|
Viewing 61 - 75 out of 89 Blogs.
| Page:
|
|
|
5 |
|
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 - August 29, 2008
Cloris Leachman 
Toni Braxton 
Simon Cowell Every season on Dancing With the Stars, there seems to be a Las Vegas connection - Wayne Newton, magician Penn Jillette, and John O'Hurley, late of Wynn Las Vegas' Monty Python's Spamalot, and, of course dancing pros, siblings Julianne and Derek Hough, who, although Utahans, have some Las Vegas history. We were anxious to learn who would be competing in the upcoming season (starting on ABC, September 22nd), and what Vegas connection there might be. Sure enough, there is one. No, it's not veteran soap vixen Susan Lucci, or Kim Kardashian (although Bruce Jenner's step-daughter spends quite a bit of time here, partying at some of this city's celebrity enhanced ultra clubs) or 82-year-old Cloris Leachman (best known for her role as Phyllis on the Mary Tyler Moore Show) or former ‘N Sync bass singer, Lance Bass. The Vegas connection in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars is Toni Braxton. You remember Toni Braxton. She is the onetime '90s six time Grammy winner/chart topper (Un-break My Heart, Breathe Again) that opened her own production, Toni Braxton: Revealed, at the Flamingo in August 2006 (replacing Newton). Braxton took a number of "sick days" during her Vegas run. In April, the show went dark when Braxton was hospitalized with what hotel officials said at the time was a complaint of chest pain. The show had been scheduled to resume June 6. We had heard rumors, some months before, that she would not complete her anticipated two year engagement at the Flamingo, healthy or not. That proved to be the case, when the show was officially cancelled "so she (Braxton) could focus on her health," just days before June 6th. Apparently, the plucky Braxton has made a miraculous recovery, as she is well enough to take on the rigors of this season's Dancing With the Stars. And speaking of reality TV shows, it is interesting to note that for its eighth season, American Idol is adding another judge to the mix. Award-winning songwriter, Kara DioGuardi, will join Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson in deciding the musical fate of the thousands and thousands of hopefuls who dream of earning the possible fame and fortune that comes from Idol exposure, as in the case of Mikalah Gordon, William Hung and Sanjaya (he of the ever changing hair-don'ts) Malakar, to name a few. The way things have worked, up until now anyway, is that Simon, Paula and Randy would determine if the early competitors would go on to the finals. If one judge said "yes" and one said "no," it was judge number three who would break the tie. How will that work with an even number of judges? Unless...there is a plan underway to get rid of one of the three original judges. Hmmm. If that were the case, we know it wouldn't be Simon Legree, er Cowell, who gets his walking papers. Could it be the "dog," Randy Jackson? Or, might the powers-that-be behind the successful series decide they have had enough of the dingy, rambling (what is that lady on?) Ms. Abdul? Maybe that idea is just wishful thinking on our part. * * * * * * 
Iliza Shlesinger 
Andrew James 
Clint Holmes Unfortunately we got this item too late to help sell any tickets but, because we figure the young lady can use the publicity anyway, we are letting you know what you missed. For only four nights, from August 24th through the 27th, Iliza Shlesinger, the winner of season six's Last Comic Standing competition, was a guest in Bally's legendary stage spectacular, Donn Arden's Jubilee! Shlesinger became the first female comic to win NBC's summer hit during the reality show's final episode, which was filmed live at Paris Las Vegas. Her $250,000 prize package includes an exclusive talent deal with NBC, a brand new Honda Pilot, and the highly-anticipated starring appearance in Jubilee! at Bally's. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, and residing in Los Angeles, Shlesinger is not only the first female comic to win the coveted stand-up comedy title, but also the youngest. Her resume boasts that she was the winner of Myspace's So You Think You're Funny contest, and G4 Network's Myspace Girl of the Week. In addition to Last Comic Standing, Shlesinger's TV credits include appearances on E! Entertainment Television's The Soup with Joel McHale, Chelsea Lately, Forbes Celebrity 100, TV Guide's America's Next Top Producer, and Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed. Shlesinger has written for heavy.com and is currently a host/writer for GOTV. Her stand up comedy appearances include performing in various cities in Asia for the Armed Forces Entertainment, House of Blues in Las Vegas, The Comedy Store, New York Comedy Club, various Improvs and the Friar's of Beverly Hills. Donn Arden's Jubilee! performs twice nightly at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and is dark on Fridays. Tickets can be purchased at the Bally's Box office. For more information, please call (702) 967.4567. * * * * * * To Lou in Vancouver, and Donna S. in Illinois, who both had basically the same inquiry regarding crooner Andrew James...Although it took a little while to get an answer, we now have one for your e-questions. According to his manager, Steve Beyer, Mr. James, who performed here in the Galleria Bar at Caesars for about four years, now does most of his singing at private and corporate events. Although he makes his home in Vegas, with the changes in the type of entertainment that most of the hotel/casinos book today, unfortunately there aren't a lot of opportunities for someone with Andrews' Sinatra-style of singing. It is possible, Lou and Donna, that what goes around comes around. Perhaps one of these days, the powers that be will realize that there are many locals and visitors who don't give a rat's ass about upscale, expensive, loud ultra dance clubs, but instead long for the days when it was music, GOOD music, with lyrics that told a story and delivered in a way you could understand them. One way to, perhaps, bring back "old Vegas," is to let the folks that run the joints know what you want. Hell, it's worth a try. In the meantime, if we get word about any anticipated Andrew James engagements, or sightings, we will let you know. * * * * * * For you Clint Holmes fans, and we know you are out there, lest you think Cousin Claire was not aware of the anticipated Holmes engagement at The Kennedy Center in our nation's capitol, and that is why it wasn't mentioned in earlier columns, that is not the case. We knew that no contracts had been signed for the gig and did not want to promote the project before that happened. We are glad we didn't follow (or lead) some of the other media types on this one. We are sorry to say, Clint's three anticipated September dates at the prestigious Washington, DC, center will not take place. Of course, there is always the chance Holmes will perform at the center sometime in the future, but it won't happen anytime soon. In the meantime, Holmes, one of the hardest working men in show business, will be doing other things (as he always does) and making other appearances (as he always does). When we have details, we will pass them along. * * * * * * 
Tommy Tune, Lillian Montevecchi & Lee Roy Reams 
Carol Lawrence 
David Friedman In early June, America's only honor recognizing excellence in dance on both stage and film, the Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, paid tribute to some of the greatest talents in the field. Highlights of the gala evening, held in the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios (311 West 34th Street), included this year's Award honorees Spencer Liff (Best Male Dancer on Broadway for his dancing in Cry Baby), Karen Olivo (Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her dancing in In the Heights), Rob Ashford (Best Choreography on Broadway for his work in Cry Baby), and Dave Scott, Hi - Hat and Jamal Sims (Best Choreography in Film for their work in the film Step Up 2: The Streets). Brooke Shields presented nine-time Tony Award and two-time Astaire Award-winner, Tommy Tune, with the first Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award. With Lee Roy Reams directing the evening's entertainment, the event also boasted appearances by Savion Glover, former Astaire dancing partners Jane Powell and Arlene Dahl, singer-songwriter Sylvia Tosun and vocalist Anna Bergman. The evening benefited The Auditory Oral School of New York, a non profit organization which specializes in teaching deaf and hard of hearing children to listen, talk, think and socialize. Honorary Chairs for the event were Fred Astaire's daughter Ava Astaire McKenzie and her husband, artist Richard McKenzie. On September 4th, Lee Roy Reams will join singer/actress Carol Lawrence at Chicago's (it's actually Highland Park) Martin Theatre at Ravinia. Lawrence, the original Maria in West Side Story, closes out Ravinia's Martinis at the Martin cabaret series for the year. For her role in the Broadway production of the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim musical, Lawrence received a Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination. She has starred in stage productions of Saratoga; Subways Are for Sleeping; I Do! I Do!; and Sugar Babies. She also appeared in an L.A. production of Follies. Tickets for the 8 p.m. Ravinia performance range from $10 to $75 and may be purchased by calling the box office at (847) 266-5100. * * * * * * The plan to create a small memorial garden for Bernie Allen has grown, thanks to the donations of a number of generous community members. What was hoped to be a quiet spot, with a tree of two planted to honor the late comic, has generated enough money to plant a number of trees in one of the Valley's newer county parks. In the beginning, the location was expected to be in Sunset Park. Since there are a number of changes going on there, Russ Thompson, arborist/horticulturalist and director of the memorial trees department for Clark County, has suggested that the garden be created at Desert Bloom Park, located at Maryland Parkway and Wigwam. In 2003, Thompson, who has worked for Clark County for more than 25 years, received the Bill Tomiyasu Memorial Award from the Nevada Cooperative Extension. A specialist in things of this nature, Thompson also suggests waiting until the temperatures go down a bit before planting the trees at Desert Bloom, giving the living memorial the best opportunity to thrive and grow for many years to come. We will keep you readers posted as to when the dedication ceremony will take place. * * * * * * On Saturday, September 6th at 2 p.m., a group of performers from Las Vegas Strip productions (past and present) are coming together for a special, one-day concert to benefit Family Promise as the organization celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Listen To My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman will be performed by Greg Davis (Forever Plaid), Keith Dotson (Tommy, Smokey Joe‘s Café), Bruce Ewing (Forever Plaid, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Lisa Fairweather (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Russ Thomas Grieve (Men Are From Mars, Mamma Mia!), Dana Rogers Martin (City Lites, Jubilee!, Hooray for Hollywood), Kevin Sherrell (Jubilee!, Men Are From Mars), Mollie Tennant (Jubilee!), and Tina Walsh (EFX, Mamma Mia!, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular). Jack Gaughan (conductor for Phantom) will serve as musical director. The program is staged by Michael Piontek (Mamma Mia!). Listen To My Heart is an incredible collection of songs, which will have you laughing, crying, touched and inspired. New York composer, David Friedman, knows how to speak to the heart and, although you might not recognize his name, chances are that you have heard his music. Many of David's songs - Trust The Wind, You're Already There, What I Was Dreamin' Of, My White Knight, He Comes Home Tired, If You Love Me, Please Don't Feed Me, I'm Not My Mother, You'll Always Be My Baby, Two Different Worlds, Open Your Eyes to Love, Live It Up, Trick of Fate, The Gift Of Trouble, Catch Me, I Can Hold You, My Simple Christmas Wish (Rich, Famous and Powerful), We Can Be Kind, Only My Pillow Knows, Nothing In Common, What I'd Had In Mind, If I Were Pretty, We Live On Borrowed Time, You're There, As Long As I Can Sing, Help Is On the Way, I'll Be Here With You, and the beautiful title song, Listen To My Heart - have been performed and recorded by luminaries such as Jason Alexander, Laurie Beechman, Laura Branigan, Kristen Chenoweth, Petula Clark, Kathie Lee Gifford, Heather Headley, Lainie Kazan, Nancy LaMott, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, Leslie Uggams and many others. David Friedman has served as musical director for such Broadway productions as Saravà, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song & Dance, and Beauty and the Beast. He was also the conductor and vocal arranger for the Disney films Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Friedman wrote the music and lyrics to Disney's Aladdin and the King of Thieves. This concert will benefit the programs of Family Promise Of Las Vegas, helping homeless families get off the street and back into homes. Listen To My Heart will be performed on Saturday, September 6th at 2 p.m., at the Community Lutheran Church (3720 E Tropicana). Admission is $30 per person. (Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, 100% of the ticket price will go directly to Family Promise of Las Vegas.) For tickets or information, call (702) 245-0992. FYI...When Listen to My Heart opened at Upstairs at Studio 54 in 2003, it was Mark Waldrop, an expert at showcasing unusual musical material (Bea Arthur's one woman Broadway turn, a Bette Midler tour, and the deliriously funny revue When Pigs Fly, featuring the outrageously outrageous Jay Rogers, are among his credits), who directed. Waldrop also happens to be the talented man who directed Bill Nolte (Franz Liebkind in Mel Brooks' Las Vegas version of The Producers) in his one man show (sort of) All of Me, when it played in Vegas last February.  Mark Waldrop & Jay Rogers  Ronnie David  Jerry Lewis * * * * * * If you spent time in Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s, and you like good music presented in a classy manner, you may remember entertainer Ronnie David who played piano and sang in a number of the top lounges around the city, including at the MGM Grand (now Bally's) and Caesars Palace (still Caesars, just lots bigger). These nights, Ronnie is performing in the piano lounge at Tilman Fertitta's beautiful restaurant, Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, at 1510 Texas Street in downtown Houston (where Ronnie is from). If the name Fertitta sounds familiar, it is because, in addition to their Texas holdings, the family, primary shareholders of Landry's Restaurants, also own the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas (where there is also a Vic & Anthony‘s restaurant), as well as the Nugget in Laughlin, Nevada. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta III, owners of the Station Casinos, and the Texas Fertittas are cousins. These fellows are obviously sharp businessmen. Bringing Ronnie David into their tony Houston dining establishment confirms that. The talented Mr. David performs Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 11 p.m. If you happen to be in the Houston area, stop in at Vic & Anthony's for a listen. Tell them Cousin Claire sent you. * * * * * * Labor Day is on approach. Can Jerry Lewis be far behind? The answer is no, he can't be. We turned to some of our inside sources to get the names of some of the talented people who will perform for the live audiences as well as the television viewers. Here is what we found out. Among the hosts, from locations all around the country, Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars), Jann Carl (Entertainment Tonight), Bart Connors, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman, Ed McMahon, Nancy O'Dell (Access Hollywood), Tony Orlando, Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives) and Ace Young (American Idol). Contributing their talent will be Joshua Bell, Regina Belle, Bo Bice (American Idol), The 5 Browns, Nathan Burton, Jason Byrne, Carrot Top, Kelly Clinton (after midnight on Sunday/Monday), Celine Dion, Wally Eastwood, Terry Fator, Gloria Gaynor, Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone, Jack Jones, Kid Rock, Las Vegas Mass Choir, Ronn Lucas, Maureen McGovern, Menudo, Pat Monahan of Train, Renee Olstead, John Pinette, Frank Sinatra Jr., Starship with Mickey Thomas, Sugarland, Billy Bob Thornton, Three Doors Down, George Wallace and Bob Zany. This is the telethon's 43rd year, and its third originating from the South Point Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas. This years' TV marathon will broadcast for 21½ hours, starting at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 31st, and winding up at 6:30 p.m. EDT on September 1st (it would be three hours earlier in Southern Nevada). ABC's Channel 13 will air the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon locally. For other areas, check television listings.  Kelly Clinton  Bart Williams  Candy & Harvey Kaye * * * * * * Are all Virgos virgins? That is a question you will have to ask the following birthday celebrants. Among the Virgos with birthdays between August 24th and September 22nd, are Susan Abbott, Eric Michael Gillett, Gail Lucas, Bill Moore, Diane Wisdom, Michael Jackson (the child/man turns 50 today, the 29th!), Vera Goulet, Laura Freeman-Blackburn, Lenadams Dorris, Gary Olds, John Neeland, Randy Carlson, Robbie Howard, Michael Feinstein, Oliver Richman, Joe Pellegrino, Montel Brian Williams, Bart Williams (no relation to young Montel), Michelle Rohl, Paul Hansell and Norman Kaye, who is 86 on September 22nd. Also, happy anniversary to Hugh and Jan Wood Lovelady, and Bruce and Debbie Zarka. And speaking of Eric Gillett (who performed in Donn Arden, Maynard Sloate, and Bill Moore and George Arnold productions while living and working in Las Vegas), he is directing both Anna Bergman's (with special guest star, Brent Barrett) upcoming shows at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, and KT Sullivan's (she and Mark Nadler are Vegas favorites, after having guest starred together at the Charleston Heights Arts Center numerous times over the past few years) next New York show. KT will celebrate Jerome Kern in All the Things You Are, September 23rd through October 11th, at the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room. * * * * * * The Las Vegas entertainment community has suffered yet another loss. Harvey Kaye (Kaplan), of Spiral Starecase fame, passed away in Las Vegas on August 18th, five days before what would have been his 70th birthday. Formed in Sacramento, California, Spiral Starecase was a popular 1960s group, recognizable for its horns and lead singer/ guitarist Pat Upton's distinctive voice. In addition to Upton, and Harvey Kaye on organ, the group included Dick Lopes on sax, Bobby Raymond on bass guitar, and Vinny Parello on drums. (The group's original drummer was Victor M. Tejada from Mission Hills, California. Spiral Starecase is perhaps best known for their hits, More Today Than Yesterday, written by Upton, released in January 1969, and the follow-up She's Ready. More Today Than Yesterday has been covered by a number of artists, including Sonny & Cher, and Diana Ross. After four years together, Spiral Starecase disbanded. Upton went back to L.A. to work as a session musician, eventually working with Ricky Nelson. Harvey Kaye returned to Las Vegas where he re-formed Spiral Starecase. They toured the U.S., Canada, and Mexico until the mid 1980s, when they returned to Las Vegas, where they performed in a number of hotels here. These days, Mike Caschera leads the 16-piece ensemble as they continue to perform in concert venues and corporate events around the U.S. Until the time of his untimely death, in addition to managing Spiral Starecase through his Smash Productions, Harvey spent the last eight years as a top salesman with the Grandview vacation ownership company. Kaye is survived by his wife of 34 years, Candy Kaye, and four children - sons Harvey Kaplan Jr. and David Kaplan, and daughters Debbie Kaplan Wiggins (husband Morty Wiggins) and Brenda K. Starr. On Monday, September 8th, Candy Kaye will host a celebration of Harvey's life. The event will be held at the Las Vegas Elks Lodge, 4100 W. Charleston, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be music and smiles and memories shared, as Harvey would have wanted it. Harvey Kaye's daughter, Brenda K. Starr, is a singer originally in dance-pop, but more recently in salsa-based music. She has had two Top 40 hits on Billboard's Hot 100, I Still Believe and What You See is What You Get. In the late 1980s, a young Mariah Carey was a background singer for Brenda. It was Starr who helped Carey secure a recording contract by giving a demo tape of hers to Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party (Carey and Mottola were married from 1993 to 1998). In 1999, Mariah Carey had a hit with Starr's 1988 song, I Still Believe. * * * * * * The Las Vegas Clark County Library District presents Conversations with Myself... and Others - Dramatic renditions of the poetry and music of Woody Woods, featuring: the talents of Lou Jarrett, China Hudson, Rhayne Thomas, Wendy Edmead, Woody Woods and special guests. On Saturday, September 6th, the program will be presented at the West Las Vegas Library Theater, 951 W. Lake Mead; on Saturday, September 13th, you can enjoy it at the Summerlin Library Theater, 1771 Inner Circle Drive; and on Sunday, September 14th, the presentation will take place at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd. All three will be at 3 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, call (702) 507-3989.  Woody Woods  Mark Giovi  Larry Raben * * * * * * Beginning on Sunday, September 7th, DeStefano's Italian Restaurant brings back the old style Las Vegas supper club. The eatery will launch the concept by presenting An Evening with Giovi. In case you don't spend any time in the city, or never read the ramblings of Claire Voyant (perish the thought!), the "Giovi" would be Mark Giovi. Mr. Giovi, a principal in the Stratosphere's Bite revue, and one of the original members of The Las Vegas Tenors, has put together a special show for DeStefano's small and intimate dinner theatre format. This is the first of what is anticipated to become a regular feature at the southeast Las Vegas dining spot. The dinner theater series, which can accommodate 100 people, will provide a 90-minute show. Seating will be assigned on a first purchase, first choice basis. Dinner will be served at 6 and cleared at 7. The show will begin at 7:30, with dessert and coffee after the show. Three, four-course entree selections are available to choose from - Beef Brasciole, Chicken Marsala and Rigatoni with Meat or Marinara Sauce and Meatball or Sausage. All seats, at $30 per, will be sold by one week prior to the event date and are non-refundable. Food gratuity is included in the price. Applicable entertainment tax will be added. There will be a cash bar (beverages and drink gratuity are not included). Call (702) 436-3275 to purchase tickets. Please be prepared to give your menu selection when you purchase your seat. DeStefano's is located at 3430 E. Tropicana, on the northeast corner of Tropicana and Pecos, where Mark's CD will be available for sale. It should be a wonderful close-up encounter! * * * * * * The award-winning hit musical, The Producers, opened at the Gateway Playhouse, Long Island's premiere professional Equity musical theatre, on Wednesday night, August 27th. Scheduled to run through September 13th, this production is directed by the multi-talented Larry Raben. Raben portrayed Leo Bloom in the Paris Las Vegas version of the Mel Brooks romp. The cast features Michael Kostroff (Max), Adam Wylie (Leo), Christine Cherry (Ulla), David Edwards (Roger DeBris), Stephen Ted Becklar (Franz), Garth Kravits (Carmen Ghia), with Anne Bloemendal, Sarah Burns, Will Cohen, William James Daniels, Erik Floor, Abeku Hayes, Patrick Oliver Jones, Denis Molnar, Kevin Murnane, Linda Neel, John O'Malley, Candice Pennefather, Jessica Sheridan (who was in the Las Vegas production), Elizabeth Sousek, and Lindsay O. Travis. * * * * * * As is the norm, last nights' Composers Showcase featured an eclectic variety of musical material presented by some of this city's most talented people. Featuring the songs of local composers and songwriters, including the very unique and new to the showcase, Polish-born Ashia Grzesik, a cellist/vocalist/songwriter ( Pay To Be Loved, Anal Sex); Erich Bergen (from Jersey Boys), Ben Hale (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Rylan Leo Helmuth (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular), Clint Holmes (Just Another Man), Jason Martinez (Jersey Boys), Keith Thompson (Jersey Boys) and Dale Vernon, delivered by Natalie Bradshaw (Jersey Boys), Julia Krohn (Jersey Boys), Reva Rice (late of Spamalot and JAM -Just Another Man), Michael James Scott (Jersey Boys), Lauren Tartaglia (Jersey Boys), and other special guests. Instrumentalists Sheila Davis, Patricia Diaz, Bill Fayne, James Harvey, Keith Hubacher, Don Meoli, Raymond Pancarowicz, Lee Richey and Drew Zingg also contributed their amazing talents to the late night crowd. Some of those we spotted enjoying what has become one of the most entertaining monthly offerings in the city, were Laura Freeman-Blackburn, Kelly Clinton, Cara Dace, Larry Frost, Garold Gardner, Gerald Gordon, Carole Hassell, Ray Jarvis, Skye Dee Miles, Davy Nathan, Jerry Ritholz, JoAnn Toranto, Scott Watanabe, Fred Watstein, and onetime Las Vegas entertainer, Diane Wisdom (Hassell with Wisdom), visiting from Dallas. As the Jersey Boys would sing...Oh, What a Night! 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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Cloris Leachman Toni Braxton Simon Cowell LLiza Shlesinger Andrew James Cli
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 - August 22, 2008  Kelly Clinton  Gerry McCambridge  David Pomeranz Kelly Clinton (also known, lovingly, as “Kelvis” by some of her fans…Cousin Claire among them) has a busy upcoming schedule. Tomorrow, August 23rd, she will be performing for the Nevada Broadcasters Association Gala, held in the Summerlin Ballroom at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa. Kelvis promises that the Rock is going to rock! This event - the 13th Annual NBA Hall of Fame Gala and Dinner Dance - is an important night for Nevada's broadcasters. After a tough year, having the public join together with the leaders of our media is going to be so nice, so wonderful, so exciting and so much fun. Thom Porterfield, KTVN-TV and Chairman-Elect of the NBA, said it best, "Congratulations NBA on the fine planning and effort that each of you have put into the Gala. I anticipate that the finished product will be enjoyed by all of those who are so deserving of recognition and the broadcasters and guests who attend. While times are indeed tough, I think it worthwhile to enjoy an evening together --as broadcasters and not competitors." With one of the largest Hall of Fame Classes ever assembled, there is truly a reason to celebrate. And celebrate they will, thanks to Kelly Clinton, her band and some of the stars of the Las Vegas Strip. Among the confirmed talent, Sky Dee Miles (Menopause the Musical), Sandra Benton (Menopause the Musical), Gayle Steele (The First Lady of Song), Elisa Fiorillo (National recording star), and Ronnie Rose (Stirling Club and JAM). The evening schedule will include a networking and cocktail hour, with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Music and entertainment will be provided by Kelly Clinton & Friends. The honoring of America's Veterans and Presentation of Colors will take place, with Congresswoman Shelly Berkley and Nevada Army National Guard participating. Achievement Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions will include Governor Jim Gibbons, Congressman Jon Porter, local anchors and DJs. A steak and halibut dinner combo, followed by dessert and dancing will take place, with music provided by Kelly and friends. The cost for the evening is $149 per person, with the funds benefiting Homeland Security, Emergency Planning, AMBER Alert and Public Service. For information about the event including placing an ad in the Program Journal, or donating a silent auction item, please contact Bob Fisher at (702) 326 5808. Kelly will also be performing on the Jerry Lewis National Telethon, airing on August 31st and September 1st. This won’t be the first time that Ms. Clinton has participated in the telethon, but the other two appearances have been as a backup singer for Wayne Newton. This time, however, Kelly will be the one in the spotlight, doing two songs accompanied by her own band. To say that she is thrilled, is like saying that Michael Phelps is an average swimmer. On November 15th, Kelly Clinton will perform her one woman/multi-character show at the Starbright Theater in Sun City Summerlin. We will have more about this closer to the performance date. * * * * * * One of our favorite entertainers, Gerry McCambridge, has just been named as the recipient of the prestigious Merlin Award. The International Magicians Society, a worldwide organization, which was established in 1968 and currently has more than 37,000 members, just announced Gerry as the recipient of this honor. The Merlin Award is to magic, what the Oscar is to movies. Some of the previous winners of the Merlin Award are Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield. The voting members begin with approximately one hundred names, and narrow down to one. The criteria that the voters have to consider are talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and, above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions. Gerry is the very first Mentalist in history to receive the Merlin award. The award will be presented to Gerry on August 25th, immediately following his performance at Hooters Casino Hotel. McCambridge performs at 7 p.m., every night but Friday. Call (866) 584-6687. * * * * * * It’s that time of month again…time for the Composer’s Showcase. The August edition will take place on Thursday, the 28th, in the Liberace Museum Cabaret Showroom, 1775 East Tropicana at Spencer. Although the day of the week may change (sometimes Sunday, sometimes Wednesday, sometimes Thursday), the start time is always announced as 10:30 p.m. (after theater). This month will include music by local composer/songwriters Ashia, Michael Brennan, Thom Culcasi, Ben Hale, Rylan Leo Helmuth, Jason Martinez, Keith Thompson and Dale Vernon, presented by vocalists Natalie Bradshaw, Julia Krohn, Michael James Scott and Lauren Tartaglia among others. Accompaniment will be provided by the amazing instrumental chops of Philip Fortenberry, Patricia Diaz, Keith Hubacher, Don Meoli and Drew Zingg. A $5 hors d’oeuvres buffet is provided by Keg and Cork Catering. There is also a cash bar (no credit cards, please). Donations for the Liberace Foundation are happily accepted. The mission of the foundation is to help talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts through scholarship assistance. The Liberace Museum is located adjacent to Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens Restaurant. * * * * * * Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment will present Oh What a Night! A Celebration of the Music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. An exciting musical revue written and directed by independent Motown producer and creative consultant, George Solomon, and award-winning producer/director, Michael Chapman. Choreography is by Paul Holmquist. Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man and Can't Take My Eyes Off You, are just a few of the many hits audience members will enjoy from the dynamic songbook of those boys from Jersey, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The high-spirited cast stars Solomon, Holmquist, Rob Hyatt and Rick Morgan. Great choreography, boundless energy, humor and, of course, instantly recognizable classic pop songs will make this, Oh What a Night! ChapQuist Entertainment will also present Supreme Reflections, a loving tribute to the most famous female singing group of all time, The Supremes. This sparkling trip down Motown’s memory lane is also written and directed by Solomon and Chapman, with choreography by Holmquist. Learn the true story of the original dream girls’ rise to fame while enjoying an endless string of irresistible, toe-tapping hits and the eye-popping glamour of Diana Ross & The Supremes, including Baby Love, Stop! In The Name Of Love, You Can't Hurry Love, Love Child. The stellar cast is made up of Wendy Edmead, Cheaza Figueroa, Tai Lewis and Tezz Yancey. You'll love, love, love this stylish, fun and informative musical gem! Show times for Oh What a Night! are Saturday, August 30th at 7 p.m., Sunday, August 31st at 2 p.m., and Sunday, September 7th at 4 p.m. Show times for Supreme Reflections are Saturday, September 6th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, the 7th, at 2 p.m. Because a number of people wanted to see each of these shows, but weren’t able to attend both weekends, ChapQuist has made it possible to see both shows on Sunday, September 7th, with Supreme Reflections starting at 2 p.m., followed by Oh What a Night! at 4 p.m. Make one trip, see both shows - just like a double feature movie matinee! Tickets for each show are $18 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $23 for non-residents. They are on sale at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle Community Centers in Sun City Summerlin. For show information and credit card orders, call (702) 869-2064, or the Starbright box office at (702) 240-1301. The Starbright is located at 2215 West Thomas Ryan Blvd. (west of Rampart on Lake Mead). * * * * * * Zavier Blue, who we have touted on more than one occasion, will be doing a special "Unplugged" show, Thursday, August 28th, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wolfgang Puck Cafe at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The Preserve is located on Valley View just south of the 95. If you have not visited the educational and beautiful Preserve, this may be the perfect opportunity to do so. You can also hear ZB play regularly at Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que in The District at Green Valley Ranch - call Lucille’s at (702) 257-RIBS (7427) for dates and times. Cousin Claire apologizes for any earlier misspells of the name Zavier Blue. It is Zavier with a “Z” (like Liza), not an “X,” and it is Blue, without an “S” on the end. Reviewers and editors, please take note. * * * * * * Our talented friend, David Pomeranz, has composed the music for a new musical version of the Charles Dickens classic, A Tale Of two Cities. The show will have its London premiere next month. With lyrics by David Soames (Dave Clark’s Time the Musical), and book by Soames and Steven David Horwich (Emmy-winner at 17 for My Littlest Revue, and co-writer, with Pomeranz, of the book Little Tramp the Musical, for which Pomeranz wrote the music), and direction by producer/director Paul Nicholas (Grease), A Tale Of Two Cities will have a special pre-West End run at the Gatehouse Theatre, from September 25th through November 2nd. In recent years, David collaborated with Kathie Lee Gifford on two musicals, Under the Bridge and Saving Aimee. We are never surprised to learn of a new Pomeranz project. What DOES surprise us, though, is that his Little Tramp musical, based on the life of Charlie Chaplin, has not made it to Broadway. The reviews for a June production of the show in Florida were excellent, and eluded to the fact that Little Tramp may tour before winding up in New York. Keep your eyes and ears open. Incidentally, in 1992, in the hopes of creating interest in bringing Little Tramp to the stage, Pomeranz gathered together what he referred to as his "dream cast" and recorded a concept CD of the score. Artists participating in the project included Petula Clark, Lea Solanga, Tim Curry, Mel Brooks, and Treat Williams. This is a tough CD to find, but if you are a fan of musical theater, Charlie Chaplin or David Pomeranz (who wrote Tryin’ To Get the Feeling Again and The Old Songs, both No. 1 hits for Barry Manilow), seek it out. If you have the chance to hear it or own it, take the opportunity to do so. And speaking of Petula Clark, the lady who doesn’t sleep in the subway, especially when she is downtown, returns for her second engagement at the Craig Road Cannery Hotel Casino’s Club on Saturday, September 6th. Tickets start a more than reasonable $9.95 (plus taxes and fees). For reservations, call (702) 617-5585 or toll free at (866) 287-4643. * * * * * *  Lenadams Dorris  Clint Holmes  Michael James Scott Cousin Claire is constantly amazed and surprised at how the Internet can connect one to lots of information as well as connect, or reconnect, people from all around the globe. In the two years that this column has been up and running, we have “found” long lost friends and acquaintances, or they have found us. On August 31st of last year, we posted this plea… Are there any readers who know or knew Lenadams Dorris, the creative fellow who ran The Newsroom coffee shop across from UNLV, and later the Enigma Café near downtown Las Vegas? Cousin Claire would like to know where he disappeared to, so if anyone can help, please make contact. Thank you. It took almost a year but, the uniquely named Lenadams Dorris (who is, in fact, a very unique individual), actually contacted us via e-mail. The onetime Las Vegan is currently making his home in Michigan. For those that knew Lenadams during his years here, and those of you who didn’t, here is some information on our formerly missing friend. Calling himself a horticulturist, scribbler and back-alley raconteur, Lenadams was the host of KNPR's Desert Bloom for 12 years, was a restaurant critic for Las Vegas CityLife for six years, and was part of Outdoor Nevada on Channel 10 and the "Garden Guy" for Channel 3. For a period of time, Mr. Dorris ran Rancho Nursery and was part of the management team of the Star Nursery chain. In 1994, he was a Democratic candidate for Nevada Assembly (losing to John Bonaventura). Lenadams was a Nevada Fellow in Literature. As a businessman, he opened The Newsroom in downtown Las Vegas in 1986, moving to the Kinko’s center across from UNLV the following year. Dorris and his partner, the late Julie Brewer, enlarged the downtown Enigma Garden Café in 1996. Two years later, Lenadams became the sole owner of the South 4th Street business. The Enigma closed at the end of 2001. Dorris now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he “fled to escape a persistent dust devil.” He says he giggles every time it rains in Ann Arbor, which means he is constantly giggling. He also says he is still trying to figure out how many different kinds of snow there are, and has given up bestowing names on individual trees, a malady he describes as “a peculiarly desert-born habit.” Like we said earlier (in case you missed it), Cousin Claire is constantly amazed and surprised at how the Internet can connect, or reconnect, people from all around the globe. * * * * * * Last weekend was fun-filled and entertainment-filled. We saw three terrific shows in two days and enjoyed a great Sunday evening meal with friends. On Saturday night, it was Clint Holmes in the Judy Bayley Theater at UNLV (this is the same performance space where Clint premiered his bio-musical, JAM - Just Another Man, for 22 performances in June of last year). Backed by his co-writer Bill Fayne at the piano, Keith Nelson on bass, Jeff Neiman on keyboards, Davy Nathan on keys, Adam Shendal on drums, Richie Rodriguez on percussion, and Tommy Steele on, just about everything, including sax, clarinet, flute, harmonica, piano, organ, and goodness knows what else. Joining Clint on vocals were the outstanding Reva Rice, Gayle Steele, Elisa Fiorillo, and Ronnie Rose (Earl Turner, who winds up a gig in the Fiesta Showroom at Harrah’s in Laughlin on the 28th, was also part of the show for some of the performances). Opening with a Broadway medley (Broadway Baby, Lullaby of Broadway, Give My Regards to Broadway and On Broadway), the cast moved into a great West Side Story medley (Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s Something’s Coming, Jet Song, Cool, Maria, America, Tonight, A Boy Like That, I Have a Love and Somewhere). There were also numbers from Fred Ebb and John Kander’s Chicago (All That Jazz), Stephen Sondheim’s Company (Being Alive), and Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s South Pacific (You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught). The rest of the program was made up of tunes from JAM. On Saturday night, audience members got a bonus when four students from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies Performing & Visual Arts, opened Clint’s show. Accompanied by former student and current faculty member, Michael Spadoni on piano, four young people, Caitlyn Cerza, Gianni Becker, Lynda DeFuria and Primrose Martin, each did a solo turn, much to the delight of the crowd. Some of the proceeds generated by the five performances of Clint Holmes Sings Broadway will go to the Nevada Conservatory Theater and some will go to the award-winning Las Vegas Academy. Be sure and check out Clint’s clever Web site. On Sunday afternoon, we spent an entertaining couple of hours at the Liberace Cabaret (located inside the museum that honors Mr. Showmanship), at 1775 E. Tropicana, enjoying the talented Michael James Scott in a show he calls …In Progress. Scott, who is currently in Jersey Boys at The Palazzo, was assisted by the oh so terrific Keith Thompson (musical director for Jersey Boys) serving as musical director and playing piano, Don Meoli on drums, and Keith Hubacher playing bass, and “Black-Up” (no, that’s not a typo) singers, Valisia Lekae Little, Joseph Anthony Byrd (both from Mamma Mia!) and Lauren Tartaglia. We had two complaints regarding our Sunday afternoon at the Liberace Museum. Numero uno…it was uncomfortably warm in the showroom. Do we attribute that to the hot performers, or to the fact there was a full SRO house there to see Mr. Scott and company? Maybe it was a combination of both. Thank goodness for the Liberace “church-type” fans that were provided for the attendees. And number two…the sound, when it came to the vocalists, needed to be increased. It was very difficult to hear some of the lyrics and almost impossible to hear most of the spoken dialog. When the problem was mentioned after the show, we were told that because the performers were all strong singers, this was a conscious decision. In defense (and in an attempt to keep people from running for hearing tests), we say this…professional vocalists know how to use microphones and know when they should pull the mic away from their mouths when they are going for the “big notes.” We never miss the monthly Composers Showcase at the museum. We have never experienced the sound problem on those nights that we encountered on Sunday. A word to the wise for the next time…  Steve Lawrence  Arian Black  Robert Maheu Then it was off to The Orleans for a dandy dinner in the second floor Prime Rib Loft (very nice menu, good food and reasonable prices) before heading to the hotel/casino’s showroom to see and hear Steve Lawrence, flying solo for the weekend engagement (Steve was in to fill the dates left open by the death of comic George Carlin). It is no secret that Cousin Claire is a big fan of Steve and Eydie’s (that would be Eydie Gorme, Steve’s songstress wife of more than 50 years). Even if we weren’t already a fan, the 73-year-old would have won us over on Sunday night. Backed by a 27-piece orchestra, with Vincent Falcone conducting, Lawrence’s song choices are impeccable. Not only is Steve still in amazingly good voice (he may even be better than ever), he is genuinely funny and can hold his own with the best of them, delivering a joke as well as the best of the veteran standup comics. We don’t know if Steve had a good enough time on stage to do it again. If he does, and you are a music lover, we urge you to get out of your comfort zone and head to the venue where he is performing. We assure you, you won’t be disappointed. * * * * * * There’s magic in the air at the Krave nightclub‘s Harmon Theater. Female magician (you will know that if you see her attached photo) Arian Black is the opening act for Amazing Johnathan, when he performs his unique form of magic, Fridays through Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Arian, who is doing her bird illusion at the Harmon Avenue venue, joined the Amazing One in April. For reservations, call (702) 836-0836. As for Arian’s future plans, the pretty blonde magician may have some other exciting career opportunities on the horizon. Stay tuned. * * * * * * Please note, An Evening with Lucille Ball starring Suzanne LaRusch, scheduled at the Suncoast Showroom for October 17th through 19th, has been cancelled. At this time, we don’t know why. * * * * * * Over the past few weeks, the Las Vegas community has suffered the loss of a number of its well-known citizens. Robert Maheu, who worked for the FBI and the CIA before he became billionaire Howard Hughes' confidant and right-hand man, has died. According to his son, Peter, the cause of Maheu’s death was congestive heart failure. Bob Maheu died on Monday, August 4th, at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas. He was 90. A funeral was held at St. Viator’s Catholic Church in Las Vegas. Frederic Apcar, producer of the long-running Casino de Paris and ground-breaking Vive Les Girls at the Dunes, died on August 2nd in Las Vegas. He was 93. Apcar is survived by his wife Olga, daughter Elisabeth and son Frederic Jr., all of Las Vegas. Young Matthew Munari passed away in Las Vegas on August 8th. The son of well-known magician/business man (Houdini’s Magic Shops), Geno Munari, Matthew followed his father’s career path, performing magic professionally beginning when he was just seven years old. Matthew was only 36 at the time of his death. In addition to his father, Matthew is survived by his son, Mason; sister, Kayla; Brenda Gervais, Penny Munari; stepbrothers, Jimmy Ciccarelli and John Batelle; grandmother, Gretchen; aunts, Madeline Lee and Janet Mason; uncle, Lance Mason; and many cousins. Matthew’s mother, Penelope Scales, preceded him in death. A Funeral Mass was held on August 15th at St. Viators in Las Vegas. Edwin Cook, of Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, informs us that Eugene “Geno” Williams passed away on Tuesday, August 5th, as the result of complications from pancreatic cancer. For the past seven years, Williams’ resonating bass voice was the foundation of the Coasters. Prior to his association with the Coasters, Williams spent 25 years with the Buck Ram Platters, recording for one of the most famous groups to ever come out of the 1950s. “Geno's booming voice was as smooth as velvet, with clarity in those low tones like no other bass singer in our time,” says Cook. “We will miss him, and there will be no replacing a voice like Geno's. He was...and still is... definitely one of a kind! He may not be with us any longer in person, but the music he recorded will never die.” Our sincere sympathies to the families and friends of the departed.
* * * * * *
 Eugene 'Geno' Williams  Wynonna  3T - TJ, Taryll and Taj Drive a little, see a lot. Terrible’s Star of the Desert Arena, located at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, south of Las Vegas at the Nevada/California border, is offering a surprisingly good concert lineup through the rest of the year (we only have the acts listed through December 6th). Depending on the configuration, The Star of the Desert Arena can accommodate anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 people. Most of the upcoming Saturday night shows will be presented in the 3,000-seat venue. Tomorrow night August 23rd, it’s Hootie & The Blowfish, followed on August 30th by Bill Cosby, on September 9th by Brian Wilson, September 13th by Al Green, September 20th by Foreigner, October 4th by The Beach Boys, October 11th by Wynonna, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton on October 18th, Patti LaBelle on November 1st, Lee Ann Womak on November 15th, Dwight Yoakum on November 22nd, and Three Dog Night and Herman's Hermits on December 6th. All shows start at 8 p.m. We were sorry to hear that a group of friends who made the trip from Vegas to see Liza Minnelli in the arena on Saturday (August 16th), were so disappointed, they left shortly after the show began. Among other problems, Liza appeared to be suffering from a cold and was not in good voice. We are glad that we had the opportunity to see Liza many times when she was up to the task and put on one helluva show. With gasoline prices still hovering close to $5 a gallon, and folks spending less on “fun things,” to encourage travel to Primm, a limited number of free concert tickets (about 500 for each show) are being made available. Go to prim concerts.com for details. For more Primm Valley information, and for show reservations, call (702) 386-7867, or toll free at (800) 386-7867). * * * * * * Many happy returns of the day to some of our favorite Leos (July 23rd through August 23rd) - Liberace look-alike Will Collins, Deano Noto, actor/singer Kevin Spirtas, Tom Wilson (creator of Cousin Claire’s favorite cartoon character, Ziggy), Robert Allen, Angelo Tolentino, Taj Jackson (son of Tito Jackson and one third of musicians 3T), Taryll Jackson (Taj’s younger brother who is also a member of 3T), Buddy Greco (the Palm Springs nightclub owner/musician is now 82), Perry Palmer, Bob Flanigan (the lead voice of the famed Four Freshmen celebrates his 82nd today), while Broadway veteran, Lee Roy Reams, late of The Producers in Las Vegas, celebrates number 66. Happy birthday one and all.  Haunted Vegas Tour  Rebecca Spencer  Calamity Jayne And speaking of Robert Allen, the entrepreneur announces that his Haunted Vegas Tour and Vegas Mob Tour has moved from the Greek Isles to the Royal Resort, just west of the Isles at 99 Convention Center Drive. The Vegas Mob Tour begins at 6 p.m., and The Haunted Vegas Tour launches at 9:30 p.m. General Admission tickets, for either show, are $56.25. Call toll free at (866) 218-4935 for reservations. * * * * * * We received a nice newsy e-mail from Rebecca Spencer, late of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular where she played the role of Madame Giry for two years. “Yes, I do miss every bit of my Vegas family and creative community,” writes Rebecca. “As I lifted off from Vegas, after embracing so much creative freedom, my hope was that I would pursue original projects and to hopefully be a vital instrument, as an actor, to bring new stories and scores to life. The Composer's Showcase certainly kept my chops in shape and remains one of the most impressionable and valuable tools for my forward motion. You never know how time can catch up to you and where your career leads you, but it is for sure that I am proud to remain in contact with so many fantastic artists.” Rebecca will be performing in Heaven In Your Pocket, one of the 14 shows (along with Keith Thompson and Buddy Sheffield’s IDAHO!) to be presented at the upcoming New York Musical Theatre Festival. We will have more on the festival, AND Rebecca, in the next week or two. * * * * * * A very interesting article on old friend Calamity Jayne in the August 14-20 issue of Las Vegas Weekly. Writer Spencer Patterson’s story, called Calamity Jayne, take two, did a dandy job on the tale of a lady who changed the Las Vegas music scene in the late 1980s with her Nashville Nevada nightclub on Fremont Street, across from what used to be the Showboat/ Castaways. Unfortunately, CJ (real name Claudia Rae) hooked up with the wrong people. As a result, she wound up in a federal penitentiary for a few years. She has been back in circulation for sometime now and even got a band together to put on a show a couple of months ago. We have a couple of Calamity stories. In October of 1982, when former Nevada Governor (1979-1983) Robert List was campaigning for his reelection bid, we were the talent coordinator of a big fundraiser, held at a Tennis Club on Blue Diamond Highway just west of Las Vegas Blvd. The talent lineup included Wayne Newton (who arrived at the site in his own helicopter), Robert Goulet (on the day before his wedding to Vera Novak) and Lola Falana. Also entertaining that afternoon, JTO and Bobby Duck and Calamity Jayne. A number of seniors had been bussed to the location from retirement communities scattered around the Valley. The folks were not sure what to make of CJ, decked out in a miniskirt, leather cowboy hat, and sporting a good sized “Calamity Jayne, A Legend in Her Own Mind” sticker on her guitar. The blue hairs had no idea what to expect from this lady who, definitely, marched to her own off-beat drummer. Not surprisingly, Calamity won them over. On another occasion, right before Nashville Nevada was set to open, she invited friends over to be part of a video they were shooting in the still unfinished club. We were among the invitees. When she learned that we had lost our job with “Nevada’s Largest Newspaper” the day before, CJ was very concerned. We assured her that all was well and she needn’t worry about us. Later in the evening, when we went to get money out of our handbag, there was a $100 bill that didn‘t belong there. Most people know when they have a $100 bill in their possession. We knew that we didn’t. There was only one way that money could have gotten in our purse…the outlaw cowgirl had put it there. We called her to tell her we were returning her money, which she claimed to know nothing about and stated it must have been “God’s money.” We were meeting up with some friends at the Hotel Continental (now Terrible’s) and they wanted to do a little gambling. We decided to invest a little of “God’s money” in a video poker machine. We broke the hundred with the intent of playing $10. A few minutes after sitting down at a machine, we hit a Royal Flush for $1000! God’s money, indeed. God and Calamity Jayne.  JTO & Bobby Duck  Rita Moreno  Vinnie Favorito * * * * * * The Performing Arts Center at UNLV, Southern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue, recently announced its 2008-2009 season. The season opens on September 8th with the Charles Vanda Master Series performance by The 5 Browns. The five piano-playing siblings from Utah have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Good Morning America and were called “ … the biggest classical music sensation in years” by the New York Post. Additional performances within this season’s Charles Vanda Master Series are the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra on October 30; violinist Joshua Bell January 29; Russian National Ballet February 11; Munich Symphony Orchestra February 22; and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra March 24. October 3 opens the New York Stage & Beyond Series with Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning performer Rita Moreno, one of only nine performers ever to win all four prestigious show business awards. Other performances within the New York Stage & Beyond Series include American Ballet Theatre II October 29; Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa November 19; Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz in Concert January 31; The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra March 12; Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway April 25; and Tony Award-winning Broadway star Lea Salonga May 1. The UNLV Classical Guitar Series, held in the Doc Rando Recital Hall of the Lee & Thomas Beam Music Center, features Scott Tennant, a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning L.A. Guitar Quartet September 13; Montreal Guitar Trio (MG3) November 4; multiple award-winning Anabel Montesinos February 17; Brasil Guitar Duo March 17; and Roman Viazovskiy April 23. As a special addition to the season, celebrate the holidays with David Benoit’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, a new show from this three-time Grammy nominee, contemporary jazz pianist, and Peanuts composer. Don’t miss this collection of holiday favorites and Peanuts classics by legendary Vince Guaraldi, including the instantly recognizable Linus and Lucy. Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue. Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in three distinct series – the Charles Vanda Master Series, the New York Stage & Beyond Series, and the Classical Guitar Series. UNLV and KLVX Channel 10 are graciously sponsoring the season.
For information on purchasing a season subscription, please call 895-ARTS (2787) or visit pac.unlv.edu. Individual tickets are also now available. * * * * * * After more than three years at O’Sheas, comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito has made a big move. Okay, it may not be a BIG move. Maybe we can call it a lateral move. Favorito has taken his acclaimed comedy show to the Flamingo Las Vegas, just a few steps south of O‘Sheas. Favorito is now performing inside the intimate 220-seat Bugsy’s Cabaret nightly at 8 p.m. Until very recently, Bugsy’s was the home of the Second City comedy troupe. According to his manager, Bill Voelkner, “Favorito’s skillful blend of stand-up comedy, racy wit and relentless audience banter is the perfect fit with the theater’s adult-centric programming, which is also home to the Strip’s raciest topless show, “X Burlesque. The Harrah’s group has been waiting for the right opportunity to move Vinnie Favorito to a bigger venue. We really feel this to be the perfect time and location for him to continue aggressively walking the comedic line.” Favorito has been making audiences laugh along the Las Vegas Strip for more than 10 years. His quick-witted insults and improvisational skills make him a natural for roasting many well-known celebrities, including Jerry Springer, Pat O’Brien, Larry Flynt and Magic Johnson. Tickets for Vinnie Favorito are $49.95 and $39.95 (plus tax and fees), and may be purchased at the Flamingo Las Vegas box office or by phone at (702) 733-3333.
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: Kelly Clinton Gerry McCambridge David Pomeranz Clint Holmes Lenadams Dorris
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 - August 15, 2008
 (Mad Dog) Michael Darrin and the Clowns, Charlie & Sherry Frye  Derrick Barry as Britney Spears  Terry Fator Due to major computer problems, Cousin Claire has been unable to share news with you readers for two weeks. Although some of the things we couldn't write about are now what might be considered "old news," we still feel it makes for worthwhile reading, so we will try to play catch up. Michael Darrin would have loved his memorial service. The talented choreographer/costume designer died on July 2nd following a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). On Tuesday, July 29th, friends gathered at the Oasis Christian Church in Las Vegas to look back at some of the amazing life of this genius. The Philadelphia-native created and performed in productions all over the US and around the world, touring with more than 56 Broadway shows and working with many of the biggest stars in show business. His brother, Bob Lentini, did a masterful job of going through years of videos to put together wonderful clips of different phases of Michael's life and career - including childhood photos of Jimmy Lentini (before he took the name of Michael Darrin), Michael as a dancer (he partnered with Cyd Charisse and Juliet Prowse among others), his costume sketches (that came alive in his award-winning production shows), clips from his dance revues (designed and choreographed by MD), and a section on his association with Paula Abdul. As was Michael's last wish, the chapel was filled, not with just people who loved and admired him, but with flowers...lots and lots of flowers. As suggested, many of the attendees wore black, gray and/or purple, Michael's favorite colors. Among the more than 200 people who joined together at the church were cohorts from the world of dance, including Tiger Martina, Diana Saunders Bellomo, Rich Rizzo, Shrymp Johnson, Blair Farrington and Rusty Taylor, joined Dolly Coulter, Diane Ellis, Grant Philipo, David Harris, John and Pam Thompson (The Great Tomsoni and Co.), Michelle Johnson, Tony Arias, Lloyd Ziel, Tim Searcy, Jeanne Quinn, Charlie and Sherry Frye (Charlie Frye and Co.), Tim Conroy and, of course, Michael's mother, Betty Switenko. Michael's longtime friend, Robert Craig, handled the hosting duties very well. (We apologize for those we omitted. Either we didn't see you, didn't know you, or didn't recognize you.) NOticeably missing was Paula Abdul. Ms. "Where Would I Be Today Without American Idol" was a NO show, at both the fundraising benefit held for Michael at Krave in July of 2006, AND the memorial service. We must say, at the very least, Ms. Abdul is consistent. She made NO contribution of any kind. She sent NO card or telegram. There was NO floral arrangement with her name on a card. We find this especially troubling, since Michael Darrin was instrumental in two of Paula's biggest career successes. Michael's collaboration with Abdul and Dean Barlow, choreographing the outstanding opening number of the 1990 American Music Awards, garnered him television's highest award when he won the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography. He choreographed Paula's Cold-Hearted-Snake (a song title that we think may accurately describe Ms. Abdul), which was the first music video to ever debut on the Top-20 Countdown, at No. 1. For this, Michael received Billboards Music Video Award, as well as the American Dance Award for Best Choreography in a video for 1989. There were many highlights that afternoon but, for Cousin Claire, the best one had to be the beautifully written and delivered eulogy by the very talented Charlie Frye (in addition to his skills as a performer, it is the artist Mr. Frye who created Claire's portrait used in this column). As he approached the podium, Frye appeared a bit flustered. "I'm so confused," he said, "I thought this was for Michael Flatley." He then read this heartfelt tribute... There's a line in Cyrano de Bergerac, that goes:
"To die among friends.
Can a man ask for more;
Can a world offer less?" Well, I think the world did indeed offer Michael less; less than he deserved. He deserved more success, more fame, and more recognition on a wider scale than he received, though he received a pretty fair share. But show business isn't fair, and he knew it. And even though he could be frustrated with the occasional lack of opportunity to show off his considerable talents, he wasn't really bitter about it. If a competitor was doing good work, they could count on Michael's cheer being the loudest in the audience. Embarrassingly so.
Unlike so many who take up the life of a showman, Michael wasn't really motivated by the same things that many of today's artists are. The fame and money, which Michael certainly would have welcomed, were not his main objective. For him, it was all about art. Michael was an artist, in every sense. He certainly would have benefited by being a little less passionate about his work, and more willing to compromise his integrity, but one thing he couldn't do: he couldn't do mediocre.
His rants and his tirades, which could be legendary, were not borne out of meanness, they were borne out of an intense drive, and passion; and sometimes panic that he wasn't going to hit the soaring goal he had set for himself and his production; and his dancers. He loved his dancers. And those that didn't want to kill him loved him too.
Our paths first crossed when Patrick Maes hired us for a show he was putting on in Lake Tahoe, which Michael was directing, choreographing, costume designing, lighting, fingernail painting, etc., etc. I believe Michael's first words when we showed up were: "Not a fucking juggler." We were friends ever since. He had me at "fucking."
I don't know exactly when it evolved from friendship to family. Maybe it was around the time we were all in South Africa, and he was chasing giant ostriches around with a video camera because he didn't like the way their feathers just laid there when they weren't being tormented. He created such a stir down there, that soon afterwards they let Mandela out.
As you know, there were many sides to him. He was about as close to a Renaissance man as anyone in this nutty end of the business could possibly be. The side we knew of him -- and we knew them all -- was the real one, and it was wonderful. And never dull. I used to tell him that while some people seem to march to the beat of a different drummer, he had his own rhythm section. Everyone knows what the libido refers to, and besides the obvious, it also refers to one's creative energy. Michael's libido was second to none.
He couldn't do anything by half measures, whether it was lighting the massive stage in Reno, or lighting his living room; or even decorating one of his ridiculously over-the-top Christmas trees. Trees so elaborate that you lost all sight of branches, and doubted whether there actually was a tree under there anymore.
And how many people design a Halloween costume with a fifty-foot extension cord. When they plugged him in the lights on the Strip dimmed. He used to say, "What are you going to do when I'm no longer around to make fun of?" I said "Who says we're gonna stop." And we never will.
I've heard it said that life isn't so much about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself, and little Jimmy Lentini did us all a delightful favor when he created the one and only Michael Darrin. Our beloved Mad Dog, who was put on this earth to amaze and amuse. And admire. And love. After the videos were shown and the speeches made and a song was sung, the crowd was directed outside to the church patio. A very large circle was formed, with everyone holding hands. Cathy Rand, from The Dove Connection, read a poem called Fly Home (see below) which was followed by the release of 14 beautiful white "angel" doves from a large straw basket. Before disappearing into the bright blue sky, the birds, in perfect formation, made multiple passes over the courtyard. After the 14 doves were gone from sight, dove No. 15, supposed to represent Michael's soul, was carried around to be gently touched by the approximately 220 people before being set free for its journey. As if it were Michael himself, the last dove flew to a rooftop overlooking the courtyard, perched itself where it could observe what was going on below and make sure that everyone was in their proper place and appropriately attired, much like Michael would have done. When the dove was satisfied that things were going as they should, it took off for the heavens. Fly Home God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be. He put His arms around you, And whispered, "Come with Me." With tearful eyes we watched you go, And watched you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands put to rest. God broke our hearts and took you home, For peace and eternal rest. Fly home, fly free. We love you. Your spirit now soars with no more pain. Fly home on the wings of a dove, We will meet in heaven once again. Disclaimer - After doing their jobs, the beautiful white doves, trained by Ms. Rand, return home. They have been used through the Vegas Valley, even as far out as Lake Las Vegas, and always manage to find their way home. * * * * * * At the end of selecting the 40 talented folks who would go into the finals of NBC's America's Got Talent (aired on Thursday, August 7th), Derrick Barry, a Britney Spears impersonator currently performing in Norbert Aleman's An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera, was still in the running for the first place million dollar prize. For the winner of this reality competition, taking top prize is only part of the reward. As in the case of last years winner, ventriloquist/ impressionist Terry Fator, high paying jobs and fame await. Fator, who has been performing monthly in the main showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton since his AGT 2007 victory, goes into the 1,265-seat theater at The Mirage in February of next year, taking the place of that hotel's most recent headliner, Danny Gans. Fator will purportedly earn $100 million over the next five years at The Mirage. As for Gans, he will once again be working for hotel mogul Steve Wynn when he takes over the theater formerly occupied by Broadway-style productions of Avenue Q and, until , Spamalot. Personally, we feel that Fator, the new kid on the block, will be a hard act to beat when it comes to impressionists...with or without puppets. Good luck to all. * * * * * *  Cook E. Jarr  Tom Kurtz  Joan Sobel To Las Vegas reader Vivian H. who wants to know "Whatever happened to Cook E. Jarr who used to sing in all the lounges?", we are happy to report that the Jarr man, who is now in the second half of his sixties, is still singing for his supper. Cook E. has been a Las Vegas lounge staple since the early ‘80s, when he left the East Coast to go to work at the Sands (now the site of The Venetian). Over the years, the popular entertainer has kept audiences coming back for more at venues such as the Hotel Continental (now Terrible's), the Silver Slipper (referred to as the "Sleazy" Slipper by the Cookster), MGM, Caesars, Tropicana, Bally's and the El Rancho (called El "Roacho" by the Cookmesiter). He has been such a hit, that the Continental and Harrah's have both immortalized Jarr by putting his image on casino chips! Many of the places he has played are now history, but the Cook E. Jarr is still standing. There are the spandex pants, plenty of gold jewelry and that hair. Oh, that hair. There's also the ability to get, and keep, the joint (wherever it may be) jumping. Among Cook E. Jarr's loyal fans are a number of celebrities, including David Brenner, Carrot Top, Brad Garrett, Tom Jones, Toby Keith, George Lopez, Bill Medley, Dennis Miller and Ray Romano (don‘t be surprised to see a famous face or two in Cook E's crowd, Vivian). Late night TV host, former Las Vegan Jimmy Kimmel, is also a big fan and has had Jarr on his ABC show many times. You can see Mr. Jarr, live and in person, on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harrah's outdoor Carnaval Court. (He loves his two days on, five days off schedule!) Cook E's backup band, The Krums, has been swept away, but Cook E. himself lives on. For additional information, you can call his Hotline at (702) 737-7762. * * * * * * We hope you took the opportunity to vote in the primaries. If you Southern Nevadans didn't do so, it might mean that good guys (and gals) like Tom Kurtz and Lou Toomin won't be on your November ballot. In that case, you deserve what you get (folks like currently tarnished and/or imprisoned Dario Herrera, Mary Kincaid Chauncey, Erin Kenny, Lance Malone, Yvonne Atkinson Gates, former School Board member Greg Nance, Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio, and, last but certainly not least, embattled judge Elizabeth Halverson). The public doesn't always get the opportunity to make their feelings known. Voting is one way to have your say, so make sure you are registered and get out (or request a mail in ballot) and VOTE. Congratulations to Nevada Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Delaney who handily beat out her opponents in the primary race for Clark County District Court Judge in District 8, Department 25. Kathleen is the daughter of the late Joe Delaney, a longtime Las Vegas entertainment columnist. Her daddy would be proud. * * * * * * The Performing Arts Society of Nevada presents An Afternoon of Song and Dance, featuring Joan Sobel and cast members of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, on Sunday, August 24th, at Clark County Flamingo Library Theater, 1401 East Flamingo. Sobel, who plays Madame Firmin in Phantom, will be joined by singers Ben Hale, Nicole Pryor and Danielle White, and dancers Ruedi Arnold, Courtney Combs, Erina Noda, Brianne Kelly Morgan, Erina Noda, Rebekah Raun, Heather Sirois-Arnold and Deana Villei. Laurence Sobel serves as musical director and accompanist. The concert starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $15 a person. They may be purchased at the library's theater box office, starting an hour before the performance. For additional information, and to make reservations, call (702) 658-6741. * * * * * * 
Wes Winters 
Gordie Brown 
Mark Giovi Cousin Claire had big plans for Saturday, July 26th...or so she thought. The idea was to spend about 12 hours at Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops, pigging out...on entertainment. After taking in Martin Kreloff's one-man art exhibit, on display at the Triq Ultralounge in the Steve Wyrick Complex, we would go see Wes Winters' 1 p.m. Musical Tribute to Liberace inside the Wyrick Theatre. After Wes' performance, we would then head to the V Theater, also located in the mall adjacent to Planet Hollywood's Hotel Casino, to see Toxic Audio's 2:30 show. We saw this amazing a cappella group when they were here at the Luxor in 2005, and we were blown away. We expected to be just as impressed when we saw them at the V. That was to launch our five show V Theater marathon. At 4 p.m., we would see Gregory Popovich and his Comedy Pet Theater, featuring his collection of very smart and entertaining rescued cats and dogs, followed at 5:30 by Fab Four Live, a tribute to The Beatles. In addition to recreations of John, Paul, George and Ringo, there is an Ed Sullivan character cleverly woven into the show. We very much wanted to see comic Kelly McDonald, filling in, through July 29th, for vacationing Paul Terry. Paul has been portraying the scowling TV variety show host for a number of years. We have seen Terry in the role and thought he did an excellent job. We were looking forward to seeing what McDonald would bring to the party. V - The Ultimate Variety Show, featuring some of the world's finest specialty acts, has two nightly performances, at 7 and 8:30. We hadn't decided which of the two we would attend, but we definitely planned to be at one of them. Winding up our long day, we would see the uber-talented Gordie Brown at 10. Gordie combines comedy, music and impressions in a fast-paced show. Audience members won't see a harder working entertainer ANYWHERE! James Brown WAS known as "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." Since James is no longer in the running, we give the title to another Brown...Gordie Brown! We have been following this man's Las Vegas career for years, going back to the old Maxim days (the East Flamingo piece of real estate now houses the Westin Casuarina), to the Golden Nugget (where he was known as "Downtown Gordie Brown"), The Venetian, and now to Planet Hollywood, where he should be dubbed "Uptown Gordie Brown." Planning this outing took a couple of weeks - we had to fit it in on a day (and night) when we had no other obligations, and it had to be when none of the acts were dark. Unfortunately, although we had been told our all day outing was something that was not a problem for the V Theatre to handle, when we tried to verify everything through phone calls and an e-mail, the calls were not returned and the e-mail was not answered. We never were acknowledged or confirmed by either Mark Walker, whose job it is to handle these things, or David Saxe (who we were told was out of town). As late as Friday afternoon, the day before the anticipated adventure, there was no one (not even Saxe's assistant) who could say, "Sure come on over, we can accommodate you." In more than 30 years of writing about entertainment in this city, we have never encountered a situation like this. We can also assure you, this is not the way they handled (or MIShandled) things in the "good old days" of Las Vegas. We found it all absolutely amazing...and not in a good way. It wasn't like we were trying to take six friends to a free gourmet dinner at Wynn Las Vegas. We needed a place for one person (Cousin Claire) to see and then report on the of assortment of shows being presented at the V Theater. Maybe they are doing so much business over there, they don't need any additional FREE press. At any rate, as of July 30th, Toxic Audio has left the building (hopefully to turn up somewhere else in Las Vegas) and, as of August 9th, so has Gordie Brown. Gordie takes off for five months to serve as opening act for Celine Dion's world tour. We will catch him when he comes back home to work...as long as it isn't at the V Theater. Needless to say, we won't be patronizing the place or suggesting that any of you do either. We do plan, however, to journey to Planet Hollywood to see Wes Winters and the art exhibit featuring the works of, now local, artist Martin Kreloff, both at the Wyrick. The V now joins the short list of local places, like the family-owned Italian joint on Las Vegas Boulevard South, that we will no longer patronize or mention by name in this column. If places in the hospitality business aren't hospitable, why spend time or money there? There are plenty of accommodating venues where one can see shows in the city. And there are certainly a plethora of dining spots that serve Eggplant Parmesan or Chicken Marsala, along with a pleasant attitude and a smile. As for the entertainment at the bistro? We will catch the acts elsewhere. Wes Winters performs his Liberace Tribute at 1 p.m. (off on Fridays and Mondays). Call (702) 777-9974 for Wes Winters reservations. * * * * * * Mark Giovi, currently featured in Bite at the Stratosphere and a onetime member of the Las Vegas Tenors, will go solo tonight when he performs music from the 1920s through today at the MacDonald Ranch Community Center, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson, at 7. Tickets are $18. To purchase, call (609) 851-5390, (702) 286-8280, or (702) 270-7000. * * * * * * Music lovers will have a difficult time deciding where to spend this Sunday. The Liberace Museum is featuring Michael James Scott, the Judy Bayley Theater at UNLV will present Clint Holmes, and it's Steve Lawrence at The Orleans. On Sunday (August 17th) at 2 p.m., Michael James Scott will present In Progress, at the Liberace Museums Cabaret Showroom. In Progress is a musical journey via Gospel, Soul and Contemporary Musical Theatre revealing the search for one's happiness, self, love and ultimately the purpose and joy of life. Scott is currently featured in the Las Vegas company of Jersey Boys. On Broadway, he appeared in Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, and Disney's Tarzan. Off-Broadway, Michael was featured in Here's to Joe, opposite Donna McKechnie (the original Cassie in A Chorus Line), and was part of the concert cast of Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall. Scott was the standby for Ben Vereen in the international tour of Fosse, and eventually took over the role. For the past two years, Michael has sung with the critically acclaimed Broadway Boys, doing concerts and benefits all over the East Coast, including at New York City's famed Birdland Jazz Club. Regionally, he has been seen in Aida, Ragtime, South Pacific, and Cinderella to name a few. Scott's dance background extends back to the Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa, Florida, where he studied with the legendary Gwen Verdon, Vereen, Gregory Hines, and Ann Reinking who he also assisted. Michael graduated from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. He has appeared in numerous national commercials and is a proud member of Actor's Equity. He has participated in workshops and Master Classes with Ruthie Henshall, Dave Clemmons, Patti LuPone, Phylicia Rashad, Richard Maltby Jr., Frank Galati, Mary Walkley, Adrienne Angel, Joan Lader, Rob Fisher, Frank Wildhorn, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jeff Calhoun, Rick Pessagno, James Naughton and John Parks. In Progress will also feature Joseph Anthony Byrd, Valisia Lekae Little and Lauren Tartaglia, with Musical Direction by Keith Thompson, of Jersey Boys, at the piano, Keith Hubacher on bass, and Don Meoli on drums. BJ Allen handles the lighting and Richard Camuso is responsible for sound. Donations from this One Show Only performance will benefit the Liberace Foundation Scholarship Fund for the Performing & Creative Arts. The museum is located at 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. (at Spencer). Seating is limited! 
Michael James Scott 
Clint Holmes 
Steve Lawrence What can we say about Clint Holmes that hasn't been said many, many, many times before? Those that keep up on these things know that Clint debuted his Las Vegas show at the Golden Nugget about 10 years ago, before heading to Harrah's on the Strip, where he performed in his own self-named theater for more than six years. You probably also know that he has written, with some assist from his close friend and musical director, Bill Fayne, a bio-musical that has had a number of incarnations and titles (Comfortable Shows, Breathe and, most recently, JAM - Just Another Man). Well, what Cousin Claire hasn't said before is that Holmes, along with some of his musical friends, is doing five performances (one of which took place last night) in the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV. You can still catch Clint Holmes Sings Broadway, tonight (August 15th) at 8 p.m., tomorrow at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Proceeds from the matinee on Saturday will benefit the downtown Las Vegas Academy of International Studies Performing & Visual Arts (WHEW!), while tomorrow nights' show helps support the Nevada Conservatory Theatre. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30, and may be purchased through the UNLV's Performing Arts Center Box Office. Call (702) 895-2787. It's Steve Lawrence, going solo, tonight through Sunday night, at The Orleans. As we mentioned in an earlier column...no Eydie for this engagement. Steve will be accompanied by a 27-piece orchestra, conducted by Vincent Falcone. If the shows aren't already sold out, tickets are $60.50 to $88, plus applicable taxes and fees, and may be purchased by calling (702) 365-7075. * * * * * * Broadway headliner and two-time Grammy winner Jennifer Holliday will be co-headlining the "Best 10 p.m. Show in Las Vegas" with George Wallace at the Flamingo Hotel, August 19th through the 30th. Holliday has been making music for more than 20 years, but is best remembered for her 1982 hit single And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going from Dreamgirls. In 1982, she earned herself a Tony Award for her role as Effie in the Broadway musical. She has also appeared on Broadway in Your Arm's Too Short to Box with God, and Sing, Mahalia, Sing. While starring on Broadway, Holliday released several successful pop albums, spawning numerous hits including I Am Love and No Frills Love. In more recent years, she has continued to top the dance charts with hits like I'm On Your Side, A Woman's Got the Power, and Think It Over. As for Wallace, he is the winner of the American Comedy Award for Best Stand-Up Comedian, has been featured in his own HBO special, One Night Stand, and has appeared in several major motion pictures including the Coen Brothers' hit The Ladykillers opposite Tom Hanks and Marlon Wayans. George has appeared on numerous television shows including Oprah, The Tonight Show, and the Late Show with David Letterman. He is currently in his fifth year as a headliner at the Flamingo, where he performs shows suitable for all ages at 10 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. For ticket information please call (702) 733-3333. 
Jennifer Holliday 
Jill Seagrave 
AIDA * * * * * * From proud papa Jim Seagrave comes this information regarding his (and Jan's) daughter, Jillian Seagrave. Jim, Vice President of Advertising for Coast Casinos, passes along these reviews of Jill's performance in Noel Coward's Hay Fever, recently performed at the Altarena Playhouse in Alameda, California. From the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune , comes this item..."Politely sexy, magnificently costumed and produced, and downright hilarious are apt descriptions of "Hay Fever. Jackie Coryton, portrayed by musical comedy veteran Jillian Seagrave, adds contrasting shyness as the guest of Judith's novelist husband, David Bliss. And the Berkeley Daily Planet described the production by saying, "The timing of the ensemble becomes as complicated in its own way as a Busby Berkeley floorshow. There's a mathematical precision to Sir Noel's survey of giddy imprecision," while the Alameda Sun writes, "Seagrave never gives her brow a rest in her constant state of confusion and perfects the mannerisms of the reticent individual." Bravo, Jill!
* * * * * * From loyal and sharp-eyed reader Merrick Wolfe (who is a show business type) comes this correction on something that overtired and stressed out Cousin Claire wrote a couple of weeks ago... You've probably already been told, but if not: Estelle Getty did not play Harvey Fierstein's mom in the movie version of Torch Song Trilogy. That was Anne Bancroft. I LOVE Anne Bancroft (may she rest in peace). Thank you, Mr. Wolfe. You were the only one who called that error to Cousin Claire's attention. Guess that means that you win the prize (TBA).
* * * * * * Check out Xavier Blues at Lucille's in The District, tonight and tomorrow night from 6 to 10 p.m. The trio is the perfect mix to accompany the barbecue delicacies served up at Lucille's. (Our personal favorite is the Garden Burger.) * * * * * * Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida opened at Spring Mountain State Park on Wednesday. Part of the Super Summer Theatre series, Aida will play tonight and tomorrow (August 15th and 16th), as well as Wednesdays through Saturdays, August 20th through 23rd and 27th through 30th. This production, directed by Steve Huntsman, choreographed by Keith Dotson, and musical directed by Shauna Oblad, will star Tai Lewis as Aida, Brandon Albright as Radames, and Nicole Riding Bell as Amneris. Gates to the theater and parking open at 6 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. There is an entrance fee of $5 per vehicle to enter the park, but this fee is waived for Super Summer Theatre patrons arriving AFTER 5 p.m. Shows start a few minutes after 8. There will be no intermission during the two hour performance. Aida offers an exciting family experience (children five and under are admitted free). You can bring dinner, snacks, beverages, blankets or standard patio chairs, but no low beach chairs, high back chairs, or reclining loungers. It is strongly suggested that you take a sweater, jacket, or blanket along (really!), as temperatures are typically 10 to 20 degrees cooler at the Ranch than they are in the city. Leave the pets at home for this one. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased in person at Prestige Travel (located in Smith's Shopping Center, Rampart and Lake Mead), or at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall Box Office, online at http://UNLVtickets.com, or by calling (702) 895-2787. Tickets at the gate are $15 (if available). * * * * * * Pancake lovers take note...There is a new pancake on Hash House A Go Go's menu for the month of August. In an effort to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and its upcoming Walk to Cure Diabetes on Oct. 11, Hash House A Go Go is running the special pancake promotion featuring the Motor City MoJo, which was created specially to benefit the organization. Just for the month of August, Hash House is donating $2 from the sale of every Motor City MoJo pancake to JDRF. Created by Michigan natives Monica and Joe (MoJo) Garin, the cinnamon-crusted buttermilk pancake features freshly sliced bananas in every bite and is served with Chef Anthony Vidal's homemade strawberry jam. For nut-lovers, pecans are an added option to this delicious creation. Hash House A Go Go brings farm fresh food with a funky, modern twist to the locals and visitors of Las Vegas. The well known restaurant puts its own unique spin on dining, making it an experience like no other. Hash House A Go Go is about having a good time - sophistication with no pretension. Personally, we love this place. It is a real, not to be rushed experience and a great place for a birthday party. Warning: go hungry! The restaurant serves lunch daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Hash House A Go Go is open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and until 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is located at 6800 West Sahara Avenue. For reservations, call (702) 804-4646, or visit www.hashhouseagogo.com. * * * * * * To the somewhat anonymous person who sent the e-mail regarding our articles about COLABO and the Billie Holiday project, if anyone had sent an explanation of the starts and stops, date and cast changes, and the other very strange and questionable things regarding this show, we would have been more than happy to follow up on it. Instead, we received a phone call from Troy Adams (or whoever he is) attempting to intimidate by threatening to sue. We were lied to by people at COLABO and possibly by the short-lived leading lady (who, by the way is an acquaintance rather than a friend of Cousin Claire's). When something smells rotten, it probably is...and all of this has a really bad odor. And, dear mystery writer, your high school English teacher would have a stroke if he or she saw your pitiful excuse of a letter.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Derrick Barry Spears Terry Fator Mad Dog Michael Darrin And The Clowns Char
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 - July 25, 2008
 Michael Darrin  Paula Abdul  Gerry McCambridge Services for Michael Darrin, who died on July 2nd following a debilitating illness, will take place at noon on Tuesday, July 29th, at Oasis Christian Church, 10450 Gilespie Street in Las Vegas. Attendees are requested to wear something purple, black or even grey, as these were Michael's favorite colors. The Emmy-winning choreographer/costume and lighting designer, who never stopped being creative (even to the lighting in his hospital room), had one last wish before he left this world. Michael wanted the facility where his memorial would be held to be "filled with flowers." It is hoped that friends will try to honor those wishes. Cousin Claire would like to see Paula Abdul, who neither attended or contributed anything (not even a note) to the fundraising benefit held for Michael at Krave on July 24th of 2006, come through on this one. We feel it is the very least that she could, and should, do, considering that it was Michael who created her groundbreaking music video, Cold Hearted Snake (the video debuted at No. 1), as well as worked with Abdul on a dance number for the 17th Annual American Music Awards, earning them, along with Dean Barlow, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography in 1990. Last Friday's memorial service for entertainer Jason Scott (real name, Jason Scott Ogilvie) attracted a handful of friends, including fellow performer, Gerry McCambridge, The Mentalist. McCambridge and Scott shared a dressing room during last year's taping of the NBC reality series, Phenomenon. Scott dropped out of the show before the finals took place. Jason Scott was a strolling mentalist and frequent performer at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, the Palms Playboy Club, and at celebrity events and private parties, primarily in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Jason, a California native, was found dead in his home on July 15th. He was only 33. For those who would like to acknowledge Jason's life and death, donations in his memory may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas, P.O. Box 26689, Las Vegas, NV 89126. Gerry McCambridge, now in his second year at Hooters, performs in the Night Owl Showroom at the East Tropicana Hotel Casino, 7 p.m. every night but Friday. Call (866) 584-6687. * * * * * * Jeanne Brei & The Speakeasy Swingers got off to a good start on their first Saturday night gig at Bugsy's Supper Club. Bugsy's, located at 6145 W. Sahara at Jones (southwest corner), was jumping on July 19th, with musicians including 87-year-young Don Hill (musical director of the Treniers for 55 years who toured with Louis Armstrong for three years before that!) on sax, Ty Lemley (formerly with Guy Lombardo) on bass, Bruce Harper (toured with 10th Avenue Jazz Band) on drums, George Pollock (piano), Bob Scann (trombone), Michael Ray Tyler (trumpet), and Jeanne Brei on vocals. The sit-ins included Shades of Sinatra's Larry Liso, who sang Night & Day, and Cousin Harry Walker from the Treniers who did Walkin' My Baby Back Home. Some of the folks who came to enjoy the ambiance included corporate entertainer Kiki Kalor and Mark Bowers, Boyd and Jeanne Coulter (Boyd has a trio that Ty plays in at a senior center on Fridays), harmonica player Charles Linn Fraher, former local TV hostess Mimi Williams, Phylis David, David and Stella Forbes, Joy and Mel Johnson, Patricia Hudson, Andrea Gross, Christina Muentes, Elsie Schreuder, David Atwell, Eugene Markoff and Irene Kay, Ada Brei and Gloria Hill, Don's wife. This week, Charlie Shaffer will be back on piano and almost everyone from last week is confirmed and some surprise drop-ins are anticipated. On August 9th, 16th, 30th and September 6th, drummer Bruce Harper (the sub for Jim Racey) will be bringing going to bring his Big Band to Bugsy's. If you'd like one of the top tier booths for dining, be sure and call (702) 871-7194 to reserve your booth. Chef Jeremy Rallo is introducing his new menu, so come for the show, dinner and dancing (there‘s a large dance floor). It's old Vegas with a new twist! No cover, no minimum. 
Charlie Shaffer 
Estelle Getty 
Larry Edwards & Estelle Getty * * * * * * We are saddened to report the death of actress Estelle Getty. Getty made a number of films. On stage and in the movie, Getty played the mother of Harvey Fierstein in his Torch Song Trilogy, but her best known role was as the feisty and funny Sophia Petrillo on the TV series Golden Girls. Based on the last couple of years of Getty's life, as she suffered from severe dementia, we feel that the lady, as we knew her, really died two years ago...she just stopped breathing on July 22nd, three days short of her 85th birthday. Thanks for the laughs, Estelle Getty. Rest in peace. Artist Marty Kreloff had this to tell us about the late Estelle Getty... We just learned our dear friend for many years Estelle Getty died today. Estelle was one of our closest friends during our years in LA. I painted several portraits of Estelle along with her beloved cat Mazel. She even taught my partner Tim Olsen to make matzo brei. Every year on her birthday, July 25th, she would throw a giant bash at her home. Lots of the most famous TV and stage stars would perform for Estelle and her guests after dinner. Several years ago, as Estelle was starting to fade, and her memory going, her sons made a small party for her at her apartment in Hollywood. As we came in Estelle was frail and seated in a straight back chair. Standing on one side was Betty White, and on the other, Esther Williams. I walked over hoping she would remember me. She lit up, and told Betty and Esther, " Marty's the best artist I know." I will never forget that moment or our friend Estelle Getty. At the official opening of his one-man exhibit tonight (Triq Ultralounge at the Steve Wyrick Theatre at Planet Hollywood), Kreloff will toast the memory of his dear friend on what would have been her birthday. And, from Tina Turner impersonator, Larry Edwards, comes this note (and photo)... Estelle Getty will be truly missed. I had the opportunity to meet Estelle in Los Angeles at the El Rey theater. Estelle adored female impersonators. Every female impersonator in the country would watch the Golden Girls because of their wit and humor. We're going to miss Estelle. Thank you for being a friend!! Perfect song!!
In a testament to her ability as an actress, it might surprise many to know that, although she played the senior member in the Golden Girls household, Getty was, in fact, the youngest of the lead cast members. Bea Arthur, who portrayed Dorothy on the show, is 86;74 year-old Rue McClanahan, as Blanche, is the youngest at 74; and like Bea Arthur, Betty White who played Rose, is also 86. Among Estelle Getty's many mourning friends, is Michael Orland, associate musical director for American Idol. Orland appeared here at The Orleans last New Year's Eve, where he accompanied Filipino singer Imelda Papin and her special guest star singer/songwriter David Pomeranz. Orland also recently appeared on The View, playing for this season's popular Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, during the show's Las Vegas week. Michael is currently the musical director with Idols in Concert, now at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Nikko Hotel. Through August 30, a number of Idol's former competitors, including (in alphabetical order) Christina Christian, Frenchie Davis, Julia DeMato, Gina Glocksen, Mikalah Gordon, Justin Guarini, RJ Helton, David Hernandez, Kimberly Locke, Constantine Maroulis, Brandon Rogers, Rickey Smith, Vonzell Solomon, Trenyce, and Camile Velasco - are performing in groups of three and four, in an intimate, cabaret-style setting. For the schedule of the individuals, you can call (415) 394-1189. * * * * * * TheaterMania's reviewer, Sandy MacDonald, had this to say about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, playing at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts, through August 2nd... Watching the Cape Playhouse cobble together a musical in just two weeks is like seeing a magician pull a fast one: How is it possible to muster such fine production values, not mention superlative performances, on so stringent a schedule? Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, enjoying its first regional production here under Mark Martino's sure-handed direction, is a perfect example of what this 81-year-old institution does so brilliantly. It also augurs well for the imminent small-stage dissemination of this 2005 Broadway hit by David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane. The Playhouse is lucky to have a consummate pro like Brent Barrett playing continental smoothie Lawrence Jameson. Barrett gets to use every demisemiquaver of his marvelous voice -- along with a panoply of accents -- in songs both comic ("All about Ruprecht," "Ruffhousin' mit with Shuffhausen") and tender ("Love Sneaks In"). The fact that he's faint-worthy handsome also makes it realistic that a sentient woman like Muriel Eubanks of Omaha (the mellifluous, funny Dee Hoty) would fall for this "prance" among men, even if it means she ends up one gull among many? Brent Barrett, who recently closed out his two year run in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian, plays Lawrence Jameson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the role originated by John Lithgow on Broadway. For tickets, visit the Playhouse box office, call (508) 385-3911, or go online at cape playhouse.com. 
Brent Barrett 
Roseanne Barr 
Siameze Floyd * * * * * * Roseanne Barr, the original Desperate Housewife (thank you, Frank Marino), will wind up her four-month run at the Sahara on Wednesday night. To see the Emmy-winning funny lady before she departs Las Vegas, call (702) 737-2515 for reservations. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Don.t blame us for the fact that Wizard - The Musical Journey of Oz Composer Harold Arlen has closed, sooner then anticipated. The show was originally scheduled to run for six weeks at the Greek Isles, but called it a day in less than four. Our earlier blurb on Wizard only pointed out the obvious - a revue with the distinct advantage of great musical material by songwriter Harold Arlen, some interesting behind-the-scenes home movies shot during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, but a weak "script‘ and some possibly talented performers who just weren‘t ready for primetime. A big hurdle to overcome, even before the show opened, was one of an identity problem. Although he wrote a very, very impressive catalogue of songs that have stood the test of time (with Come Rain Or Come Shine, Blues in the Night, The Man/Gal That Got Away, Hooray for Love, One For My Baby (and One More For the Road), It's Only a Paper Moon, I.ve Got the World On a String, Let's Fall In Love, Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, That Old Black Magic, and I Love a Parade among them), the typical/average audience member is not familiar with the name Harold Arlen...until they realize he wrote the music for the Oscar-winning Wizard of Oz. If not for Mr. Arlen, there may never have been We.re Off to See the Wizard, Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead, If I Only Had a Brain, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, and of course, Over the Rainbow. Which brings up the big question...why didn.t the show title give more of a hint that it was Harold Arlen who wrote the song that just about everyone knows? Our suggestion of calling the show Over the Rainbow - The Music of Harold Arlen, or something similar, might have attracted more people to the Greek Isles Star Theater (a dandy showroom, by the way). Good word of mouth would also have helped to build an interested audience. Unfortunately, that didn.t happen. We left the show humming Is That All There Is? * * * * * * Las Vegans, Eric Floyd and his diva recording artist wife, Wanda Dee, were very surprised to learn that their multi-talented son, Siameze, will have his America's Got Talent audition aired on the popular NBC reality show this coming Tuesday. Why are they surprised? Because father Floyd (who also happens to be his sons. manager), would not allow Siameze to sign the "69 page long form 'slave' contract that the producers of Freemantle Media (the American Idol people) thrust upon them 30 minutes before his audition performance at Planet Hollywood's main showroom, as it would have given them unchallenged universal rights and ownership (in perpetuity, of course) to Siameze's name, image, likeness (etc.), leaving him in the position where he'd have to ask permission to use his own name in the future." Although daddy said "no," the audition was still a go. Siameze, called "The Godson of Rock & Soul," went out and killed the crowd...as usual. Celebrity judge, Sharon Osbourne, adored the young singer/ dancer, and Siameze was allowed to complete his entire 90-second song. Since he did not sign the contract, fellow judges Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff justified their indifference toward Siameze by suggesting that he should choose to be either a singer or dancer, but clearly not both. We have to wonder if anyone ever suggested that to Michael Jackson or his sister, Janet Jackson, or James Brown, or Prince, or Tina Turner, or Justin Timberlake, or Usher or Beyonce'? Were those artists ever forced to choose between being a singer OR a dancer? We think not. In any case, without the America's Got Talent paperwork signed, the Floyds thought for sure that Siameze's video footage would never see the light of day. Apparently, SOMEONE thought the segment would make for good television. You can decide for yourself if you tune in to America's Got Talent on Tuesday night, July 29th. Check your local TV listings for the time in your area.
* * * * * * The Composers Showcase will be a little late this month (so will spring)...mostly due to the busy work schedule of Keith Thompson, the man who, along with Michael Brennan, is behind the event. As a matter of fact, the July edition is getting in just under the wire, on Thursday night, the 31st (chances are that the evening's festivities will run into August). Presenting their original compositions for this edition of the showcase will be the above mentioned Michael Brennan (Le Reve), Vita Corimbi (Menopause the Musical), Wayne Green (Spamalot), Clint Holmes (Just Another Man), newcomer Christopher Lash, Jason Martinez, Richard Oberacker (KA), the above mentioned Keith Thompson (Jersey Boys), and Mark Wherry. Singers on the schedule as we go to press are Robin Baxter (Mamma Mia!), Natalie Bradshaw (Jersey Boys), Ben Hale (Phantom), Greg Kata (Mamma Mia!), Randal Keith (Spamalot), Julia Krohn (Jersey Boys), Savannah Smith, Lisa Wilson and Melody Wilson. Supplying the instrumental portion of the evening will be Larry Esparza, Bill Fayne, Philip Fortenberry and Mark Ziegler. Showcase takes place at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana at Spencer, beginning at 10:30 p.m. And what is it that is keeping Keith Thompson so busy these days? In addition to his work as the musical director for Jersey Boys at The Palazzo, and the Composers Showcase, Keith has been preparing his musical revue, IDAHO!, for its end of September New York debut. We have seen two readings of this clever parody of OKLAHOMA! - both at UNLV - and predict East Coast theatergoers will enjoy it as much as Southern Nevadans, especially with New Yorker Jay Rogers (Thompson's Kooky Tunes) and Rob Sutton (late of Mamma Mia!) recreating their Las Vegas performances. We will have much more on this subject as we get closer to the end of September. And speaking of showcases...On Tuesday, we attended another one of acting teacher Gerald Gordon's mini-productions. This is probably our 10th time in the audience for one of these special, by invitation only, treats. Gordon, who is a Southern California transplant, has just completed his 56th class since moving to Las Vegas in February of 1996. In the more than 50 years that he has been teaching (he started very, VERY young), Mr. Gordon has created an impressive track record. Some of his past students include Christopher Titus, Andy Lauer, Joe Flanigan, Roslyn Kind, Randolph Mantooth, Corrina Harney-Jones, Greg Grunberg, Paul LeMat, Mark Curry and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist). In Las Vegas, Gordon's all age students (ranging from 17 to 83) have included cast members from many of our city's top production shows, among them Jubilee!, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, Toni Braxton Revealed, Mamma Mia!, Zumanity, Enter the Night, Love, Skin Tight, Legends in Concert, Cirque du Soleil's Love, Showgirls of Magic, Chippendales, The Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular, At the Copa, O, Second City, Shag with a Twist, Tony n. Tina's Wedding, Folies Bergere, Mystere, Thunder from Down Under, EFX, Le Reve and Crazy Horse (formerly known as Le Femme). He has even had people who willingly traveled between San Diego, Utah, Arizona, Mesquite and Las Vegas (twice a week), just to study with him. Gordon has interviewed approximately 3,000 hopeful actors in the past dozen years. After the "Gordon test," only 688 were accepted into his classes (this guy is tough). The most recent group of hard working thespians consisted of (in alphabetical order), Lee Beffort, Daniel Berarducci, Elly Brown, Domenica Castro, Martha Corona, Michael Haayen, Luke Jones, Susan Lundt, Margarita Maliagros, Cecilia Miller, Sam Port, Forest Rall, Sameya Roocke, Cory Lee Taves, and Scott Watanabe. Each scene (there were 11 of them) offered something unique. The variety of material gave the actors the opportunity to display many emotions. Everyone did a very good job...some just "goodier" than others. We will probably regret mentioning particular individuals by name (we should have learned our lesson following the reaction of an unhappy actor after one of our earlier columns), but here we go anyway... The actors who greatly impressed us were (also in alphabetical order) Elly Brown, whose acting range - from light musical comedy to heavy, physical drama - leads us to predict big things for her; Susan Lundt, in a scene from Lanford Wilson's Ludlow Fair was excellent; Scott Watanabe, a Phantom cast member who shows there is much more to him than as just an interpreter of Andrew Lloyd Webber music; and handsome Sam Port, who has an excellent singing voice (he is in Jubilee!) also left a positive lasting impression. We would love to see Cecilia Miller perform something in her first language (which is not English). She came across as a natural, non-acting actress. And the three musical numbers were a real treat. Apparently, we weren.t the only ones impressed. From Mr. Gordon comes this follow-up..."Elly, Sam, Luke, Cory, Scott and even Cara (Cara Dace, a former student) who didn't perform - all were asked to test for a pilot for a new series, while Cory was also asked to work in a new developing stage show. I loved this group - no egos, no problems, great deal of talent and lots of love on all parts. What more could I possibly ask for from a cast, a class or any group of 15 people! I was delighted with the over-all outcome of the show." Although Gordon has said, "this is my last class," on many occasions, we predict that he will never give up teaching. The payoff of seeing his students perform after six or 12 weeks under his tutelage is too heady. The next class (of an Intermediate level) is scheduled to start sometime in August. 
Elly Brown 
Paige O'Hara 
Terrence Forsythe * * * * * * This Sunday, July 27th, from 3 to 9 p.m., the areas. newest art spot, Gallery Las Vegas, will celebrate their grand opening with a meet the artists gathering. Featuring local, national and international painters and sculptors, along with antiques, furniture, jewelry and more delights, among those with work on display will be singer/actress Paige O'Hara (currently in Menopause the Musical at the Las Vegas Hilton), journalist/former auto racer Norm Johnson, Ruel James, Rick Metzler, Vital, Beti Kristof and Evgeni Vodenitcharov. The Gallery Las Vegas is located at 5115 S. Decatur at Reno (between Tropicana and Hacienda). For additional information, call (702) 221-4868. * * * * * * Yesterday afternoon, we attended Ed Mathews. Hit Parade Show at the Suncoast. Although we were a bit disappointed not to see Mark Giovi featured in more than a couple of solo numbers (a self-penned If I Could See Tomorrow, and Puccini's beautiful Nessun Dorma), he was terrific at what he did do. We were also quite taken with musical director/drummer Gary Olds. very well done versions of Stevie Wonder's You Are the Sunshine of My Life (with high marks to pianist Cocho Arbe for his contribution), and Wheels of a Dream, the 11 o.clock number from the musical Ragtime. Guest star, Terrence Forsythe, looking snappy in yellow and white, did a fine job on his half dozen songs, with our favorites being Change the World and You and I. When the band was a little late returning to the stage (Forsythe worked to pre-recorded tracks), Terrence went into an a cappella version of My Girl, with a great save by bass player Fred Watstein (the other two musicians were Dennis Mellen on keys and Jiggs Hemsley on saxophone). The afternoon's big negative, we felt, was the stage attire worn by Hit Parade regular, Terry Lynn Pershing. OMG! This lady is in serious need of a wardrobe consultant. We do not consider ourselves to be prudish, but we are actually offended by the first garment worn by Ms. Pershing. We have to wonder who she is dressing for. It certainly can.t be the mostly senior, and mostly women, audience that fills up the room for the weekly show. This getup was way too short and too revealing. We can only hope Ms. Pershing was wearing panties, as the fabric barely covered her crotch area. If she makes the wrong move, especially while trying to perch herself on a stool, showroom attendees (especially those closest to the stage), might see a recreation of the Sharon Stone interrogation scene from the film, Basic Instinct. The getup was offensive and inappropriate, no matter what the circumstances. Being on a high stage, with the audience having to look up, presents a view that most folks would prefer to miss. Do we see (among other things we see) a "wardrobe malfunction" on the horizon? Really, Ms. Pershing (who is a bit long in the tooth to be making these kinds of fashion statements anyway, put the mini-skirts, that barely cover your nether regions, away for a night out at one of our city's ultra lounges or for an audition at Olympic Gardens. Surely you can come up with something classy, tasteful and pretty for these daytime shows at a primarily locals casino. Reminder...
On Sunday, at 2 p.m., the Performing Arts Society of Nevada presents an encore performance of the pianist Philip Fortenberry in his solo concert, Now Just Me! Don't miss this entertaining and enlightening musical offering by one of the most talented musicians you will ever see. Currently the Assistant Musical Director for Jersey Boys at Palazzo, Fortenberry‘s earlier solo concert was such an audience favorite, he is back by popular demand. If you saw the first solo concert in September, or his joint venture with cellist Lee Richey two months ago, chances are you will want to return for this show. If you missed the earlier offerings (shame on you), Sunday is your opportunity to see it. Once again, the place is the Clark County Library Theater at 1401 E. Flamingo for this special performance. Admission $15. Call (702) 658-6741, or e-mail PASNV@aol.com for reservations. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, from 1 p.m. the day of the show, subject to availability.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Michael Darrin Paula Abdul Gerry McCambridge Charlie Shaffer Estelle Getty
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
 Jason Scott  Tulara Gilbert (Virginia Lee)  Philip Fortenberry A memorial celebration for Jason Scott will be held tonight at 8 p.m., at The Ghost Bar in The Palms Las Vegas. Scott, 33, was found dead at his Summerlin home on Tuesday. For the past two years, Scott had been performing as a strolling magician/mentalist at the Palms' Playboy Club, a six-year engagement at the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay Resort &Casino. Scott earned a reputation for performing close-up mind-reading demonstrations and psychic illusions for such stars as Drew Barrymore, Clint Eastwood, Melissa Etheridge, Paris Hilton, David Spade and Keifer Sutherland. He performed at celebrity birthday bashes for Steven Spielberg, Sting and Boston Celtics co-captain Paul Pierce. He also toured extensively, performing for such diverse corporate clients as Anheuser-Busch, The Fiesta Bowl and the Texas Bankers Association. Las Vegas Review-Journal television columnist Christopher Lawrence described Scott's act as "a little bit scary." And while Brad Pitt noted, "This guy has some serious talent," Kevin Costner added, "People like this cannot exist." Scott's personal manager, Clinton Ford Billups Jr., said Scott recently returned from a weekend engagement in Boston and had been complaining of stomach problems. Friends wishing to attend the memorial celebration are requested to RSVP by calling Billups at (702) 837-1170. And yet more sad news. From former Las Vegan Gale Baker (Donn Arden's Hallelujah Hollywood at the then MGM Grand (now Bally's), and Frankie Carr's Novelites) comes this information...Steve Harmon, a dear friend to all dancers, was New York born and bred, danced in NY, with Juliet Prowse and was a close friend of her first husband. He was also one of the "New York Nine," as we referred to ourselves as we came to open Hallelujah Hollywood when the hotel was built. He was a wonderful dancer and a delightful host and friend. He also starred as Ensign Frank Pulver in NBC's 1965-66 Mr. Roberts TV series. Steve, who had been living in Hawaii for more than 10 years, left us last week. He will be missed by all he touched as a loving, giving delightfully funny human being. His real and first professional name was Johnnie Harmon. During the Hallelujah Hollywood days, it was friend Jerry Grasse who understudied Steve's role as the Boy Next Door. If you ever saw the original production, you may have seen him always as the classy dancer in tux, white tux or tails and top hat. Steve was a wonderful dancer and a great friend. He was a child star on Broadway and a sought-after New York model. Among his many shows were Happy Hunting with Ethel Merman, and Ziegfeld Follies with Tallulah Bankhead, both on Broadway. On television, he appeared on the Perry Como Show, Ed Sullivan and the Bell Telephone Hour, singing and dancing with such stars as Liza Minnelli, Carol Lawrence and Carol Haney. Steve portrayed Ensign Frank Pulver in the television series Mister Roberts with Roger Smith and in the 1970s, had a running part on the soap opera Another World. He also had guest roles on the series Occasional Wife, with Michael Callan and Patricia Harty; That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and, most recently, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, with Melissa Joan Hart and Caroline Rhea. His movie career included The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band, in which he was paired with Goldie Hawn in one of her first movies. Harmon later entered real estate in Los Angeles before retiring to the Big Island and then Honolulu. Among his hundreds of friends worldwide are Honolulu's Wisa D'Orso and Jim Hutchison, both of whom appeared with Harmon on Broadway and in live television shows. Steve is survived by a cousin, Lorry Cavanaugh of Las Vegas. At Steve's request, services will be private and his ashes scattered at Lanikai Beach where he kayaked regularly. We are also sorry to report the death of octogenarian, Tulara Gilbert, who died last Friday after a brief illness. Tulara, who also used the name Virginia Lee, had been a Las Vegan for close to 50 years. Along with her husband George Gilbert, the former acro-dancer performed numerous times on the Ed Sullivan show in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Sullivan was so impressed, he let Tulara do an almost unheard of eight minutes of her act. Gilbert also opened for Frank Sinatra at the London Palladium, played the New York Palace, and, in 1950, appeared as herself, with June Haver, Gordon MacRae and Debbie Reynolds in the film, The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady and, between 1953 and 1958, appeared a number of times on the TV series, Death Valley Days. In recent years, the outgoing Tulara Gilbert traveled around the city, entertaining other seniors in assisted living facilities and retirement communities. There will be no services for Gilbert who was 85 at the time of her passing. She is survived by many friends and her son, George, who makes his home in Las Vegas. * * * * * * Due to popular demand, pianist Philip Fortenberry will do an encore of his Now Just Me recital, first performed at the Clark County Library last September. Coming from humble beginnings, Fortenberry views his musical ability as a gift. He began playing piano at age four and by seven was pianist for his church in Columbia, Mississippi. He cultivated a background in classical music and continued to study when he moved to New York City. As an accomplished musician and performer, Philip Fortenberry has built an impressive list of credits during his career. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Early in his career, Philip was musical director and on-stage pianist for the popular off-Broadway revue, Forbidden Broadway. Later he was musical supervisor for London's West End version of the show. Philip has also played for a number of Broadway productions and national tours, including Ragtime, Sideshow, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Seussical -The Musical, Thou Shalt Not, The Book of Love, and The Lion King. He also toured the U.S. and Canada in concert performances of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber starring Michael Crawford. As an accompanist, Philip's expertise has associated him with many artists from varying musical genres. He has performed from Carnegie Hall to the White House, from Edna Baptist Church, to Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Philip has been featured in Lincoln Center's Meet the Artists series and, in 1990, before a nationwide television audience, he accompanied internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade at the White House for the Summit Conference between George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev. He also performed at the United Nations' 40th Anniversary Celebration and, in 1996, accompanied the late Broadway star, Laurie Beechman, at the 70th birthday celebration for Lady Margaret Thatcher in Washington, D.C. In Las Vegas, Philip has played for several theater productions, including Hairspray, We Will Rock You,and Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, was the Associate Conductor for Mandalay Bay's Mamma Mia! and is now the Assistant Musical Director for Jersey Boys. For this repeat performance, Philip will play a combination of Classical war horses (Chopin Ballades, Liszt Etudes, Rachmaninoff Preludes) and lighter fair ala Liberace (Chopsticks, Sabre Dance, Malaguena, some Chopin Etudes, Nocturnes). He tells stories about his life and career and talks about some of the artists he has had the pleasure of playing for - Donna McKechnie, Betty Buckley, Madonna and Katharine Hepburn among others. Fortenberry will also play a few impromptu arrangements of some of the Broadway songs from shows he has either originated or taken on tours. Finally, he plays a piece at the end that he composes in the moment...something you hear as it is being created, and will never hear again!. As a solo artist, Philip is a captivating performer. Through his music, you will experience a variety of musical styles, from classical to Broadway to traditional and inspirational. You'll warm to the familiar and delight at his creative arrangements and original works. Philip's exceptional talent, unassuming style, and winsome ways offer audiences an unforgettable entertainment experience that heads straight for the heart. This is a unique concert, played by a master at his craft. It is definitely not your average classical recital. The encore of Now Just Me takes place on Sunday, July 27th, at 2 p.m. The library theater is located at 1401 E. Flamingo. Tickets for Now Just Me are $15. For further information call the Performing Arts Society's office at 702-658-6741. Tickets will also be available on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at the library theater box office beginning at 1 p.m. * * * * * * From the talented David Pomeranz comes this current news...American Idol's Clay Aiken has included a beautiful version of Pomeranz's classic song, It's In Every One of Us, as a bonus track on his latest album, On My Way to Here. (Check for it before purchase.) Also, last night, on MTV's Randy Jackson presents America's Best Dance Crew, Missy Elliot sang David Pomeranz's One Minute Man. Among his many hits, singer/songwriter Pomeranz wrote The Old Songs and Tryin' to Get The Feeling Again, both biggies for Barry Manilow. David Pomeranz has appeared in Las Vegas at the Stirling Club, The Orleans, and the Wyrick Theatre. Cousin Claire feels he should be performing here on a more regular basis. 
David Pomeranz 
Clay Aiken 
Giovanna Sardelli * * * * * * Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series presents the world premiere of Rajiv Joseph's Animals Out of Paper, directed by Giovanna Sardelli. Previews began on Monday, July 14th at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre on Broadway at 76th Street. Animals Out of Paper will feature Utkarsh Ambudkar, Kellie Overbey, and Jeremy Shamos. The "official" opening night is Monday, August 4th at 7 p.m. When a world renowned origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his school teacher, she finds that life and love can't be neatly arranged in this drama about finding the perfect fold. Animals Out of Paper was commissioned through the Time Warner Commissioning Program at Second Stage Theatre, and is the first play to be produced through the program. Previously, Giovanna directed Rajiv Joseph's play All This Intimacy as part of the 2006 Second Stage Uptown Series. She is an Artistic Associate with The Lark Play Development Center, where her credits include their benefit performance of Earth Girls Are Easy starring Kristen Chenoweth, and the BareBones productions of Apple Cove by Lynn Rosen and Bromius Beaujolais by David Rosenthal. Directing credits include Adriana Sevan's one-woman show Taking Flight (Sundance Theater Lab, L.A.'s Kirk Douglas Theatre); Huck & Holden by Rajiv Joseph, Cherry Lane Theatre; Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck, Theatre Workshop of Nantucket; Apple Cove, Todd Mountain Theater Project; Back From The Front by Lynn Rosen; and The Seagull, The Three Sisters (a collaboration with Mud/Bone and Studio Tisch), among others. She was the Staff Repertory Director for The Acting Company for whom she directed The Tempest, and spent two seasons as Director of the Shakespeare Sedona Institute. Animals Out of Paper is performed at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre (Broadway & 76th Street) through Sunday, August 17 on the following schedule: Tuesday-Saturday at 8:00pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, and Sunday at 3:00pm. NOTE: There are no matinees on Wednesday, July 16 and July 23, and no performance on Tuesday, August 5. Tickets can be purchased at the Second Stage Theatre Box Office (307 West 43rd Street) or by calling (212) 246-4422. Advance tickets are not available at the McGinn/Cazale Theater. Single tickets are $50; advance youth tickets (age 25 and under) are $20; and student RUSH tickets are $10 (available 30 minutes prior to curtain). For more information, please visit www.2ST.com * * * * * * The work of Martin Kreloff will be on display in the Triq Lounge of the Steve Wyrick Theatre at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, beginning next Friday, July 25th. The one man show, focusing on Kreloff's classic movie star portraits, will launch with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can have a little wine or champagne, meet Mr. Kreloff, and enjoy the creative talent of the artist. Kreloff will happily sign posters purchased at the event. The exhibit is expected to remain at Triq for several months. Head to Planet Hollywood‘s Miracle Mile Shops. Have a bite to eat. See a show. Do some shopping. And check out the work of Martin Kreloff. 
Martin Kreloff's "Psycho" 
Shades of Sinatra * * * * * * Shades of Sinatra is a fast-paced, energetic celebration of the life and music of a legend. Not an impersonation, this show's unique characters reverently salute Frank Sinatra and his distinguished career, sharing poignant stories and witty anecdotes, and interpreting some of the greatest American songs of the 20th century. It is exactly this appeal that led the Entertainment Consumers Exchange of Las Vegas to name Shades of Sinatra "Tribute Show of the Year" in 2007, and the reason the one and only Don Rickles asked the group to open for him at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas last fall. Backed by an incredible five-piece band, this four-member cast - Ryan Baker, Larry Liso, Carmine Mandia, and Lisa Smith - spanning all age groups and backgrounds, has attracted and entertained enthusiastic crowds all over Las Vegas. Don't miss Shades of Sinatra at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin, this Sunday, July 20th, at a 3 p.m. matinee. Call (702) 240-1333 or (702) 363-9709 for reservations and/or information. Speaking of Shades, and we were, it's busy Gary Olds behind the drums on this gig at the Starbright. On Tuesday, once again, it was the Gary Olds Trio who supplied the music for F.I.O.R.E.'s (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events) 4th anniversary luncheon/party. With Chuck Hoover on piano (Hoover is Rich Little's musical director) and Danny De Morales on bass, Take 1 was filled with music. Obviously needing very little sleep, Olds also is part of the Tommy Thompson Project, currently playing Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Square Apple on East Sahara. Olds joins Thompson, Teddy Davis Jr., and Jeannie Snow at the cozy club located at 1000 E. Sahara. The Square Apple was formerly Keys and, until recently, Just Jazz. 
Gary Olds 
Nelson Sardelli & Michaelina Bellamy And speaking of F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events), approximately 120 people turned out at Ben Ardito's Take 1 Nightclub on Tuesday for a luncheon to celebrate the four year anniversary of the non club club. There was roses and chocolates for the ladies, food and drink for all, prizes, and music and entertainment. Accompanied by the Gary Olds Trio (see paragraph above), among those entertaining were Allen Tramont, Nik Mastrangelo, Jeanne Brei, Artie Schroeck and his bride Linda November, Michaelina Bellamy, Dr. George Ritter, Nelson Sardelli, and others. In our opinion, the musical highlights were Mastrangelo, Schroeck and Bellamy. Michaelina brought the crowd to their feet with her rendition of The More I See You. By popular demand, she did a dandy version of One Note Samba, joined by Sardelli for a chorus or two. Nelson also did a bang up job on Quondo, Quondo and Begin the Beguine. Enjoying the afternoon, we spotted Joan and Mark Tully Massagli, Felix Silla, Frank Grata, Don and Gloria Hill, Arleen Gibson, Lou Toomin, Jane Noble, Steve Filippino (Phillips), Chick Hughes, Judy Coco, Peggy (Mrs. Sonny) King, Rolando Larraz, Andrea Gross, Robert Ensler, Gus Mancuso and Maggie Peterson Mancuso, Conrad and Marilyn Villella and Ada Brei among the crowd. Comic Cork Proctor, who now makes his home in Southern California, did his Cork Proctor thing and talked a bit about the memory garden planned to honor the late comic, Bernie Allen. Cork is more than pleased with the response for funds to plant trees in one of the county parks. Thanks to the generosity of friends in the entertainment community, the spot (to be announced next week) will probably include a number of trees, along with a bench (or two) and even a plaque of some sort. * * * * * * From Mark Giovi comes this message...I want to thank you all for being so supportive of my singing career. I am sorry and disappointed I will not be performing with the Las Vegas Tenors any longer. I have a new show I am working on and a few new ideas for some other things. I hope you will come and check it out. I will be a guest in the Thursday Hit Parade Show at the Suncoast on July 24th and will be at MacDonald Ranch on August 15th performing the new show, called Songs of the Century. I hope to see you soon, and I love you all. For those that don't know, Mark Giovi was one of the founding members of the Las Vegas Tenors, and has been an ongoing principal cast member of Bite, playing at the Stratosphere. 
Mark Giovi 
Tammy Tilley 
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels * * * * * * Nancy Archer, who was with Boyd Gaming before retiring to Ohio almost two years ago, is mighty proud of her daughter, author Tamara Tilley. Tamara, called Tammy by her family and friends, has just released her third Christian inspired romance novel, Criminal Obsession. She resides at Hume Lake Christian Camps in the Sequoia National Forest with her husband, Walter, and their two sons, Christopher and John. The Tilleys have served on full-time staff at Hume for more than eleven years. Tamara manages one of the retail stores which serves thousands of kids visiting the conference center on a daily basis. Tammy completed twelve years of home schooling with the graduation of their youngest son in 2005. Tamara's hobbies include scrap-booking, designing greeting cards, making jewelry, and enjoying God's creation from her front porch. The busy wife and mothers' two earlier books are titled Full Disclosure and Abandoned Identity. Cousin Claire has great respect for REAL writers (as opposed to those who do frivolous gossip-type writing for fun and very little profit) and anyone who manages to get a REAL book published. Congratulations, Tammy. Keep up the good work. And speaking of books...Join Frank Marino, Larry "Hot Chocolate" Edwards and Kris Coe at Get Booked in Las Vegas, this Tuesday July 22nd at 8 p.m., as they promote Cooking Doesn't Have To Be A Drag! Volume 1 by Stephen J. Bieniek in Las Vegas !!!! The one of a kind drag queen cookbook features easy, tasty recipes with the humor and art of the best drag queens around. Starting with a foreword from the comedian ANT, this tome is a collection of recipes created and collected by Bieniek, as well as from the drag queens themselves. With more than 50 unique photos, well over 100 recipes, and quotes throughout, Cooking Doesn't Have To Be A Drag! is a 120 page, full color 8"x10" coffee table book available in soft cover and hardcover with dust jacket. In addition to Marino, Edwards and Coe, this clever and enjoyable cookbook also features contributions from Jackie Beat (who guest-starred at New York - New York with Roseanne Barr last year), Teri Yaki, Mercedes, Frida Lay, Buffy & Bimbo-The Fabulous Makeover Girls, Veronica Fake, Sherry Vine, Spanky, Mimi Imfurst, Misty Eyez, Alisson Gothz, Sylvia O'Stayformore, Tori Lynn, Glitz Glamour, Raven Glitters, Disco Dollie, Pandora, Mizz Cori, and Ms. Coco Kane (don‘t you just love these names?). Proceeds from this project will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Get Booked is located in the Fruit Loop, at 4640 South Paradise Road #15. Cooking Doesn't Have To Be A Drag! can also be ordered online through www.getbooked.com (you can bring your copy to Get Booked for autographs). For additional information, call (702) 737-7780. * * * * * * Back to Brent Barrett for a moment or two (I do believe he has been mentioned here before)...For those who only know Brent as the Phantom in The Venetian's spectacular, take this (partially lifted from the Internet). America's longest running professional summer theatre, The Cape Playhouse, will proudly present the regional debut of Broadway's recent hit musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as their third summer offering with a stable of Broadway talent including Brent Barrett, Dee Hoty, Perry Ojeda, Stephanie Youell, Heather Parcels and John Scherer when the production opens on Monday, July 21st. The winner of numerous theatrical awards and nominations, Jeffrey Lane and David Yazbek's side-splitting musical will be directed by Mark Martino, choreographed by Dennis Jones (Legally Blonde) with musical direction by Phil Reno (The Producers and The Drowsy Chaperone) and will play the Massachusetts theatre institution for a strictly limited engagement July 21st through August 2nd. Broadway audiences who travel to Cape Cod during the summer will not be disappointed to see matinee heart-throb Barrett, who most recently starred in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian. On Broadway he has been seen as Billy Flynn in the Tony Award-winning hit, Chicago - The Musical for which he received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award. Brent received an Olivier Award nomination for his starring role in the London premiere of Kiss Me, Kate, which was recorded for PBS. Other Broadway roles include Tony in the revival of West Side Story, Frank Butler in the revival of Annie Get Your Gun opposite Reba McEntire, Charles Castleton in the Alan Jay Lerner musical Dance a Little Closer, Baron Felix Von Gaigern in Grand Hotel, Maximillon in Candide, and Tommy Albright in New York City Opera's Brigadoon. He also starred in the City Center Encores! production of The Pajama Game and as King Arthur in the Paper Mill Playhouse's Camelot. Off-Broadway credits include Closer Than Ever, March of the Falsettos, The Death of Von Richtofen, The Time Of Cuckoo, and Portrait of Jenny. Brent received acclaim as a soloist with the Boston Pops, Minnesota Opera, Opera Pacific, Michigan Opera, Kentucky Opera, and at Carnegie Hall. Solo albums include The Alan Jay Lerner Album and The Kander and Ebb Album. Other recordings include Brigadoon, Grand Hotel, Dance a Little Closer, Closer Than Ever and The Maury Yeston Songbook. On television and in film Brent was featured in The Producers, Hercules, Longtime Companion, All My Children, Another World, and Guiding Light. In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Barrett plays the role of Lawrence Jameson. The Cape Playhouse is located in Dennis, Massachusetts, at 820 Route 6A. For tickets and more information call (508) 385-3911. * * * * * * Bill Nolte, who brilliantly played the pigeon-raising Nazi in The Producers in Las Vegas, recreates the role at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine, through August 9th. (Ogunquit, which means Beautiful Place by The Sea in the language of the Algonquin Indians, is an artsy resort village located 66 miles north of Boston.) The winner of a dozen Tony Awards, Mel Brooks' Producers mocks Broadway traditions while taking no prisoners, as it proclaims itself an equal opportunity offender! Max Bialystock, Leo Bloom, Roger DeBris, Carmen Ghia, Ulla and, of course, Franz, sing and dance their way through one of the greatest show biz scams that ever was! 
Bill Nolte as Franz Liebkind 
Judy Tenuta 
Lucie Arnaz * * * * * * Judy Tenuta comes into The Improv at Harrah's July 22nd through the 27th. Known by her fans as "The Love Goddess" (or the "multi-media Bondage Goddess," "Aphrodite of the Accordion," "Fashion Saint," "Empress of Elvis Impersonators," and "Princess of Panty Shields"), Tenuta's persona encourages fans to convert to her own personal religion, "Judyism," and in 1991, even published her first book, The Power Of Judyism, on the subject. That was followed up with an audio CD version in 1999. Aside from her own stand-up work, she has been featured in several "Weird Al" Yankovic productions, including The Weird Al Show, and the music videos for Headline News and White & Nerdy. It was a series of MTV ads in the mid-1980s, which became popular and gained her a loyal following. Tenuta has done a lot of voiceover work, including that of Edna on Duckman, Black Widow on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and as herself on Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. In 1988, Judy conceived, produced, and starred in the film Desperation Boulevard. Tenuta is an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) rights, and frequently appears at gay pride rallies and events. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, to an Italian father and Polish mother, Judy was briefly married to comic Emo Philips. And speaking of marriage, if you go to see Judy Tenuta next week, you can kill two birds with one ticket. Bring your marriage license, your own rice or birdseed, and a witness or two, as Judy is now an ordained minister. Check out the comedy and get married by The Love Goddess, Judy Tenuta. Also sharing the Improv stage with Tenuta, are Jeff Capri and Adam Richmond. For Improv reservations, call Harrah's at (702) 369-5111. * * * * * * Nevada Public Radio listeners and members have a special opportunity to support public radio while experiencing the music of legendary artist Elton John at one of his final scheduled performances of The Red Piano inside The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on July 24th and 25th. "We are so thankful to Harrah's, Caesars and AEG for pulling this together for us," said president and general manager of Nevada Public Radio, Flo Rogers. "Elton has very few engagements left this year so we feel great about the potential for this to be a successful fundraiser for Nevada Public Radio." Some of the best seats in the house are reserved for News 88.9 KNPR and Classical 89.7 KCNV listeners. Tickets to this show are $200 for members, and $225 for listeners, and can be purchased at www.knpr.org, www.classical897.org or by calling (702) 258-9595. All proceeds from tickets purchased at Nevada Public Radio Web sites or telephone number will benefit the stations. With a listeners numbering more than 150,000, Nevada Public Radio operates News 88.9 KNPR and Classical 89.7 KCNV in Las Vegas, News 90.3 KSGU in St. George, Utah, as well as rural Nevada stations in Tonopah, Panaca and Ely. Nevada Public Radio is the state's premier broadcaster of National Public Radio programming on News 88.9 KNPR, broadcasting national and regional news and discussion; and Classical 89.7 KCNV, broadcasting classical music 24 hours a day. * * * * * * After three previous sold out engagements, Lucie Arnaz has once again returned to New York City's Birdland Jazz Club. Most people know Lucie as the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. They probably know that over the years, she appeared on TV with her parents and guest starred in a number of popular series. They may even know that she made a few movies, most notably, 1980's The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond and Sir Lawrence Olivier. What they may NOT know is that Lucie Arnaz has a history with live theater and cabaret. In 1979, she starred with Robert Klein in the Marvin Hamlisch/Carole Bayer Sager musical. Over the years, Lucie has performed in Neil Simon's Lost In Yonkers, Master Class, Annie Get Your Gun, Seesaw, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and toured with Tommy Tune in My One and Only. Accompanied by her musical director, Ron Abel, Lucie, who turned 57 yesterday, will share the Birdland stage with Katharine and Joe Luckinbill, who just happen to be her children, with actor Laurence Luckinbill. Some years ago, Cousin Claire saw Lucie as an opening act at the Las Vegas Hilton. At that time, there was no denying her talent but the lady needed a producer. By now, after honing her craft in nightclubs and concert halls around the country, maybe Lucie should make a Las Vegas return...perhaps at the Suncoast. Show times for Lucie's Birdland (located at 315 W. 44th Street) performances, are tonight and tomorrow, at 8:30 and 11 p.m. For reservations, call (212) 581-3080.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Jason Scott Tulara Gilbert Virginia Lee Philip Fortenberry David Pomeranz C
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 - July 11, 2008  The Four Freshmen  Jeff Hobson  Michael Darrin We are sorry to report the death of yet another member of the Las Vegas entertainment community. Last Sunday, July 6th, musician Michael Beisner died very unexpectedly. Only 53, Beisner was probably best known for the 13 years he spent with the pioneer vocal group, The Four Freshmen. Mike was born in Denver, attended grade school in Blue Springs, Mo., and graduated from Lawrence, Kan., High School in 1973. After working with Stan Kenton and Clark Terry, Beisner attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence. He began touring in 1975. In 1982, Mike received a call that would change his musical life. Bob Flanigan, an original member of the famed Freshmen, was inviting Beisner to join the group. Mike eagerly accepted the offer and performed, recorded and toured with the group until 1995. In 1985 and 1986, the Four Freshmen were nominated for two Grammy Awards. During the last eight years, Mike worked with various geotechnical engineering firms in Las Vegas, designing and managing multiple test labs, while still performing with lifelong friends in the music business. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike's first wife, Connie; and their children, Matthew, Corbin, and Lauren, all of Las Vegas; mother, Jeanie of Yuma, Ariz.; sister, Sheri Whitfield of Lawson, Mo.; and his second wife, Terry James. Mike also leaves behind many friends and music fans. Services were held yesterday (July 10th), at Griffith United Methodist Church, 1701 E. Oakey Blvd. in Las Vegas. The family would appreciate donations to help defray service expenses. On the attached Fresh! album cover photo, the Freshmen are (from left to right) Rod Henley, Bob Flanigan, Mike Beisner and Autie Goodman. The case of the apple not falling far from the tree, and history repeating itself, certainly applies to Connie and Mike Beisner's son, Corbin. Corbin Beisner was born in Las Vegas in 1988. He started playing piano at age five and shortly thereafter began studying jazz with Rick DeBella. At 12, Corbin began studying classical piano, and also became interested in composition. He has attended summer music festivals at Interlochen, Michigan, the Mannes School of Music in New York City, the Forum Internacional de Musica in Barcelona, Spain and the Lake Como Summer Piano Academy in Lake Como, Italy. He has won numerous awards at competitions including: the MTNA state competition, the International Liszt Competition in Asuza, California, the Liberace play-alike competition, and the Premier Prize in the Forum Internacional de Musica competition. Mr. Beisner has also studied intermittently and participated in various classes with teachers such as Mykola Suk, Daniel Pollack, Leslie Howard, Fabio Bidini, William Grant Nabore, Stanislav Ioudenitch, and Luiz de Moura Castro at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut. Last year, Corbin's appearances included a January performance as the featured pianist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra. In November he presented a solo recital in Barcelona, Spain. Mr. Beisner continues to perform, compose and improvise, and plans on being a touring composer-pianist in the near future. In one of those examples of "it's a small, small world," through sheer serendipity, Mike Beisner wound up as the third owner of a customized Dodge van that he purchased from a McCarran Airport employee. The original owner of that bronze beauty? Claire Voyant!
* * * * * *
On Wednesday, we were part of a group that spent about four hours in the showroom at the Greek Isles establishment on Convention Center Drive. At 7 p.m., we were in the audience for The World's Greatest Magic Show. We are pleased to say that the Star Theater was just about full. The very funny and clever Jeff Hobson is the current host/MC, introducing magicians Joseph Gabriel, Losander, Jason Baney and Roy Shenk. This is a terrific show for the entire family, especially appealing as children 12 and younger are admitted free (when accompanied by a paying adult, at only $19.95 plus tax). And speaking of Losander, he reports that his baby daughter, Ione (born on June 20th), is doing quite well after heart surgery performed when the little one was only 10 days old. (Dirk) Losander and his magician wife, Luna Shimada, thank all of those who donated money to help with Ione's medical care. A special mention goes to The World's Greatest Magic Show's producer, Dick Feeney, and magician David Copperfield, for their very generous contributions. The magic show's opening dance number, featuring three attractive dancers - Debra, Hayley and Claire, had the unique touch of the late Michael Darrin all over it - from the costumes to the choreography. That's because it was Michael who put together the initial numbers when The World's Greatest Magic Show opened at the Sahara in October of 2003. At 9 p.m., we were in the audience for Wizard - The Musical Journey of Oz Composer Harold Arlen. This was a very different picture than the earlier magic show, with only about 80 people in attendance. Wizard celebrates the songs of Oscar-winning songwriter, Harold Arlen. You say you are not familiar with the name Harold Arlen? That may be part of the problem in marketing this show. Although anyone older than 35 probably knows many of Arlen‘s songs - among them, Hooray for Love, Get Happy, Accentuate the Positive, Shining Hour, Let's Fall In Love, This Time the Dream's On Me, My Shining Hour, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Hit the Road to Dreamland, The Man/Gal That Got Away, It's Only a Paper Moon, Blues In the Night, I've Got a Right To Sing the Blues, I Love a Parade, Stormy Weather, I've Got the World On A String, That Old Black Magic, One For My Baby, and, of course, all the music from The Wizard of Oz - they couldn't tell you who wrote them. This production, originally scheduled for a six week run, stars George Bugatti's Three Crooners and is hosted by the composer's son, Sam Arlen. We see a number of problems here, starting with the name of the show. Numerous people we spoke to thought the title was Wicked, confusing it with the Broadway musical inspired by the Wizard of Oz. Perhaps Over the Rainbow - The Musical Journey of Oz Composer Harold Arlen would have been a better choice. Maybe it would help get more people into whatever venue the revue might play in. As for the billing of George Bugatti's Three Crooners, we didn't know if that meant Bugatti had put three crooners into the show and he was just the manager, or what. How about George Bugatti and Two Crooners? At least you would know that Bugatti was actually one of the performers. With the material they have to work with, we expected to like this presentation more than we did. The show takes you from the Hollywood years, to the Cotton Club, to the Broadway stage. There is an exclusive video interview with Tony Bennett, and behind the scenes footage from the Wizard of Oz. There is Sam Arlen talking about his father's history (Sam also is an excellent sax player) . And, most important, there is the incredible music of Harold Arlen. Given all the standards that he wrote, one wonders why his name isn't as well known as Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, George and Ira Gershwin, Jimmy McHugh, Frank Loesser, Alan Jay Lerner, Sammy Cahn, Duke Ellington, Jule Styne, Gus Kahn, and others of his era. So, what's missing from Wizard? Maybe it's "heart." Maybe the performers aren't strong enough to deliver the material in an exciting, Broadway-style way. There is definitely a show using the songbook created by Harold Arlen. This just doesn't appear to be it. And as long as we're being critical, the fact that the live musicians, other than Vince Falcone at the piano, were not identified by name is unforgivable. We did recognize Fred Watstein on bass, but had no idea who the other four players were. Wizard is in for a limited run. Show times are Tuesdays through Sundays at 9 p.m. Call (702) 737-5540 for reservations.
* * * * * * Las Vegas musician Woody Woods invites Claire Voyant readers to check out http://www.myrecordlabel.net/artistdetails.php?id=679, and listen to one of his original tunes called So Smooth. That's Jamie Pomerleau, former background singer for Earl Turner and Martin Nievera, doing the "smooth" vocals. This is a music contest, so if you listen to the song and like what you hear, cast a vote for Mr. Woods. He thanks you in advance. 
Woody Woods 
Eric Michael Gillett 
Super Summer Theater's 1776 * * * * * * F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events) will celebrate their 4th anniversary/birthday with a luncheon on Tuesday, July 15th, at Ben Ardito's Take 1 Nightclub in downtown Las Vegas. We might make it known that being Italian isn't a requirement for being involved with F.I.O.R.E. (although it doesn't hurt). Like all of their previous functions, this one promises to be a memorable event. Although we are still open for some brilliant suggestions, we can guarantee that it will be lots of fun - with live music, surprise guest entertainers, dancing, flowers and chocolates for the ladies. All the 50/50 money collected will be given back as prizes, and some other prizes will be given to some lucky participant. There will be birthday cake. The luncheon (buffet style) will be first class. There will be a no host bar and there is ample parking. Doors will open (exclusively for this function) at 11:30 a.m. Usually a "boys non club club," for the birthday/anniversary get-togethers (as well as Valentine's Day and a few other special occasions), the gatherings aren't limited to just Presidents (everyone is a President at F.I.O.R.E.)...First Ladies are also invited. And Cousin Claire wants to say that the presidents know how to treat their First Ladies, plying them with roses and chocolates! Take 1 is located at 707 E. Fremont at the corner of 7th. To make a reservation, call event organizer Nelson Sardelli at (702) 646-1813, or e-mail to Sardelli or Conrad Villella at nsardelli@aol.com or conradvillella@cox.net. Just a minor detail...there is a $25 per person luncheon charge (all the widows of former presidents are F.I.O.R.E. guests). * * * * * * Eric Michael Gillett's first solo show in five years, takes him back to the stage of New York City's popular Metropolitan Room. Gillett previously presented his Hook, Line & Singer revue at the Metropolitan Room. His new show, Best of My Love, "takes a wry and moving look at the intricate ways of the heart and the universal paths we all tread as we stumble our way to true romance." Gillett's repertoire for this engagement includes an eclectic array of material, from Sondheim to Jim Brickman, the Backstreet Boys, Madonna, and beyond. Musical director is Don Rebic, with Steve Doyle on bass. A past MAC and Bistro Award-winner, Eric has an impressive history in Las Vegas. He was a principal singer in Donn Arden production shows at the MGM Grand (now Bally's) and Bill Moore and George Arnold shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, as well as in Maynard Sloate book shows at the downtown Union Plaza (now known as the Plaza). Eric, who spent more than 10 years as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Singing Ringmaster, played in Kiss Me Kate, Sweet Smell of Success and The Frogs on Broadway, appeared in the Mel Brooks' film The Producers (musical version), has a couple of solo CDs (Sing a Rainbow and Cast of Thousands, the music of Craig Carnelia), and is a favorite on the cabaret scene. If you are in the neighborhood (the Metropolitan Room is at 34 W. 22nd Street in Manhattan), check out Eric tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30, and Tuesday, July 29th, at 7 p.m. There is a $20 music charge, plus a two drink minimum for this engagement. For reservations, call (212) 206-0440.
* * * * * *
Super Summer Theater, now in its 33rd season, is currently presenting 1776, at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The production, about the roots of America, features a striking score by Sherman Edwards, and is based on the legendary book by Peter Stone. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence...if only our founding fathers can agree to it!! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. The 1969 Tony Award-winner as Best Musical, 1776, a funny, insightful and compelling drama, is produced by Stage Door Entertainment and is directed by Terrence Williams. The 1776 cast (in order of appearance): Nick Caruso (as John Adams), Jennifer King (Abigail Adams), Kevin Ruud (Benjamin Franklin), Joe Hynes (Richard Henry Lee), Jerry Brooks (Andrew McNair), Chris Yanez (Dr. Lyman Hall), Don Lance (Stephen Hopkins), Mark Weinberg (Edward Rutledge), Jerome Vital (Col. Thomas McKean), Bobby Rodgers (Caesar Rodney), Chris Mayse (John Dickinson), Joel Ruud (James Wilson), Stephen Maeder (John Hancock), Larry Linehan (Sec. Charles Thompson), Joey DeBenedetto (Thomas Jefferson), Davis Bauman (Dr. Josiah Bartlett), Stephen Rinck (George Read), Justin Tinker (Roger Sherman), Daniel Farris (Lewis Morris), Anthony Pecora (Robert Livingston), Conner McBride (Samuel Chase), Mvnte July (Joseph Hewes), Tim Doyle (Rev. John Witherspoon), Kyle Van Son (Courier), Maria May (Painter/a Leather Apron), and Lisa Marie Smith (Martha Jefferson). Terrence Williams produces and directs, Stephanie Benson is stage manager, Nancy West is music director, Dan Bernbach is vocal director, and Anthony Pecora choreographs. On Wednesday (the preview night), approximately 800 took the drive out to the mountains, very impressive numbers for a mid-week performance (not to mention gasoline prices of more than $4 a gallon). Nestled in the heart of Red Rock Canyon, 10 miles west of 215 on Charleston Ave., Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and Super Summer Theatre provide theatergoers with a special evening of relaxation, enjoyment and family-friendly entertainment. Gates open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket, or bring or rent a chair at the park. Bring your own picnic dinner or indulge in treats from the concession stand and enjoy the outdoors before settling in under the stars for some super theatre. 1776 will play Wednesdays through Saturdays, July 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at the UNLV Box Office, Prestige Travel at Lake Mead and Rampart, or online at unlvtickets.com. Children five and under are free. A limited number of tickets are available at the gate the night of the show for $15. For more information, call (702) 895-2787, or (702) 594-PLAY. See you at the Ranch. A word of advice from Cousin Claire. Take a warm jacket or coat for everyone in your party. It may be hard to believe, with temperatures in the triple digits in the Valley, after the sun sets behind the mountains at the Ranch, it gets COLD. Really! * * * * * * If you happen to be in the Florida, area, we suggest you check out Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano at the Colony Hotel Palm Beach's Royal Room. The musical duo, who happen to be husband and wife, are back at the club by popular demand. They appear at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow (July 11th and 12th). Paul Blair of Hot House Florida has this to say about the twosome..."Two of New York's brightest stars. Both Comstock and Fasano have extended their repertoires beyond the usual Great American Songbook standards to interpret fresh new material. Both have chosen wisely in picking accompanists for their latest albums (No One Knows and Written In The Stars, respectively) adding some of New York's best jazz players. They stand steps above the competition ... " Michael Gladstone, of All About Jazz, states "Comstock sports an encyclopedic, yet never snobbish, knowledge of the singers and songwriters of the American Songbook. The breathlessness of Fasano's beautiful singing comes fully through. A natural romantic interpreter of the American Songbook ... the real deal!" Cabaret Scenes magazines' Elizabeth Ahlfors writes, "The sophisticated Nick and Nora of cabaret are getting better all the time. A fresh, fast-moving mix of pop and jazz." The Colony is located at 155 Hammon Avenue. For reservations, call (561) 655-5430. 
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano 
Marc Savard 
Jeff "J. Boogie" Kelley * * * * * * What Trader Vic's at Planet Hollywood used to call the Lava Room, is now known as the LA Comedy Club. Formerly, and very briefly, the home of singer Jimmy Hopper, the upstairs room with the great Strip view, is currently the home of some funny stuff. The LA Comedy Club, at Trader Vic's inside Planet Hollywood, hosts top-notch comedians from around the country. Show times are at 7 and 9 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Purchase LA Comedy Club tickets by calling (866) 678-2582. Mondays through Thursdays, at 8 p.m., it's hypnotist Marc Savard performing in the upstairs club. Savard's family-friendly show (for audiences ages 12 and up) offers comedy, hypnosis and unpredictable fun! Ticket prices are $32 and $42, plus taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the Travelocity box office located in front of Trader Vic's in the Miracle Mile shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, or over the phone at (702) 691-9927. For more information, please visit www.marcsavard.net. * * * * * * On ABC's under-publicized Dance Machine presents "Ordinary people, extraordinary dancers" competing for $100,000. The series, which premiered on June 27th, features six real people from all walks of life who will face off in a series of one-on-one "dance-offs" to the most popular songs of all time. A 70-year-old grandmother could be competing against a 25-year-old gravedigger to the tune of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Throughout the night, contestants will be eliminated by voters in the studio audience. By the end of the evening, just two finalists will be left to challenge each other for the honor of being crowned that night's Dance Machine - and to take home $100,000 in cash. The dance reality show is hosted by Jason Kennedy of E! News, and DJ Rodney Perry spins the tunes. The premiere episode contestants were Vinny Cardinale, 25, a circus acrobat from Monterey, CA; Michelle Garcia, 28, a fashion designer from Inglewood, CA; Jeff Kelly, 23, a mixed martial artist from Las Vegas; Dan Nier, 33, a PE teacher from Rochester, NY; Sandra Purpuro, 38, a student from Clifton, NJ, and Elvis Tognia, 31, a cashier from Cameroon, Africa. The first person to win $100,000 and the Dance Machine Disco Bubble was Jeff Kelley, also known as J. Boogie. Kelley was formerly a star performer at Mandalay Bay's Kitty Club Show. Dance Machine airs on Fridays (check your local TV listings for times. * * * * * * The efforts to create a memorial spot in Sunset Park, where friends of comic Bernie Allen can gather to remember and talk about the veteran entertainer, seems to have been successful. Thanks to generous friends, the project has raised enough to create a "mini-forest" in the southeast Las Vegas park. When the dedication time is set (with a plaque and maybe even a bench or two in place), we will let our readers know the date, time and exact location. We have a feeling that Bernie would be pleased. 
Bernie Allen 
The Long Twins 
Rosario Dawson & Stomp Out Loud * * * * * * Mosaic, the six-man a cappella group that opened this year‘s Ribbon of Life for Golden Rainbow, will host and perform two exclusive 75-minute performances at Harrah's Las Vegas. This is the first time Mosaic has performed a full-length show for Las Vegas audiences. Proceeds from the Harrah's events will benefit the Public Education Foundation of the Clark County School District. The Public Education Foundation was established in 1991 as an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit Nevada corporation. Inspired by a belief that improving local public schools was too big a task for a school district to undertake alone, the Foundation partnered with the Clark County School District and strives to mobilize community and global resources to support and impact public education through initiatives, programs and promising practices designed to improve student performance and advance quality educational opportunities. "Las Vegas has been really great to us and has allowed us to achieve great success doing what we love, so we're anxious to give back to this great city," said Mosaic founder, Josh Huslig. "With all the proceeds of this event going directly back into the schools, it's an honor to be part of such a worthwhile program." Mosaic will perform in Harrah's main showroom on Sunday, July 13th at 1:30 p.m. and again Monday, July 14th at 7:30 p.m. The groups' show includes renditions from Sly and the Family Stone's Thank You, to TV tunes, and much in between. As a special presentation, high school dancers will perform alongside professional Las Vegas dancers from the Stratosphere's show, Bite, and the Rio's Show in the Sky, in a beautiful mentoring-theme routine choreographed by Katy Tate of Bette Midler's The Show Girl Must Go On. Mosaic is an instrument-free, all vocals group that blends elements of funk, jazz, hip-hop and opera. Mosaic performs regularly with comedian George Wallace at the Flamingo Las Vegas, and was recently crowned winner of CBS's The Early Show‘s search for The Next Great A Cappella Group. Tickets are $45 (plus tax and fees) and are available at the Harrah's Las Vegas box office, online at www.harrahs.com, or by calling (702) 369-5111. * * * * * * The Long Twins have joined the cast of the Tropicana‘s legendary Folies Bergere. The highly accomplished acrobatic performers, Bing and Jun Long, are one of two variety acts in the show, with juggler/comedian, Michael Holly, being the other. The Long Twins have performed as part of several production shows up and down the Las Vegas Strip. Their signature act is the barrel routine, which can be seen during their performance in Folies Bergere, but they also specialize in hoop diving, contortion rings, double pole climbing, and ring and hat juggling. The Long Twins have made several television appearances throughout their career, most recently as part of the NBC series, Celebrity Circus. They have also been special guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Penn and Teller's Sin City Spectacular and more. Bing and Jun Long have achieved several accomplishments within the acrobatic field. Career highlights include being Gold Cup winners for the International Acrobatic Competition in Monte Carlo, Silver Cup winners for the Wu Qiao International Acrobatics Festival, Bronze Cup winners for the Chinese National Acrobatic Competition and Gold Medalists for the Southwest China Regional Acrobatic Championship. The Long Twins can be seen in the Folies Bergere, performed nightly (except Sundays) at 7:30 p.m. (covered), and 10 p.m. (topless) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Tickets are $35 (plus tax and surcharge) for table seating, and $45 for booth seating (plus tax and surcharge). Tickets can be purchased through the Tropicana Box Office by calling (702) 739-2411, or by logging onto the website at www.tropicanalv.com. * * * * * * Back by popular demand...Lucy Shropshire, who lived and worked in Las Vegas for a number of years before relocating to New York, returns to the Metropolitan Room at Gotham to perform All Sides of Love. Directed by Jim Semmelman (also a onetime Las Vegan), with David Shenton on piano and Mark Wade on bass, Lucy's show dates are Tuesday, July 15th, and Sunday, July 20th, both evenings at 7. For reservations, call (212) 206-0440. Lucy Shropshire, "unusual name, unforgettable voice." * * * * * * Actress/singer Rosario Dawson recently took in Stomp Out Loud at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. After seeing the high energy show, Dawson, best known for her roles in the films, Rent, Sin City, He Got Game, Kids, and Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, posed for photos with the cast. Rosario is shown with Stomp Out Loud cast members (from left to right) Rochelle Patterson, Lynn Wactor, Rosario, Carlos Thomas, Michael Oakley, and Harmony Costa. Stomp Out Loud, blending percussion, movement and visual comedy into one unique show, plays at 7 p.m. daily. Call (702) 785-5000 for reservations. * * * * * * Due to time and space limitations, we will hold our additional/updated news about the questionable theater group, COLABO.BIZ, until next Friday. Stay tuned.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Four Freshmen Jeff Hobson Michael Darrin Woody Woods Eric Michael Gillett S
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 - July 4, 2008  Michael Darrin  Ione Losander  Spamalot On Wednesday evening, Las Vegas and the world lost another creative genius. After a valiant battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), at the age of 62, Michael Darrin passed from this life. Ironically, the brilliant dancer/choreographer/designer, was watching TV's So You Think You Can Dance when, surrounded by family and friends, he slipped away from the pain that had gripped him for the past couple of years. An Emmy Award-winner, Michael was known as a taskmaster. As hard as he was on his dancers, he was even harder on himself. Decades ago, Darrin (whose real name was James Lentini) was hit by a car while crossing Paradise Road. The fact he survived was miraculous. Even more of a miracle was the fact that he kept his leg (he fought the doctors to avoid amputation). He could be so difficult and demanding, one might wonder why dancers would return to work with him, again and again. The answer is, because of the end result. He knew exactly what he wanted, and if it took bullying to get it, that's what he gave. But, oh what he got. His shows and projects always stood out from the rest of the pack. His resume is full of mentions of awards that he won over the years. He worked with the best - including Martha Raye, Jane Powell, Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Jessica Walters, Richard Chamberlain, Diana Ross, Cher, and Lucille Ball among others. For four years, Darrin partnered the legendary Juliet Prowse all over the world, including many television appearances. He also partnered the famed Cyd Charisse, for three years, including an engagement at the London Palladium. He designed and choreographed for Miss Charisse as well. Michael did 56 Broadway and stock musical comedies and choreographed Paula Abdul's video, Cold-Hearted Snake. It was the first video to ever debut on the Top 20 Countdown, at No. 1, and remained in that position for several consecutive weeks. He received Billboards Music Video Award, as well as the American Dance Award for Best Choreography for that 1989 video. Cold-Hearted Snake was voted one of the Best 10 Videos of the Decade. Michael later collaborated with Abdul again, choreographing the outrageous opening number of the 1990 American Music Awards and also the 1990 Academy Awards. Darrin and Abdul received television's highest honor when they won the coveted Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for their American Music Awards number. Michael Darrin was also named Choreographer of the Year by Variety. He was responsible for creating, directing, choreographing, lighting and designing the extravagant costumes, for Celebration, a multi-million dollar extravaganza for Sun City's Tenth Anniversary, in South Africa. He directed, costumed and choreographed America's Salute to the Astronauts, a lavish stage spectacular, starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood and television. He directed and choreographed seven television specials in Rome, Italy. Darrin earned 26 Best Show of the Year awards for daring and unique productions, including Rage, Pazazz, Les Vamps, Passion, Wild Things, Sassy Class, Magic 2010, Country Fever (versions 1 and 2), Bottoms Up ( for several years), Night Beat, and Aireus. High-flying Aireus, Michael's complete concept and first of its kind creation, generated rave reviews from critics all over the country and won six Best Show of the Year awards during a two-year smash hit run at the Reno Hilton (now the Grand Sierra). Michael Darrin starred in, conceived, directed, choreographed, and designed all the costumes and extreme special make-ups for his own HBO-Special, Les Sorcery, with Vincent Price as his guest star. He also choreographed, costumed and designed and executed the unusual make-ups for the television special Penthouse Pet of the Year Awards, hosted by Tony Curtis. Michael was the resident choreographer for Lorimar Production's hit ABC television series Homefront, for which he created and choreographed the series' award-winning Thanksgiving Day Special, The Dance Contest. He also choreographed several episodes of Rosie O'Donnell's TV series, Stand By Your Man. Added to his credits was a commercial for Z. Cavaricci jeans, that he staged and choreographed. His films include The Only Game in Town with Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty, Dream Lover with James Spader, and Fire Down Below with Steven Seagal. Michael was director/choreographer for the world famous Chippendales, including a documentary film on the beefcake revue, shot in Amsterdam. He created, directed, choreographed and costumed the lush production of Glamour, for the Maiden Inaugural Voyage of the Grand Princess, which, at that time, was the largest luxury liner in the world. His bold and risqué production of Passion-2000, in Lake Tahoe, stunned and shocked audiences and was proclaimed an "Innovative Smash-Hit," on its opening night, again winning numerous awards as Best Show of the Year. Darrin created, directed, choreographed, costumed and was lighting designer for X-Treme, that played in the main room at Caesars Tahoe. Once again, Darrin pushed the limits of innovation and received sensational reviews. X-Treme was hailed by critics as "brilliant," and broke all house records for that room. He was also responsible for directing and choreographing Midnight Magic, a stunning production show at Conrad Jupiter's, on Australia's Gold Coast. In 2003, Michael Darrin was one of fourteen "Legends of Las Vegas" invited to dance and perform the show-stopping Tony Award-winning number from The Will Roger's Follies in the Golden Rainbow AIDS Gala, featuring hundreds of performers and celebrities, in the theater at the Paris Las Vegas. In May of last year, although confined to a wheel chair due to his declining health, with the help of an assistant, Michael was the creative force behind Zingara (it's the name of a Gypsy Queen), a lavish spectacular at Australia's Conrad Jupiter. The production featured 14 female dancers, eight Cossack dancers, singer Alissi, female magician Galina, comic/trampoline artist Dubon Nicloe, a five-man Globe of Death act from France and Stefon La Statue from Paris among its large cast. Michael Darrin was considered one of the most dynamic director/choreographers, costume and lighting designers in the business. He knew how to take the elements of sensuality and add it to the world of dance. His trademark consisted of style, class, glitz and glamour, with a unique twist for the avant-garde. Whether it's G, R, or X-rated, Michael Darrin's work remains innovative and creative. Michael Darrin is survived by his mother, Betty Switenko, and his brother, Bob Lentini, both of Las Vegas. He is also survived by the many dancers who pushed themselves to be better. A memorial service for Michael Darrin will be announced at a later date. In a bit of irony, on the day of Michael Darrin's death, some of the cast members of Bottom's Up, with which Darrin was associated, joined together at Bahama Breeze for the show's 50th anniversary. * * * * * * In her two weeks of life, baby Ione Losander has experienced more than many people will experience in four score and seven. Born at home in the early morning of June 20th, the beautiful little girl weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds and 10 ounces. Her mother and father, magicians (Dirk) Losander and Luna Shimada, were delighted. Baby Ione was checked out at a hospital and given a good bill of health. When the midwife who delivered the infant stopped by the Losander house a few days later, she was concerned and suspected that all was not well with the newest member of the Losander family. She suggested taking Ione back to the hospital. There it was discovered that, indeed, there was a problem and it was serious. Little Ione needed heart surgery to save her life. The Losanders have health insurance, through a German provider. As they work all over the world, the Losanders pay extra for an optional plan that covers the family wherever they may be...or so they were told. The company now says they won't cover the operation, claiming they should have been notified of the impending birth. The insurance company did offer to fly the baby to Germany for the operation, but the heart surgeon and two others consulting heart specialists in Las Vegas said it was too dangerous and the surgery needed to be done immediately. The surgery alone was $20,000. With additional costs and follow-up, this is quite a financial undertaking for any family. There were no options. The surgery was done here on June 30th. The great and most important news is that little Ione came through the surgery well and her future looks bright. Needless to say, she will need ongoing care. The unfortunate part is, although the Losanders did everything right and thought they, and their family, were covered, that is not the case. They are faced with mounting medical bills. To help, Losander and Luna's fellow magicians in the World's Greatest Magic Show have taken up a collection. So far, they have raised about $10,000 in donations and as the result of purchases from Losanders‘ Web site. If you have any interest in magic (there is a new DVD available called Las Vegas‘ Greatest Magicians), check out the site at www.losander.com for yourself. If you have ever thought about buying any magic supplies, now might be a good time to do so. Every dollar counts and the family really needs all the support they can find right now! Dick Feeney, producer of the World's Greatest Magic Show, writes...I have known Losander for more than four years. He is a terrific father and one of the most caring individuals I know. He always goes out of his way for everyone and is a total professional at work. I am making a personal and company donation and would ask you all to please make even a $5-10 donation. You can send cash or a check to Losander Inc. at 1802 East Pyle, Las Vegas, NV 89183. Thank you ALL for whatever you feel you can do. You can also send a donation through PayPal to losander@mac.com. If you can't contribute anything, please keep Ione in your thoughts and prayers. We will let readers know how she is progressing. * * * * * * Here's the latest on the COLABO saga. Remember all of those performances of An Evening With Billie Holiday, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Light My Fire, scheduled to run at the Family Music Center on West Sahara through June and into July? They have been canceled, a week or two at a time. Instead of six performances of the Billie Holiday show (that Lainie Kazan had absolutely NOTHING to do with, in spite of what you may have read in one of COLABO's releases), there were only two done. We are not sure exactly what happened with Hedwig and the Jim Morrison tale. If any readers saw ANY of these productions, we would love to hear from you. We would also be interested in hearing from anyone who may have bought tickets for shows that never saw the light of day (or the dark of night). * * * * * * Monty Python's Spamalot is a comedic musical "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like the film, it is a highly irreverent parody, but it differs from the film in many ways, especially in its parodies of the Broadway theater. The Tony-winning musical pokes fun at everything and everyone, from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Man of La Mancha, West Side Story, Fiddler On the Roof, Company, Les Miserables, The Producers, and, of course, Camelot. Nothing escapes the wit of Eric Idle, a member of the Monty Python team, who wrote the musical's book and lyrics. The Las Vegas version of Spamalot, starring John O'Hurley, opened at Wynn Las Vegas in March of 2007. It is scheduled to end its run here a week from Sunday. It's great fun, especially for those who know anything about Broadway musicals. The entire cast is terrific. We urge you to see Spamalot before it closes on the 13th. For reservations, call (702) 770-9966 (there are some price reductions available during the next week). If you see the show, and don't leave the Holy Grail Theater singing and whistling Always Look On the Bright Side of Life, we will be surprised. * * * * * * Blockbuster Video is sponsoring a DVDs and Games for the Troops drive in conjunction with the July 4th holiday. They will be raising money and gathering DVDs to bring some much-deserved entertainment to our overseas U.S. service men and women. From now, through July 14th, purchase new or previously viewed DVDs and games at participating Blockbuster stores, then drop them in convenient USO drop boxes on site. Blockbuster will then match the donations and work with the USO to get the titles to the troops through centers located both stateside and abroad. Those who cannot donate a DVD or game are invited to purchase a $1 American Flag Antenna Ball/Pencil Topper at participating Blockbusters. The company will donate 100% of the purchase price to the USO to help entertain and support the morale of the troops, guaranteeing a minimum cash donation of $100,000 at the end of the drive, and matching all donations with up to 20,000 DVDs for our troops in uniform to enjoy. Blockbuster would love to get as many Las Vegas residents involved as possible.
* * * * * * The Las Vegas Tenors are performing in concert at the Suncoast Hotel/Casino this weekend. The Tenors will be joined by special guest stars each evening, beginning with Clint Holmes tonight, followed by the a cappella group Mosaic and tenor George DeMott on Saturday, and Chris Coyne, principal singer in the Tropicana's Les Folies Bergere on Sunday. For this engagement, the Tenors are backed by an orchestra that includes a string section. They will present an eclectic mix of music, including Broadway tunes, audience favorites such as You Raise Me Up, The Prayer, Be My Love, Nights in White Satin, and Nessun Dorma, a new medley of Beatles music, and some patriotic numbers in keeping with the Independence Day weekend. After being sidelined following emergency surgery, Teddy Davey rejoins Bill Fayne and Bobby Black for this engagement. Tickets for the Las Vegas Tenors and friends are priced from $22 to $44, plus applicable fees and taxes, with show times set for 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets or make reservations, call the Suncoast box office at (702) 636-7111. * * * * * * 
Joey Gian 
Steve Lawrence 
George Carlin Best wishes to the following Cancer birthday celebrants...Emory Hodges, Bruce Zarka, Deano Noto, Denyce Tuller, Jennifer Porter, Lewis "Professor Looy" Simonoff, John Argent, Loretta Holloway, Lee Plotkin, Michael Cagle, Steve Lawrence, Jerry Vale, Jeanette (Mrs. Henry) Shead, Jerry Herman, Steve Lippia, Jeanne Bavaro, Joey Gian, Cook E. Jarr, Steven Lee Cowart and Cork Proctor. And speaking of Steve Lawrence, it is the man himself who will fill in the open August dates at The Orleans, left by the recent death of George Carlin. As he turns 73, we have to say that Steve Lawrence has never sounded better, singing as if he drinks honey on a daily basis - smooth and rich and sweet. Mrs. Lawrence, Eydie Gorme for those born yesterday, is sitting this one out. So it's Steve solo, August 15th through the 17th. Vince Falcone, who has worked with Steve and Eydie for a number of years (as well as with Paul Anka, Charles Aznavour, Tony Bennett, Debbie Boone, Diahann Carroll, James Darren, Eddie Fisher, Connie Francis, Robert Goulet, Jack Jones, Julius LaRosa, Jerry Lewis, Al Martino, the McGuire Sisters, Joe Piscopo, Frankie Randall, Frank Sinatra, Sylvia Syms, Andy Williams, and Pia Zadora), will be at the piano and conducting the orchestra. For reservations, call (702) 365-7075. * * * * * * Jeanne Brei's recent birthday and CD launch party at Bugsy's Supper Club, 6145 W. Sahara at Jones, went so well, the establishment wants her, and her company, back on a regular basis. Most of the musicians who played on the Jazzin' with Jeanne CD were jamming at Bugsy's, among them Corey Gemme from Los Angeles, 86-year-young Don Hill from the Treniers, Charlie Shaffer (12 years at the Desert Inn), Jimmy Racey from the Dummkopfs, Ty Lemley from the Sorta Dixie Jazz Band, and Dehner Franks from the Galleria Bar at Caesars (Fridays and Saturdays). Newly retired trombonist Bob Scann was part of the musical fun. Shaffer's daughter, singer Laura Taylor, and his son Michael also took in the festivities. The place was packed nearly all night (probably between 100 and 150 people). Among those enjoying the experience were Bill Nolte, Philip Officer, Paul Hansell (the yoga teacher) and Rolanda Jezzard. "Cousin" Harry Walker from the Treniers got up and sang I Want A Little Girl, saxophonist Rick Morano sat in on the Duke Ellington medley and jammed with Don Hill (he told Don he had memorized all of Don's solos when he was a kid). Other musicians in the room included pianists Ron Simone and Dennis Mellen, and trombonist Ken Levine (from Jump, Jive & Wail). Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson, from M&M Dance Company, stopped by, as did Valisia LeKae, after her performance in Mamma Mia! Other singers who were there included John Hayes, Gary Anthony (Frank Sinatra impersonator), and Lou Martinez, who appears at Bugsy's on Thursday nights. There were a couple dozen of the fabulous Swing Dancers, and Crystal Gwaltney (who rounded up all the dancers) and her partner Nicholas Barkley, enjoying the dance floor and putting on quite a show for Bugsy‘s patrons. According to what we have heard, Jeanne Brei and her musician friends will become a regular Saturday night (from 7 to 11 p.m.) feature at Bugsy's, beginning on July 19th. 
Jeanne Brei 
Martin Kreloff * * * * * * There's a summer community of painters and writers in Italy that is known to only a select few who hear of Art Workshop International, now in its 28th year, via word-of-mouth...and now you're in on it. From July 24th through August 20th, for 1, 2, 3, and 4-week sessions, you can live and work in a 12th century Hill Town. Stay in a 3-star hotel, air-conditioned room and bath, two meals, studio while participating in critiques, lectures, field trips and communicating with visiting artists. There will be classes in visual arts taught by Edith Isaac-Rose ((Watercolor Plein Air; Drawing: Learning to See as an Artist Sees), Bea Kreloff (Art-Making, All Media, All Levels), Ellen Eagle (Pastel Portraiture) and Annie Shaver-Crandell. Creative writing (poetry, memoir, fiction and non-fiction, crime novel, playwriting and publications) will be taught by Rosellen Brown (Many Ways to Tell a Story), Scott Edelstein (Living the Writing Life), Leslie Garis, Ronald Rand (Writing for the Performer), S.J. Rozan (Constructing the Crime Novel), Amy Schor Ferris (Journalism, Magazines, Blogs), Dinitia Smith (Wrestling Ideas into Stories /Memoir), and Jayne Wenger (Playwrights' Intensive). Special programs (culinary arts and immersive Italian language) will be taught by Arianna Calzolari, Valerio Mogliana and Caterina Bertolotto. There will be independent programs for professional and advanced artists and writers. Since "Kreloff" is a familiar name to us, we made contact with current Las Vegan, artist Martin Kreloff, to inquire if there was a connection to the above mentioned Bea Kreloff. "Yes indeed," says Marty. "My Aunt Bea has been running the workshops for many years." He goes on to say, "Way back, when I was 12-years-old, Aunt Bea, who is a wonderful artist, gave me my first oil paint set and easel. I used that easel for over 20 years." Marty was invited to join the current group in Italy, but since his dad is almost 94, Kreloff felt this was not a time for him to travel out of the country. Visit the Web site at info@artworkshopintl.com for more information. Sign up online, http://www.artworkshopintl.com/applicationcosts.aspx. You can also call (866) 341-2922 toll free, or e-mail info@artworkshopintl.com. "(This is) the best thing I've ever done," states Linda Stasi, NY Post columnist and TV host. Due to the interest, deadline to register for any of the programs has been extended to July 8th. * * * * * * After more than four years in the performance space at the Liberace Museum (at one time called the Wes Winters Showroom and now called the Liberace Cabaret), the talented Wes Winters moves his 9-foot grand piano (which he has spent the last 21/2 months decorating with crystals and mirrors) into the Steve Wyrick Theatre in the Miracle Mile section of Planet Hollywood. A Musical Tribute to Liberace starring Wes Winters opened on July 1st and will play at 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. On Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Winters will perform his nightclub act, including taking requests, in the Triq Nightclub and Ultra Lounge adjoining the Wyrick theater. The winner of the Liberace 2003 Play-A-Like Contest, Winters makes the most of all 88 keys with his homage to Liberace, also known as Mr. Showmanship, creating great theatrics and wonderful music in his new home at the Steve Wyrick Theatre. Tickets are $24.95 per person and are available at the Steve Wyrick Theatre box office, or by calling (702) 777-9974. We will have more about A Musical Tribute to Liberace starring Wes Winters after we see the show. 
Wes Winters 
Joe Jackson & Nelson Sardelli * * * * * * From Nelson Sardelli comes this announcement...On Tuesday, July 15th, beginning at 11:30 a.m., the non club club F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events) will be celebrating its 4th birthday with a luncheon at Ben Ardito's Take 1 Nightclub. The F.I.O.R.E. Presidents (everyone in this group is a President), would like you and friends with good attitude to be a part of this event. Like all of their previous functions, this one promises to be a memorable event. Although we are still open for some brilliant suggestions, we can guarantee that it will be lots of fun - with live music, surprise guest entertainers, dancing, flowers and chocolates for the ladies. All the 50/50 money collected will be given back as prizes, and some other prizes will be given to some lucky participant. There will be birthday cake. Please plan to attend. It is YOUR club, and that is what makes it great. Bring your wife. Bring your girl friend. Bring them both. With your wife's lawyer, it will make it four right there. The place can seat 180 comfortably. Bring your other friends. The luncheon (buffet style), as always, will be first class and fit for a king. (Here King. Here King.) No host bar. Ample parking. Indoor plumbing. Doors will open (exclusively for this function) at 11:30 a.m. Spread the word, but please do not forget to RSVP in an ASAP manner to Nelson and/or Conrad (nsardelli@aol.com and conradvillella@cox.net). Just a minor detail...$25 (twenty-five American bucks) per person. (All the widows of former presidents are F.I.O.R.E. guests.) Take 1, F.I.O.R.E.'s headquarters, is located at 707 E. Fremont St. (on the southeast corner of Fremont and 7th St.). For questions, call Mr. Sardelli at (702) 646-1813. And speaking of Nelson Sardelli, on June 28th, he was one of two Las Vegans to receive the Golden Pillow Award from the International Entertainer School of Las Vegas (we have never heard of it either). The event took place downtown at Take 1 on Fremont and 7th street. Sharing the honor with Sardelli was Joe Jackson, father of Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, LaToya, Michael, Randy and Janet Jackson. According to the information we received, the Golden Pillow is made of the old curtains from New York's famed Radio City Music Hall. As the story goes, when new curtains were installed in 1987, some of the unique fabric was donated to the non-profit International Entertainers School. Sardelli reports that among the other recipients who have been bestowed with the Golden Pillow are Bill Acosta, Ben Affleck, Dennis Bono, Ernest Borgnine, New Jersey governor Jon Corzine, Billy Crystal, Jerry Fink, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Isaac Hayes, James Earl Jones, B.B. King, Jay Leno, Jennifer Lopez, Lou Rawls, Joe Theismann, Alex Trebek, George Wallace (the comedian, not the governor), and Denzel Washington. Sardelli says that "They must have either run out of true celebrities to honor or they have an enormous amount of gold pillows." In any case, he humbly accepts the honor (and a gold pillow) and states he is happy someone thought enough of him to suggest him as a recipient. And speaking of Janet Jackson, tickets for her September 19th show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center are now on sale. And speaking of Michael Jackson...Last Fridays' mention of awful cosmetic surgery jobs on well-known personalities, leaving the victims almost unrecognizable, generated a list of suggestions for Worst Faces of the Century. We don't want to scare the children, and we want to protect the unborn, so we strongly urge any impressionable youngsters and/or expectant mothers NOT to look at the attached photos. On our list, in no particular order, are the winners of the unofficial contest (including those mentioned last week)...Bruce Jenner, Wayne Newton, Priscilla Presley, Joan Rivers (who is now looking very much like Wayland Flowers' puppet, Madame), Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, Burt Reynolds, Mickey Rourke, Michael Jackson, and Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson, who looks like a scientific experiment gone very, very wrong (can we say steroid abuse???). So as not to overwhelm our readers, we will save the Michael Jackson photo for another time. Remember folks...it's not nice to fool (with) Mother Nature. 
Bruce Jenner 
Wayne Newton 
Priscilla Presley 
Joan Rivers 
Wayland's Madame 
Kenny Rogers 
Burt Reynolds 
Mickey Rourke 
Carrot Top And speaking of Wayne Newton, after a lapse on a Vegas stage (and for good reason), the onetime Mr. Las Vegas/Midnight Idol goes into the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand, from July 31st through August 6th. If you have any interest in Mr. Newton, and are willing to buy a ticket, don't expect the fellow you recall from days of old, or you will be mighty disappointed. If you want to see a hard-working entertainer, who has perfected the art of schmoozing as a way to avoid doing too much vocalizing (or whatever that sound is), you might leave the theater feeling that you got your monies worth. * * * * * * Reminder...As mentioned in an earlier column, tomorrow Dancers from the cast of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular are presenting HOPE: An Afternoon of Classical Ballet, to benefit Family Promise of Las Vegas, a local non-profit organization that assists local homeless families. For the past 11 years, Family Promise has been housing four families at a time, helping them to get off the streets and back into homes. This summer, the agency is working to expand its services from helping four families at a time, to helping eight families at time! The money raised at this concert will help Family Promise to expand services at a time when budget cuts are hitting all agencies, county wide. Coordinated and choreographed by Phantom dancers Erina Noda and Rebekah Rahn Hale, this concert will take place tomorrow, July 5th, at 2 p.m. in the Clark County Library Theater, on Flamingo Road, east of Maryland Parkway. Admission is a $20 donation per person. Tickets to the event are limited. They may be purchased at www.familypromiselvtickets.com. For reservations or more information, call (702) 245-0992. * * * * * * Producer Tim Molyneux, who has shows around the world, has worked with Dolly Parton, Playboy, Crystal Cruises, is currently featured on TV's E! Entertainment and the Lifetime Channel, and is the creator of Bite at the Stratosphere, debuts his newest original work, All In, The Poker Musical, at the Rio, through July 6th. "There have been many Broadway musicals to come to Vegas, but none have been organically Vegas. It's been proven time and time again that you cannot force the Broadway musical model into the Las Vegas marketplace. We have created a new genre of entertainment – The Las Vegas Musical," said Molyneux. "What we have created embraces the spirit of Vegas while mixing my passions of poker, music, dance, and entertainment. The Poker Musical is a first for Las Vegas; its own musical that opens in Vegas and then goes to Broadway. ‘All In' will creatively seduce the hardcore theatre aficionado, as well as the passive spectator." Featuring such Broadway show veterans as Jimmy Lockett (Big River, The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Starlight Express, Cats); Reva Rice (Starlight Express, Smokey Joe's Café, Fosse, Chicago, and Spamalot); and Brandon Nix (We Will Rock You), All In, The Poker Musical compares the game of Poker with the game of Life. The story revolves around the final nine tournament players who are real people from all walks of life – the professionals and the common man. These clearly identifiable characters sing songs that are interlaced with poker analogies, quotes, lingo, and situations that also apply to the game of life and the cards we are all dealt. Phil Hellmuth, the 11-time World Series Of Poker bracelet winner and international poker icon, is not only a character in the show, but has invested in the show and has worked closely with Molyneux to help bring the poker player's characterization to life. "Through the lyrics of the songs and styles of music, we see not only who these final nine players are, but we are able to see ourselves, our families, and our world," explained Hellmuth. The show is fast paced, witty, very sexy and fun. It is full of double entendres and suggestive situations, while allowing the songs to tell the story. Molyneux's music is as varied as the different characters themselves with a mix of styles ranging from pop, country, rock, blues, jazz and musical theater. According to Jennifer Harmon, one of the world's greatest female poker players, "Tim Molyneux has done what others have tried to do. He captured the global phenomena of poker by brilliantly tying it to one of the most powerful forces on earth...music. Poker is life and Tim shows us this in a very powerful and entertaining way." The one hour Poker Musical Concert, premiering during the 2008 World Series of Poker, will showcase the songs from the full 90-minute version. Tickets to All In, The Poker Musical concert can be purchased at the Rio Box Office or by calling (702) 777-7776, or visit www.pokermusical.com.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Spamalot Micael Darrin Lone Losander George Carlin Steve Lawrence Joey Gian
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 - June 27, 2008 
Richard Oberacker 
Kevin McMahon 
Piscopo, November & Schroeck The next edition of the Composers Showcase will take place on SUNDAY, June 29th. As usual, the most recent monthly Composers Showcase presented some outstanding music performed by some equally outstanding musicians and singers. Among our favorites, three songs dealing with some serious issues of today, I Had a Dream Last Night, I Had a Freakin' Box and God Bless, from writer Richard Oberacker (well performed by Phantom's Ben Hale and Greg Kata from Mamma Mia!). The month before, three other Oberacker songs were presented, with Vicki Van Tassel from Mamma Mia! singing What Took You So Long, Phantom's Joan Sobel singing Reversal and Lisa Richards, also from Mamma Mia!, performing I Don't Have the Right. All of these songs, plus 12 others, are from a musical written by Oberacker and Robert Taylor, entitled Don't Make Me Pull This Show Over: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Parenting. With Taylor, Oberacker created a series of songs about choices parents must make, for better or worse. The show was recently done at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Richard is a Cincinnati-native and a graduate of Anderson High School and the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Oberacker's musical, Ace, was a big hit at the Fringe Festival last year. He is currently the conductor of Cirque Du Soleil's Ka, at the MGM Grand. Oberacker was the original conductor and orchestrator of Cirque's Drailon, making him the first American conductor to be hired by the renowned company. He has also served as conductor for the first national tour of Disney's The Lion King, as well as associate conductor for tours of Show Boat, Cats, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Music of the Night. As a composer, Oberacker's musical, The Gospel According to Fishman, was commissioned by Clear Channel Entertainment and received its premiere at the Signature Theater in the Washington D.C. area under the direction of Eric D. Schaeffer. Another of Richard's musicals, Dracula - The Game of Love, premiered at his alma mater, and his A Little Theater premiered at the Aurelia Theater in Cincinnati. In That Valley, with music written by Oberacker and book co-written by Steven Minning, was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Festival of New Works in 1999. Pretty impressive, considering that among the many musicals launched by NAMT's annual Festival of New Musicals are Thoroughly Modern Millie, Children of Eden, HONK!, The Drowsy Chaperone, Ruthless!, Flight of the Lawnchair Man, Princesses, Songs for a New World, and many others! Then there is the mucho talented and always Fabulous singer/songwriter/ actress, Vita Corimbi. Vita, who plays Earth Mother in Menopause the Musical at the Las Vegas Hilton, is not just a triple-threat entertainer, she is a multi-multi-threat mega-talent. Vita plays a number of instruments. She is probably best-known as a pianist, playing all over the world, even for former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Vita has been musical director for the Rio's hit show, Tony 'n Tina's Wedding, can frequently be seen playing for the Las Vegas Tenors, is part of the girl group, Killian's Angels, and performed with stars such as Tom Jones and Wayne Newton. She is also a much sought after voice-over and jingle artist, and has received three Emmy Awards for performance and musical composition. Okay, you get the picture. At last month's showcase, Vita performed two of her original works, I'm Fabulous (we told you she was) and Mr. Daniels (a song about drinking). Keith Thompson did his funny Down and Dirty Delta Blues (we have to wonder if the Jersey Boys have seen the other side of their musical director). Last month's showcase audience was about as eclectic as the song selections. Just about every big production show on the Strip was represented, including the newest Vegas stars, the cast of Jersey Boys. We also spotted genial restaurant host Sean Grady, "hot" yoga instructor Paul Hansell, entertainers Bill Nolte and recent New York transplant Philip Officer, and the supreme Mary Wilson, who was making her first visit to the showcase. For the June edition (on a Sunday, this month), songs by local composers including Jason Andino, Michael Brennan, Vita Corimbi, Wayne Green, Jeremy Kushnier, Richard Oberacker, Keith Thompson, Mark Wherry and THINK, the Band will be featured. The original music will be presented by vocalists Mike Backes, Natalie Bradshaw, Jane Cook, Graham Fenton, Greg Kata, Randal Keith, Julia Krohn, Jonathan Rodriguez, Michael James Scott, Joan Sobel, Collin Trahan, Janien Valentine, Adam Knaff, Brandon Knaff, and Phillip Seaton and other special guests. The date is this Sunday, the 29th. The time is 10:30 p.m. (after theater). The place is the Liberace Museum, adjacent to Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens Restaurant, at 1775 E. Tropicana at Spencer. There is a cash bar (no credit cards, please), and an optional $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. * * * * * * Kevin McMahon, who performed in Forever Plaid in Las Vegas, will be appearing in a workshop of a new musical version of The Man Who Would Be King at the Rubicon Theatre at 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura, California. Based on the short story by Rudyard Kipling, the tale recounts the adventures of two rag-tag British soldiers, Daniel and Peachy, who resign from the army in 19th century India and take off in pursuit of adventure and riches. Ever the scoundrels, the two contrive and carry out a daring plan to become rulers of the isolated pagan society of Kafiristan where Daniel is mistakenly believed to be a god. Kevin is playing the Journalist, the role portrayed in the John Huston directed film by Christopher Plummer. The movie, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine, earned four Academy Award nominations. In the Rubicon's workshop version, Mark Kudish and Kevin Earley are Daniel and Peachy. The second performance (we missed the first one) takes place on Monday, June 30th, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, call (805) 667-9200. In July, McMahon heads to Sacramento where he will play Pirelli in Sweeney Todd with the famed Music Circus, from July 22nd through the 27th. The Music Circus production of Stephen Sondheim's grisly musical will star two Tony Award nominees, Mark Jacoby as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Mary Gordon Murray as Mrs. Lovett. The cast will also include Max Von Essen, Carolann M. Sanita and Michael G. Hawkins. The production will be directed and choreographed by Glenn Casale, whose many Music Circus productions include Les Misérables, Disney' Beauty and the Beast, and 1776. Casale, who graduated from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and is currently a faculty member of UNLV's Theater Department, also directed the Broadway production of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. Dennis Castellano will serve as musical director. * * * * * * On June 16th, legendary singer Frankie Valli, the REAL LIVE Jersey Boy, was honored by the famed New York's Friar's Club Foundation. The Friar's Club, for those that don't know, is a social club, mostly for those in the performing arts (sounds a bit like the former CAST organization). The Friars Foundation, the charitable arm of the comedians' clubhouse, presented a Creative Achievement Award to 74-year-old Valli. The $1000 per person dinner was held at Cipriani 42nd Street, across from Grand Central Station near Park Avenue in the former Bowery Bank Building. More than 650 people, dressed to the nines (and tens), attended. Among them, and having a go at Mr. Valli, were Frankie Avalon, Julie Budd, Dick Capri, Norm Crosby, Tony Orlando, Joe Piscopo, Freddie Roman, Stewie Stone, Steve Tyrell, and the cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys. Representing Las Vegas were Valli's longtime friends, veteran songwriter Artie Schroeck and his bride, Linda November. Artie conducted the 14-piece band and Linda played piano. The main entertainment was provided by comic Piscopo, who honored Mr. Valli with a reenactment of his famous Frank Sinatra impersonation from Saturday Night Live - something Piscopo hasn't done, publicly at least, in more than two decades. The Saturday Night Live makeup crew did Piscopo up as Sinatra, just as they used to. Schroeck, who wrote a special chart for Joe, was flown in from Las Vegas for the occasion. "The Friars do it, better than anyone," Mr. Piscopo said. "This is so upscale. Just a classy event." "It was an extraordinary evening, to say the least," reports November. We have been told that the Friars have millions going in and out of their coffers, helping those in need and supporting the scholars programs for budding performing artists in local colleges and universities (once again, sounds a bit like the former CAST organization). We realize that this isn't New York (or Chicago or Los Angeles or Boston), but it is almost criminal that, in the approximately eight years since The CAST was formed and then fell apart, there isn't a local organization REALLY helping entertainers in need. The fact that Las Vegas doesn't have anything remotely like the Friars Club or Society of Singers - something the community could be proud of - is an embarrassment. Maybe...Tuesday, Thursday, April, August, Autumn, Winter, Next Year, Some Year (thank you, Jerry Herman). * * * * * * We hate to say we told you so, but...The much troubled COLABO.BIZ production of An Evening with Billie Holiday, scheduled to run at the West Sahara Family Music Center on Sundays, from June 1st through July 6th, is over. Out of the originally scheduled six performances, only two were done (June 8th and June 22nd) while the others were canceled. We are not sure if all of the musicians who trustingly agreed to work the gig, were ever paid, although we know that two (who dropped out of the engagement after seeing the handwriting on the wall) were...two weeks after the promised date. The "squeaky wheels" were paid in cash (that's not usually the case) by the musical contractor, Jiggs Hensley (not sure of the spelling), at a rehearsal for the Suncoast's afternoon revue, Hit Parade. As for the other two COLABO anticipated productions - Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Light My Fire, a tribute to Jim Morrison and The Doors - if you bought tickets to one of the canceled shows, we suspect you are out of luck... unless you can dispute the charges with your credit card company if, in fact, you were able to charge the tickets. * * * * * * 
Lee Roy Reams & Dody Goodman 
Jimmy Hopper 
Gerry McCambridge We received an e-mail from performer Lee Roy Reams telling us that his longtime friend and neighbor, Dody Goodman, had passed away. Goodman was probably best known for her regular spots on the old Jack Paar Tonight Show, and her role of the title character's (played by Louise Lasser) mother, Martha Shumway, on the late 1970s soap opera spoof, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Her high-pitched voice and ditzy persona made Goodman an ideal game show guest and voiceover actress. The lady was notoriously secretive about her age. For many years, she managed to convince people she was 15 years younger than she really was, giving a birth year of 1929, before she was finally found out. In later years, Miss Goodman appeared in several roles in Nunsense, an off-Broadway musical farce, which opened in 1985. The show's creator, Danny Goggin, said in an interview with Playbill magazine that, at 85, Dody could still lift her leg over her head as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Nuncrackers, a sequel to Nunsense. In May of last year, at B.B. King's nightclub in New York, Reams presented the veteran actress, singer and dancer, then 91, with her Lifetime Achievement Award during the 21st Annual MAC Awards ceremony. The MAC Awards are given by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. On June 22nd, Dody died at the Englewood New Jersey Hospital and Medical Center, after having lived at Englewood's famed Lillian Booth Actors' Home since October. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 28th, 1914, Dolores "Dody" Goodman left no immediate survivors. She was 93. * * * * * * It seems that Jimmy Hopper, last here in the Lava Room at Planet Hollywood's Trader Vic's, prefers to hang his hat on a rack in Southern California, rather than in Southern Nevada. The billboards that were placed around the city, promoting Jimmy's engagement at Trader Vic's, have now been removed. If you want to see a Jimmy Hopper performance, it probably won't be around Las Vegas anytime soon. The entertainer is back in Orange County, appearing at the Terrace Lounge in Newport Beach's The Island Hotel. For Jimmy's schedule and/or reservations, call The Island at (949) 759-0808. * * * * * * When Terry Hernandez moved to Las Vegas in 2005, he was disappointed not to find more social outlets in the city for gay men. He was not interested in the typical bar/meet market scene, preferring instead to patronize restaurants and clubs where other likeminded business people gathered. Find a need and fill it, is Hernandez's theory. In April 2006, SinCityQSocials was born, with the first mixer held at the popular mid-Strip establishment, the Peppermill. Approximately 40 men attended. In the past two years, SinCityQSocials has grown to the point where they now have an e-mail list of more than 5,000. The group, which has no dues or membership fees, gets together once a week, patronizing business all around the city. They have no political agenda and are not a fundraising organization, They are strictly a social organization. Their members have often been referred to as the "Who's Who" of the gay community. They focus on building strong personal and professional relationships, which promote social interaction and a greater sense of community. The Trendy Tuesday Martini Mixers have been held at places like the Rio's Voo Doo Lounge and Lucky Strike; TAOs Beach and the V Bar at The Venetian; Paymon's Hookah Lounge; the Golden Nugget's Rush Lounge; the Foundation Room and Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce, both at Mandalay Bay; Hooters; Polly Esther's at the Stratosphere; the Hootie and The Blowfish Lounge and Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge, both located at the Silverton; the Art Bar in downtown Las Vegas; Las Vegas National Golf Course; Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn Las Vegas; Madam Tussauds at The Venetian; the Stratosphere's Top of the World; Onyx at Red Rock; Kennedy's in The District at Green Valley Ranch; World Market Center; Trump's DJT Lounge; Ventano's Italian Grill; Krave at Planet Hollywood and, the latest location, Galerias Gourmet Cocina Mexicana, where approximately 200 SinCityQ people gathered for dinner, drinks and conversation. Surprisingly, one of the group's most successful meetings took place, last summer, at the Playboy Club located inside the Palms Hotel & Casino, when about 850 ladies (yes, women attend some of the functions) and gentlemen turned up for an evening of fun and friendship. These days, a typical weekly event attracts approximately 300 professionals, many from the world of big business and entertainment. Point being, the well-behaved group of professionals has held their get-togethers at many "mainstream" locations. Up until earlier this month, they (who always calls ahead to make sure the club can accommodate the large number of people, and that they will be welcomed as guests) have always been treated with respect wherever they go. On June 3rd, the social was to be held at the Blue Martini, a new to Southern Nevada business, located in the new Town Square Center on Las Vegas Blvd. So. Arrangements had been made through Blue Martini's Events Coordinator, Stephanie Davis. There were early clues that Blue Martini might not be a good place for a SinCityQSocials function, when, before meeting any of the members, Ms. Davis stated to Mr. Hernandez, "can you just tone it down." Personally, Cousin Claire would have taken that as a signal to hold the party elsewhere. On the night of the event, one of the bartenders (there were only two working - not enough to handle the anticipated crowd) rudely refused to take drink orders. A couple of guests were told their attire did not meet Blue Martini's dress code, which was not posted or announced when reservations were being made (we are talking about dress shorts worn by a few of the gentlemen during 100+ degree Las Vegas temperatures). We feel that any type of discrimination is unacceptable and all customers should be treated with respect unless, of course, they are disrupting the establishment, which was not the case on this June evening. The club members went into emergency mode, checking with Louis's Fish Camp a short distance away from Blue Martini, to see if that establishment could accommodate the attendees. The social organization had patronized the Fish Camp on other occasions and had been made to feel welcome. The restaurant's manager told Hernandez it would take about 30 minutes to call in a couple of extra bartenders to handle the unexpected large group. That is what happened. The party was held at Louis Osteen's upscale dining spot, and a good time was had by all. In its two years, the SinCityQSocials organization has held weekly events at more than 100 unique locations. This was the first time that the group has experienced anything like what took place at the Blue Martini. It was also the first time they had to relocate an event due to a number of complaints from their members. We don't know how this discriminatory treatment sits with our readers, but if it bothers you as much as it does us, show your displeasure by either taking your business elsewhere or by letting the folks at Blue Martini know how you feel. We think perhaps Ms. Davis should be in another line of work - one where she doesn't have to deal with human beings. Cheers and bon appetit! And speaking of Louis's Fish Camp, entertainer Ronnie Rose and the Slick Willie Orchestra seem to have found themselves a part-time home at the restaurant. Rose, who has a case of the blues, sings and plays harmonica (although not at the exact same time), while SWO is an accomplished 8-piece horn band. As a group they have a great sound. Look for them at Fish Camp the next time you are in the neighborhood. * * * * * * Although we are Claire Voyant, we don't have answers to, or can't predict, EVERYTHING, but we sure could have anticipated this news. As we stated in an earlier column, Gerry McCambridge, known as The Mentalist, just celebrated his one year anniversary at Hooters Casino Hotel and his 500th performance in Las Vegas. At the conclusion of that milestone performance, attended by media folk and other invited guests, McCambridge was presented a beautiful diamond-studded Rolex watch by Gary Gregg, the Chief Operating Officer of Hooters. "We are very proud to have you as a part of the Hooters family, and hope for another sold out year" Gregg told McCambridge. It was also announced to the sold out showroom, that Hooters Casino Hotel had extended The Mentalist's contract for another year, and that Gerry would now be performing six nights a week at 7:00 p.m. (dark only on Fridays). Cambridge came to Las Vegas in July 2005 on a 12-show, three-week contract (at the Rampart). Now approaching his third year as a Las Vegas headliner, McCambridge exclaims, "Dreams can indeed come true." For reservations to see The Mentalist (and Cousin Claire highly recommends this one), call (866) 584-6687. * * * * * * 
David Pomeranz 
Peter Noone 
Suzanne Goulet & Denise Rose Filipino singer Imelda Papin returns to Las Vegas for a late night show in The Orleans Theater on July 5th. Ms. Papin last appeared here on New Years Eve, where she played the same room, joined by special guest star, entertainer/songwriter David Pomeranz, and accompanied on piano by American Idol's Michael Orland. We hope that this time around, Papin might think of using the video screens on the stage to display English lyrics to songs sung in her language. We, along with other non-Filipinos, found the New Year's Eve shows a bit frustrating. We missed the joke (there was laughter) and/or the pathos (there were some tears) in the lyrics. It would have been helpful, and we would have enjoyed the experience more, if we knew what in the heck Ms. Papin was singing about. The time for Imelda Papin's July 5th show at The Orleans is 10:30 p.m. Call (702) 365-7075 for reservations. * * * * * * Two-time Grammy award winning singer Peabo Bryson has had a prolific career as a solo artist. He has also found success combining his vocal talent with some well known females, and his association with music from Disney films has proven to be a good match. A couple of his most notable duets, for which he won Grammy awards, are from Disney animated films. He sang the title track from Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion, and A Whole New World from Aladdin with Regina Belle. Bryson's soulful voice is highlighted in hits such as Feel the Fire, If You're Ever in my Arms Again, and Can You Stop the Rain, among others. In 2007, Bryson released his latest album Missing You. Tonight, beginning at 8 p.m., Peabo Bryson will perform in the Railhead at Boulder Station. Tickets are priced at $22.95, $30.95, $38.95 and $45.95, plus tax and applicable fees. All ages are welcome, although those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. For reservations, call (702) 547-5300. Tomorrow night (June 28th), it's Herman's Hermits, starring Peter Noone, along with The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, in The Club at The Cannery Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas. Tickets range from $14.95 to $34.95, plus applicable fees and taxes. Show begins at 8 p.m. For reservations, call (702) 617-5585, or toll free at (866) 287-4643.
Reminder...This Sunday, the 29th, the Performing Arts Society of Nevada presents the Michael Dubay Quintet and Elements of Jazz. The program features Dubay on piano, Jonathan Rem on bass, Joe Malone on drums, Miguel Rodriguez on tenor sax, and Gil Kaupp on trumpet. Singers include Annette Verdolino, Susan Beaubian and Tim Searcy. Dancers participating in the concert are AJ Ocampo, Mindy Harris, Melissa Kershner, Miguel Alvarez and Kristine Sills. Tony (Arias) and Lloyd (Ziel) will serve as Masters of Ceremony. Michael Dubay was the musical director for David Saxe's Buck Wild at the Sahara, and currently holds the same position with Menopause the Musical at the Las Vegas Hilton. The program takes place at the Clark County Library on East Flamingo, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling (702) 658-6741, or at the library box office after 1 p.m. * * * * * * It has been some time since we mentioned our Phavorite Phantom, Brent Barrett (it's been at least a week). Anyway, we forgot to remind readers that Mr. Barrett, who ended his starring role in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian on June 6th, will sing with the Las Vegas Philharmonic this 4th of July. That should really heat up what, more than likely, would be a very hot event anyway. The Philharmonic, Barrett and fireworks...oh what a night! If you missed Too Darn Hot!, with Brent, Reva Rice and Tina Walsh, at the Cashman Theatre in April, perhaps you have never seen this Phantom unmasked. July 4th will be an opportunity to do so. The Star Spangled Spectacular starts at 8 p.m. in The Hills Park in Summerlin. The Philharmonic, under Music Director David Itkin and Associate Conductor Richard McGee, will perform patriotic tunes and marches for this family-style Independence Day event, which has become one of Las Vegas' most popular traditions. For the finale, to the music of the 1812 Overture, there will be a full fireworks show put on by the legendary pyrotechnics company, Zambelli Internationale. This concert is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Corporation, the City of Las Vegas and Ruth's Chris Steak House. For additional information, call the Phil at (702) 258-5438 or check them out at lvpinfo@lvphil.com. * * * * * * Tomorrow night, Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment present the Las Vegas premiere of Liza & Judy - Together Again, starring Suzanne Goulet as Liza Minnelli, Denise Rose as Judy Garland, and The Cabaret Dancers, at Sun City Summerlin's Starbright Theatre. Suzanne Goulet has appeared as Liza in Legends in Concert, Hollywood Superstars, and Legends Live, as well as in her own tribute show that toured the U.S. and Europe. She has won numerous awards and her resemblance to Liza's looks and voice has made Suzanne one of the top impressionists in the world. Denise Rose is an amazing singer/dancer. She is the same height and has the same unique voice as the legendary Judy Garland. Denise is thrilled to team up with Suzanne and The Cabaret Dancers for this very special show featuring the songs, dances and banter of two of the greatest entertainers in show business. Tickets are $18 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $20 for non-residents. For info, call (702) 240-1301. The show starts at 7 p.m. Don't be late. And speaking of Liza Minnelli, she will perform at Terrible's Primm Valley Casino Resorts (that's about 30 minutes south of Las Vegas, near the California border) on August 16th. That's quite a distance from the Luxor on the Strip where Liza last appeared in Southern Nevada. We will have more about this closer to the date. And then there's Liza's half-sister, Lorna Luft, who performed at the Suncoast last weekend. Over the years, we have seen versions of Lorna's show, Songs My Mother Taught Me, at least four times. We are a real fan of Lorna's, especially in a scripted situation like with Songs My Mother Taught Me, an homage to her mother, Judy Garland. There was something different about last weekends' show, causing us not to be quite as enthusiastic about the one woman show as in earlier viewings. After giving it careful consideration, we think we know what has changed. The vulnerability, seen in previous performances is gone. Lorna now comes on as a little too slick and confident. She is good, and she knows it, but maybe she is TOO good. TOO confident. TOO comfortable. Bring back a little of the vulnerability that showed, in a good way, in earlier performances. * * * * * * On Tuesday night, NBC presented three hours of reality television...well, sort of. The first hour was Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by the Today show's Al Roker, while the following two hours featured America's Got Talent. Reality was suspended during the Family Feud hour, thanks to the redone faces of Joan Rivers and Wayne Newton, who both competed with their respective families. Along with Michael Jackson and Priscilla Presley, Rivers and Newton could be poster children to discourage cosmetic surgery. Look for Olympic Gold Medal winner, Bruce Jenner, who should sue his plastic surgeon, on an upcoming episode of the Feud. None of these folks look like "refreshed" versions of their former selves. They look like completely different people. Be afraid. Be very afraid. 
Joan Rivers 
The Pendragons 
Larry Edwards & Sherri Shepherd And speaking of faces, a couple of familiar ones turned up on America's Got Talent. Magicians Jonathan and Charlotte Pendragon, who auditioned for America's Got Talent in Chicago, did their famous metamorphosis illusion, doing it well enough to hear the words, "You're going to Vegas." For many years, The Pendragons WERE in Las Vegas. We don't know where they have been lately, but some years ago, the couple were a featured specialty act in Bally's Jubilee! What we learned is that during a fall at his home in late September 2006, one of the arrows from Jonathan's archery collection pierced his liver, his stomach, and his heart. It happened while rehearsing a dangerous trick for his upcoming show involving a compound bow and arrow. He has since made a full recovery. * * * * * * The View's Sherri Shepherd bypassed seeing Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace, and hanging with her fellow ABC talk show hosts, Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, choosing to spend her evening at the Flamingo instead. First, Shepherd attended the 7:30 p.m. show, The Time, featuring former Prince cohort Morris Day, along with Jerome Benton, Jimmy Jam, Jellybean Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Terry Lewis and Monte Moir. Shepherd than hung around the Flamingo to catch comic George Wallace's 10 p.m. show. The busy lady managed to find a few minutes to pose for photos with Las Vegas' own media maven, Larry Edwards. Edwards, who has portrayed Tina Turner and Patti LaBelle in a number of impersonator revues, has never met a Red Carpet he didn't like. The Time, with Morris Day, will perform at the Flamingo tonight and tomorrow night (June 27th and 28th) and then return for dates July 1st through 5th, and July 29th through August 2nd. For tickets and/or reservations to see The Time or George Wallace, call (702) 733-3333. After a week of shows from Las Vegas, the ladies of The View return to New York and their much quieter lifestyle.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Gossip Richard Oberacker Kevin McMahon Piscopo Novembre Schroeck Lee Roy 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 - June 20, 2008  Lainie Kazan  John O'Hurley  George Wallace After what we have observed over the past week, regarding the business practices (we sure can't call them ethics) of this new-to-Las Vegas-group calling themselves COLABO or COLABO.BIZ, we are sorry that we gave them any press at all. It is this company that is presenting An Evening with Billie Holiday and Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Family Music Center on West Sahara. The reason we even made mention of these shows in the first place, was because of Las Vegas-based singer Genevieve's participation in the Billie Holiday project, and we really liked a production of Hedwig that we saw here some years ago. We try to make our readers aware of interesting entertainment options that are available to them. In this case, however, we realize that we made a mistake by plugging something put on by people we knew nothing about. What we know about then now is that they are game players...and not nice games either. These are unprepared amateurs, motivated, we think, by greed. Lies have been told and promises have been broken. At least one show was canceled, with an untrue explanation given as the reason why (we hope that the people who may have purchased tickets for the June 15th Billie Holiday show were able to get a refund). As of today, the six musicians who were backing up Genevieve have not been paid for their time and talent. In the category of fictional press information, these guys are in the race for first place. One of their PR pieces on the Internet indicates that the story for this Billie Holiday show was written by singer/actress Lainie Kazan. This didn't make sense to us, as (1) if it were true, it would surely be mentioned on Kazan's official site and it wasn't, (2) if it were true, it surely would have been mentioned on ALL the press releases, and (3) we suspect that if Ms. Kazan were to write a theater piece about a female singer, she would have written about someone that she or, possibly, her daughter, Jennifer, could have played. We spoke to Ms. Kazan on Wednesday, and she assures us that she has never written a story about Billie Holiday, has nothing whatsoever to do with COLABO, and, until our call, had never heard of them or "Troy Adams," who seems to be leading the pack. One of the as yet unpaid musicians suggested that the word "COLABO" may be Latin for "Con Men." We have to say that we are quite surprised, and more than a little disappointed, that Genevieve, who makes her home in Las Vegas and is a talented singer with, up until now, a decent reputation, would throw her musicians under the bus for these COLABO folks who have no vested interest in this city and could be gone from here as quickly as they came. Genevieve continues on with this project, leaving the music makers (some who have already abandoned the sinking ship) to fend for themselves. Shame on her. It has long been Cousin Claire's opinion that, in addition to very young children and small animals, entertainers (including musicians) may be among the most abused, victimized and taken-advantage-of segment of the world's population. There are some people who should come with warning labels. We have a list of them, accumulated over our more than 30 years in Las Vegas. COLABO and company have now been added to the list. The MO is pretty much the same - empty promises, delivered by delusional people with over-inflated egos. Out-and-out thievery Folks claiming to be people they aren't, or claiming to be related to people they had no connection to. People creating a fictional history and claiming credit for things they never did. Some even who use the guise of legitimate and illegitimate charitable organizations to try and give credibility and respectability where none is earned or deserved. We have heard, and seen, it all. Some of these scoundrels have gotten caught with their hands in someone else's cookie jar (or bank account). Maybe those hands got slapped, maybe they didn't. As this city continues to grow, and as the rest of the world sees, hears and reads things depicting Las Vegas as the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the rats will continue to come here, looking for a fast buck and not caring who gets damaged in the process. It may take a little longer to get wise to them, as it is easier to hide in a city of two-million people than it was, say, in the 1960s and 1970s, when everyone knew everyone and could more easily compare notes. As for this COLABO bunch, we suggest caution on the part of any performer who values their reputation. We also suggest that, as an entertainer, if you are willing to take a chance on these people, get the CASH (or at least a deposit) up front before wasting time and energy, not to mention gasoline, at rehearsals and MAYBE performances. If you are a potential ticket buyer, we suggest using a major credit card so that, just in case the show is canceled, you can dispute the charges and get a refund. You have been warned. * * * * * * Last weekend's Ribbon of Life show was their most successful yet. Golden Rainbow's 22nd annual production generated about $300,000 to help Southern Nevadans affected by HIV/AIDS. Approximately 1,500 audience members watched hundreds of performers, from the Strip's major shows, dance, sing and display their many talents during the two day fundraiser. Covering Hollywood, the Heartland and Broadway, A Musical Journey presented many outstanding performances on the stage of the Le Theatre Des Arts at Paris Las Vegas. We don't want to omit anyone, as all of the performers deserve a tremendous amount of credit (they rehearse before and after their work over many weeks), but some of our favorite musical numbers included Muppet Mania, choreographed and directed by Brigid Little Griebel and featuring the babies and toddlers of many show people; The Devil Went Down to Georgia, with singer Chris Coyne and violists, Nina DiGregorio, Adrienne Schreiner and Denitza Judd of Bella Rumore; A Tribute to Bob Fosse; and You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray. We missed what had become a real Golden Rainbow crowd-pleaser, the number from the Will Rogers Follies, featuring many of Vegas' pioneer dancers, but we welcomed The Hot Flash Hoofers, featuring a group of talented tapping seniors. The real crowd-pleaser on Sunday, resulting in plenty of shouting and a standing ovation, was the cast of Mamma Mia! dissing all things Cirque in You Gotta Get a Cirque Show (sung to the tune of You Gotta Get a Gimmick from Gypsy. Very clever and great fun, with much of the credit going to Greg Kata who wrote the lyrics and directed and choreographed the number. Special mention goes to the two "Strip Stars" who participated on both days, John O'Hurley, the star of Spamalot at Wynn Las Vegas, and George Wallace who breaks up audiences during his late night shows at the Flamingo. O'Hurley, dressed in brown as a UPS delivery man (those too tight very short shorts were worth the ticket price to see the show), did a very funny bit to the song Bend and Snap!, from Broadway's Legally Blonde. As for comic Wallace, not only did he do a very well received monologue, he invited the show attendees to use their ticket stubs to come see his show...for free, AND he gave a personal check for $5000 to Golden Rainbow. We be thinkin', that was a very nice thing for Mr. Wallace to do. Congratulations to all. * * * * * * 
Gerry McCambridge & Michelle 
Lorna Luft 
Phil Flowers We helped the amazing Gerry McCambridge celebrate a couple of milestone events last night. On June 7th, McCambridge, best known as The Mentalist, did his 500th show in Las Vegas (in the three years he has been here, prior to his association with Hooters, he had respectable runs at both the Rampart and the Stardust), and on the 11th, he marked his one year anniversary at the East Tropicana hotel/casino. The media and invited guests had a great time and, with new "tricks" and a new (to us) Vegas backdrop added, enjoyed seeing McCambridge at work for a second or third or fourth time, just as much as they did the first time they saw him...maybe more. At the end of the performance, Gerry's lovely family, his wife Kim McCambridge and four of his six children - Scott McCambridge, 17; Ronny Louis McCambridge, 7; JoAnn Conchetta McCambridge, 5; and Luke Vegas McCambridge, 3 (lovingly referred to as "Gerry's kids") - joined him onstage in the Night Owl Showroom, while Hooters Chief Operating Officer, Gary Gregg, presented the entertainer with a beautiful diamond Rolex watch as a thank you for his year of sold out shows. Good going, Gerry. For tickets to The Mentalist, call (866) 584-6687. * * * * * * He may be gone from Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, but Brent Barrett is not spending much time sipping lemonade in his Las Vegas backyard. Next Saturday, on June 28th, he performs Bernstein's Broadway in the Kennedy Center's cabaret performance series as part of legendary Barbara Cook's Spotlight. Bernstein's Broadway is the same show Brent did in Barcelona last June, during time off from Phantom. As Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center was the last stop on the pre-Broadway tour of his first Broadway show, West Side Story, Barrett felt it would be fitting to salute Leonard Bernstein, the composer of the West Side Story score. Hailed for his glorious tenor voice, in addition to his two-year starring role in Phantom, and his Great White Way debut in West Side Story, Brent has also appeared in Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, and Kiss Me, Kate. Closing out the Spotlight season, Barrett's concert is sure to entertain with a variety of Broadway classics and more. Performed in the Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. For reservations, call (800) 444-1324 or (202) 467-4600.
* * * * * * This weekend, tonight through Sunday, June 22nd, the Suncoast presents singer/actress Lorna Luft in their 500-seat showroom. Often overshadowed by her mother (Judy Garland) and sister (Liza Minnelli), it was Garland herself who said it was Lorna who was the real singer in the family. In what might be the longest show title to try and squeeze onto a Las Vegas marquee, Ms. Luft calls her current revue (take a deep breath), Lorna Luft Celebrates Her Mother Judy Garland ,The Legend - The Music - The Memories "Songs My Mother Taught Me." Could we make this up? Personally, we think the previous show name, the simple, easy to remember, Songs My Mother Taught Me, is quite enough. We weren't crazy about the title, Wohscigam, that magician Brett Daniels' chose for his recent show at the Sahara either. That show disappeared faster then blond magic man Hans Klok's assistant/co-star (what was her name?), so maybe folks should listen to us. Lorna Luft's career has encompassed virtually every area of entertainment. As a celebrated live performer, stage, film and television actress, best selling author, recording artist and Emmy-nominated producer, Lorna continues to triumph in every medium, with critics labeling her one of the most vibrant, versatile and exciting artists on stage today. As the daughter of the legendary Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft (and half-sister to Liza Minnelli), music and entertainment was an integral part of Lorna's childhood. At age 11, she made her television debut singing on her mother's TV series, The Judy Garland Show. At 16, and already a seasoned performer, she shared the bill with her mom on Broadway in a fabled month-long concert engagement at New York's famed Palace Theater. By 19, Lorna was starring on Broadway in Neil Simon's hit musical Promises, Promises. She continued on the New York stage as "Peppermint Patty" in the musical Snoopy and then took a dramatic turn alongside Farrah Fawcett in Extremities. She also starred as Miss Adelaide in Jerry Zak's world tour production of Guys and Dolls. In 1998 Lorna added a new dimension to her multi-faceted career. She became a NY Times best-selling author upon the release of her critically acclaimed memoir Me and My Shadows. It was optioned by ABC Television and broadcast as a four-hour miniseries starring Judy Davis. Lorna served as Co-Executive Producer on Life with Judy Garland: Me & My Shadows which won five Emmy Awards (including one for Judy Davis) and garnered the highest ratings of the season. One of her most ambitious projects to date is the highly acclaimed multi-media production Songs My Mother Taught Me – A Celebration of the Music of Judy Garland. This theatrical extravaganza melds one of the world's most familiar songbooks with personal memories of a loving daughter. Songs My Mother Taught Me, which Variety called "a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event," was awarded two Los Angeles Theatrical Alliance Ovation Awards for Best World Premiere Musical & Best Musical Direction. The Los Angeles Times called Lorna's performance "heart-stopping and thrilling – an incandescent revelation not to be missed." In addition, Lorna is a favorite of Jerry Herman. She appeared in the star-studded musical tribute to the Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricist, Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl (available on DVD), along with performers such as Bea Arthur, Carol Channing, Michael Feinstein, David Gaines, George Hearn, Angela Lansbury, Rita Moreno, Karen Morrow, Lee Roy Reams and Leslie Uggams. See Lorna in the 450-seat Suncoast Showroom, tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30. Tickets are priced from $19.95 plus tax, and can be purchased by calling the box office at 702-636-7075. And speaking of the Suncoast, last month, Teru Pritchard of 29 Palms, California, who drove to Las Vegas with two friends to participate in the two-day Mega Bash Bingo event, won a $100,000 coverall jackpot at the Suncoast Casino and Hotel. * * * * * * Hats!, which had been playing at Harrah's and was announced to be closing on July 10th, instead closed last night, with very little warning. People (like Cousin Claire and friends) had planned to see the show early in July. Those "He (or she) who hesitates is lost" and "You snooze, you lose" sayings, seem to apply in this case. We hesitated while we snoozed, and we missed the musical about the famed Red Hat Ladies. And so it goes. * * * * * * From traveling Sami, who spends much time in Washington, D.C., Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Southern Virginia, comes this e-mail... Dear Ms. Claire Voyant,
One of my favorite entertainers is Phil Flowers. I know that he performs in Vegas, but I don't know where. Could you please tell me where I can find him? (Signed) Sami Sure, Sami. Answering readers questions, when we can, is part of our job. Although he now makes his home in Las Vegas, Mr. Flowers spends much of his time at sea, entertaining on Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. However, if you happen to be in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 28th at 6 p.m., Sami, Phil Flowers will pay tribute to the late Luther Vandross in a show at the Horn Theatre on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne in North Las Vegas. Appearing with Flowers will be Skip Martin from Kool and the Gang. There will be a Red Carpet ceremony from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with the show following at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Sons of Erin. For additional information and reservations, call (702) 439-0384. You can check Phil's Web site by going to ThePhilFlowersShow.com. You're welcome, Sami. * * * * * * 
Roy W. Butler's Afternoon Breeze 
Diane Ellis 
Jeanne Brei "One of my greatest passions in life is simply people watching," says sculptor Roy W. Butler. A genuine student of life, Butler is passionately devoted to his art and possessed with a rare talent for creating sensitive and moving images that touch the soul. "I can sit and watch people involved in any activity for hours and hours. We're all the same but still different and that fascinates me," says Butler. "I also believe the human body is one of the most beautiful creations in the universe, aside from a beautiful sunset". Growing up in rural Tennessee, Butler began developing his artistic and technical talents at an early age. When money allowed, much time was spent assembling model kits, mostly automotive. During high school, Roy heard of a national competition sponsored by General Motors in which entrants had to totally design and hand build 1/12th precision scale automobiles of the future. These were not store bought kits but automobiles created from components fabricated by each entrant. During the three years he was eligible to enter, Roy won nationally recognized awards each time. His talents were also devoted to drawing. "I used to spend so much time drawing that I would run out of sketch pads and my mother would often hide the kitchen paper towels," says Butler. The word spread of his artistic ability and a local contractor commissioned a full color, watercolor rendering of a home which was submitted to a national manufacturer. Several months later, the rendering appeared in a Life magazine advertisement. Roy was 16-years-old. As his self-taught talents evolved, creative interests developed into a successful career combining art of the human form, fine art sculpture, painting, photography, computer graphics and architectural design. In 1988, Butler, who is now a Las Vegas resident, found his true passion for people through lifecasting; a medium of sculpture often utilized by renown sculptors such as John DeAndrea, George Segal and J. Seward Johnson. Creating life sculptures is more than art, capturing the essence of each unique individual and allowing their true inner spirit to emerge. Butler says, "Lifecasting is an art form that allows me to combine creative and technical skills into producing works of art that accurately replicate the visual sensation of human life." His demand for the highest degree of quality and excellence of work shows in every piece, allowing the art to be an important archival and heirloom resource. Mr. Butler's fine art sculpting credits include national historical monuments archived with the Smithsonian. A number of prominent people also have Butler pieces in their collections, among them, Vernon Winfrey (Oprah Winfrey's father) and actor Matthew Lillard, featured in the Scream movies. Next Friday, June 27th, Boulder City, Nevada, will officially welcome a new Roy Butler bronze to their impressive public sculpture collection. Called Afternoon Breeze, the life-size piece depicts a woman of that era, dressed in authentic 1930s clothing and accessories, doing her best to keep her hat from blowing off her head and down the street. Butler's Afternoon Breeze now has a permanent home at the corner of Nevada Way and Arizona Street. Beginning at 6 p.m., and starting from the historical Boulder City Hotel, a walking tour will give art and culture lovers the opportunity to see many new displays spread over a two block area. Take your camera, as this display offers plenty of Kodak moments. * * * * * * A week from this Sunday (on June 29th), the Performing Arts Society of Nevada will present the Michael Dubay Quintet's Element of Jazz at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo. The program will feature a variety of instrumental numbers, from Latin to Blues to Swing, along with vocals and dancing. Performing will be Michael Dubay, Joe Malone, Jonathan Rem, Miguel Rodriguez, Gil Kaup, Annette Verdolino and Tim Searcy. Those two wild and crazy (and singing) guys, Tony (Arias) and Lloyd (Ziel) will serves as masters of ceremony. The show starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $15. Call (702) 658-6741 to order, or purchase tickets at the library box office an hour before show time. * * * * * * Birthday wishes to some of our favorite Gemini personalities...Jerri (Mrs. Prince) Spencer, Tom Gallagher, Rich Affannato, Sarasue Essenpreis, LaToya Jackson and her sister Rebbie Jackson (the share May 29th birthdays), Diane Ellis, Marvin Hamlisch, Sam Harris, Michael LaRocca, Nicholas Pomeranz, Eric Floyd, Kenny Mazlow, Mel Carter, Nate Tannenbaum, Joe LaVigna, Jeanne Brei, Sandy Hackett and Merrick Wolfe. Anniversary wishes to Eric Floyd and Wanda Dee Floyd, and Jim and Jan Seagrave. And speaking of Diane Ellis, the lady who came here from Boston in 1979, has decided to give up her day gig to return to what she loves, the spotlight and singing. In the 1980s, Diane, along with Joey Lomello, Danny Calico, Corky DiFini and Bob Lyman, made up a popular vocal group called Chazz. When the group dissolved, Diane and Danny became D'Cal (a combination of their names, Danny Calico and Diane Calderone, Diane's maiden name). In years since, Diane, as a single, opened for Don Rickles, was cast in the Las Vegas version of Beach Blanket Babylon (the long running San Francisco revue played here at the Sands), Bill Moore and George Arnold's Broadway Varieties, and was a 10 year employee at the Excalibur where she was a Royal Court Singer and, along with Dolly Coulter, Steven Cowart and Janice Sands, a member of the harmony group, Vocalese. In addition to Rickles, Diane has shared the stage with Allen & Rossi, The Four Freshmen, Robert Goulet and Joe Williams. When Diane was working, it was not unusual to see Redd Foxx in the audience. In addition to her vocal skills, Ellis is adept at comedy and is a sought after voiceover actress. Her takeoff on Lucille Ball has garnered her private party and convention work. Give this girl a job! And speaking of Jeanne Brei, she appeared on Tuesday's episode of the new reality show, Master of Dance. The premise of Master of Dance has six contestants face off against each other, dancing freestyle. As they are performing, the music stops and changes mid-song. The dancers then have to change dance styles. The one who adapts the best wins the round. Competitors are eliminated one by one. The last one left standing is declared the winner. On June 25th, Jeanne will celebrate both her June birthday and the debut of her new CD, at a party at Bugsy's Supper Club in Las Vegas! * * * * * * Ronnie Rose reports that on Thursday, June 26th, he and the Slick Willie Orchestra will be back at the new, growing in popularity, Louis Fish Camp Restaurant, located at the Town Square Mall on Las Vegas Blvd. South. Rose, who sings primarily blues and classic R & B and also plays blues harmonica, is joined by an eight piece band (Tommy Alvarado on sax, Steve Meyers on trombone, Joel Richman on drums, and other guest professionals) for the 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. gig. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Town Square Mall, behind the Rave movie theater. So, go, have a nice meal and enjoy the sounds of Ronnie Rose and SWO. Tell them Cousin Claire sent you. * * * * * * 
Meredith Vieira 
Rebekah Raun 
Mac King The popular game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, will be holding contestant auditions in Las Vegas at the Cannery Casino & Hotel (2121 East Craig Road, North Las Vegas), on Wednesday, June 25th, from 7 to 11 a.m. Auditions will take place in The Club, located in the Casino, next to the Buffet (the audition line will form to the right of The Club entrance). The show is seeking people who are smarter than a fifth grader for the fourth installment of "Netflix Million Dollar Movie Week," a specialty show featuring movie-themed questions. Those auditioning will also be given the opportunity to try out for a regular episode of the hit game show's upcoming seventh season. Millionaire is also looking for engaged couples who would like to appear as a team for "Wedding Week," as well as for "Famous Names Week," a new specialty series that will showcase ordinary people who share their name with a famous person; "Halloween Week," featuring Halloween enthusiasts wearing their best Halloween costumes; and "Three Generations," a new family series that will, for the first time, allow a three person team - grandparent, parent and child - in the hot seat (all three team members must audition for this series). Auditions consist of a timed multiple-choice test and for those people who pass, a short interview with a Millionaire producer. Testing sessions will start at 7 a.m., with the last session beginning at 11 a.m. Those who pass the audition test(s) will be given a specific time to return in the afternoon (between 12:30 and 4 p.m.) for an interview with a Millionaire producer. Those interested in taking the audition test will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pre-registration is not required. Audition space is limited and will not be guaranteed to everyone who shows up. You must be at least 18 years old (except for the "Three Generations" series), a U.S. resident and meet all eligibility requirements to audition. You must also bring a picture ID to your audition. Complete official rules can be found at www.millionairetv.com. Las Vegas was one of only six cities chosen for traveling auditions for the upcoming seventh season of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Producers will also travel to Sacramento, CA (Monday, June 23rd), Atlanta, GA (Friday, June 27th), Minneapolis, MN (Monday, August 11th), Detroit, MI (Wednesday, August 13th) and Washington, D.C. (Friday, August 15th). Who Wants To Be A Millionaire can be seen in Las Vegas on Channel 13 (KTNV/ABC), weekdays at 11:30 a.m., and week nights at 7:30 p.m.
* * * * * * Dancers from the cast of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular are offering some HOPE for families in crisis through a dance concert, HOPE: An Afternoon of Classical Ballet. Erina Noda and Rebekah Raun (Artistic Directors/Repetiteur/Lead Dancers) have announced that HOPE will include excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Carmina Burana, La Boheme and Carmen. Also appearing will be singers from the cast of Phantom. This one day concert event will benefit Family Promise of Las Vegas, a local non-profit organization that assists Las Vegas homeless families to get off the streets and back into homes. It will take place on Saturday, July 5th at 2 p.m. in the Clark County Library Theater, on Flamingo Road just east of Maryland Parkway. A donation of $20 per person will help families in need throughout the entire year! Tickets to this afternoon of music and dance are very limited. They may be purchased at www.familypromiselvtickets.com . (Video clips of rehearsals are also available at this site.) For reservations or more information, call (702) 245-0992. * * * * * * Fab Four Live, the No. 1 Beatles tribute show, has opened at the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Fab Four Live features the most talented and awarded Beatles tribute artists in the world - Steve Craig as John, Tony Kishman as Paul, Glenn McCallum as George, and Tony Felecita as Ringo. As an added touch of reality, there is also an Ed Sullivan character, portrayed by Paul Terry. In the early part of the show, Fab Four Live performs music from the early '60s albums including Revolver, A Hard Days Night, and Rubber Soul. Following a quick costume change, the artists return to the stage with songs from the psychedelic era, including the hits Sergeant Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, and Yellow Submarine, followed by Abbey Road and Let It Be. It's as if John, Paul, George, and Ringo are back in Las Vegas again. And they said the Beatles would never perform together again! Fab Four Live rocks the V Theater Fridays through Wednesdays (dark Thursdays) at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49.00. For reservations, call the V Theater Box Office at (702) 932-1818 or purchase online at www.varietytheater.com * * * * * * Comedian/magician Mac King will team up with the North Las Vegas Library District this summer to host a magic show for students taking part in the Summer Reading Club program. Tomorrow (June 21st), King will make guest appearances at the North Las Vegas Library and Aliante Library to promote children's literacy and encourage participation in the program. King, an advocate for children's literacy, works with Optimists International as a spokesperson for the organization's Junior Optimists Octagon International JOOI of Reading program. Locally, King hosts the annual Mac King Book Drive and volunteers to read and perform at local public schools. In addition he is the creator of Mac King's Magic in a Minute, which includes a line of magic kits, books, toys and products, and a nationally syndicated weekly comic strip. King's visit to the North Las Vegas Library, 2300 Civic Center Drive, will take place at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., he will be at the Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Way in North Las Vegas. King performs at Harrah's Las Vegas in The Mac King Comedy Magic Show, voted "Best Bargain Show" by the 2008 Las Vegas Review-Journal readers' poll, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 1 and 3 p.m. * * * * * * The ladies of ABC's The View will broadcast from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, from June 23rd through the 27th. Among the guests scheduled for the week are American Idol's Top 2 men, David Cook and David Archuleta, Jessica Simpson, Bette Midler, and Vegas bred, Jimmy Kimmel. Don't' call us for tickets. * * * * * * Bet we weren't the only ones who, when they saw the headline in the Entertainment section of Wednesday's Las Vegas Review-Journal stating "Holmes' Broadway debut set," thought it was referring to CLINT Holmes. With his bio-musical, Just Another Man, waiting in the wings, it certainly could have been Clint the Associated Press was writing about. Alas, it was another Homes. Katie Holmes, actually. The wife of actor Tom Cruise, Katie will make her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's All My Sons when the drama officially opens at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on October 16th. The play is scheduled to run through January 11th.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Claire Voyant’s portrait by Charlie Frye
Tags: Lainie Kazan John O'Hurley George Wallace Gerry McCambridge Lorna Luft Phil
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 - June 13, 2008  Fay McKay  Adrian Garcia  Martin Nievera Sadly, the number of people who made the trip to the Spiritual Life Center on Harmon and Maryland Parkway to say goodbye to entertainer Fay McKay was much smaller than it should have been. Among the friends and fans who came to pay their last respects on Saturday afternoon were Peter Anthony, Jeanne Brei, Jim Hodge, Nancy Leefe, Marion and Lou Novits. Those at the service were treated to a look back at McKay's decades long career. Cute stories were told, memories were shared, audio recordings of Fay were played, and video clips of her sharing the spotlight with Liberace on the Mike Douglas Show and performing at the Landmark were shown. Randy Carlson, Fay's longtime friend and neighbor, along with Fay's cousin, Jeanne Broughton, did a great job of setting up the photo display (there were many, many pictures, including McKay with Sammy Davis Jr., Liberace, Big Tiny Little, Robert Goulet and numerous other celebrities), and editing the films and music. The funny lady with the big voice, who gained fame through her hysterical "drinking" version of The Twelve Daze of Christmas, died on April 4th following a couple of years in declining health. We have to wonder why there was not one representative from the organization formerly known as The CAST. If you know the story, some years ago (during a different regime), the group that is supposed to support entertainers, purchased an electric wheelchair for McKay. Today, the current board does very little to help those that need it, and, it seems, they can't even take the time to bid farewell to one of their own. Incidentally, following Fay's death, the wheelchair was donated back to what used to be The CAST. At the end of the afternoon tribute, Fay McKay was given one last, well deserved, standing ovation. And speaking of, while not speaking of, that faux charitable organization mentioned, but not mentioned above, when the group's leader asked longtime supporter Lou Toomin about renewing his membership, Toomin said he would pay his annual dues AFTER he had a look at the books. Mr. Toomin, who is currently running for state senator, had, and has, made this request numerous times before. Instead of providing him with the information he requested, the egomaniac that runs the organization chose, instead, to remove Toomin from the already dwindling membership list. As Dr. Phil McGraw states, "He who has nothing to hide, hides nothing." We wonder what this bunch has to hide. * * * * * * The local entertainment community has suffered yet another loss. From Keith Thompson, musical director for Jersey Boys at Palazzo and the man behind the Composers Showcase, comes this sad news...
The Las Vegas Entertainment Community lost a beloved friend and a wonderful artist this week. Adrian Garcia passed away on Monday, June 9th at 1 p.m. following a battle with cancer. Those who had the pleasure of playing music with him know that his tremendous bass playing spoke for itself. Adrian fought his long bout against cancer with courage, persistence, and faith. He was a soulful, caring, and honorable man with a great sense of humor. Adrian played for Sheena Easton, Martin Nievera, and also worked with Latin Breeze and the Jim Spoto band. He was active in the production shows here in Las Vegas as the bass-player for Hairspray at the Luxor, Storm at Mandalay Bay, and, most recently, for Hats! at Harrah's. Please keep Adrian's family in your thoughts and prayers as we miss him in our musical community and sadly mourn his passing. Services for Adrian Garcia were held yesterday (Thursday, June 12th) at 1 p.m. at the Remnant Ministries Christian Fellowship, 325 East Windmill Road, just west of Bermuda. * * * * * *  Larry Raben  Mark Giovi  Joey Gian Cousin Claire was delighted to get a call on Wednesday from the talented and personable Larry Raben. Raben was calling from St. Louis, where both he and the equally talented and personable Lee Roy Reams (both gentlemen were principals in The Producers at Paris Las Vegas) are in rehearsals for the very same Mel Brooks' musical romp, opening at the 90-year-old Muny on June 16th. Lee Roy will once again portray the flamboyant Roger DeBris, while Larry, who played Leo Bloom in the Vegas production, will take on the role of Carmen Ghia, played here by Rich Affannato (and for six months during its Broadway run by Star Search alum/winner, Sam Harris). The Producers will be at the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre through June 22nd. In addition to Raben and Reams, the Muny cast is made up of Lewis J. Stadlen as Max Bialystock (portrayed at different times in the Vegas production by both Brad Oscar and Tony Danza), Don Stephenson as Leo Bloom, Anthony "Tony" Cummings (son of the late actor, Bob Cummings) as Franz Liebkind (played here by Bill Nolte), and Angie Schworer as Ulla (played in Las Vegas by Leigh Zimmerman). For those that never saw the film or the play, the storyline goes like this...When brash Max Bialystock and his shy accountant, Leo Bloom, realize that they can make more money with a Broadway flop than with a hit, they set out to produce the worst play in theatrical history. It's brazen and bawdy, sweet and spirited. It's musical and funny. What's not to love? The production of The Producers will be followed by Disney's High School Musical (June 23rd through July 2nd), My Fair Lady (July 7th through 13th), 90 Years of Muny Magic (July 14th through 20th), Miss Saigon (July 21st through 27th), My One & Only (July 28th through August 3rd) and Fiddler On the Roof (August 4th through 10th). If you are in the St. Louis area, call (314) 534-1111 or (800) 293-5949 for more information and/or to purchase tickets. And speaking of Tony Danza, he is in New York and back at Feinstein's at Loews Regency through tomorrow (June 14th). Calling his new show I Could Have Danced All Night, the revue features his usual mix of music, comedy and dance, and includes songs like Dancing in the Dark, Let's Face the Music and Dance, The Last Dance, and At the Hop. Sounds very much like the one-man show that Lee Roy Reams did here last August as part of the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's Brown Bag Concert series. Reams called HIS show Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance (in which he did both...sing and dance). We think Mr. Danza may have been in the audience that afternoon. Perhaps he was inspired/influenced by the veteran Broadway performers' idea, hmmm? * * * * * * For you fans of the Las Vegas Tenors, we would like to take a moment to correct some misinformation printed elsewhere. Mark Giovi, the principal singer in Bite at the Stratosphere, and one of the Tenor's founding members and singers (until about a month ago) - Bill Fayne, Bobby Black and Teddy Davey are the other three - would like it to be known that he would have been more than happy to join and help out his former music mates for their June 1st engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton. Mark recently left the popular group, citing some differences in opinion regarding business decisions. Chris Coyle, from the Tropicana's Folies Berger, was brought in to fill the empty spot created by Mark's absence. Sometimes, when it rains, it pours. The day before the group's last Hilton engagement, Teddy suffered a serious gallbladder attack and had to be hospitalized, leaving the Tenors with only two original members, plus Coyle, to carry on. Since the Tenors already had some dates scheduled at the time of the breakup (the June Hilton engagement and a weekend in July at the Suncoast), Giovi offered to perform with the fellows for those bookings. He was never contacted and his genuine offer to help was not accepted. We don't know who will be singing with the Tenors on the stage at the Suncoast come July 4th weekend. Stay tuned. Fear not, Mark Giovi fans. The talented singer is not sitting around with nothing to do. In addition to his ongoing role in Bite (he has been in the revue for three-and-a-half years), Mark has other things going on, including his own one-man show (we will have details on an upcoming August engagement soon). In October, Giovi and the Bite cast spent six-weeks performing the show in Greece. Last weekend (June 6th through 8th), Mark was part of the entertainment lineup for the 2nd Annual Italian Feast of Santa Clarita, held in Valencia, California (that‘s Magic Mountain territory). This event, highlighting entertainment, Italian culture, music, rides, a kids corner and food, is put on by the same folks who present the Los Angeles San Gennaro Festival. In addition to his solo spots in the Santa Clarita's Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows, Giovi joined his friend and fellow performer, Joey Gian (who was also entertaining at the Italian Feast), for a few duets, including Sweet Home Chicago and Mack the Knife. Gian, by the way, lived and worked in Las Vegas for about a year, singing primarily at an Italian bistro on the far south end of the Strip, and in the lounge at the Stardust. After becoming a Star Search finalist in the mid-1980s, Joey went on to recurring roles on TV's Knots Landing (where his love interest was played by Desperate Housewife, Nicollette Sheridan), Beverly Hills 90210, and Steven Bochco's Hooperman (starring the late John Ritter). Gian has also appeared in a number of films, including Return To Me, starring David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Helen Hunt and Carroll O'Connor (in his last film). Joey also wrote and performed some of the music in the movie, including What If I Loved You, which in recent years has become a popular wedding song. * * * * * * 
Felice Garcia 
Brent Barrett 
Patti LuPone Here are some Tropicana Topics...Felice Garcia has joined the cast of the legendary Folies Bergere as the new principal female singer. Felice has been performing in talent shows, musicals, plays, pageants, civic events and other miscellaneous functions, since she was nine. A native of Carlsbad, California, Felice attended high school in Reno and spent a year living abroad in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Some of her accomplishments include winning the "Reno Idol" competition, a local version of American Idol, in 2004. She was also the first runner up for Miss Reno/Sparks, Nevada in 2005. Felice moved to Las Vegas three years ago, and is currently attending UNLV, where she is a senior majoring in Vocal Performance. Her role models include Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, LeAnn Rimes, Dolly Parton, and Aretha Franklin, just to name a few. Folies Bergere is performed at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the show is performed at 8:30 p.m. Shows are topless and restricted to guests 16 and older, except the 7:30 p.m. shows on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Folies Bergere is dark Sundays. Tickets are $35, plus tax and surcharge, for table seating and $45, plus tax and surcharge, for booth seating, and can be purchased through the Tropicana Box Office at (702) 739-2411. The award-winning jazz-rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, will perform a one-night-only concert, Saturday, June 28th at 8 p.m. in the Tropicana's Tiffany Theatre. Celebrating 40 years of touring the country, Blood, Sweat & Tears will present some of their greatest hits, including Spinning Wheel, And When I Die, and You've Made Me So Very Happy. BS&T was the first musical group to have three hit singles from the same album, and the first band to combine rock with jazz. They earned multiple gold albums and Grammy Awards, including the most prestigious of them all, Album of The Year. Though there have been many changes in the bands line-up over the years (most notably the departure of lead vocalist David Clayton Thomas), Blood, Sweat & Tears continues its tradition of finding and showcasing the brightest talent around the world. The band's appearance at the Tropicana will include the band's founder, Steve Katz. Tickets for Blood, Sweat & Tears are $42.50 for table seating and $53.50 for booth seating, including tax and service charge. The Tropicana is also offering a special room and show package for Blood, Sweat & Tears. The package includes two night accommodations (June 27th and 28th), plus two tickets to the June 28th performance. The cost is $114.50 per person, and is based on double occupancy. Taxes, gratuities and surcharges are not included. Call the Tropicana box office at (702) 739-2411 or log onto www.tropicanalv.com to buy regular tickets. To purchase the special package, call 1-800-462-8767 and mention promotion code IEMBST8, or visit the Web site. And speaking of the Tropicana, their Public Relations Director, Lisa Keim-Carr, departs the hotel after almost eight years in that position. Lisa, who was also a PR person at the Desert Inn and a Senior Specialist at The Firm, will become the city of Henderson's Marketing and PR Supervisor for the Cultural Arts and Tourism Department beginning on June 16th. Good going, Lisa! * * * * * * Last Friday (June 6th) saw our Phavorite Phantom, Brent Barrett, taking his final bow as the star of The Venetian's Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular. It was an emotional experience, with many fans throwing roses on the stage. Kristi Holden (playing Christine that night) gave a tearful speech and Brent was presented with floral bouquets. Barrett has been sharing the starring role with Anthony Crivello since the Andrew Lloyd Webber award-winner opened in June of 2006. Other changes are taking place within the Phantom cast. Kristen Hertzenberg, who also plays Christine in Phantom, is on maternity leave as she awaits the birth of her first baby. Some other major show changes are happening now and over the next couple of months. There will be two show closings in July...Monty Python's Spamalot will depart Wynn Las Vegas on the 13th, after a 16-month run, while Hats!, which opened in January, will end its Harrah's engagement on the 10th. Apparently, like the Elvis he portrays in The Dream King, Trent Carlini has left the building...that would be the Sahara Hotel where his show has been playing since early last year. The Beatles tribute show, Fab Four Mania, which seemed to be doing well at Planet Hollywood's V Theater, is also out of the Sahara after six months. The Second City troupe, at the Flamingo since 2001, is also disappearing from that venue (no new Las Vegas plans have been announced). Then there is the Society of Seven and Toni Braxton Revealed, also gone from the Flamingo in recent weeks. The Paris theater has been empty since The Producers closed four months ago. We don't know what to make of all of this. Is it the poor economy? Is it the venue? Is it lack of creative, ongoing marketing? Or is it just lack of interest by the ticket buying public? It's hard to say. Anyway, if you want to see Hats! before it ends, we suggest contacting Harrah's for the schedule as they seem to be making changes by the minute (for example, the Sunday matinees have ended). Call (800) 392-9002. * * * * * * And speaking of Broadway musicals, we wouldn't be surprised to see Patti LuPone, last in Las Vegas for an engagement at the Suncoast in November, take home the Tony Award for her role as Mama Rose in the revival of Gypsy. The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Award is one of the most coveted in the entertainment industry, and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television and, usually, one of the most entertaining of all the award shows. Tony Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. Hosted this year by Whoopi Goldberg, the show airs on CBS, Sunday night beginning at 8 p.m. (ET/PT time delay). This year's version, the 82nd, should be an exceptionally good one, as numbers from 13 musicals will be presented. In addition to the special performances by the Tony-winning musicals Rent and The Lion King, for the first time ever, Sunday night's show, broadcast from Radio City Music Hall, will feature performances by each of this season's Broadway musicals. Along with the nominated musicals Cry-Baby, Grease, Gypsy, In the Heights, Passing Strange, South Pacific, Sunday in the Park with George and Xanadu, this year's telecast will also include live performances by A Catered Affair, The Little Mermaid and Young Frankenstein casts.
* * * * * *
Ribbon of Life 
Sebastian Anzaldo 
Sammy Shore Tomorrow and Sunday (June 14th and 15th), Golden Rainbow presents its annual Ribbon of Life spectacular. Now in its 22nd year, the community's No. 1 fundraiser assists those Southern Nevadans with, and affected by, HIV/AIDS. The revue will take place in the 1,500-seat Le Theatre Des Arts at Paris Las Vegas. Hundreds of Strip and off-Strip production performers gather together to put on a show that, in the last few years, has raised approximately $250,000 in one weekend in June. Golden Rainbow was the creation of the late Peter Todd and Bree Burgess. Their young and middle-age friends and Bally's co-workers were dying from this "new disease." Many were unable to work and found themselves with no medical coverage, no income and, many times, no home. What to do? What entertainers do best...put on a show to raise money to help, with housing, food and educating the public about this plague. The first show took place in the showroom at Bally's. Since then, many hotels have played host to the fundraiser. Show numbers in this weekend's 2008 Ribbon of Life include, from the "Hollywood" segment, Muppet Mania, The Surreal, Hollywood's Not America, The Bare Necessities and Disney Salutes the Oscars. From the "Heartland" portion, look for Hero, Amazing Grace, Devil Went Down to Georgia, Classic Rock, Struggles in the Heartland, Believe and The Victory is Ours. The "Broadway" section includes Rhythm Remix, You Gotta Get A Cirque Show, Gay or European?, Home, All I Ask Of You, Bend and Snap!, A Tribute to Bob Fosse and You Can't Stop the Beat. Among the performers contributing their time and talent, cast members from Cirque du Soleil‘s Ka and O, Fantasy, Folies Bergere, Jubilee!, La Cage, Le Reve, Mamma Mia!, Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, Spamalot, Tony ‘n Tina's Wedding, and The World's Greatest Magic Show. Also participating, The Hot Flash Hoofers of Vancouver, MGM Grand Productions, Missy Cochran Entertainment, Searcy Entertainment Inc., Studio 54, Tony & Lloyd, and children of many of the entertainers. Spamalot's leading man, John O'Hurley, will also appear. Tickets for Ribbon of Life range in price from $35 to $200. Call (702) 384-2899 to purchase or go to http://www.goldenrainbow.org Golden Rainbow Ribbon of Life photo courtesy of Las Vegas CityLife. * * * * * * Without Las Vegas talent, the recent rash of TV reality shows would be a whole lot duller. We are probably (inadvertently) leaving out some names, but here are some of the shows that featured acts based in Vegas...American Idol - Mikalah Gordon; America's Got Talent - Kevin James and assistant Antonio Hoyos, Nathan Burton; Phenomenon - Gerry McCambridge; The Next Best Thing - Trent Carlini, Sebastian Anzaldo, Sharon Owens; Dancing With the Stars - Wayne Newton, and dancing "pros," siblings Julianne and Derek Hough who both have some Las Vegas history). The latest hometown entry is Third Town, a Vegas-based country "boy band" currently competing on NBC's Nashville Star. If they don't start here, chances are many of the competitors will wind up on a stage, somewhere in Las Vegas...like last season's America's Got Talent winner, Terry Fator, who performs once a month at the Las Vegas Hilton. * * * * * * Once again, entertainer Nelson Sardelli gathers some of his talented and generous friends together for a trip to the Nevada Veterans Home in Boulder City where they will brighten the day of those who have nobly served their country. This will be the third year for what is fast becoming a Father's Day tradition. Some of the performers and musicians who have volunteered their talent for the occasion are Bill Acosta, Gary Allen, Linda Angeline (as Marilyn Monroe), Peter Anthony, Chuck N. Baker, Pete Barbutti, Michaelina Bellamy, Jeanne Brei, Charlie Callas, Paul Campanella, Kelly Clinton, George Dare, Tommy Deering, Robert S. Ensler, Vincent Falcone, Frank Grata (as Rodney Dangerfield), Clint Holmes, Teddy Kaye, Chaz La Forte, Las Vegas Tenors, Nik Mastrangelo, Mundane the Great (also known as Jac Hayden), Gary Olds Trio, Carme Pitrello (if he is not at sea), Dr. George Ritter, Ronnie Rose, Sammy Shore, Felix Silla (Cousin Itt of TV's The Addams Family), Senatorial Candidate Lou Toomin, Allen Tramont, Roy Willie (as Willie Nelson), and Sardelli who will serve as MC for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. variety show. In addition, Mr. Sardelli indicates that he hopes to hear from Linda Darnell, Deanna Durbin, Sabu, Mor Paul (Les Paul's brother), Maria Ouspenscaya and Lamont Cranston (only The Shadow knows if he will make an appearance), regarding their availability to participate in this worthwhile event. (It is Cousin Claire's suggestion that Sardelli not count on any of these folks to show up...although we think they would, if they could.) * * * * * * A little more on More & Gendel. You remember these two...they were rained out of a scheduled outdoor gig at Barley's Casino in Henderson. The musical duo has been asked to lead the way to the all new Ladies Night at the Las Vegas Hilton. As of now, these events will take place in the Hilton's Tempo Lounge, on Tuesdays, from 6 to 10 p.m., through July 8th. There is no cover and no drink minimum, and ladies drink FREE between 6 and 9 p.m.! Gentlemen playing Blackjack in the Tempo Lounge on those nights, also drink for free. Drawings for cash and prizes will take place at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Check out Llynda More and Mark Gendel, Tuesdays at the Hilton. * * * * * * Involving one of the most unusual plots for a musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, opens at the 160-seat West Side Theater located inside the Family Music Center at 8125 W. Sahara, tomorrow (June 14th). It will continue with 9 p.m. shows on Saturdays, June 21st, 28th and July 5th. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The book is by John Cameron Mitchell, and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. Hedwig premiered in 1998 and has been performed throughout the world in hundreds of stage productions. It has gathered a devoted cult following, similar to that of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Featuring songs such as Tear me Down, Nailed, Origin of Love, Random Number Generation and Wicked Little Town. Part rock concert, part theater, this hard hitting show, takes audience members on a whirlwind ride, with music reminiscent of David Bowie, Queen, Elton John, Nirvana, and The Beatles. Hedwig will be played by Troy Adams, Yitzhak by Betsy Holm, and Tommy by Cesar Chacon. A four-piece band is also an integral part of the show. A few years ago, Cousin Claire saw a production of Hedwig, put on by the now defunct, award-winning Nevada Theatre Company and directed by David Tapper. Blue Man Group and Second City cast member, Marcus Weiss, played Hedwig and was, well, brilliant! His was probably one of the best community theater performances we have seen in our more than 30 years in this city. If Colabo (the producers) can come close to the quality production we saw out at The Lakes, and if you are open to something very different, we would recommend seeing Hedwig and the Angry Inch. For tickets and additional information, call (702) 942-7358 or go to COLABO.BIZ on the Internet.
 Marcus Weiss  Keely Smith & Tommy Tune * * * * * * The 2008 Super Summer Theatre is currently presenting Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The story will transport audience members to a lovely French provincial town where the beautiful Belle lives with her father - a dotty inventor. When her father doesn't return home from a trip to the local fair, Belle rushes off to find him. To her dismay, she discovers he is being held captive in an old castle by a horrible beast. She trades her freedom for his and the "tale as old as time" begins. How Belle tames the unfortunate Beast, and his ultimate transformation into a handsome prince, continues to enthrall audiences on Broadway nightly. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair (chairs may also be rented at the park) in general-admission grass seating, share a picnic dinner, and indulge in treats from the concession stand and enjoy the outdoors before settling in under the stars for some super theatre. Guests are also urged to bring jackets since, believe it or not, once the sun goes down (which it does) it can get quite chilly at the ranch, even in June, July and August. Nestled in the heart of Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and Super Summer Theatre provide theatergoers with a special evening of relaxation, enjoyment and family-friendly entertainment. Now in its 33rd season, Super Summer Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing affordable, high quality productions to the people of Southern Nevada. The ranch is located 10 miles west of 215 on Charleston. Performances of Beauty and the Beast are Wednesdays though Saturdays, and wind up on June 21st. Gates open at 6 p.m., with show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at the UNLV Box Office, Prestige Travel at Lake Mead and Rampart, or online at unlvtickets.com. A limited number of tickets are available at the gate the night of the show for $15. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is produced by P.S. Productions. Additional shows and events this summer include performances of 1776 and Aida. The season continues in September with the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance theatre and ends that same month with Jazz Fest. For more information (and better directions), call (702) 594-PLAY. * * * * * * While watching a TV commercial for the new Get Smart movie, we think we heard Vegas lounge legend Keely Smith singing Sunny Side of the Street in the clip. The Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway-starring film (based on the 1960s TV series starring Don Adams as Maxwell Smart and Barbara Feldon as Agent 99) could gain the 76-year-old Smith a new generation of fans. In recent years, Keely has received excellent reviews for performances at Café Carlyle and Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York. Maybe it's time to bring Keely Smith back to the city where she first found fame with Louie Prima, Las Vegas. 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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Fay McKay Adrian Garcia Martin Nivera Larry Raben Mark Giovi Joey Gian Patt
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 - May 30, 2008  Michael Chapman  Kelly McDonald  Sharon McNight Here is an example of the old "The show must go on," tradition. Last Saturday, we were scheduled to attend entertainer Sharon McNight's Sophie Tucker tribute at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. We were just about ready to head out to the west part of the city, when we received a call telling us that Ms. McNight had taken ill following her afternoon rehearsal. She suffered some kind of seizure and an ambulance was called to take her to Summerlin Hospital. With just a few hours to go before curtain, producer Michael Chapman went into emergency mode. As he told us on Sunday, "Last night at the Starbright turned out to be quite an event, with me making an announcement in the lobby every 10 minutes to let arriving guests know that Sharon would not be performing the show but that I would be the entertainment. Yes, rather than flatly turning away a sold-out house after everyone showed up despite the rain and colder temperatures, I decided to perform myself, singing and accompanying myself at the piano. A recommendation from Chris Pendleton (a stand-up comedian I represent who is in the last month of her pregnancy) put me in touch with comic Kelly McDonald. Kelly followed my presentation, and did an absolutely great job," says Chapman. "The audience loved him. During my part of the program, in addition to performing some of my favorite oldies, I sang a few of Sophie Tucker's most popular songs, dedicating Some of These Days to Sharon (with the audience singing along with me). I finished up my portion of the show playing a Gershwin medley. Then I introduced Kelly McDonald as ‘... Direct from Jay Leno's Tonight Show, my favorite comedian that I never heard of!' The audience (most of whom decided to stay rather than have their ticket money refunded), were extremely complimentary after the show." Kelly McDonald, who has lived in Las Vegas (off and on) since the mid-1970s, came to Chapman's rescue. McDonald is a rarity these days...a comedian who does a clean, classy act. In a business filled with "shock comics" who rely on material of questionable taste, Kelly is a refreshing exception. He proves it's possible to create humor without taking cheap shots for easy laughs. A self-confessed "nice boy from a good home," McDonald hails from Genesee, a small town (or as Kelly's Dad describes it, a "sleepy little burg") in the farmlands of Western New York State. In 1970, KELLY left home to study at New York State University, Cortland. Following graduation, he moved to Las Vegas. Here, in America's entertainment and convention capital, he began his career as a humorist (and also worked as a waiter at the old Alpine Village restaurant, across form the Hilton). As his reputation grew, television beckoned and Kelly headed for Los Angeles. A guest shot on The Merv Griffin Show led to a booking with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Soon after, Kelly began making regular appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as with musical acts such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Steve Winwood. Kelly has also appeared with a host of comedy greatst, from Steve Allen to Jerry Seinfeld. The "nice boy from a good home" is now a permanent Las Vegan where he resides with his wife, Ann, and his two sons, Cody and Spencer. Due to the non-offensive nature of his show, Kelly McDonald is a favorite among convention planners as well as corporations, among them, Ford, GTE, DIAL, FED EX and Bank of America. For those that know Michael Chapman only as a producer, they might be surprised to learn about his impressive show business background. Michael has been performing professionally since he was seven. He, along with Merryl Jaye and Garry Lynn, had a very successful musical comedy act known as The Curtain Calls. They performed on cruise ships and, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, worked in Las Vegas, opening for stars such as Vic Damone, Shecky Greene, Jerry Vale and Sarah Vaughan. The trio also made TV appearances on Rowan & Martin's Laugh In (co-star Dick Martin passed away this week), The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show, The Mac Davis Show and the Golden Globe Awards. In 1968, The Curtain Calls had a minor hit with a record called Sock It To Me Sunshine. In April of that same year, the group performed the tune on Laugh In (also appearing on that week's show was Kaye Ballard, John Byner, John Wayne, Flip Wilson and James Garner. Chapman was the original producer/director of the long running Forbidden Broadway, a show satirizing the musical theater and the people who write and star in them. Hidden Broadway Showstoppers, featuring the big audience-pleasers on The Great White Way (Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat from Guys and Dolls, Mr. Cellophane from Chicago, If He Walked Into My Life from Mame, I've Got Love from Purlie, and Old Man River from Showboat, could all be considered "showstoppers") was also created by Michael. With his partner, singer/dancer/pianist/actor/choreographer Paul Holmquist, Chapman has created a number of very successful fundraisers, including one sponsored by The Footlighters and held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Chapman moved to Las Vegas in 2001. For the past five years, he has produced many of the shows at the Starbright Theatre. As for Sharon McNight, she was released from Summerlin Hospital last weekend, and returned to Southern California to be examined by her own physician. Hopefully, she will return to Las Vegas at a later date to perform her Red Hot Mama show. There was another interruption in last weekend's entertainment lineup, but, in this case, it was due to the weather. The musical duo of More & Grendel, scheduled to perform outdoors at Barley's on Saturday, was canceled because of rain. It's hard to believe that only days before, we were experiencing record high temperatures for May (108 degrees). On Saturday, we were back in the 70s, it was raining, and there was even snow on Mt. Charleston. More & Grendel will be rescheduled for another night at Barley's, possibly on June 21st. Once again, in the spirit of "The show must go on", Fred, the owner of Players Lounge, right across the street from Barley‘s, on the southeast corner of Sunset and Green Valley Parkway in Henderson, came to the rescue, allowing the performers and their fans to move into his establishment. The show lasted from 8 to 11 p.m. Don't you just love these "happy ending" stories? We do. And speaking of Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment, on Sunday, June 15th, ChapQuist will present Paul McDonald's Swinging Big Band, with special guest stars, Fifth Avenue. The Big Band features 16 incredible musicians playing a variety of music from the 1940s to today. McDonald is an acclaimed pianist/conductor/musical arranger. His work has been featured worldwide. Fifth Avenue's amazing, tight harmonies are reminiscent of groups like the Four Freshmen, Four Lads, Four Aces, Singers Unlimited, Hi-Lo's, Inkspots and Lettermen. Their afternoon show (2 p.m.) at the Starbright promises to be a winner. Tickets are $18 for Sun City Summerlin residents, and $20 for everyone else. Cousin Claire thinks that the price should be the same for everyone. After all, those driving from other areas of the city are spending nearly $4 a gallon for the gasoline to get there! Hmmm.  Fifth Avenue  Sydney Pollack * * * * * * Reading about the death on Monday of 73-year-old director (The Way We Were, Out of Africa, The Firm, Sabrina, and Tootsie among them) Sydney Pollack brings back some fond memories for Cousin Claire. It was the winter of 1978 and, just for the experience, we joined a slew of Las Vegans as extras for the film, The Electric Horseman, directed by Mr. Pollack. We didn't have any pressing obligations that day and decided it might be fun to hang out with Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Willie Nelson and other cast members and "atmosphere performers" (including, among others, local TV personality Gus Guiffre [or is it Giuffre?], Phil Ford and his sister, Treasure) participating in the Pollack directed movie. Our part consisted of spending hours and hours in the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesars Palace (the room, with lots of Vegas entertainment history, no longer exists) as well as in the Caesars casino. There was lots of waiting around and a bit of unexpected excitement when the "electric" saddle on Redford's horse started smoking. Crew people, who didn't appear to be doing much of anything until then, all of a sudden were quite busy! Through much of the wait around time, Mr. Redford sat in the back of the showroom, playing cards with other team members. We had a camera with us, as we were supposed to be a tourist (and don't they always have a camera?), and thought about trying to take a photo of Robert, but felt he was a little too far away to get anything good. Anyway, after a pretty boring few hours in a dark and smoky showroom, it was announced that there would be a lunch break, with the stars going first and the peons (the rest of us) going about a half-hour later, after the important folks were through and, probably, back in their fancy trailers. We could not wait to breathe in the cold, clean (this was 1978) air, as a migraine was starting. When it was our turn to head for the food tents, set up in the big south parking lot at Caesars (again, this was 1978), all we could think of was aspirin and a quiet, isolated table in a corner. We found a place and sat ourselves down at the empty table. After about 10 minutes of waiting for the aspirin to kick in, we looked around our area. Imagine our surprise to see Mr. Redford sitting at a table about six feet away! He should have been back in his trailer by then, but he wasn't. Now was a great opportunity to get a candid shot of him finishing his lunch. Did we really want one of him with a mouth full of lunch? And besides, he would have known someone (Cousin Claire, to be specific) was taking his picture. Maybe we would have been removed by security and sent home. We certainly wouldn't want that! So, we went to the usually available Plan B. When it appeared that the oh so handsome fellow was just about finished with his leisurely lunch, we went over to him to nicely ASK if we could take his photo. We had heard that some of the extras had asked him for autographs but were politely turned down. Our conversation went something like, "Mr. Redford, we hate to disturb you on your break, but we were wondering if it would be alright to take your picture." With a very stern look, he responded, "No, because you interrupted my break." Yipes! We looked around at the other crew members sitting at his table. They did not seem pleased at the intrusion. Cousin Claire said that she understood, but thought it would be more polite to make the request than just snap an unauthorized picture of him with a mouthful of potato salad. We detected a hint of a smile before he said, "How about if I let you know when I am completely finished with my meal, and you can take the picture then." "Okay," we said, knowing full well that when he was finished, and before the other extras spotted him, he would be out of that tent in a flash. We went back to our table, feeling like we had committed the ultimate sin. Oh well, we tried. A few minutes later, we feel a hand on our shoulder. Yep, it was Mr. Redford's hand. "Where would you like to take the photo?" he asked. "Wherever you would like," we replied. He asked if it would be best to go out into the daylight, rather than do it inside the tent. "That would be great," we replied. As the two of us, alone, walked through the tent, voices were heard asking, "Who is SHE?" Hell, she's just a two-year Las Vegan with a lot of nerve! We tried to act very cool about the whole thing. When we got outside, we just pointed the camera in Redford's direction and pushed the shutter button. The only problem was, this wasn't a point and shoot camera. It was a fancy 35mm that needed to be adjusted for the amount of light and everything else. We blew it! An exclamation like, "Oh crap," was uttered by the pseudo photographer (that would be Cousin Claire), at which point, a smiling Mr. Redford inquired, "Would you like to take another one?" Of course, we said yes, and took a second shot. The two pics of R.R. holding a bottle of orange juice (one a little out of focus) are personal treasures of ours. Can't remember how much the extras got paid for a days work but, whatever it was, THIS extra spent more than whatever it was on long distance phone calls. We had to tell everyone we knew about our one-on-one experience with Robert Redford. Thank you, Sydney Pollack, for a very memorable afternoon. Rest in peace.  Robert Redford  Woody Woods  Dee Dee Bridgewater Mr. Redford's accompanying photo taken by Claire Voyant. And speaking of Sydney Pollack, we wonder why, among all his acting credits listed in the recent news items reporting his death (roles in Tootsie, The Player, Eyes Wide Shut and Michael Clayton) , there was no mention of his recurring role on the TV series, Will & Grace. Between 2000 and 2006, Pollack portrayed Will Truman's father, George, on the award-winning sitcom. In the story line, George's former wife (and Will's mother), Marilyn, was played by Blythe Danner (mother of Gwyneth Paltrow), while his ditzy girlfriend, Tina, was played by Leslie Ann Warren. * * * * * * Tomorrow (Saturday, May 31st) the Jazz in the Park series will feature the Woody Woods Orchestra. A native of Los Angeles, Woody Woods is an accomplished author, composer, conductor, lyricist and pianist. He has conducted for and worked with the likes of Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ray Brown, Mel Carter, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Dizzy Gillespie, Skitch Henderson, Linda Hopkins, The Inkspots, Paula Kelly, Chaka Khan, Mabel King, Eartha Kitt, Abbey Lincoln, Barbara McNair, Carmen McRae, The Platters (Sonny Turner, Monroe Powell and Zola Taylor), Billy Preston, Della Reese, Martha Reeves, Mavis Staples, Yma Sumac, The Temptations, Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder, and many other top-flight performers. Woods has arranged and produced several gospel albums, and has a published poetry collection titled The Wordsmith: Journeys Through Rhythm and Rhyme. Woody's most recent jazz CD is called So Smooth. And speaking of Dee Dee Bridgewater, on Saturday, June 7th, it will be her turn in the spotlight at the same venue. Ms. Bridgewater will light up the night with her "musical kaleidoscope" of everything from vocal jazz to scat. She has been described as unafraid and uninhibited with a versatility in her music and producing skills that makes her a unique and powerful performer. Her latest project, Red Earth a Malian Journey, mixes Malian voices, music and traditional instruments with American jazz music and lyrics. Starting its 18th year, the Jazz in the Park series has become a Las Vegas tradition. Some of the biggest names in jazz have been highlighted in the annual concerts. Picnic baskets, blankets and low back chairs are welcome, but please leave the pets at home. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the Amphitheater. Presented by the Las Vegas Jazz Society in conjunction with Clark County Parks & Recreation, the free concerts begins at 8 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, near downtown Las Vegas. * * * * * * If you didn't know about this, or had forgotten, let Cousin Claire remind you that Broadway's Linda Eder will be the guest artist at the 50th Anniversary Picnic Pops Concert at UNLV on June 7th. Eder, who last appeared here at the Suncoast, will join the Las Vegas Philharmonic as they perform on the university's grassy outdoor mall, located between the Judy Bayley Theater/Artemus Ham Concert Hall and the Moyer Student Union building. You will be able to see and hear a star in front of you and see millions of stars above you in this setting. Eder, who starred in Frank Wildhorn's (Linda's then husband - they have since divorced) Jekyll & Hyde, is also a noted recording artist. The onetime Star Search competitor has released a number of albums in recent years, including a recent one that pays tribute to her idol, Judy Garland. Tickets for the concert are $45 for reserved seats (boxed meals are available at an additional charge), and $300 for a VIP Champagne Table for four (or $150 for a table for two). Call (702) 895-2787 for reservations. Incidentally, The Hoff (David Hasselhoff, to those who are not in the know) starred as both Jekyll and Hyde in European and American versions of the musical. Mr. Hasselhoff played the role of Roger DeBris during the first three months of The Producers run at Paris Las Vegas. When the Hoff left, Broadway veteran, the inimitable (that's a good thing) Lee Roy Reams, took over the role, portraying the flamboyant DeBris until the show ended its run in February. 
Linda Eder 
John O'Hurley 
Brent Barrett as The Phantom * * * * * * One of the city's most popular and successful fundraisers will, once again, take place on Father's Day weekend. This year, Golden Rainbow's 22nd annual Ribbon of Life production will be held in Le Theatre Des Arts at Paris Las Vegas (most recently, the home of Mel Brooks' The Producers). Golden Rainbow's original concept featured cast members from the city's stage productions, recreating musical numbers from Broadway and the movies. Today, in addition to the familiar, hundreds of entertainment professionals gather together to perform original routines, created just for this special weekend. In more recent years, headliners such as Bob Anderson, Charo, Sheena Easton, Loretta Holloway, Clint Holmes, Jimmy Hopper, Kenny Kerr, Frank Marino, Phyllis McGuire, Liza Minnelli, Penn & Teller, Debbie Reynolds, Dana Rogers (Martin), Tim Searcy, Lucy (Lucille) Shropshire, Siegfried & Roy, Rick Springfield, Billy Stritch, Rip Taylor, Tony & Lloyd, George Wallace, Tina Walsh, Wes Winters, and Spamalot star, John O'Hurley (who will return again this year) are among the many who have joined the hard-working production show dancers and singers to lend their names and talent for the cause. You never know who might turn up on the stage of the Ribbon of Life production. Show times are at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 14th, and Sunday, June 15th. Ticket prices for Ribbon of Life 2008 are $35, $50, $100 and $200 each. Seating, as always, is limited, so make your reservations sooner than later. For reservations and more information, call (702) 384-2899 or check out the Web site at www.goldenrainbow.org. At the age of 22, the Ribbon of Life extravaganza is Las Vegas' longest running major AIDS fundraiser, but it was not the first production put together to generate money for AIDS education and to help those affected by the disease. The first big event was done under the banner of AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada), then the only organization assisting Southern Nevadans dealing with HIV and AIDS. Prior to this event, held in the theater at the Stardust, small amounts of money were being collected via garage and bake sales, and in jars at bars in the "Fruit Loop" (east Paradise Road, between Harmon and Tropicana). We will write more about the first show, as well as the upcoming Golden Rainbow show, next week. And speaking of John O'Hurley, on Sunday (June 1st), he will play host to the Animal Foundation's Sixth Annual Best In Show animal-lovers event. If you have been thinking about adopting a pet, this is for you. Held at The Orleans Arena this Sunday (June 1st), adoptable dogs will be dressed up for show...and to win your heart. The canines will be competing for your affection beginning at noon. In addition to O'Hurley, Louie Anderson, Robin Leach, Zowie Bowie, and other celebrities, will be lending their assistance for this worthwhile cause. Admission is $12.50 for adults, and $5 for seniors and children 12 and younger. Pet ownership requires responsibility...both emotionally, physically and financially. Don't even consider taking home a cute doggy unless you are willing to make a lifetime commitment (your lifetime or your pet's). Speaking of John O'Hurley and Spamalot, the Monty Python musical comedy closes out its Las Vegas run in Wynn's Grail Theater on July 13th. For reservations to see the award-winning musical comedy, call Wynn Las Vegas at (702) 770-9966. * * * * * * And speaking of charity events...Two weeks ago, we mentioned that a small group of comedians are seeking donations to purchase a few trees to create a special area within Sunset Park where friends can gather to remember fellow comic Bernie Allen. The group is seeking small individual contributions ($20 each) to apply to the purchase of the trees. We have to wonder why the Showbiz Society has not come forward to offer any money to help make this a reality. Bernie Allen was one of the early members of The CAST, the organization that has evolved (or dissolved) into the Showbiz Society. He was a very thoughtful, generous man, always remembering where he came from and striving to assist the poor and the homeless. Contributing just a few bucks, would have shown some good intentions on the part of this ego-driven joke of a charitable organization. To our knowledge, they have offered no help with this project (come on folks, it's only twenty bucks!). Are we surprised that they haven't come forward? Hell, no. Are we going to continue to dog this bunch of pitiful wannabes? As long as this is how they continue to operate, you betcha! And speaking of this same group, a number of sources inform us that at the recent event honoring Clint Holmes with the Louis Prima Award, gaming and ad man Ron Garrett (Giarratano), onetime marketing/entertainment maven at Circus Circus, the Debbie Reynolds (now the Greek Isles) and, most recently, the Sahara in Las Vegas, as well as Laughlin‘s Colorado Belle, River Palms and Edgewater properties, was treated very disrespectfully by the president/dictator of the above mentioned floundering (dis)organization. Garrett, a 38-year Southern Nevada resident, has just thrown his hat into the local political arena, running for State Assemblyman in District 37. We hope that if Republican Garrett wins this race (or any others he may one day aspire to enter), he remembers who his friends AREN'T. * * * * * * It's nice to know that some readers are keeping close watch on Cousin Claire. In the May 16th column, we stated that the talented Mark Giovi had departed The Las Vegas Tenors. Mark, along with Bill Fayne, Bobby Black and Teddy Davey, was one of the original members of the popular four-man singing which, in just a couple of years, has gone from local favorites to a Hilton and Suncoast headlining force to be reckoned with. Two weeks ago, we indicated that we hoped to have more information on this "divorce" in the May 23rd column. On the 23rd, we had not received any explanations from the parties involved. Readers want to know...Is it friendly split, or will it be more like the sagas involving Paul McCartney vs. Heather Mills and/or Charlie Sheen battling Denise Richards? Here is what we know (or don't know) as of today. According to Mr. Giovi, his leaving the Tenors is a business decision and has nothing to do with family or other work-related obligations, as reported elsewhere. We asked Bill Fayne to comment on the split. Here is what he had to say... Hi Claire Voyant...All I can say about Mark is I'll miss him, I loved working with him on stage, and we will someday work together again. He chose to leave , so I think he's the one to respond. There were some differences in the direction and the business of the Tenors that he didn't agree with and opted to leave. It is a friendly split and we'll all remain friends. Hopefully at some point we'll sing together again, but for now we will be three unless we find a permanent replacement. Meanwhile, for our next dates we'll have guest artists sing with us and hopefully fill the void of Mark's absence. I would also say to our fans who I'm sure have their favorites among us, the quality of our shows will remain highly musical and we'll try not to skip a beat as we continue to grow and move forward. Best to you, BILL As for Bill himself, he recently returned from a week cruise to Alaska on Holland America. It was his first stint as a 'celebrity entertainer,' and his first opportunity to do a show on his own. He tells us it was lots of fun and will hopefully lead to more of the same. Of course Bill will continue to perform with the Tenors and to work with his longtime friend and writing partner, Clint Holmes. For those that don‘t know, Bill is also Clint's musical director and accompanist. For you Las Vegas Tenors followers, the fellows (Bill, Bobby, Teddy and, a guest tenor) will be at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday, June 1st, for an early evening show (start time is 6 p.m.). Ticket prices range from $40 to $53.64 (plus tax and service charge). Currently, tickets are 1/2 price for Nevadans with proof of residency. Call the Las Vegas Hilton Box Office at (702) 732-5755 for reservations. The Tenors will also perform at the Suncoast during July 4th weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 4th through the 6th). As for Mark Giovi, he continues as a principal in Bite, a devilish production at the Stratosphere. However this works out for these talented individuals, we wish them all the best. * * * * * * We always welcome the opportunity to mention our Phavorite Phantom, the talented Brent Barrett. In this case, however, the mention doesn't involve only his stage persona, it involves his hometown. Prior to meeting Mr. Barrett, we had never heard of Quinter, Kansas. Last week, the small community of Quinter (in the year 2000, Quinter was home to less than 1,000 people) was the site of a much reported tornado. Luckily, there were no fatalities. Brent, who has played the Phantom since the show opened almost two years ago, will leave the role after his June 6th performance. Among some of the exciting things coming up for Barrett are a June 28th concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased by calling (800) 444-1324 or (202) 467-4600, and a run (from July 21st through August 2nd) in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, playing at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts. Wherever he may be, we will continue to keep readers posted on the career of the talented Brent Barrett. And speaking of Phantom, Kristen Hertzenberg and her husband Dana Satterwhite are expecting a baby in November. Kristen, who plays Christine in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, will take maternity leave starting next month, with plans to return to her role sometime after the birth of her first child. One thing we can say for sure, Baby Satterwhite can look forward to some beautifully sung lullabies. * * * * * * Although it isn't happening until November 8th, tickets have already gone on sale for Madonna's MGM Grand Garden Arena show. Leave it to 50-year-old Madge to come up with something tasteful, as in this concert's title...the Sticky & Sweet Tour. Apparently the name was chosen to promote Madonna's latest CD, Hard Candy. Tickets are priced from $75, with a limit of four tickets per person. Charge by phone at (702) 474-4000. 
Madonna 
Toni Braxton 
Harvey Korman * * * * * * We are not surprised to learn that Toni Braxton's show will not reopen at the Flamingo. Even though "reliable sources" denied it, we heard months ago that she would not return after her health crisis. The big loss is for (1) the rest of the cast of Revealed, and (2) that huge building-size photo of Braxton that covers the front of the Flamingo. (Can we say e-bay?) Not to worry, the Flamingo showroom is expecting new occupants in the fall. Donny and Marie Osmond will be calling the theater home, come September. * * * * * * Comic Harvey Korman died yesterday (May 29th). Known primarily as one of the cast members of the Carol Burnett Show, Korman's portrayal of the outrageous Hedley Lamarr in Mel Brooks' classic comedy, Blazing Saddles, created plenty of buzz. Korman, along with Tim Conway and comedian/impressionist Louise DuArt, was a regular headliner at the Stardust for a number of years, prior to the hotel's closing in November of 2006. Harvey Korman was 81.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: Michael Chapman Kelly McDonald Sharon McNight Fifth Avenue Sydney Pollack 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 - May 23, 2008
 David Cook  Gerry McCambridge  Placido Domingo And the new American Idol is...David Cook! David Cook? If Cousin Claire were a betting woman (and she sometimes is), she would have put a few bucks on the OTHER David...17-year-old David Archuleta. Maybe the runner-up is really the winner, as in the case of Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Runner-up Aiken seems to have the better career, with a couple of albums and a role in the New York production of Monty Python's Spamalot. Maybe they have a little more freedom when it comes to what they record and what they do with their career AI (After Idol). At any rate, if you are an Idol fan and in the Las Vegas area, you can see the finalists (and winner) on July 5th, when the gang comes to the Thomas & Mack to perform. For ticket information, call (702) 739-FANS (3267). And speaking of Spamalot, the Las Vegas production, starring John O'Hurley, will end its run on July 13th. If you want to see it here, call Wynn at (702) 770-WYNN (9966). And here's a little secret...two-for-one tickets are available, if you mention the word "Laughter." * * * * * * Next month, on June 11th, Gerry McCambridge will celebrate his one year anniversary as a performer at Hooters. On the 7th, he celebrates his 500th performance in Las Vegas. We intend to celebrate the occasions right along with the man they rightfully call The Mentalist. Magic has never been one of our favorite forms of entertainment (sorry Dirk, Lance, Steve, David and the rest of you talented folk), and we don't know if McCambridge considers himself to be a magician. What we do know is that we are never bored and always entertained when we see The Mentalist at work (or play). All of those who we have recommended this show to, have become fans. Even the people who think they can figure everything out, are puzzled and admit they don't have a clue how McCambridge does what he does. Whatever it is, magic or otherwise, it works. NBC agrees. Gerry has had his own TV special and, last year, was featured on the reality show, Phenomenon. If you haven't seen his show, and would like to experience something different, and fascinating, we suggest a trip to Hooters (or wherever McCambridge may be appearing). Tell him Cousin Claire sent you. * * * * * * We understand that world-renowned operatic tenor Placido Domingo will perform at Planet Hollywood's Theater for the Performing Arts (the six-month home of Dutch magician Hans Klok and his poor excuse of an assistant, Pamela Anderson). The scheduled date for the one night only show is September 15th. In addition to his versatile and strong voice, Domingo is also admired for his acting ability, his musicality and musical intellect, and the number and variety of opera roles that he has mastered. He has also taken on conducting opera and concert performances, and also serves as the General Director of the Washington National Opera in our nation's capitol, and the Los Angeles Opera in California. His contracts in both Los Angels and Washington, D.C. have been extended through the 2010–2011 season. Although we were told about this booking a week or so ago, no one at the property knows anything about it. Have we been given the wrong information, or, as frequently happens, is it a case of one hand not knowing what the other one is doing? Hmmm. * * * * * * We made our fourth trip to see Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular last week, this time taking folks who had not seen this or any other version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Tony-winning musical. Cousin Claire saw Phantom of the Opera in Los Angeles a number of years ago. That production starred Michael Crawford as the Phantom (Crawford later headlined in EFX at the MGM Grand) and featured longtime Las Vegan, Gary Marshal in multiple roles (Marshal appeared locally in Donn Arden and Maynard Sloate productions, as well as in the 1967 film, Camelot). Brent Barrett, who plays the lead in The Venetian production, is as good as Crawford ever was. Besides, out of the mask and makeup, Barrett is much cuter (that's our opinion, so deal with it). Brent ends his run in the Las Vegas show on June 6th. If you haven't seen him as the tortured resident of the Paris Opera House, we urge you to do so. Call (702) 414-7469 for reservations. 
Brent Barrett 
Kristen Hertzenberg 
Wes Winters * * * * * * It's that time of month again! (No, not THAT time of month.) Thursday (yes, Thursday) the 29th, is the May episode of the Composers Showcase. Now into its third year, and entering the second year in the performance space in the Liberace Museum, these monthly events are a constant surprise. Until a few days before, one never knows whose original music will be featured and who will perform the material (the composer doesn't usually do their own tunes). You also never know if you are going to hear a beautiful instrumental, a storytelling ballad, a piece from an anticipated Broadway-type musical, gospel, or a comedy tune. The upcoming showcase will present the music of local composers and songwriters, Vita Corimbi, Rylan Leo Helmuth, Kyle Norris, Richard Oberacker and Rob Taylor, Jon Peterson, Keith Thompson (Jersey Boys), Mark Wherry and Ashton Zyer, performed by Mary Catania, Ben Hale, Kristen Hertzenberg (Phantom), Kristi Holden (Phantom), Greg Kata, Savannah Smith-Thomas, Tina Walsh (Phantom), Scott Watanabe, and other special guests, plus the amazing instrumental chops of pianist Philip Fortenberry (Jersey Boys). All of this creativity will begin at 10:30 p.m. (after theater). The Liberace Museum, for those of you that don't know, is located at 1775 East Tropicana @ Spencer, adjacent to Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens Restaurant (Carluccio's serves until 10, so plan to have dinner there before the show). The showcase offers a cash bar (no credit cards, please) and, if you missed dinner at Carluccio's, 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, so donations are always gladly accepted. And speaking of the Liberace Museum, Wes Winters, who has been a mainstay in the approximately 80-seat performance space in the museum for more than four years, will depart the East Tropicana facility and the showroom named in his honor, to take his act to the Steve Wyrick Theater. In a case of musical chairs (or piano benches), the afternoon time slot that Winters will fill, had, until very recently, been occupied by Fan Yang and his Mega Bubbles Show. Winters will end his museum run on June 11th, and open his A Musical Tribute to Liberace at the 422-seat Planet Hollywood venue on Monday, June 30th. The award-winning Winters is neither an impersonator nor look-alike but a talented tribute artist who has captured the spirit, enthusiasm and legendary showmanship that made Liberace a beloved icon to millions of people throughout his 40-year career. During Winters' one-hour show, he performs many of Liberace's signature songs, including Sabre Dance, Tiger Rag, Beer Barrel Polka and I'll be Seeing You. He also performs a Gershwin medley, Bumble Boogie, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Time to Say Goodbye and Mame, among other famous musical pieces. Winters will incorporate some new theatrical elements that take advantage of the Wyrick Theatre's state-of-the-art lighting and technical capabilities. He also will introduce a new nine-foot black and silver concert grand piano that he is personalizing with mirrors and other embellishments. Worthy of Liberace's own dazzling rhinestone pianos, Winters calls the new piano his Tuxedo Piano, "because," as he says, "it's being dressed up for a formal night out." Winters is excited about the move. "Performing in the Steve Wyrick Theatre is a great opportunity for me," he said. "I get to do what I love plus add a few new things in the larger venue." He added his show will offer something for everyone. "It will introduce a whole new generation to the magic and music of Liberace, provide an exciting show for a great value, and add some new features for those who have seen the tribute before. I've enjoyed a great run at the Liberace Museum and am grateful to the Liberace Foundation Board and Staff for the extraordinary opportunity they have given me in sharing Liberace with so many wonderfully receptive people," said Winters of his successful four-and-a-half-year engagement at the museum. With an extensive background in musical theater including a one-man cabaret show, Winters has been entertaining professionally for more than 20 years. He has fans around the world, six solo recordings and his own company, 88 Key Productions. A Kansas native, Winters moved to Las Vegas in 2003. He won the Liberace Play-Alike Competition the same year. Following the competition, the judges told him they knew within the first few minutes of his performance that they had their winner because of his showmanship and skill. Winters was just 5 years old when he was inspired by Liberace. He saw the famed pianist on a CBS Sunday night television special that was filmed in Las Vegas. "I had never seen anyone like Liberace before whose fingers could move so fast," recalls Winters, who comes from an extremely musical immediate and extended family. "I was mesmerized by his skill. After seeing the show, I sat down at the family piano, listened to a Liberace record and started playing. I began practicing four to seven hours a day for the next seven years." The self -taught pianist hasn't stopped. Winters' talent continues to develop just playing by ear. He has never had a music lesson and doesn't read music. A Musical Tribute to Liberace starring Wes Winters will fill the matinee spot at the Wyrick Theatre, performing at 1 p.m., five to six days a week. Tickets are $24.95 per person, and available at the theatre box office and www.stevewyricktheatre.com or by calling (702) 777-9974. * * * * * * Frank Marino may or may not have won the title of EXTRA's New Face of Las Vegas (maybe because his is such a familiar face around these parts), but he certainly comes out a winner. The entertainment TV news magazine will be using Marino as an ongoing correspondent for the popular show. Yesterday (Thursday), Marino had some fun with The Hoff, otherwise known as David Hasselhoff. We are sure there will be much more to come. When he isn't doing celebrity interviews for EXTRA, Marino can be seen as the star of the Riviera's long running An Evening at La Cage. * * * * * * Battling the Country Music Awards, that was going on at the same time, pianist extraordinaire Philip Fortenberry (Jersey Boys) and cellist Lee Richey (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) entertained and impressed a small but enthusiastic audience during their concert at the Clark County Flamingo Library last Sunday. Presented by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, the gentlemen performed works by Bach, Francoeur, Grieg, Hindemith and Shostakovich. Among those spotted enjoying the program were Brent Barrett (our Phavorite Phantom), Bill Nolte (late of The Producers), musical theater/cabaret/recording artist Phillip Officer (a recent New York transplant), Joey Singer (Debbie Reynolds' musical director/ accompanist), cellist Moonlight Tran and Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular's Tina Walsh. And speaking of Bill Nolte, who brilliantly portrayed Franz Liebkind in the Paris Las Vegas production of Mel Brooks' The Producers, is in New York to audition for Brooks' latest Broadway show, Young Frankenstein. 
Bill Nolte 
More & Gendel 
Stanley Jordan * * * * * * By some standards, music makers Llynda More and Mark Gendel might be considered Las Vegas newcomers. Transplants from Nashville, in the four short years they have been here, More & Gendel have had very little time off. The duo spent a few years performing at Mandalay Bay immediately after arriving in Southern Nevada. Two months ago, while running, Llynda had an encounter with an automobile. You might say the vehicle won...sort of. But you can't keep a good woman down. Llynda has spent the past few weeks recovering from her injuries. She and Mark will return to the stage when they play Barley's Casino and Brewing Company's Outdoor Concert series tomorrow night (Saturday, May 24th). Showtime at the Green Valley establishment is from 6 to 10 p.m. The talented duo, who perform all genres of music, are hoping to pack the place to make a statement that live musical entertainment in Henderson is definitely alive and well! If they attract a big crowd, the way they have done so many times in the past, perhaps Barley's will consider bringing back regular weekend entertainment. Gather your pals together and head to Barley's, at 4500 Sunset Road, just east of Green Valley Parkway, and join More & Gendel for a festive-filled spring night under the stars...dancing, singing, meeting new friends, and having a great time! Barley's has lots of food and fine brew, so if you choose to, you can order dinner from one of the restaurants and dine on the patio while being serenaded by More & Gendel. For additional information, call Barley's at (702) 458-BREW (2739). The musical twosome just received word that, on Sunday, the 25th, from 3 to 6 p.m., they will also be performing at the Grand Opening celebration of an amazing new restaurant, Sonrisa Grill, in Lake Las Vegas' Montelago Village. The restaurant overlooks the lake and has an open-air bar that's wonderful to sit in and enjoy fresh breezes along with a cool drink. If you can't make the show on Saturday night, check out the new Sonrisa Grill on Sunday afternoon. Call (702) 568-6870 for more information. To learn more about More & Gendel, check their Web site at www.MoreGendel.com. * * * * * * We made our first trip to the Cannery in North Las Vegas last weekend. The good news was that we enjoyed the performances by Al Jarreau and the Stanley Jordan Trio. Jarreau (We're In This Love Together, Mornin', After All, the theme from TV's Moonlighting) has always been one of our favorites (and is obviously a favorite of perfomer Clint Holmes as well). Al is not only a fine entertainer, he is very generous with his fans. He came out to greet those who waited to meet him, signed autographs and posed for pictures, taking his time with everyone. The bad news, for us anyway, involved problems with valet parking (they are possibly out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) and one of the worst Vegas coffee shop experiences we have had in our 32 years in Southern Nevada. We will tell more about the valet situation after we get a copy of the ADA rules outlining the obligations of public places such as the Cannery. As for the coffee shop, we probably should have had a clue of what was to come, just by the fact that we waited five minutes for a hostess to even acknowledge our presence at the entrance to the, relatively empty, restaurant. There was an efficient and friendly bus-lady who brought us a beverage very quickly. Everything else, moved at a snail's pace. It took too long for a server to come to our table. She seemed unclear and puzzled regarding a simple request (regular, not Canadian, bacon, on the side, of an Eggs Benedict order), but we thought she finally "got it." Thirty minutes later, we still had not received our order. When we "reminded" her that we were waiting, she remembered us and said she would check on the order. Another 10 minutes passed before she showed up with the plate - containing bacon buried under poached eggs and drenched in Hollandaise sauce. This is exactly what we DIDN'T want. When we pointed out that the order was wrong, this genius at hospitality responded, "We told them to put the bacon on the side." We have never done this before, but we refused the order and stated we were leaving. Before we did that, however, we stated that we wanted to talk to the restaurant manager. The dingy waitress disappeared for a few minutes and then returned to let us know "it was okay." What was okay?" we asked. "You don't have to pay," she stated. We already knew that. What we wanted was the opportunity to let someone in charge know about the fiasco we had just experienced. Again the young lady appeared puzzled. We found our way to the cashier, and asked to see someone in authority. A nice lady named Karen appeared. She was concerned and wanted to make amends. We just wanted to get to a Jack-in-the-Box and get some food. When she asked us if we would fill out a comment card, we said we would be happy to do so. Just as we completed the two-sided questionnaire, Karen showed up with a bag, telling us it was the Eggs Benedict, prepared the way we had requested it...with regular bacon on the side. That procedure took less than five minutes! When we asked why the 40-minute mess-up earlier, Karen had no explanation, just apologies. We shudder to think what kind of impression this type of treatment would have had on a first-time tourist. In our opinion, the Cannery needs some tending to. * * * * * * Tonight is the David Foster & Friends Concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. We don't know if any tickets are still available, but if they are, expect to pay $295.75 (the lower priced tickets are gone) to see Foster and his musical friends - Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Peter Cetera, Josh Groban, Brian McKnight and Katharine McPhee (other entertainer friends are likely to show up for this one). Although Foster has written many songs (among them, the score for St. Elmo's Fire, and the Whitney Houston hit, I Have Nothing, co-written with his former wife, Linda Thompson), Foster is probably better known as a producer for stars such as Peter Allen, Bocelli, Buble, Mariah Carey, Cetera, Chicago, Natalie Cole, Destiny's Child, Celine Dion, Groban, Faith Hill, Julio Iglesias, Al Jarreau, Gordon Lightfoot, Kenny Loggins, Madonna, Richard Marx, McPhee, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Renee Olstead, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer, among others. The winner of 14 Grammy Awards, Foster is also a regular participant in the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children fundraiser, held here at the MGM Grand every year. For additional information on tonight's 8 p.m. show, contact (702) 632-7580. Incidentally, if you are an East Coast resident or visitor, and/or a fan of cabaret music, the name McPhee might be familiar...Peisha McPhee, that is. Peisha is the mother of last year's American Idol finalist, Katharine McPhee mentioned above. 
Katharine McPhee 
Sharon McNight 
Debby Boone * * * * * * Tomorrow night (Saturday, May 24th), it's another East Coast favorite, Sharon McNight, at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. McNight is Tony Award-nominee (for Starmites) and a recipient of numerous cabaret awards. Her show tomorrow, brought to the Starbright by ChapQuist Entertainment, is a tribute to Sophie Tucker called Red Hot Mama! The Life and Loves of Sophie Tucker. Sophie Tucker was a powerful presence in American entertainment for nearly 60 years. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 for Sun City residents and $20 for the rest of us, and are on sale at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle community centers in Sun City Summerlin. And speaking of the Starbright Theater, next Saturday, May 31st, at 7 p.m., Encore Follies will present Broadway Our Way III in the hilltop facility. This brand new production features showgirls and dancers, singers, comedy, exciting costumes, and more. This energetic group of 20 entertainers includes former New York and Las Vegas performers, among them Carmine Mandia from the Shades of Sinatra and the Bobby Darin tribute show; Ann McCormack, Frank Sinatra's onetime opening act; 77-year-young Bobby Rogers, currently starring in Tony n' Tina's Wedding at the Rio; and Terry Lynn Pershing of the Suncoast's weekly Hit Parade Show. Tickets are $8 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $10 for non-residents. They are on sale at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle community centers. For additional information on either show, call (702) 240-1301. * * * * * * Next Friday (May 30th), Blackbook702, in conjunction with Escada, Jimmy Choo, The Cupcakery and Las Vegas Vodka, hosts an evening of friendship, frosting and fashion with a private showing of the highly-anticipated movie, Sex and the City on the night of its U.S. premiere. The evening will benefit The Public Education Foundation and tickets are tax-deductible. "So many women and men have been awaiting the return of Sex and the City and the adventures of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda – we wanted to create an environment that fosters the very essence of the movie, friendship and fashion," said Glynda Rhodes, CEO of Blackbook702 and board member of The Public Education Foundation. The evening will take place at Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Casino Resort. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be a special valet set up at the west casino entrance so guests can have an effortless experience coming and going. Upon entering, guests will be escorted to the theatre where they will be given a Las Vegas Vodka Cosmo to kick off their evening. Each ticket includes a hosted bar featuring our local Las Vegas Vodka Cosmopolitans made possible by SpyOnVegas.com. Guests will also be treated to retro and decadent cupcakes from the The Cupcakery, not unlike those the fabulous foursome enjoy on screen. The Cupcakery's signature cupcake, the Southern Belle, made of red velvet with cream cheese frosting is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Additionally, models from Blackbook702 will surround the guests as the latest in couture from Escada and Jimmy Choo are shown. Dazzling items from Escada in the Forum, Michael E Minden Diamond Jewelers in the Fashion Show and other shops will be raffled off. Tickets for this exclusive event are only $55 per person or $500 for groups of 10. They are available for purchase at Escada in the Forum Shops at Caesars; The Cupcakery in Henderson, located at 9680 S. Eastern Avenue at Silverado Ranch Boulevard; at Blackbook702 at 5564 S. Fort Apache Road and Russell Road off the 215-Beltway; by calling (702) 736-5042, or online at www.blackbook702.com. Established in 1991, The Public Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public education in Southern Nevada. For more information about the Foundation's programs and initiatives, go to www.thepef.org. * * * * * * It's Debby Boone at the Suncoast, May 30th through June 1st. Debby, the daughter of Pat Boone and Shirley Lee Foley Boone (Shirley is the daughter of the late Red Foley) can light up your life with her tribute to her late mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney in Reflections of Rosemary. Boone, who received a Grammy Award as Best New Artist in 1977, has been married to Gabriel Ferrer, son of singer Rosemary and actor Jose Ferrer, for 29 years. They are the parents of four children. Debby Boone has spent much of her career performing in musical theater. Among the productions she has been featured in are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Camelot, South Pacific, Grease, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Shows start at 7:30 p.m., with tickets from $19.95 plus tax. Call (702) 636-7075 for reservations. * * * * * * A memorial service for the late Fay McKay, who died on April 4th following a lengthy illness, will be held at the 44-year-old Spiritual Life Center (formerly called the Las Vegas Church of Religious Sciences) at 2 p.m. next Saturday, June 7th. A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, the singer/comedian was born Fay Gelinas in August of 1930. She gained national recognition in 1951 after she won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. She toured extensively with the Ted Mack troupe, performing in nightclubs across the country. After moving to Las Vegas, McKay appeared at the top of the Landmark Hotel where she met Liberace. She later traveled around the world with him, appearing as his co-star. Fay also appeared in such shows as Bloopers at the Marina (now the site of the MGM Grand), Casino de Paris at the Dunes, and performed with the Mickey Finn band. Fay is survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces, mostly on the East Coast, and one cousin in Las Vegas. She will be fondly remembered as that incredibly funny "drunk" lady who made the 12 Daze of Christmas a popular holiday favorite. The public is invited to attend the memorial service. The Spiritual Life Center is located at 1420 E. Harmon, one block east of Maryland Parkway and UNLV. 
Fay McKay 
Toxic Audio * * * * * * Toxic Audio, the off-Broadway hit vocal comedy show at the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, is hosting a special charity show for St. Jude's Ranch and Big Brothers Big Sisters on May 25th at 5:30 p.m. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships. Founded in 1973, the organization matches children with adult and older teen role models. Big Brothers Big Sisters produces successful children who are confident, competent and caring, which in turn contributes to a stronger community for all. St. Jude's Ranch for Children is a non-profit, non-sectarian home for abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths. St. Jude's Ranch, located in Boulder City, Nevada, provides healing and nurturing in a safe home-like environment where children can learn life skills to start new lives with new chances, new choices and new hope. This special show is open to the public. Tickets start at $49.00 plus taxes and fees. For ticket reservations, guests can call the V Theater Box Office at (702) 932-1818 or purchase online at www.varietytheater.com. Toxic Audio performs Friday through Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the V Theater. In addition to Toxic Audio, the V Theater is home to entertainment for the entire family, including V - The Ultimate Variety Show, Gordie Brown, and Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater. For additional information, please contact Derek Short, Director of PR & Advertising for David Saxe Productions and the V Theater Group, at (702) 318-6465 or e-mail to dshort@davidsaxe.com.
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
Like to be notified when Claire Voyant’s next column is available?
Then join Claire Voyant’s announcement mailing list!
Enter your email address below, then click the 'Join List' button:
Tags: David Cook Gerry McCambridge Placido Domingo Brent Barrett Kristen Hertzenb
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 - May 9, 2008 
Dave Swan 
Al Jarreau 
Roslyn Kind The king is dead. Long live the king. Veteran Las Vegas entertainer Dave Swan, who had been battling cancer for quite some time, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday night (May 6th). Before his failing health forced him to retire last summer, Dave Swan played King Arthur in Peter and Patrick Jackson's Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur Hotel/Casino. He also performed the same role in the Jackson's earlier medieval-themed show, King Arthur's Tournament. Producer Dick Feeney (Swan performed in Feeney's Viva Las Vegas revue) reports that Swan had been admitted to the Odyssey Health Care hospice facility on Sunday. During his more than 50 years in show business (almost 30 of those years spent here), Swan worked with headliners such as Tony Bennett, Charo, Roy Orbison and Billy Eckstine before becoming a featured performer in numerous. Last November, a poorly attended benefit (thanks to the poor reputation of some of the people behind it) was held in the Imperial Palace Theater, a venue where Swan had also entertained as part of both Bravo Vegas and Legends in Concert. Shamefully, only $2000 was handed over to the Swans. Dave Swan, who turned 69 on St. Patrick's Day, is survived by Jan, his wife of 47 years. "He was in no pain and on no medications," says Feeney about Swan. "He was up joking and walking around the day before, but the cancer finally got him. God gave him a merciful end and a new beginning." A memorial service for Dave Swan will be held at Christ Church, 2000 Maryland Parkway, on Tuesday at noon. And speaking of the Imperial Palace and Legends in Concert, the show recently celebrated its Silver Anniversary. On May 5th, 1983, tribute artists Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Darin and Elvis performed on the stage at the hotel/casino and Legends in Concert was born. More than 15,000 performances later, 74 celebrities have been impersonated on the Imperial Theatre stage, with the most impersonated act being the man once nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis." In the 25 years since the show debuted, 17 different performers have paid tribute to the legendary "King of Rock 'n' Roll." To date, 5,416,521 show goers have enjoyed the celebrity tribute spectacular in Las Vegas. Because of Legends ever-changing lineup, many come back to see multiple performances, including one devoted fan from Detroit who has seen the live musical production 2,066 times since July 1983. Produced by On Stage Entertainment, Legends remains the longest-running independently owned production show on the Las Vegas Strip. During the past 25 years, Legends in Concert has grown from one production in Vegas to year-round presentations in Branson, MO; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Atlantic City, NJ. For Legends in Concert reservations, call (702) 794-3261. * * * * * * Tomorrow, Saturday, May 10th, Dangerous Curves will be singing the National Anthem to kick off the 2nd Annual Las Vegas Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Walkathon. The musical trio - Lisa Smith, Karen Merstick and Kai Solsaa - will also be walking as a team to help raise money, and they need all the help they can get. The purpose of this Walk is simple: to create community awareness of the disease and of the Alliance for Lupus Research, to raise money in support of the ALR's mission to prevent, treat and cure lupus, and to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by lupus. H |
Favorites
Digg
Del.icio.us
Furl
Magnolia
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo MyWeb