back home where he continues to recuperate from a series of strokes. And speaking of birthdays, we missed acknowledging actor/singer (and onetime husband of Las Vegas resident, Tempest Storm) Herb Jeffries on his 97th. Also best wishes to the almost forgotten Libras, Artie Schroeck and his bride, the shy and retiring Jingle Lady, Linda November. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. * * * * * * If you are in the Southern California area, the talented Joey Gian reminds us that the Italian Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles, now in its 7th year, takes place this weekend. We got to know Joey (a onetime Star Search competitor and regular cast member of TV's Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210 and Hooperman), during the year he lived in Las Vegas. A terrific singer/entertainer, Gian was a regular performer at a local Italian joint on Las Vegas Blvd. So., and in the busy lounge at the Stardust (soon to be known as Echelon). Today (September 26th), through Sunday, feast hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with Italian food, music, fun, culture, games, rides, and plenty of entertainment taking place at 1651 N. Highland, south of Hollywood Blvd. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, in addition to singer/actor/ songwriter Joey Gian (scheduled to entertain at 9 p.m. on Saturday), Dean's daughter, Deana Martin, and Las Vegas favorites, Frankie Randall and Mark Giovi will perform. Admission to the feast is only $5, with kids under 12 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. We can smell the garlic from here. * * * * * * Hollywood manager, Beverly Dean, who is actor Jim Caviezel's manager, has selected Las Vegan Paul Campanella, co-star of Tony 'n Tina's Wedding at the Rio, to perform at a Los Angeles showcase for major motion picture and television casting directors, producers and directors. Ms. Dean saw Paul perform at a Las Vegas showcase sponsored by Dave Brown's Remington Agency this past Sunday at Neonopolis and was quite impressed. Congratulations, to Mr. Campanella. Paul also informs us that, from 6 to 10 p.m. tomorrow (the 27th), the ever popular Zavier Blue will be entertaining at Lucille's BBQ in The District at Green Valley Ranch. * * * * * * David Finkle, of the Village Voice, calls Eric Comstock and his wife Barbara Fasano "The Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt of the intimate rooms." The musical twosome return to Café Sabarsky on Thursday, October 2nd, for a 7 p.m. prix-fixe dinner and 9 p.m. concert in the Cabaret. Operated by Kurt Gutenbrunner, chef and owner of the renowned Wallsé, the Cabaret at Café Sabarsky serves authentic Viennese cuisine, drawing its inspiration from the great cafés that served as important centers of intellectual and cultural life at the turn of the twentieth century. The intimate 60-seat room is exquisitely appointed with period objects, including lighting fixtures by Josef Hoffmann and furniture by Adolf Loos. Comstock and Fasano bring their unique combination of wit and sensuality back to the cabaret where they will explore romance and its modern complications in a musical evening featuring the songs of American and European composers, Kurt Weill, Frederick Hollander, Frank Loesser, Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields, John Wallowitch, Charles Strouse, Vernon Duke, John Latouche, Noel Coward, and others. The cabaret is located at 1048 Fifth Avenue at 86th Street. For reservations, call (212) 228-0665 or 212.628.6200, ext. 485.
* * * * * * 
Paul Campanella 
Barbara Fasano & Eric Comstock 
Queen Emily We enjoy the talent-themed reality competitions - American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, etc. - but have some thoughts on the genre. Many of the Idol competitors were in bands or performing professionally before they became familiar names and faces on the show. The same thing applies to the contestants on the celebrity impersonator show, The Next Best Thing (will that one be back for a second season, or have we already seen the best-of-the-best?) and America's Got Talent. Last season's AGT winner, ventriloquist/impressionist Terry Fator; Britney Spears impersonator, Derrick Berry; magicians Kevin James, The Pendragons, Nathan Burton, the Quick Change act of David and Dania; Leonid the Magnificent (Beacher's Madhouse); The King Charles Unicycle Troupe (Beyond Belief, starring Siegfried and Roy); all had been making their livings as entertainers prior to their appearances on Idol. And that is fine. What we find a bit disturbing are the sad stories told by some contestants, i.e. AGT finalist, Donald Braswell, who claims to have lost his voice in a bicycle vs. car accident, but, now, after 13 years, has found it and can, once again, sing opera. Hopefully, voters will make their decisions and vote for the person with the talent, not for the most inspirational story. We have no reason to doubt Braswell's story, but we are very disappointed to learn that another AGT finalist, known on the show as Queen Emily, has created much of her "overnight sensation" tale used on the "reality" show. The REAL reality is that "life did not get in the way of her dreams," as stated on Emily's AGT bio. That piece of creative writing goes on to say, "Raising her daughters as a single mother meant Emily's musical aspirations had to be put on hold. When she turned 40, Emily experienced an epiphany and realized that it was time to stop dreaming and start acting, which led her to the America's Got Talent auditions." That's not quite true. Emily's story turns out to be a bunch of baloney. As a matter of fact, the lady's REAL, and very appropriate name, is Emily Baloney (could we make this up?). She has been working as an entertainer/singer for some time. We hear (but cannot verify) that Queen Emily has appeared on Showtime at the Apollo on more than one occasion. We know for a fact that in Northern California, where Miss Emily lives, she won the grand prize in the Gimme the Mike competition, held at Great America's Paramount Theater. According to the Internet, Miss (full of) Baloney's interests are "Commercial, Live Event, Movies, Music, Stage, TV." She is quoted as saying "I've been singing since the age of seven. I'm a principle (sic) cast member in Steve Silvers Beach Blanket Babylon, singing acting, and theatre is just what i (sic) do" We were rooting for Queen Emily until we learned about her lies. At this point, we would hate to see her reap a windfall ($1 million and a job in Las Vegas) as the result of her false claims. Incidentally, Las Vegans Skye Dee Miles (currently traveling with Menopause the Musical), and Richel Kompst , have both been cast members in Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon. BBB, the longest running musical revue in theatre history, is a zany musical spoof of pop culture, with extravagant costumes and outrageously huge hats. Now in its 34th year of sold-out performances, Beach Blanket Babylon is an internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution. With more than 12,000 performances in the City by the Bay, the show has performed for standing room only crowds during engagements in London and at the Sands in Las Vegas. Beach Blanket Babylon continually evolves in its clever and hilarious parodies of current events and popular icons as today's headlines unfold. And speaking of Dancing With the Stars, we hope that 82-year-young Cloris Leachman manages to hang on for a while. The former cast member of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and star of the spin-off, Phyllis, is an inspiration to the AARP crowd and a breath of fresh air on what can get to be a routine show. Her sense of humor, although sometimes a little "out there," adds a whole new dimension, not to mention lots of press, to the dance competition. On Tuesday night, comic Jeffrey Ross and his professional dancing partner, Edyta Sliwinska, were the first couple eliminated from the seventh season of ABC's dancing competition. The pair only earned a score of 14 from the show's judges on Monday, after their cha cha cha routine. It is the judges scores, plus the audience votes, that determines who will go and who will stay to dance another day. On Wednesday night, it was Ted McGinley (Married...with Children) and his pro partner, Inna Brayer, who got their walking/dancing papers. That leaves personalities Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Brooke Burke, Rocco DiSpirito, Maurice Greene, Kim Kardashian, Cody Linley, Susan Lucci, Warren Sapp, Misty May-Treanor, and Ms. Leachman left to dance another day. And speaking of Dancing With the Stars, look for the Riviera's An Evening at La Cage star, Frank Marino, to share his opinions with local Channel 13 news viewers the morning after Dancing With the Stars episodes. * * * * * * From girl singer Diane Ellis comes this news...For the past month, she has been sitting in with Joe Darro, awesome jazz vocalist and pianist; Steve Golden, wonderful jazz player and flutist; and Jimmy Racey on drums. The trio plays at Franklins Tavern every Sunday night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Franklins is located in the Target Center at 9821 S. Eastern at Silverado Ranch. On Wednesday nights, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., Darro and drummer Joe Locatelli play at Frediani's, 2895 Green Valley Parkway, two blocks north of Sunset. Check out these talented pros.  Diane Ellis * * * * * * From Rory Johnston comes this information...Johnston is directing the world premier of a major new musical, Nick Saint. This is a delightfully funny Christmas story for the entire family. The tale revolves around an old man who claims he is Santa Claus. A disabled girl and her friends who are recruited to help him prove it, the bizarre tabloid newspaper who champions their cause, the love story between a reporter and the girl's mother, and the slimy rival reporter who tries to prove them all wrong. There are 32 roles to be filled in this show, including eight adult leads, three young leads, and chorus roles for eight women, eight men, and five children. The chorus roles are quite extensive, including featured acting parts and songs solos, and are a wonderful opportunity to develop a number of quirky characters. All ages and types are welcome. There are 17 musical numbers in this show, so singing is required for all actors. This is not a heavy dance show, but dance ability is a plus. Strong comedic character acting is an absolute must for all roles, except Barbara, Benny, and Jenny who need strong dramatic acting skills. Auditions for Nick Saint, will take place at Canyon Ridge Auditorium, on Sunday, September 28th, at 2 p.m., and Monday, September 29th, at 6:30 p.m., with callbacks scheduled for the following Sunday, October 5th, at 2 p.m. Rehearsals will begin on Friday, October 17th, and run nightly until performances on December 11th, 12th and 13th. Of course, not all cast members will be required for all rehearsals until the first two weeks of December. Canyon Ridge is located at 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, on the corner of Jones Blvd. This is community theater. There is no salary, just an opportunity to do some completely original work, perhaps be featured on the original cast album, and on the promotional video that will later be submitted to Broadway producers. Come to audition prepared to sing one ballad and one "up" song. Provide tracks or piano music. Please arrive at auditions early so we may start on time.
CAST BREAKDOWN
Nick Saint (Lead/baritone) - He doesn't look like Santa but is as charming as they come. Must be a strong singer and actor. Barbara Taylor (Lead/alto) - Mid 30s, attractive, single mother. Benny Bigalow (Lead/baritone) - Mid 30s. Mild-mannered newspaperman. Lance Boyle (Lead/tenor) - Any age 20-50. The bad guy. An outrageous, comic character. Think Jim Carrey with a terrific singing voice). Jenny Taylor (Barbara's daughter) - About 10 years old. A strong young actress is needed for this lead role. Danny S. (Lead) - A 10 year old, wise-cracking kid. Moderate singing required but great acting is imperative. Bartholomew Leigh Sheffield III (Lead) - An overly intelligent, polite, ten year old, in other words, a nerd. Could be English. Moderate singing required, great acting is imperative. Mr. Stapleton (Lead/baritone) - The cigar-chomping editor of a sleazy tabloid newspaper. Loud and gruff (in the tradition of Danny DeVito's Louie DePalma in Taxi). Bernard Slater (Featured role/baritone) - Age 50+. The owner and publisher of tabloid. Large and imposing but child-like in his enthusiasm. A John Goodman or Ed Asner type. Max Magee (Featured acting/ no solo singing) - Any age 20-50, male or female. Friendly, enthusiastic television reporter. Louie the Slime (Featured role/one duet) - A big, dumb professional thug. A guy whose jacket size is bigger than his IQ. Chorus (All ages 5-80) - Tabloid staff, moms, dads, grandparents, kids, homeless people, newspaper sellers, angry Christmas shoppers, frazzled toy store employees, a Salvation Army person, policeman, cameraman, Scrooge, Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby, the cutest little girl ever, a grumpy store manager, a life-sized Teddy Bear, and more. Not just average people, but great characters. (Need at least one bass and tenor lead.) Did you ever want to create a role and be in the original cast? This is a unique opportunity to fulfill every actor's dream. For a complete synopsis of the show, rehearsal schedule, script sides, or other information, go to www.NickSaintMusical.com. If you have questions, call Rory Johnston at (702) 769-6617. Have a question about Las Vegas? Want to make a comment (be nice, now)?
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Tags: Rita Moreno Brandon Albright Kelly Albright David Pomeranz Eduardo Lim Gerr
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - September 19, 2008 
Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker 
Gerald Gordon 
Michael Cardella If readers recall, in May, Sharon McNight, was scheduled to perform her tribute to Sophie Tucker at the Starbright Theatre. Unfortunately, Sharon became ill just hours before the show and had to cancel. Not wanting to leave the crowd with nothing to do on a Saturday night, in the old "show must go on" tradition, musician/entertainer Michael Chapman (the "Chap" in ChapQuist Entertainment), and comic Kelly McDonald, went on in McNight's place, tempering the disappointment of the Sun City Summerlin audience. Last weekend, though, McNight was back at the Starbright, looking and sounding healthy and in very fine form. Judging by those in attendance (including Cousin Claire), her performance was well worth the wait. McNight, accompanied by Ted Shapiro on piano, presented Tucker signature songs such as There'll Be Some Changes Made, Last of the Red Hot Mamas, You've Gotta See Your Mama, After You've Gone, My Yiddishe Momme (Mama), and, of course, Some of These Days. Three costume changes, and some cute between tunes patter, made for a terrific evening's entertainment. Hopefully, Ms. McNight will make a return visit to Las Vegas for another round of revelry. Until that happens, you can purchase her Sophie Tucker Songbook CD (and a number of other recordings) through her Web site at www.SharonMcNight.com. The accompanying 'Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker' photo was taken by Don Cadette during McNight's recent Starbright appearance. For several seasons, Cadette, who now calls Vegas home, was both the on camera and studio drummer for TV's The Love Boat. He was also the drummer in the movie, Sweet Dreams - The Story of Patsy Cline, and scores of other productions. Cadette traveled around the world for several years, as both a musician and a photographer; shooting many dignitaries and stars, including Alan Alda, George Burns, Debbie Reynolds, Dick Van Dyke, and Raquel Welch among them. Cadette was the official studio photographer for TV's Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Roseanne, and many more.
* * * * * * Bad news/good news. The bad news is that there will be no Composers Showcase this month. The good news is WHY there won't be a September showcase. In addition to the Liberace Foundations annual Piano Competition taking place now, and because of prior commitments of the showcase hosts, Keith Thompson and Michael Brennan, they have decided to postpone the September showcase. They may try to have one early in October and again at the end of October (it's a long month), before getting back on the usual once-a-month schedule. Both Michael and Keith have original shows that are being presented in New York over the next few weeks - Keith's IDAHO! as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), and Michael's musical adaptation of The Fisher King for potential backers. See more info on the NYMF below... Note: The Liberace Foundations annual Piano Competition finals take place in the Community Lutheran Church auditorium, 3720 E. Tropicana, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The music-loving public is encouraged to attend. Admission is $15 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Family Promise. Call (702) 798-5595. And speaking of showcases... We hope Gerald Gordon doesn't mean it when he says (once again), "that was my last one." He is talking, of course, about his Actor's Showcase. Gordon, who moved to Las Vegas from Southern California about 11 years ago, has coached more than 600 people who are hoping to gain or improve their acting skills. Not all of the students live in the Las Vegas area. Some of them travel here to study with Mr. Gordon, where the ages of the class members have ranged from late teens to AARP members. Anyway, the September 13th edition MAY, or may not, have been Gordon's last. If it was, it was a doozy! The performers included Elly Brown, Michael Cardella, Domenica Castro, Cara Dace, Nathan Ferrier, Blu Griffith, Khetanya Henderson, Luke Jones, Susan Lundt, Margarita Maliagros, Jason Nious, Sam Port, Forest Rall, Sameya Roocke and Scott Watanabe, with guests Benjamin Hale and Cory Lee Taves. There were many highlights and, we felt, moments of acting brilliance. Some of our personal favorites included Sure Thing, with Brown and Cardella; Dutchman, with Nious, Castro, Jones, Lundt, Cardella, Rall and Port; and John Kander and Fred Ebb's Wet (inspired by Brent Barrett's recording of the seductive song). Believe it or not, a swimming pool was created, just for this musical number. Since everyone was so very, very good, we feel like we are having to choose a favorite child. We love all of our children, but some are just a little sweeter than the others. Probably the most unusual scene was Archy and Mehitabel, a musical number featuring a dancing 'cockroach' (played very well by Cory Lee Taves) and a group of alley cats (portrayed by Nious, Brown, Dace, Roocke and Maliagros). Live music was provided by Scott Crookston on piano, and Ryan Redden on reeds and flute. Among those in the audience were a number of Gordon's former pupils - J.D. Smith, Stephen Sorrentino, Fhretscya Youmans, and Leslie Rehak, a student of more than 20 years ago, who traveled to Las Vegas to see how well Gordon was doing here (she gave him high marks). We also spotted the Las Vegas Review-Journal's theater critic, Anthony DelValle, in the house. Bravo to Gerald Gordon and his talented cast. And yet another type of showcase... This year's exciting New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) roster features traditional musical comedies, to edgy satires, to new takes on your favorite stories, with a little hip-hop freestyle thrown. The full productions will satisfy even the most picky musical theatre palette. From homegrown New York musicals and projects from as far away as Australia, the projects encompass a broad diversity of styles from bluegrass to jazz, grunge rock to chamber opera, satiric comedy to suspense and drama. For their fifth anniversary season, the group of shows reflects the breadth of contemporary musical theatre. The New York Musical Theatre Festival exists to revitalize one of America's greatest art forms by discovering, supporting and promoting new musical theater artists, producers, and projects, and by introducing a diverse audience to the vibrancy of contemporary musical theater. The largest musical theatre event in America, NYMF takes over midtown Manhattan for three weeks each fall with a slate of more than 30 productions, and more than 50 concerts, readings, workshops, seminars and other special events. NYMF is widely regarded as the essential source for new material and talent discovery. The festival has premiered more than 150 new musicals since 2004 - many of which have gone on to award-winning productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, at regional theatres and on tour, in 38 states and nine countries worldwide. The 2004 NYMF hit, Altar Boyz, has played more than 1,000 performances off-Broadway and spawned two national tours; fellow NYMF alum [title of show] recently opened to rave reviews at the Lyceum Theater on Broadway; and NYMF alum Nerds:// will open on Broadway in the spring. The current crop of NYMF shows - About Face, with book and lyrics by David Arthur and music by Jeffrey Lodin; Bedbugs!!!, with music by Paul Leschen and book and lyrics by Fred Sauter; Bonnie & Clyde, with book by Hunter Foster, and music and lyrics by Rick Crom; The Bubble, with book by Karen Paull with Wendy Robbins, music by David Pack, and lyrics by David Pack and Karen Paull; Castronauts, with book by Bobby Houston and Patricio Bisso, lyrics by Bobby Houston, and music by Randy Courts; College the Musical, with book, music and lyrics by Drew Fornarola and Scott Elmegreen; Cyclone (and the Pig-Faced Lady), with book and lyrics by Dana Leslie Goldstein, and music by Rima Fand; The Fancy Boys Follies, starring Jim J. Bullock, with book and lyrics by David Pevsner, music by Stephen Bates, Jamie Forsyth, Mark Hummel, Chris Lavely, Michael Orland, Jeff Rizzo, Michael Skloff and David Pevsner, and additional material by Bruce Vilanch; The Hatpin, with music by Peter Rutherford, and book and lyrics by James Millar; Heaven in Your Pocket, with music and lyrics by Mark Houston, and book by Mark Houston, Francis J. Cullinan and Dianne Sposito; I Come for Love, with book, music and lyrics by Terrence Atkins and Jeffery Lyle Segal; Idaho!, with book and Lyrics by Buddy Sheffield, and music by Buddy Sheffield and Keith Thompson; Jason & Ben, with book, lyrics and music by Matthew Loren Cohen; The Jerusalem Syndrome, with book and lyrics by Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman, and music by Kyle Rosen; Love Jerry, written by Megan Gogerty; Max and the Truffle Pig, with book by Suzanne Bradbeer, lyrics by Nancy Leeds, and music by Bert Draesel; Play It Cool, conceived by Larry Dean Harris, book by Martin Casella and Larry Dean Harris, lyrics by Mark Winkler, music by Phillp Swann, with additional music by Jim Andron, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Robert Kraft, Emilio Palame, Joe Pasquale, Dan Siegel, Larry Steelman; The Road to Ruin, with book, music and lyrics by William Zeffiro; She Can't Believe She Said That, with book, lyrics and music by Matt Prager; That Other Woman's Child, with book, music, and lyrics by Sherry Landrum and George S. Clinton; To Paint the Earth, with music by Jonathan Portera, and book and lyrics by Daniel F. Levin; Twilight in Manchego, with book, music, and lyrics by Matt Gould; Villa Diodati, with book by Collette Inez and Mira J. Spektor, music and additional lyrics by Mira J. Spektor, lyrics by Colette Inez, and additional lyrics by Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and William Wordsworth; and Wood, with book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis - will be presented at various off-Broadway venues throughout Manhattan. 
Bill Nolte 
Kathie Lee Gifford 
Rebecca Spencer & Pheonix Vaughn IDAHO! features Whip Masters, Jed Strunk, Slim Johnson, Aunt Pearlie and the rest of the good folks from the potato state who are rarin' to introduce audiences to potato country's simplest pleasures - spud-peelin', dancin' and devirginizin' - in this bawdy new musical that satirizes and pays homage to Broadway's most beloved classics. "IDAHO! is a 'hoot' - bawdy, smart, witty ... an extremely clever homage to the Golden Age of Musicals, with (obviously) a special nod to the gods, Rodgers & Hammerstein. I've been around this piece for over a year now, through three readings," says Sharon Carr, "and its audiences have a ball, with smiles, peals of laughter and hearty applause. My producing partner, Janet Pailet (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, MASKED, Passing Strange), is consulting on this production; Richard Winkler (lighting designer with way too many credits to list, making his producing debut) and I are producing it at NYMF (New York Musical Theatre Festival) which, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is a venue that was created several years ago to help develop new works. There are 18 in our cast, great songs and fabulous dance numbers. Production values will let an audience know they are back in the land of Traditional Musicals. Tickets are $20 - a really fun 'insiders' way to see new musicals (NYMF is referred to as the "Sundance of Musical Theater). IDAHO! was originally directed by Thommie Walsh, who unfortunately passed away since the first reading. We are thrilled to have Matt Lenz (Hairspray, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Aida, etc.) directing, and Michelle Lynch (Little House on the Prairie, etc.) choreographing. We put together an all-star cast for the NYMF production, which we believe will be but a brief stop on the way to a commercial run in NYC, followed by a long life in the regional and eventually community theaters. We are all really excited about this project!" says an enthusiastic Sharon. IDAHO! will play at the 37 Arts (on 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Ave.) on Thursday, September 25th 8 p.m.; Friday, September 26th at 5 p.m.; Monday, September 29th at 5 and 9 p.m.; Tuesday, September 30th at 9 p.m., and October 4th at 9 p.m. Every year, NYMF shows are so hot that some sell out their runs before they even open, and this year is no exception. Additional performances for these hot ticket shows include IDAHO!, which will add a Saturday, October 4th, 1 p.m. matinee. Also adding performances are Bedbugs!!! - Thursday, September 25th at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 27th at 11p.m., Bonnie and Clyde - Sunday, September 28th at 1 p.m.; Jason & Ben - Saturday, September 27th at 1 p.m.; and Wood - Friday, September 19th at 4:30 p.m. If we were in New York between now and October 5th, when this year's festival ends, we would HAVE to see the world premiere of Matt Prager's She Can't Believe She Said That! - The Rise and Fall of Kathie Lee Gifford nee Epstein. Although we haven't been a Kathie Me Gifford fan since she was the La La Lady, Kathie Lee Johnson, on TV's Name That Tune, this might be fun. According to the publicity, "She Can't Believe She Said That! recounts the true story of talk show hostess Kathie Lee Gifford over 30 years, creating an identity out of thin air to achieve national fame...and international infamy. The original Kathie Lee-sical, this loony satire from one of the writers of South Park is like Evita crossed with cheese - "Velvevita, if you will." Tony Award-winner (for the revival of Company) Heather Laws will star as "the tragic figure of our times (or at least a couple of months in 1997)," Kathie Lee Gifford nee Epstein, in the NYMF production of She Can't Believe She Said That!, which begins performances at the 99-seat Barrow Group (TBG) Theater on September 26th. TBG is located in the heart of the Garment District at 312 W. 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave). The Fancy Boys Follies, at the 45th Street Theater, is described as "Vaudelesque! A hilarious gay mini- Ziegfeld Follies. Filthy...but FABULOUS!" We think we would like to see this one too...even if friend Michael Orland weren't involved. For tickets to any of the New York Musical Theatre Festival shows, call Ovationtix at (212) 352-3101. They are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. Rebecca Spencer, who created the role of Madame Giry in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, will play Arlene Davis in Heaven in Your Pocket, one of the 14 offerings in this year's NYMF. Described as "A Musical Joy Ride!," Heaven In Your Pocket tells the tale of The Heavenly Belles - a family singing trio from Heaven, Oklahoma - en route to musical stardom in Nashville. An unexpected detour to Kansas City and an unusual inheritance wreaks havoc on the ladies' plans. A handsome cowboy, a kindly Miss-Fixit and a "can-do" decorator all chime in with the Belles as they face the music (and each other) in this lighthearted, tuneful romp! Phantom reunited Becky with Hal Prince, for whom she had played Carlotta in his Hamburg, Germany, Phantom company. While in Las Vegas, Spencer also performed the American premiere of Jerry Springer - The Opera at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, hosted the 2007 Liberace Piano Competitions, and headlined a full-length solo concert evening. Among her numerous theatrical leading roles, Rebecca created the role of Emma Carew in the Alley Theatre world premiere of Jekyll & Hyde, and was later an original Broadway cast member. Her diverse recording experience includes the first cast album of Ragtime, Irving Berlin's Watch Your Step, and A Linda Eder Xmas (Bravo). She has been a guest soloist with leading American Symphonies, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Marvin Hamlisch, and Rob Fisher, including five seasons with ENCORES!, Carnegie Hall's Gershwin Centennial (PBS), and the NYC Cabaret Convention produced by the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Her television appearances include Third Watch and Law and Order: SVU. Her critically acclaimed debut solo recording, Wide Awake and Dreaming, earned the 2004 Back Stage Bistro Award. Her newest release, 2006's Fair Warning (with Las Vegans Philip Fortenberry on piano, and Moonlight Tran on cello), is available in stores and thru Itunes. Both are distributed on the LML Music label. Heaven In Your Pocket will play at the 45th Street Theater, Saturday, September 20th at 8 p.m.; Sunday, September 21st at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, September 23rd at 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 28th at 1 p.m. And speaking of the Great White Way... After a record-breaking run of 27 years, including 18 separate editions and more than 9,000 performances, Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway will play its final performance on January 15th, 2009, the 27th anniversary of the show's debut at Palsson's Supper Club in 1982. The newest edition, Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab, opened on Wednesday, September 17th, at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street). After its New York closing, Forbidden Broadway will continue to tour around the country, as well as perform concert dates with symphony orchestras. Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab features spoofs of South Pacific, In the Heights, Equus, [title of show], August Osage County, Gypsy, Sunday in the Park with George, and Young Frankenstein, among others. Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenowith all get their fair share as well. Forbidden Broadway has been playing in New York theaters since 1982 when Alessandrini created the first parody lampooning the Broadway shows and its stars. It is a favorite among theater lovers as well as Broadway stars who often stop by to laugh at themselves. Forbidden Broadway has won numerous awards in its history, including the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical Revue, the 2006 Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, six additional Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Awards. Forbidden Broadway has received national and international notoriety, racking up more than 15,000 performances in more than 200 US cities as well as engagements in London, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney. Show times for Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab is Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $65 Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings, and $60 for all other performances. Call (212) 239-6200. As a note...Over the years, there have been a couple of Forbidden Vegas revues here. Although they were clever and entertaining, the productions didn't last very long. Too bad. 
Bernadette Peters 
Kimberley Locke 
Hash House a Go Go * * * * * * Lest anyone question the impact that appearing (you don't have to be a winner) as a competitor on American Idol can have on a career, here's an interesting note. On just one morning (today, Friday, September 19th), singers Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke (he won the Idol title, she didn't) appeared on NBC's Today show, while Jennifer Hudson showed up on Good Morning America, and Kristy Lee Cook on Live with Regis and Kelly, both airing on ABC. * * * * * * In October 2005, Hash House A Go Go, a San Diego-based restaurant, brought its farm fresh food with a funky twist to Southern Nevada. Now the restaurant is celebrating its third anniversary with an entire month of festivities. Anniversary month kicks-off from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30th, with its three-year anniversary party. The event includes special drink and food promotions, as well as complimentary Bacardi cocktails and Linenkugle beer, a giant pancake birthday cake, and a variety of prizes. The evening will also feature a dinner special for revelers to enjoy at a discounted price. The larger-than-life meal includes Hash House Homemade Stuffed Meatloaf, Fresh Sweet Corn Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Green Beans and Carrots and is crowned with its "twisted" house gravy. "It has been an amazing three years in Las Vegas," said owner Jim Rees. Since the restaurant opened three years ago, it has been featured on "The Martha Stewart Show," "Dr. Phil" and the Travel Channel. In the next few months, the Las Vegas restaurant is included in a segment on "The Rachael Ray Show." The restaurant has also been recognized with numerous local and national awards including AOL's "Best Breakfast in Las Vegas" in 2007 and 2008, "Best Breakfast in Las Vegas" from the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2007 and 2008, "Best Breakfast in Las Vegas" by the Las Vegas Weekly in 2007 and 2008, "Top Insiders Spot" from Travelocity in 2007, and "Best of Vegas – 72 Hours" from Spin Magazine in 2007. In addition to locals and Las Vegas tourists, a variety of well-known visitors have enjoyed the food as well, among them Chelsea Clinton, Al Roker and Bjork, as well as numerous athletes and entertainers. Hash House A Go Go puts its own unique spin on dining, making it an experience like no other. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Hash House A Go Go is open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The restaurant is located at 6800 West Sahara Avenue. For reservations or inquiries, please call (702) 804-4646, or visit the Web site at www.hashhouseagogo.com. * * * * * * They (whoever THEY are) say there is no such thing as a free lunch (which there are), but there IS a FREE classical concert coming up. The Performing Arts Society of Nevada Brown Bag Concerts will present the Mechta Trio in the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo, on Wednesday, September 24th. Professional pianist, Maria (Masha) Pisarenko; violinist, Dr. Laraine Kaizer-Viazovtsey; and cellist, Elena Kapustina, will perform works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Shostakovich, among others. No tickets are required for this free concert. Simply show up at the Library Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6:30. Seating is limited, so try not to be late. Also, from the folks at the Performing Arts Society, on Sunday, September 28th, John Meren and Tom Gallagher will present Bert Anderson, Laurie Caceres, Dolly Coulter and Randy Hendrickson in Wanna Sing A Show Tune (a song written by the very clever Ray Jessel, who we would LOVE to see perform in Vegas). Greg Bosler will accompany on piano. This singing quartet are favorites of Performing Arts patrons, having previously presented A Tribute to the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (April 2006), The Broadway Musical Old and New (November 2006), Andrew Lloyd Webber Revisited (July 2007), The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lerner & Loewe (April 2008). Tickets for Wanna Sing A Show Tune are $15 per person. For further information or ticket reservations call the Performing Arts Society's office at (702) 658-6741. Concert tickets will also be available at the Clark County Theater box office, located at 1401 E. Flamingo Road, beginning at 1 p.m. This fantastic musical show starts at 2 p.m. * * * * * * 
Suzanne Buhrer 
Larry Raben 
Norman Kaye Happy birthday to our Libra friends, including Melissa Miles, Sonny Turner, Jerry Ritholz, Tina Walsh, Adam Pero, Adele "ZZ" Zorn, John Maltby, Suzanne Buhrer, Donna Taylor, Robert Beal, Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Larry Raben, John Elizondo, Lon Halls, Roy Horn, Tito Jackson, Peter Anthony, Artie Schroeck, Gerald Gordon, David Engel, and Joey Lomello. Also, happy anniversary to Gary and Chrisse White Waddell. And a happy birthday to Nelson Sardelli, who celebrates tomorrow (September 20th). Since we didn't know when his birthday was until now, we did not include him with the rest of our Virgo birthday folks. For his 75th birthday, we promise to mention Nelson Sardelli with the rest of his celebrants. And speaking of birthdays - Norman Kaye, of the Mary Kaye Trio fame, who celebrates his 86th on the 22nd of this month, was able to attend yesterday's F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events) meeting. Signs stating Welcome Back F.I.O.R.E.'s President Emeritus Norman Kaye greeted him. If readers recall, in April, a large star-studded benefit was held at The Orleans to raise money to help with the veteran performers' mounting medical bills, incurred as the result of a stroke. Though he was in a wheelchair (see photo), Norman looked great. We hope he will be able to attend more functions like the F.I.O.R.E. meetings... although, in our opinion, there are no other functions like the F.I.O.R.E., where EVERYONE is a president or (when the situation permits) First Lady, gatherings). And speaking of Adam Pero (who turns 19 next Friday, the 26th), he and his Social Control band-mates will perform at reJAVAnate tomorrow night. ReJAVAnate not only offers the best coffee in town, but is also home to many local musicians and touring bands. It's becoming one of Las Vegas hottest venues for all genres of music from rock, folk, metal, blue grass, neo soul, Christian, jazz and more! Enjoy anything from the menu while you sit back and relax to some of your favorite musicians. If you are young, or young at heart, you might enjoy tomorrow night's offering. ReJAVAnate is located at 3300 East Flamingo #23 (at the corner of Pecos, in the Renaissance Center). Call (702) 253-7721 for additional information. The coffee house, under the guidance of John Abbasnezhad and Hercules Cummings, was previously owned by Bruce Ewing and Greg Davis, both former members of Forever Plaid. Ewing is currently a cast member of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, and Davis is Minister of Music at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. * * * * * * 
Mary Wilson 
Nobody Famous & The Infamous Horns 
The Edwards Twins We were very impressed with the supreme Mary Wilson's show at the South Point last weekend (although we can't say the same for the couple of Video Poker machines that we tried). Accompanied by musical director/pianist, Tom Lipps, with Keith Nelson on bass, Johnny Johnson on guitar, Darryl Woolfolk on drums, and backup vocalists Parnell Damone and Lucy Shropshire, Mary, who takes great pride in letting the audience know that she is 64½, sounded great. Her take on I Am Changing from Dreamgirls earned the former member of The Supremes a well-deserved standing O. Last night, Wilson opened at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center's 1,844-seat Laura Turner Concert Hall, where she will perform through Sunday, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, with Albert-George Schram conducting. Mary Wilson makes her home in Las Vegas.
* * * * * * From Steve Filippini (aka Steve Phillips) comes this bit of news for you music and dance lovers...
In conjunction with the Italian American Supper Club, JuSt Entertainment Enterprises will be sponsoring a series of dance nights this fall, beginning with the Fall Twilight Dance on Thursday, September 25th, at the Supper Club. Additional Thursday dance nights will occur on October 16th (Fifties Big Bop Dance) and 30th (Halloween Costume Dance), November 20th (Thanksgiving Semi-Formal Dance), December 4th (Swing Into the Holidays Dance) and 18th (Meet Under the Mistletoe Dance). Dancing and Mingling on the Sahara, featuring Nobody Famous and the Infamous Horns, a professional show band, made up of 10 musicians and two vocalists (Ray Lopez and Kat Downey), perform the great dance hits of the past 50 years. From Big Band Swing to Rock N' Roll, Disco, Motown, Soul, Blues, Country and Latin, Nobody Famous plays it all in a quick paced entertaining show style. The events will be open to the public, with the ballroom doors open at 6 p.m. Free dance lessons are available from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by dance music of Nobody Famous from 7:45 to 10:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 for singles and $18 for couples, if purchased in advance, and $12 for singles and $20 for couples when bought at the door. For advanced ticket reservations, phone (702) 220-6325. Ticket prices do not include dinner, although the Italian American Club's Sorrento Room is open for dining from 5 to 9 p.m. The Italian American Supper Club, centrally located at 2333 E. Sahara (east of Eastern), offers easy access and plenty of free parking. * * * * * * Celebrities On Stage, starring The Edwards Twins, Masters of Celebrity Illusions, will perform at the Sun City Summerlin Starbright Theatre on Thursday, September 25th and Friday the 26th, both nights at 7 p.m. This is one unique revue - with identical twin brothers portraying high-profile male AND female celebrities. Eddie and Anthony Edwards are known for their uncanny musical impressions, with Anthony Edwards re-creating Elton John, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Tom Jones and Johnny Mathis, and Eddie Edwards taking on the ladies - Barbra Streisand, Cher, Bette Midler and others. This is one show you won't want to miss! Wherever The Edwards Twins perform, not only are the audiences thrilled, but the press showers them with rave reviews. The senior editor at People magazine was moved to write, "They bring such love and attention to recreating celebrities, that in many ways they are better than watching the real thing." We say, Seeing is Unbelieving! Ticket prices are $17 for Sun City Summerlin residents, and $25 for non-residents. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required). No credit cards accepted. For up-to-date information on Starbright Theatre shows, call (702) 240-1301. * * * * * * Cutting-edge magician Jeff McBride hosts Wonderground, a magical, interactive club experience, following his shows Magic at the Edge in the Sound Trax Showroom at Palace Station on West Sahara. Jeff McBride first came to Las Vegas as an opening act for Diana Ross at Caesars Palace more than 20 years ago. Since then, he has performed opening or headline acts at the Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Hilton and was one of the leading magicians in Caesars Palace's Magical Empire. His unique style of performance art is a fusion of magic, mime, Kabuki theatre and martial arts that has amazed audiences all over the world. Television appearances include Celebracadabra, A&E's Mindfreak, and Star Trek - Deep Space Nine. This week's Wonderground guests include Aaron Crow, finalist from TV's Phenomenon; martial arts magician and author, Tom Meseroll; the comical magic of the Bellini Twins, and several other guest performers. Wonderground is a magical club experience that features interactive close-up magic, uncommon variety acts, performance art, a psychic sideshow, and DJ Leo Diaz spinning house, mash-ups and down-tempo techno. The guests are different every week and you never know who might appear. Past celebrity guests have included Lance Burton, Criss Angel and comedian Kevin Burke. McBride's Palace Station show times are 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Mondays. Entrance to Wonderground (10 p.m. until 2 a.m.) is $10 at the door, or half price for patrons showing up in magical costumes before 10:30 p.m. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. Call (702) 414-9000. 
Jeff McBride 
Robert Goulet 
Vassili Sulich And more hocus pocus...Lance Burton's Master Magician show at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino will offer two tickets for the price of one for Southern Nevada residents only. This promotion will run for about six weeks, ending on Friday, October 31st (Halloween night). There are many new illusions in Burton's show, so if you have seen it before, it might be time to see it again. Lower level seats for the family-type show are available for $75.55, while the balcony seating is $69.50 (which includes tax and service fees). Call (702) 730-7160, or log on to montecarlo.com. * * * * * * Yesterday, September 18th, during an award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in UNLV's Artemus Ham Concert Hall, legendary entertainer Robert Goulet (posthumously), entertainer Clint Holmes, architect Tony Marnell, Nevada Dance Theatre (later named Nevada Ballet Theatre) co-founder Vassili Sulich, and award-winning, multi-platinum recording group The Killers, were inducted into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame. "It is truly our honor to recognize these amazing people for their talent, hard work, and dedication to Southern Nevada," said Jeffrey Koep, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. "They are all giants in their industries and we are a better community for what they continually give back." Robert Goulet's vocal talents illuminated every medium of the entertainment world. A Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winner, this legendary artist's illustrious career spanned more than six decades. In 1960, Goulet took Broadway by storm when he originated the role of Sir Lancelot in Camelot (also starring Richard Burton and Julie Andrews). In 1982, he married Vera Novak and they made Las Vegas their home. While awaiting a lung transplant, the big-voiced baritone died from pulmonary fibrosis on October 30, 2007 at age 73. For one minute, at exactly 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31st, marquees of Broadway theatres, and theatres in cities across North America, were dimmed in his memory. On Friday, November 9, the day of his funeral, Las Vegas honored the late singer and actor in an unprecedented tribute by closing the Las Vegas Strip for his funeral procession. As he took his last ride down the Strip, every Las Vegas hotel-casino featured his name on their marquees. Clint Holmes is more than a singer. When he is on stage, anything can happen. And it usually does. Born in England, he is the son of an African-American jazz musician and a British opera singer. When he was eight, his mother began teaching him classic vocal techniques at home, while his dad showed him how to scat-sing in the jazz clubs. Holmes admits it was the best of two musical worlds claiming his mom taught him how to sing correctly and his dad taught him how to enjoy it. Holmes' first break came as announcer on The Late Show with Joan Rivers, followed by a two-year stint on Entertainment Tonight and host of the Emmy-winning talk/variety show New York at Night. He has made numerous TV appearances and had a Top 10 smash hit, Playground In My Mind (My Name Is Michael). Named Atlantic City's Entertainer of the Year three times, he starred in Clint Holmes' Sophisticated Rhythms, a dynamic stage show journey through music of the 1940s through the present. In 1996, Holmes' show Comfortable Shoes opened in New Jersey, and in 2002, a new and updated version of the show opened to rave reviews in Chicago.
For six years, he starred in his own show at Harrah's. Holmes, who was named Harrah's Entertainer of Choice for the Millennium, and was voted Best Singer in the 2002 Las Vegas Review-Journal's Readers Poll, is currently working on his bio musical, JAM - Just Another Man. Tony A. Marnell II was born in Riverside, California. His family moved to Las Vegas in 1952, where Tony attended public schools and graduated from Rancho High School. Upon earning a degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California, Marnell moved back to Las Vegas where he married and had two children. In 1974, he joined Corrao Construction Co. as General Manager. Soon after, Marnell Corrao Associates was formed, becoming Nevada's first and only design-build company specializing in hotel/casino projects. In 1982, Marnell became the Chairman/Owner of the company, and for the past 30 years has been involved in more than $6 billion of construction work, building and/or remodeling more than 70,000 guest rooms for companies such as MGM/Mirage, Harrah's Entertainment, Caesars Palace, Boyd Gaming, and Wynn Resorts. Marnell's projects have included volcanoes, parades in the air, Omnimax theaters, riverboats on the Colorado River, the transformation of a Howard Johnson's to a Caesars Palace in Atlantic City, and simultaneously building the two largest hotels in America, the Mirage and the Excalibur. Recent projects are the Bellagio Resort and Wynn Las Vegas. Currently Marnell Corrao Associates is constructing what promises to be the preeminent luxury hotel in Las Vegas, The M Resort. Marnell is very active in the Las Vegas community, serving on several children's community advisory boards and is active in conservation groups committed to the great outdoors. Vassili Sulich, born on the island of Brac, began improvising performances at an early age. As a refugee in Egypt during World War II, he joined a Yugoslav children's theatre receiving his early classical training in the Zagreb Opera Ballet. After studying in London for a year, Sulich moved to Paris in 1953 to become a member of Ballet de France de Janine Charrat. During his 11 years in Paris, he partnered with such famous ballerinas as Ludmilla Tcherina, Zizi Jeanmarie and Colette Marchand. He began his choreographic career with Suite Lyrique, The Wall, and Oedipus Rex. Sulich came to Broadway in 1964 as principal dancer with Folies Bergere and was later offered a three-month contract by the producer of Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, where he stayed for nine years. It was there he held classes for classically trained dancers who appeared in other shows on the Las Vegas Strip. At the same time, he started teaching classical ballet at UNLV. In 1972, Sulich organized a free ballet performance with volunteer dancers that turned out to be the inaugural performance of the Nevada Dance Theatre. Sulich co-founded the Nevada Dance Theatre (later renamed Nevada Ballet Theatre) with Nancy Houssels. Since then, Sulich has created 51 ballets, and for the NDT's 15th anniversary season, he created two new ballets, Walls in the Horizon and a full-length production of Cinderella. He also conceived and directed a total theater production of Oedipus the King, combining dance and drama. Sulich retired from the Nevada Dance Theatre in 1997.
He now lives in Rio de Janeiro and is currently staging choreography for Teatro Municpal and company Joven. He is also an accomplished artist, a published poet and has written his autobiography Vision in the Desert. The Killers, an alternative rock band from Las Vegas, combine music styles from the '70s, '80s and '90s with modern synthetic music. Formed in 2002, band members include Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).
The Killers, who played large clubs in Las Vegas, attracted the attention of local agents, major labels, and a UK representative for Warner Bros. who showed their demo to a friend at UK indie label Lizard King. The Killers were signed that summer to a British label. In 2004, the band's debut album, Hot Fuss, was classified 4x Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their second album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006 and the single When You Were Young went to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Their third album, Sawdust, was released in 2007 and has been classified Gold by the BPI. Their first two albums have sold in excess of 12 million copies worldwide, and since their debut album in 2004, The Killers have received 50 award nominations including seven Grammy Awards and have won the MTV VIDEO Music Award for Best New Artist In A Video, National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) Award for Pop/Rock Breakout Artist of the Year, ShockWaves New Musical Express (NME) Award for Best International Band and the World Music Award for Worlds Best Selling New Group (2005); the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Rock (2006); two Brit Awards, one for Best International Group and one for Best International Album (2007); and the NME Award USA for Best American Alternative/Independent Track and the ShockWaves NME Award for Best International Band (2008). The Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV was founded to honor past and present residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture. The recipient is given The Sidney Award, named for Academy Award-winning director and Las Vegas resident George Sidney. Sidney, who was posthumously inducted into the inaugural Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV, directed such great films as Anchors Aweigh, Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, Viva Las Vegas, and Annie Get Your Gun. * * * * * * Last chance reminder...The Nevada Screen Actors Guild is having their 75th Anniversary Gala, tomorrow night, September 20th, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (doors open at 6:30), and everyone is invited. It is being hosted by Las Vegas Women in Film and Dream Vision Studios, with a portion of the evening's proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas. Since the mid 1930s, SAG has been the driving force in the movie industry. Mega-stars, from Eddie Cantor, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, to Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Meryl Streep, as well as thousands of other members have long realized and appreciated the need and power of the Screen Actors Guild. SAG, this is your night! You are the star as we come together to celebrate 75 years of incredible actors and movies that have touched our hearts, changed the world and inspired us all. With the theme of SAG Then & Now, and an old-fashioned Speakeasy-style atmosphere, it is suggested that guests dress in period '30s (gangster and his moll) or your favorite old time movie star. There will be food and drink; a silent auction with many unusual and fun items; raffled items, including tickets for Strip shows; Madame Tussauds wax figures; celebrity look-a-likes; and up-close, sleight-of-hand magicians. A SAG "history walk" will entertain as well as enlighten guests about the Screen Actors Guild. Comedian and legendary Las Vegas icon, Cork Proctor, will serve as host/emcee. A live swing band will provide music for listening and dancing under the crystal ball, and there will be surprise events and guests throughout the evening. The event will be held at Dream Vision Studio, 6705 S. Eastern, across from Sunset Park (at the first driveway south of the Antique Mart, turn right and go to the third building back). Tickets are $15 each for SAG Members and one guest, $25 each for members of Women in Film, the SAG Conservatory, IATSE, AEA, AFTRA and College/University Students, $50 for the General Public. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas. Tickets may be purchased by calling (702) 737-7337, or you can RSVP and purchase tickets online at www.wiflasvegas.org (cash will not be accepted).
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Tags: Sharon McNight Gerald Gordon Michael Cardella Bill Notle Rebecca Spencer Ka
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - September 12, 2008 
Gordie Brown 
Rob Sutton & Elena Shaddow in IDAHO! 
Susan Lucci The name "Downtown Gordie Brown" had a nice ring to it, and a few years ago, it fit the situation. The talented Gordie Brown was doing good business in the 400-seat theater at downtown's Golden Nugget. When the hotel's new owners shut down the theater for a redo, Gordie found himself a home in a nice theater space at The Venetian. After more than a year at the Strip property, the Venetian room was taken over by Base Entertainment, who handles Wayne Brady (and Jersey Boys and Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, both at The Venetian/Palazzo; and Stomp Out Loud at Planet Hollywood; and Defending the Caveman, at the Golden Nugget until Gordie comes in). After leaving the Venetian, Gordie went to work in the V Theater at Planet Hollywood. While there, he performed "accompanied by" prerecorded tracks instead of with a hot live band like the ones he had at both the Nugget and The Venetian. Things started looking brighter for Brown when Celine Dion asked him to join her five-month tour as opening act, and he left the V last month. Now comes news that Gordie Brown will return to the Golden Nugget. Beginning on February 3rd, the now 600-seat room that has hosted Defending the Caveman for the past two years, will become known officially as the Gordie Brown Theater. Comic/impressionist/singer Brown will once again headline at the growing by-leaps-and-bounds property. He will entertain audiences five nights a week, 44 weeks a year, for at least two years. We are delighted to see one of our favorites back at a venue where he will get the respect he deserves. Welcome back home, Gordie! Oddly, during the entire month of September, Wayne Brady, who displaced Gordie in the Showroom at The Venetian, has only five performance dates scheduled. * * * * * * In last weekend's New York Times Arts & Leisure section, Steve McElroy had this to say about the upcoming New York Musical Theatre Festival. "...For clever ideas on paper, though, let's award the prize to IDAHO!, a bawdy song-and-dance love story set on the potato-lovin' prairie (with both satirical and reverential nods to OKLAHOMA! and the like), it seems almost irresistible." We saw two readings, done here at UNLV, and found IDAHO! to be a real hoot! A number of the actor/singers who participated in the local teasers are part of the full-scale New York production. Directed by Matt Lenz and choreographed by Michele Lynch, the cast for the NYMF, described as "the Sundance of musical theater," features Rob Sutton (Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas, Beauty and the Beast) as Whip Masters, Elena Shaddow (Light in the Piazza tour, The Woman in White) as Cassie Purdy, Beth Curry (Legally Blonde) as "I Do" Ida Dunn, Stacey Todd Holt (Cry-Baby) as Slim Johnson, Bill Nolte (The Producers) as Jed Strunk, Jennifer Perry (Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas) as Aunt Pearlie, Jay Rogers (The New Century, Kooky Tunes, When Pig's Fly) as Uncle Fate, Ramona Keller (Caroline, or Change) as Mavis, James Tabeek (Taboo) as Manny Meany, Blake Hammond (Hairspray) as Doc Generic, Robbie Roby (Hairspray) as George Meany, Wendy Fox (Rent) as Sukey, Joe Grandy (Sound of Music, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) as Dream Whip, Jessica Hershberg (Beauty and the Beast at MUNY) as Belle, Holly Holcomb (Of Thee I Sing) as Betty Felter, Daniel Frank Kelley (Parade tour) as Yank Daley, Tom Richter (Grease!) as Hank O'Hare, and Lori Eure (Cabaret) as Anita Polk. Jessica Sheridan (Les Miserables, The Producers in Vegas), who was scheduled to be part of the cast, had to withdraw as she got a role in the Broadway version of Mary Poppins. Idaho! features book, music and lyrics by Buddy Sheffield and music by Keith Thompson (musical director for the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys). The musical, according to press notes, is a "tale of love and sex on the prairie, baked to bawdy perfection and set during the 'Golden era' of Broadway. From a land where men were men, women were for sale to the highest bidder and the laws of musical comedy were meant to be broken, Idaho! is an original 'high-steppin' song and dance musical ripped from the earth like a fresh dug spud." The creative team also includes musical director Christopher Littlefield, set designer Charlie Smith, lighting designer Julie Duro, costume designer Linda Fisher and sound designer Lew Mead. Sharon Carr, who is fulfilling a life-long passion to present live theater, is General Partner and Lead Producer of IDAHO! IDAHO! will play at the 37 Arts Theatre, located in Manhattan at 450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenue. Show times are September 25th at 8 p.m., September 26th at 5 p.m., September 29th at 5 and 9 p.m., September 30th at 9 p.m., and October 4th at 9 p.m. Tickets are priced at a very reasonable $20, and may be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101. For more information, visit www.IdahoMusical.com. And speaking of Sharon Carr, she has optioned the rights to Edith Wharton's novel, Glimpses of the Moon, which will reopen in the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel next month. Earlier this year (January 21st to March 10th), Glimpses of the Moon - A tale about a couple of friends who devise a clever scheme to live beyond their means. They will marry and live off the wedding presents, while they help one another trade up to suitable millionaires. The plan works perfectly...until they fall in love - debuted in the Oak Room. The experiment, of having a play in a performance space usually occupied by cabaret acts, proved successful enough to bring it back for another go-round. This jazzy musical manages to combine both a play AND cabaret by bringing in guest artists with "marquee value." Among the artists who took on guest roles in last winters' production were Joyce DeWitt, Susan Lucci, Liz Larsen, Jana Robbins, KT Sullivan, and Jane Summerhays. BroadwayWorld.com‘s Duncan Pflaster called Glimpses of the Moon, "One of the best new musicals I‘ve seen in ages." We will write more about Sharon Carr and her upcoming projects, including Glimpses of the Moon, over the next few weeks. 
KT Sullivan 
Bonnie Hunt 
Joey Gian And speaking of KT Sullivan, we received a nice note from the chanteuse, announcing her upcoming September 23rd through October 11th engagement in the Oak Room at New York's Algonquin Hotel (59 W. 44th Street). KT, who has appeared numerous times with the incomparable Mark Nadler at the Charleston Heights Arts Center in Las Vegas, will celebrate the music of Jerome Kern in her All the Things You Are presentation, directed by former Las Vegan, Eric Michael Gillett. Tedd Firth accompanies KT on the piano and also serves as musical director. Andy Farber is on reeds and Steve Doyle is on bass. KT's Oak Room show times are Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 and 11 p.m. Call (212) 419-9331 for reservations. Jack Jones, who performed at the South Point recently, plays the Algonquin's Oak Room through September 20th. * * * * * * With the new Bonnie Hunt Show (airing in Las Vegas weekdays at 4 p.m. on Channel 5), we are hoping that the show's host will bring her friend, the talented Joey Gian, on as an occasional guest. Gian, in case you don't remember or know, was a finalist in the singing category on the predecessor to American Idol, the original Star Search. Joey went on to become better known as an actor, with recurring roles in TV's Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210, and the Emmy-winning Hooperman (1987-1989), created by Steven Bochco and starring the late John Ritter. Gian, who performed regularly at an Italian eatery and in the Stardust lounge during the year he lived in Las Vegas, appeared with Bonnie Hunt, David Duchovny and Minnie Driver in the film, Return to Me, for which Joey also wrote some of the movie's music. * * * * * * 
Brenda K. Starr 
Jeneane Marie 
Harvey Kaye & The Larks with Kynne Winston Last Monday night saw a nice turnout of family, friends and fellow musicians who gathered to celebrate the life of Harvey Kaye (Kaplan). Kaye, the keyboard player for Spiral Starecase (I Love You More Today Than Yesterday), passed away on August 17th at the age of 69. Held at the Elks Lodge in Las Vegas, we spotted some familiar faces (many that we hadn't seen in years), among them musicians Dave Barnard (who played trombone with one of the later Spiral Starecase groups), drummer/agent Mark Barrett, Bill Callanan, sax player Steve Golden, and drummer Joe Locatelli, as well as vocalists Bonnie Graham and Jeneane Marie. Comic/impressionist Babe Pier and his wife Cindy Raft (daughter of comic/actor, Tommy Moe Raft) attended. Members of Spiral Starecase, drummer Vinnie Parello (Panariello), and lead singer Pat Upton were also present. Needless to say, the celebration was full of music and dance. With all the pros there, it probably isn't surprising that they nearly blew the roof off the Elks Lodge on West Charleston. Tap dancer Terry Brock did a great bit of choreography to Fascinatin' Rhythm. The lady, who performed with Harvey Kaye, can definitely heat up the floor. Steve Golden did beautiful renditions of Over the Rainbow, Tears In Heaven and some other songs. John Anthony (boy, we hope we got his name right) sang The Prayer and That's Life, while Jeneane Marie, who kept things moving along at a good pace, did a wonderful job on Peter Allen's Once Before I Go, Over the Rainbow and Read It In My Eyes. Upton and Parello did Spiral Starecase's big hit, I Love You More Today Than Yesterday, and Harvey Kaye's daughter, Brenda K. Starr, performed her 1988 chart topper, I Still Believe (recorded later by one of her backup singers, Mariah Carey). In the late 1980's, Brenda was the undisputed queen of freestyle and house music, with hits such as I Still Believe and What You See Is What You Get. Bob Collins, childhood sweetheart of Jeneane Marie and her current husband, provided the audio support. Among Harvey's family members in attendance were his very attractive 90-year-old mother, Adeline Banks; sister, Brenda Guarino; and daughter Debbie Wiggins. Harvey's widow, Candace Kaye, did a very nice job of putting the celebration together. The photos and videos brought back many memories for the guests. Harvey would have loved the tribute. Still on the subject of Harvey Kaye, we received another e-mail regarding Spiral Starecase (we printed a couple in our September 5th column). This one came from Kynne Winston of Stockton, California (by way of Columbus, Ohio), who wanted to share these memories... First of all, our prayers are with you, Candy.
Now: 1965. Harvey Kaye and the Larks first came to "The Embers" Showroom in Redwood City, CA. Don Zirrili was the owner. Don combined me (Kynne Winston) and Harvey's band and we became "Harvey Kaye and the Larks Featuring Kynne Winston" ("Front man"). This "Act" left the Embers and played "The Red Velvet" in Hollywood, then to Las Vegas (first time for all) at the Pussycat A Go Go. Booked for 4 weeks...was there for 14 weeks. We played Las Vegas (and everywhere else) together approx 2 years. Then Harvey went with Pat and the guys. The rest is explained, in detail, in your other e-mails. Harvey and I have/had remained "best" friends throughout the years. If you check at the Vegas Library (1965-1968) in the Las Vegas Sun and the small magazine (can't remember the name) you will see our pictures, reviews and accomplishments. Just letting you know. Thank you for making contact, Kynne. * * * * * * Wes Winters stepped away from his beautiful piano long enough to make a trip to the Hilton to catch Barry Manilow's show. Wes, who currently calls the Wyrick Theater home (performing there, at 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, and Saturdays and Sundays), visited with Manilow after a recent show. We don't know what they talked about but there was enough time to snap the attached photo. Hey, maybe these two should try a dueling piano act! For Wes Winters reservations, call (702) 777-9974. 
Wes Winters & Barry Manilow 
JTO & Bobby Duck 
Mary Wilson * * * * * * On Sunday, we had a call from a longtime friend and onetime Las Vegan, who now lives in Indianapolis. She informed us that her former husband, and his comedy "partner," can be seen and enjoyed on YouTube (isn't YouTube an amazing resource?). For Scruffy, who e-mailed us in 2003, and Ken Lewis, who we heard from in 2006, this might be especially good news (hope you are still reading). The Indiana friend is Melissa Miles. Her late husband's act was called JTO & Bobby Duck. JTO (James Thomas Organ) was a clever comic/writer/ ventriloquist. For a number of years, he was a very popular act around Las Vegas. In addition to performing at the old Paddlewheel (now the Greek Isles), JTO and Bobby, his wise cracking "baby duck," performed in revues at the Maxim and Holiday Casino (now Harrah's) among others. He also had some TV exposure, on the Gong Show (he won), a game show (he won), and a couple of shots on Budd Freidman's Evening at the Improv (hosted by onetime MTV video jockey, Martha Quinn, and actor Ron Perlman), where he also one...the approval of the audience. At the end of Star Search's '88 season, JTO & Bobby Duck were once again winners, this time in the Comedy category. JTO was scheduled to be the returning champion in that category at the beginning of the following season. Sadly, in late March of 1989, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on June 17 of that year, 16 days after his 45th birthday. James Thomas Organ was a bright, talented, and funny man. He was also our friend. * * * * * * The 700-seat East Tropicana Community Lutheran Church chapel was respectably filled last Saturday afternoon when a group of talented pros performed Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman. With Jack Gaughan (musical director for Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) at the piano, the wonderful voices of Greg Davis (Forever Plaid), Keith Dotson (Little Shop of Horrors, Smokey Joe‘s Cafe), Bruce Ewing (Forever Plaid, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Lisa Fair-weather (Phantom), Russ Thomas Grieve (Mamma Mia!, Tournament of the Kings), Dana Rogers Martin (City Lites), Kevin Sherrell (Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, Jubilee!), Mollie Tennant (Jubilee!), and Tina Walsh (EFX, Mamma Mia!, Phantom), did a great job of interpreting the music of David Friedman. The songs, ranging from serious and inspiring, to clever and funny, were real crowd-pleasers. Among our personal favorites was He Comes Home Tired, If You Love Me, Please Don't Feed Me, I'm Not My Mother, My Simple Wish, and Listen to My Heart. The concert, directed by Michael Piontek (EFX, Forever Plaid, Mamma Mia!), was a fundraiser for Family Promise, an organization dedicated to getting homeless families off the streets of Las Vegas and back into comfortable housing. We are constantly impressed by how the Las Vegas entertainment community comes together to donate their time and talent for a worthy cause. * * * * * * Producer Dick Feeney's (that's with three "e"s) World's Greatest Magic Show has done a permanent disappearing act from the Greek Isles Hotel. He has had a great run at the off-Strip, non-casino property. Bigger shows in busier places could take a lesson from Feeney when it comes to marketing. Offering reasonably priced tickets, and even allowing children accompanied by an adult to see family-type shows free, are among the ideas that keep Feeney productions alive and well. The Rat Pack is Back is doing brisk business in its new home in the showroom, recently renamed the Copa Room (the name of the showroom at the Sands where the real Pack made memories and history), at the downtown Plaza. The Plaza showroom, and Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean, are a good match - both traditional Old Vegas. Feeney's afternoon show, the long running Viva Las Vegas, returns to the Plaza on after a vacation break for the show's cast. In addition to The Rat Pack is Back, Viva Las Vegas and the World's Greatest Magic Show, Feeney, a Las Vegan since 1985, was connected to the early versions of Crazy Girls and An Evening at La Cage. Also on his list of credits is producer or co-producer of Playboy's Girls of Rock & Roll and Forbidden Vegas, among others. He is also the owner of the famous Flying Elvi (Honeymoon In Vegas). For his two-decade history on the Las Vegas entertainment scene, Dick Feeney will receive a star on the boulevard, to be installed sometime in October. * * * * * * The Supreme Mary Wilson makes her South Point Hotel Casino debut this weekend, performing tonight through Sunday, with shows at 7:30 p.m. We caught Mary's version of Artie Butler's wonderful song, Here's To Life, on YouTube, and hope she includes it in her repertoire for this engagement. We plan to be there on Sunday. For reservations, call the South Point at (702) 797-8055. * * * * * * 
Michelle Rohl 
Hudson & Saleeby 
Elayne Boosler Happy birthday to singer/entertainer Michelle Rohl. Michelle, who some years ago portrayed Gloria Estefan in Legends in Concert, will celebrate her September 19th natal day by singing for her supper at a Las Vegas Blvd. Italian eatery that Cousin Claire refuses to plug, due to their rude treatment of some (too many) patrons. The only reason we are even hinting about the place is because of Michelle's appearance there...and it's less expensive than buying the pretty and talented lady a birthday gift. Many happy returns of the day, Ms. Rohl. * * * * * * Throughout September, the piano-playing/singing duo of Hudson & Saleeby will be performing every Thursday night at the Flying Saucer at 1400 N. Germantown Parkway in Cordova, Tennessee. Chris Hudson and Doug Saleeby, who built quite a following during the years they lived and worked in Las Vegas, will also be a part of the 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament/Celebrity Gala to benefit the Dream Factory of Memphis. A pre-tournament party, hosted by national spokesperson for Dream Factory, Wink Martindale, will be held in the ballroom at the Ridgeway Country Club in Germantown, on Sunday, September 28th. Hudson & Saleeby, will provide the evening's musical entertainment. The event will also feature a live and silent auction. Dream Factory, the all-volunteer organization, grants wishes to children, between the ages of three and 18, who are battling critical or chronic illnesses. A number of the dream recipients and their families will be on hand. Tickets are $50 per person, with golf tournament participants admitted at no cost. If you happen to be in the Memphis/ Cordova area, check out both the Flaying Saucer and the Dream Factory Gala. For additional information on Dream Factory, call (901) 481-4170. * * * * * * In September, the kids go back to school and the new television season begins. Some older shows disappear and some new ones pop up. New and old names. New and old faces. New and old ideas. Vegas odds makers might start taking bets on who and what will see a second season and who and what will see the door. When it comes to court-based "reality" shows, there is plenty of variety available. There are the ongoing (and outgoing) "stars" of the genre - like sweet and gentle Judge Judy (Sheindlin), Marilyn Milian of the People's Court, Glenda Hatchett (ended after eight seasons), Joe Brown, and Greg Mathis. Among the new, or almost new, faces are Alex Ferrer, Karen Mills-Francis, Christina Perez of Christina's Court, and David Young, promoted as TV's first openly gay judge. One of the more interesting of the newer entries in the court field is Jury Duty. The concept of Jury Duty is similar to many of the other court shows, with two litigants in a civil case present themselves before a judge (former defense attorney Bruce Cutler). What makes Jury Duty unique is a panel of three jurors who are, or at onetime WERE (sometimes for only 15 minutes), public figures. Judge Cutler is in control, but the celebrity jurors are permitted to ask questions. The audience gets to watch the jurors deliberate. As in a regular criminal case, the jurors must come to a unanimous decision. If they can't, Cutler renders his own verdict (just like in most small claims cases and TV court shows). In its first season on the air (the show debuted in some markets a year ago), it was personalities such as Ed Begley Jr., Phyllis Diller, Lainie Kazan, Paula Poundstone, Dick Van Patten, and Bruce Vilanch, who decided the fate of the battling litigants. In the first week of the new season, we spotted Debbie Reynolds (yes, Debbie Reynolds), the Exorcist's Linda Blair, Bruce Jenner, and an almost unrecognizable Elayne Boosler. It was one of those, "the voice is familiar, but I don't recognize the face" deals, before hitting ourselves on the forehead with an exclamation of, "OMG, it's comic Elayne Boosler!" Whatever happened to funny Elayne, who used to play Vegas every once in a while? Now we know. TV, or not TV. That is the question. For some slightly out of sight, out of mind personalities, the answer is, "TV." Also on the subject of court TV, we have to wonder who thought Eye for an Eye and Judge Maria Lopez would make for good viewing. Eye for an Eye, in syndication since 2003 (WHY?), is presided over by Judge "Extreme Akim" (Anastopoulo). His bailiff is former boxer Big Sugar Ray Phillips. When Big Sugar Ray instructs the audience to rise as Judge Akim enters the room carrying his bat of justice, the audience cheers and chants "Extreme Akim" over and over (much like Jerry Springer's audience). In addition to ordering how much the defendant has to pay, Extreme Akim frequently also orders them to do ridiculous things. For example, in one case, he ordered a man who got a girl pregnant to wear a fat suit for a month. In another, he ordered a landlord, whose apartments were not suitable for living, to write a new policy while sitting in a truck full of garbage. How low have TV execs sunk...not to mention the viewers? As for Maria Lopez (who asked, "You know what?," dozens of times during her half-hour stints in front of the camera), months ago, we mentioned this unbelievably awful example of really bad TV. Her show debuted in September of 2006. According to Wikipedia (who on occasion has their information correct), after one year on the air, Lopez ranked last among nine syndicated judge shows. Among 160 syndicated TV shows, the Judge Maria Lopez Show placed 118th in rankings. Despite the show's pitiful ratings, Sony Pictures renewed the series for a second season, but (you know what?), in February, thankfully, the show was canceled. You see, there is justice in the court after all. And then there was the primetime Cavemen TV series, based on the horrible, hairy Geico Insurance pitchmen. That one was dumped after six episodes. Six episodes? What took them so long? What does all of this have to do with Las Vegas or most of the topics we usually cover? Not much, but we feel oh so much better after having had our say. 
Judge Maria Lopez 
Little Anthony & The Imperials 
Fielding West * * * * * * The "Man who can make anything talk," talented Ronn Lucas, is on the move. In recent years, the amazing ventriloquist who has entertained audiences at Harrah's, the Rio, Steve Wyrick Theatre, Luxor and, most recently, the Excalibur, has opted to go back on the road. We hope Lucas isn't soured on Las Vegas and will decide to plant himself back here in the not too distant future. And speaking of the Luxor AND moving, Bodies, the Exhibition, that had been at the Trop since June 23rd, 2006, has now relocated to the Luxor. Who would have thought that these kinds of bodies (and body parts) could have competed with, and co-existed with, live beautiful bodies (both male and female), and survived in a city like Las Vegas. Bodies, the Exhibition showcases real human bodies that have been dissected and preserved. It offers the public the chance to examine the inner workings of real organs and other body parts. More than 260 organs and partial body specimens are on display. And just to make things a little more confusing, in June, the King Tutankhamen Exhibit that had been a part of the Luxor for 15 years, closed. The Bodies exhibit will now take over the space. The Luxor is seeking a change of image (how do you disguise a 30-story high pyramid?) and has donated the collection of mostly reproductions of Egyptian artifacts to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Yes, readers, Las Vegas DOES have a Natural History Museum. And to confuse you even more, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, currently housed at the Tropicana, will move into the Luxor's 12,800-square-foot space that was home to the King Tut collection. Whew! And for all you Trekkies out there, you will now have to find somewhere else to go to get your fix. After more than 10 years, on September 1st, the Las Vegas Hilton sent their Star Trek: The Experience attraction off into space...possibly where no man has gone before. Live long and prosper. And, on the subject of the more than 50-year-old Tropicana, the property seems to be coming out of limbo and has some interesting things on their upcoming agenda. On Saturday, September 27th, Little Anthony and The Imperials will perform an 8 p.m. show in the Trop's Tiffany Theater. Currently celebrating their 50th year in show business, Little Anthony and The Imperials are the only 1950's vocal group that still performs with all of the original members. Best known for favorites such as Tears On My Pillow, Shimmy, Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop, I'm On the Outside Looking In, Going Out of My Head, and Hurt So Bad, the group offers a unique blend of doo-wop, soul, and rhythm and blues. Their superior performance and distinctive vocals have earned Little Anthony and The Imperials a variety of accolades throughout the years, including the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, and induction into both the Long Island Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Little Anthony and The Imperials are set to release a new album entitled You'll Never Know. Tickets for Little Anthony and The Imperials are $24.95, and $34.95 for booth seating (plus applicable taxes and fees). The community-minded property will also host Laugh for a Cure, a fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). On Sunday, October 5th, the Trop's Tiffany Theater, home of the long running Folies Bergere, will turn into a comedy room from 6:30 to 8 p.m., when Rob Sherwood plays host to five comics - Jon Manfrellotti, Pam Matteson, John Padon, Bobby Slayton and Fielding West - each performing 10-12 clean minutes of material, plus a "very special guest" who will close the show with a 20 minute set. Although ticket prices haven't been announced yet, they are expected to be in the $20, $30 range (we will keep you posted on this). Laugh for a Cure will coincide with the JDRF Walk-a-Thon, and all proceeds will be going to the JDRF and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of Nevada. As part of their continued community involvement efforts, the Tropicana will not only donate their theater for this special program, but will absorb the labor costs as well. We like these kind of stories. For reservations to either of these events, call (702) 739-2411. * * * * * * Reminder...The Nevada Screen Actors Guild 75th Anniversary Gala will take place at Dream Vision Studios, 6705 S. Eastern, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th. Tickets are $15 each for SAG Members and one guest; $25 each for Members of WIF, IATSE, AEA, AFTRA, SAG Conservatory, and college/university students; and $50 for the general public. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas. Women in Film (a charitable organization) are hosting the party. Dress attire for the evening will be upscale and a ‘30s look is encouraged. Dress like your favorite movie star. The theme will be Then & Now. You'll leave the lights of ‘Vegas for a short jaunt through the history of S.A.G. and with the right password you'll cross the threshold to a plethora of entertainment (Cork Proctor will emcee), drinking, eats, torch singers, vaudeville acts and silent auctions with the most coveted bounty and many surprises through-out the evening. For more Information, call (702) 370-0458 or (702) 403-7366. * * * * * * We are sorry to learn that Ben Ardito has closed his downtown Take 1 Restaurant. In addition to the performers who found a stage to perform on at Take 1, and customers who regularly stopped in for a meal and a drink at the downtown establishment, among those who will be deeply affected by the demise of Take 1 are the Presidents (and their First Ladies) of F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events). The non-club club had been holding their F.I.O.R.E. gatherings at Ardito's restaurant/club for quite some time. Future F.I.O.R.E. get-togethers will take place at the Italian American Club on East Sahara. As for Mr. Ardito, we wish him success on whatever he does next.
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Tags: Gordie Brown Rob Sutton Elena Shaddow Susan Lucci KT Sullivan Bonnie Hunt J
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