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Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant  Las Vegas - November 21, 2008, AND November 28, 2008 
Gerald Gordon & Roslyn Kind (1981) 
Gerald Gordon & Roslyn Kind (2008) 
Sam Port
We're sure you have heard of Sleepless in Seattle. How about Computerless in Las Vegas? That's where Cousin Claire found herself for most of last week, thus, no November 21st column. Although we get a flu shot every year, we still were hit with a very nasty virus. This one doesn't send you to bed for a week, instead it keeps duplicating all the files in your computer (there were 80 copies of one particular e-mail), leaving it with no memory to do anything. Although we do admit to keeping too much "stuff" in our PC, we knew we didn't really have 800,000 e-mails stashed away in this HP tower. So, our computer spent five days in the "hospital," under the good care of guru/computer whiz, Michael Carter. (Thank you, Michael.) This week, instead of giving readers a heads-up on some terrific things that they may have wanted to attend during our sabbatical, we will let you know what we did and what you may have missed. The weekend of November 14th, Cousin Claire played tourist, spending three nights vacationing in the west...the west part of Las Vegas, that is. On Friday night, we were at the Cannery, on Craig Road in North Las Vegas. There we saw the very talented Roslyn Kind in her first Las Vegas appearance since the 1970s. Following a summer engagement at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Nikko Hotel, Steve Murray of Cabaret Scenes magazine had this to say about Ms. Kind...
Roslyn Kind put on a dynamic, crowd pleasing appearance at the new Rrazz Room (which she re-dubbed "the Ros Room") with her trademark humor and astounding voice. Kind has a wide vocal range, singing with an unadulterated, emotive style well suited for cabaret and theatre. Ms. Kind can blow the roof off with that voice, clear as a bell, sonorous and pitch perfect. She chooses material that amply shows off her instrument and offers up a joyous love-filled philosophy of a life full of hopes and dreams. Looking fabulous in black and diamonds, Ms. Kind opened with 'You and I' and the hopeful (Leslie) Bricusse/(Anthony) Newly tune 'Pure Imagination' displaying incredible control of both the material and her voice. Launching into Jerry Herman's 'Its Today' from "Mame" reminds the listener of what Kind is all about - bold, sassy and bigger than life. Not able to avoid the inevitable comparisons to her famous sibling, Ms. Kind pokes fun at the situation that has dogged her career with a sampling of Streisand's 'People' that morphs into 'I Gotta Be Me'. Point acknowledged, now back to the fabulous Roslyn Kind. Beautiful ballads are a forte for her voice and she delivered on 'Come What May', the title track on her newly re-issued CD, the unreleased 'What Love Has Done' and a tender version of Michel LeGrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman's 'How Do You Keep The Music Playing.' Ms. Kind arranged a pairing of Burt Bacharach's sensuous 'The Look of Love' with the Bergman's 'The Island' to great success, and nailed a huge Broadway version of 'Meadowlark' from her starring role in the musical revue "3 From Brooklyn". Closing the show with the love theme from "Superman" 'Can You Read My Mind', I wanted more - more of her youthful energy, eternal optimism and much more of that gorgeous voice.
Lauded by critics from The London Times, New York Post, Time Magazine and New York Times, Ms. Kind has forged a successful career in all facets of entertainment, from critically acclaimed recordings to sold-out performances on Broadway and in some of the top concert venues and nightclubs the world over, including Lincoln Center, The Greek Theater and London's Café Royal. In 2006, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with her frequent musical collaborator and friend, Michael Feinstein. Ms. Kind began her performing career while still in her teens with the release of her first album, Give Me You. Ms. Kind's latest CD is a re-release of Come What May (with a few additional tunes added). The New York Times described Come What May as "splendid and sizzling." Concurrent with her recording career, Ms. Kind has appeared in both movies and television. She made her feature film debut with a challenging dramatic role in I'm Going to be Famous. Ms. Kind's list of television credits includes the film Switched at Birth, multiple episodes of NBC's Gimme a Break, Throb, starring Jane Leeves, and CBS's The Nanny. Los Angeles Times jazz writer Don Heckman once said, "Forget that Roslyn Kind is Barbra Streisand's kid sister. She's too good and too special to have to worry about comparisons." One of the premiere interpreters of popular song, the multi-talented Ms. Kind's dazzled audiences at the Cannery Casino & Hotel on both Friday and Saturday (November 14th and 15th) with her one woman show. For her Vegas appearance, Roslyn was backed by David Snyder on piano, Kenneth Seiffert on bass and Jess Gopen on drums. With tickets priced at only $10, it's no wonder that both shows at The Cannery were sellouts. Bring this lady back to Las Vegas...even at higher ticket prices! And when you see that Roslyn Kind is back in Vegas (and we are sure she will be), go see her show, even if you aren't a diehard Barbra Brolin fan. Among those in the weekend audiences to catch Roslyn Kind at work were her onetime mentor (and the man who cast her in Ferguson the Tailor, her first large scale musical), Las Vegas drama coach Gerald Gordon (who attended both the Friday and Saturday performances); Jubilee! principal, Sam Port; Katrina Loncaric, most recently in The Producers; actors Michael Cassano, most recently in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire, and Nathan Ferrier (Caesars Palace gladiator). And speaking of Gerald Gordon (and we were, weren't we?), Las Vegas' most successful acting coach (if we are basing it on his past students, that include Best Actor Academy Award-winner for The Pianist, Adrien Brody; Christopher Titus; Greg Grunberg, of TV's Heroes; Marcia Lewis, from Broadway and Las Vegas' Chicago; American Graffiti and Melvin and Howard's Paul LeMat; and Mark Curry of Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, among others) made his first trip to Europe at the end of September. During a five-week dream getaway, Gordon took in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe in London (where he also saw Jersey Boys for the second time). In Paris, he attended the Crazy Horse where two of his onetime students are working, in Zurich it was Aida, and in Florence he saw one of his favorite operas, Tosca. In Vienna, he saw a performance of Faust (the first time he ever saw the Gounod opera). Gordon stated that there were so many places to see and go to, and that it was all exciting because it was new to him. While in Venice, Gordon stayed in an old villa. The adventure was so wonderful that, for a moment, he thought, "Maybe I'll never go home." That wasn't really an option, as there were students waiting to learn, and a Las Vegas event that he couldn't miss. Gordon had scheduled his journey and return so he would be back in Southern Nevada before Ms. Kind's November 14th and 15th engagement at The Cannery. By the way...If you are not familiar with Cabaret Scenes magazine, but are a fan or cabaret and/or musical theater, you should check it out at www.cabaretscenes.org. On SaturDAY, we made our first trip to the popular Bagel Café, on Buffalo near Washington, where we lunched with the owners of Charleston Communications, Gene Balmain and Frank Sener. (Disclosure Notice: These gents are Cousin Claire's bosses.) You never know who you might run into at the eatery. During our late, late lunch, we spotted 83-year-old violinist/conductor, Sasha Semenoff, dining at the café. Semenoff and his violin have been Vegas mainstays for decades. 
Kelly Clinton (It Amazes Me) 
Kelly "Cher" Clinton & Lena "Sonny" Bono 
Jan Hellesoe, Chipper Lowell & Anders Hansen
On Saturday night, we were REALLY in the west...as far west on Lake Mead as you can go today (although it looks like construction is underway to go even further west, maybe to Utah...or whatever the state is west of us). We attended Kelly Clinton's one woman tour de force, presented by Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment, at the Starbright Theatre in Sun City Summerlin. Although Kelly refers to it as a "one woman show," a more accurate description might be a "multi-cast show." This lady can do it all - she sings, she's funny, she does impressions, acts, and even throws in some Bob Fosse-inspired choreography. "Kelvis" has something that many performers lack - personality plus. Whether it's her characterization of "Madonica," Elvis, or "Joe Joe Spaghetti Moretti," the clever, audience-pleasing Baldheaded Men, or a beautiful version of Ervin Drake's Good Morning Heartache, Ms. Clinton handles it with ease. Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's It Amazes Me, an homage sung to and about Clint Homes, Kelly's husband of one year, was very touching...for both the singer AND the audience (see photo). The influence of Kelly's idols, Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball, shines through in her performances. Clinton was backed by Michael Clark on piano, Jeff Neiman on keyboard, Adam Shendal on drums, Tommy Steele on horns (his part on Good Morning Heartache was outstanding), and Tim Fahey on bass. Special guest, the uber-talented Reva Rice, added a classy touch with her John Kander and Fred Ebb/Fosse Chicago-inspired All That Jazz song and dance, in costume, no less. Reva's solo turn was followed by she and Kelly re-creating the Mein Heir number from Cabaret. Clinton's show was directed by her close friend, Lena Prima, who also stepped in to play an angelic Sonny Bono to Kelly's very well done Cher. We spotted some familiar faces at the Starbright, among them, busy photographer Don Cadette; Billie Holiday tribute artist, Janice "Lady Day" Merkerson; Carole Hassell; Judy Garland look-alike/sound-alike, Denise Rose; well-known photographer, Jerry Metellus; and entertainment maven, Frank H. Lieberman.
The accompanying photos of Kelly and Lena are the work of Lindsay Hebberd. Look for Hebberd's latest book, Las Vegas ~ Imagination to Reality, in your favorite bookstore. On Sunday night, we were at the Suncoast for Paul Stone's Variety Live! Featuring pretty hoopster, Larissa Youens; the clever physical comedy of young Rob Torres; magician Joseph Gabriel and his winged co-stars; the hilarious Jeff Hobson (the lovechild of Liberace and Paul Lynde); foot juggler Antje Pode; singer Ben Stone; and Variety Award Winner, Charlie Frye & Company. We saw a number of familiar faces at the Suncoast (there are lots of familiar faces around these parts), both before and after the show - Tony Ruivivar and Mendrei Leelil of the Society of Seven (why isn't this talented group working here?), magic man Norm Nielsen, and producer Bill Moore - and met a number of new-to-us, interesting people in the crowd - among them, young magicians Anders Hansen and Jan Hellesoe (known professionally as Anders & Jan), and entertainer Billy Scadlock, who does everything from impersonations (Charlie Chaplin and Rod Stewart among them), magic and mime, to juggling and comedy. We also met the Stephen Caplan family. Steve, an oboist of great acclaim, is with the music department at UNLV and is a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Sierra Winds. Caplan has performed as a soloist with many of classical music's leading members, including violinist Hilary Hahn, flutist Ransom Wilson and singer Jan de Gaetani. He has performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and has accompanied superstars as diverse as Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, Roger Daltry, Dudley Moore, and Luciano Pavarotti. Stephen also happens to be the brother of Sherry Frye of the above mentioned Charlie Fry & Company comedy act. We could SWEAR that soon to be former president, George W. Bush was posing for photos with audience members after the variety show. We were somewhat relieved to learn that the amazing look-alike was John Morgan, who appeared as the Leader of the Free World on both network TV's The Next Best Thing AND America's Got Talent.  John Morgan as George W Bush  Mark Giovi  Jersey Boy, Erich Bergen (Composers Showcase) Last Sunday afternoon (November 23rd), there was Lou Garcia doing his one man show at the Clark County Flamingo Library under the banner of the Performing Arts Society of Nevada's Brown Bag Concert Series, and Bruce Ewing and Joey Singer performing songs from their new holiday CD, Remembering to Dream, in the sanctuary/theater of the Community Lutheran Church on East Tropicana. That evening, it was Mark Giovi, one of the original Las Vegas Tenors, at the new in spot, View 215, located at 215 and Russell, hosted about 100 guests for dinner and Giovi's concert. A few nights earlier, Mark's mother, who lives on the East Coast, was a birthday surprise at a party celebrating his 40th. We were unable to attend any of these three events, but the reports we got were all very positive. Also, late on Sunday (things get underway at about 10:30), it was Composers Showcase night. Approximately 150 people showed up at the Liberace Museum - songwriters and performers, but also plenty of music lovers - for about 90-minutes of pure entertainment by some of the most creative people in our community. Among those participating in the late night showcase, local composers and songwriters: Erich Bergen, Travis Cloer, Vita Corimbi, Christopher Lash, Jeff Leibow, Jason Martinez, Renee Marino, Sharon Paquette, Kevin Stout and Keith Thompson, and the song stylings and vocal powers of: Brooks Asher, Charl Brown, Jennifer Cantorna, Bruce Ewing, Tee-Jay Jones, Nadine Roden, Savanah Smith-Thomas, Joan Sobel, Lauren Tartaglia, Scott Watanabe, Lisa Wilson, Melody Wilson, Renata Renee Wilson, Carmen Yurich and other special guests. On piano, bass, woodwinds, guitar, horns, cello and other assorted instruments were: Jim Belk, Patricia Diaz, Philip Fortenberry, PJ Gopaoco, Tina Hadley, Keith Hubacher, Jim McIntosh, Don Meoli, Jeremy Meronuck, Moonlight Tran, and the Yucca Mountain String Band, featuring Crazy Doc (Kevin) Stout, Joey Singer, Matt Taylor and Fred Watstein. Sound was handled by Richard Camuso.
In recent months, we have noted some behavior by a select few who attend and/or participate in these wonderful evenings. The staff of the Liberace Museum volunteers their time to come back to the facility, hours after their work day should be over, to reopen the museum so this monthly event can have a home. They do not charge for the use of the hall. There is a cash bar available, and a more than reasonable $5 PER PERSON hors d'oeuvres buffet provided by Keg and Cork Catering or Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens. It has been noted in recent months, that there is an inordinate (make that unacceptable) amount of food "sharing" going on. We are not talking about taking a few grapes or a single cream puff off your friends' plate. Some folks are paying their $5, then piling their plates dangerously high and feeding their entire table for $5. At five bucks, this is not a moneymaker for anyone. It barely covers the cost of the spread. We are all feeling the economic crunch, but come on kids, please don't abuse our hosts. Personally, Cousin Claire would hate to see these showcases end because of selfishness and greed. Play fair. Even if you don't take advantage of the buffet, $5 is an amazing bargain for what you get at the Composers Showcase. Do your part to keep this going. If not, everybody loses. End of (this) speech. * * * * * * There has been a Brown Out of sorts in downtown Las Vegas for a quite a spell...since March of 2006, to be specific. All of that ends on February 5th, when things become a lot brighter in the Entertainment Capital of the World as Gordie Brown returns to the showroom at the Golden Nugget. Brown first played the room beginning in July of 2004, where he performed in the then 400-seat theater, accompanied by a real, live band, for almost two years. From October 2006, to February 13, 2008, Gordie entertained in a 740-seat theater at The Venetian. This was followed by a short stint in a theater space in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, where Brown was playing to prerecorded tracks. For someone as quick and spontaneous as Gordie, tracks just won't do. The accompanying music needs to take its lead from Gordie, not the other way around. The entertainer needs to be able to add things and improvise, as the situation calls for it (like when a celebrity is in the audience). It was an offer from Celine Dion that saved Brown from the mall and prerecorded music. He is currently on a world tour with fellow Canadian, Dion. Fortunately, when he reopens at the Nugget in five weeks, the Hardest Working Man in Las Vegas, will once again be enhanced by a real, live band. Gordie, a former political cartoonist for the Ottawa Sunday Herald, is well known for his amazing comedy and vast repertoire of celebrity impressions such as Robin Williams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Woody Allen, Robert DeNiro, Jim Carrey, Bob Dylan, Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Henry Fonda, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jackson, Garry Shandling, Ozzy Osbourne, Clint Eastwood, Neil Young, departing president George W. Bush, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, as well as Las Vegas icons like Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis, Jr. For the younger crowd, Gordie does his unique take on Green Day, Smash Mouth, James Blunt, Coldplay, Sixpence None the Richer, and other contemporary artists. Brown consistently receives rave reviews by both critics and audiences alike, and has been recognized as Entertainer of the Year and Best Show in both Northern and Southern Nevada. Gordie will perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. The Golden Nugget's Showroom, which completed a major expansion and renovation in October 2006, is an intimate, 600-seat theater on the third level of the hotel's Spa Tower. It features plush seats and an advanced, state-of-the-art digital audio and visual system. The history of the Golden Nugget's showroom sets it apart from other venues of its size. Outstanding headliners of all genres, such as Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Don Rickles, Rich Little, Randy Travis and Regis Philbin have played the showroom, which continues to bring in a variety of acts and headline entertainment appealing to all tastes. When the entertainer begins his multi-year headlining Golden Nugget deal in February, it will be in a room bearing his name, as it becomes the Gordie Brown Showroom in his honor. Tickets are on sale at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office starting at $39.95. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Golden Nugget Ticket Office or toll free by calling (866) 946-5336. VIP tickets are available for $99.95 and include front row seats and an artist meet and greet. *Ticket prices are subject to change and do not include service fees and taxes. The Golden Nugget's current show, Defending the Caveman, starring Kevin Burke, will end its run on December 4th, instead of in mid-January as originally announced.  Gordie Brown  Sawyer Brown  Keith Robinson And speaking of Brown...Country band Sawyer Brown (no relation to Gordie, mentioned above) comes into Boulder Station's Railhead, next Friday, December 5th. Since winning Star Search, this small town, five-man band has performed more than 3,500 shows, released several gold and platinum albums, worked with Elvis Costello and Robert Randolph, won a CMA Horizon award and an ACM Vocal Group of the Year Award - all within 27 years. In addition, Sawyer Brown hit No. 1 on the Top Country Singles with Step That Step, Some Girls Do, and Thank God for You. Formed in Florida in 1981, the current band is made up of lead vocalist Mark Miller, keyboardist Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard, lead guitarist Shayne Hill, bassist Jim Scholten and drummer Joe Smyth. Their most recent album, Rejoice, was released in 2008. Show time for Sawyer Brown is at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $24.50, $29.50, $34.50 and $44.50 plus tax and applicable fees. All ages welcome, but those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. Some of our friends went to see comic/actress Wanda Sykes at Planet Hollywood on Saturday, November 15th. The funny lady has performed in the hotel/casino's 1,500-seat Planet Hollywood Showroom (the home of Stomp Out Loud until January 4th) on three previous occasions - in March, July and August. Obviously, she is doing something right as they keep bringing her back. Our "stringer" reporter tells us that the theater was almost full. The diverse audience ranged in age from 21 to AARP recipients. Sykes' subject matter was about as diverse as her audience, covering subjects from politics, to male enhancement drugs (or, as Sykes calls it "broke dick problems"), to travel, to Proposition 8. The comedian says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about her own sexuality. "You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a surprised crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas earlier in the day on the 15th. "Everybody that knows me personally, they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said. Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked." "Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay." At this time, Wanda does not have any additional dates booked at Planet Hollywood. They are hoping to book her for future engagements in 2009, but do not yet have anything confirmed. Opening for Sykes was Keith Robinson. The comic has appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, Def Comedy Jam and BET. After realizing these credits weren't getting him noticed in the white comedy rooms, he started doing shows like MTV Half Hour Comedy and Star Search where he became a $100,000 finalist. He had an acting role in the HBO production Rebound, and toured two years with the late Bernie Mac. He also taped his own half hour special for Comedy Central and was a writer on Comedy Centrals Chappell's Show.
Robinson is a favorite of Wanda Sykes and tours with her frequently. * * * * * * Bea Fogelman, a Las Vegan since the early 1980s, passed away on Friday, November 14th at the age of 83. If the name isn't familiar, you are probably not an entertainer, or more specifically, an impersonator. Born in Detroit, during her lifetime, Bea had successful careers as a Big Band singer, a dental hygienist, real estate broker, and writer of books on entertainment and fiction. She was also the founder of The Entertainment Network, a worldwide organization devoted to uniting performers, producers and agents in pursuit of their careers. Bea Fogelman truly changed the entertainment industry. She was married to pharmacist, Leo Fogelman, for more than 55 years. She is survived by her three children, Jayne Juster, Bob Fogelman and Sherie Rae Parker, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bea will be truly missed. A public memorial service was held on Sunday, the 16th, at the Palm Mortuary on North Jones in Las Vegas. Fogelman's daughter, Sherie Rae Parker, is a well-known celebrity impersonator with a history in Legends In Concert. She is best known for her interpretations of Bette Midler, Janis Joplin, and Phyllis Diller.  Bea Fogelman  Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler  Harold Kreloff And speaking of Legends in Concert, after 25 years at the Imperial Palace, the celebrity impersonator show will make a somewhat lateral move...north. Legends will do its last performance at the IP on December 13th, reopening two days later in the main showroom at Harrah's where it will share space with comic Rita Rudner. Also, sympathies go out to artist Martin Kreloff on the loss of his father, Harold Kreloff, who died on Wednesday, November 19th, at the age of 94. As a young man, Harold worked as a barker for impresario Mike Todd at the 1939 New York World's Fair (for those too young to remember, Mr. Todd was the third husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor) . During this time, he met and married fellow New Yorker, Florence Cantor. Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly before the outbreak of World War II, and was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following the war, his careers included stints as a gas station owner, New York cabbie and a travel agent. He moved his family to Miami in 1967. Following the death of his wife in 1984, he met Dora Grupeter, and they lived together until her death in 2001. Harold moved to Southern California in the mid-90's to be close to his son, Martin; and relocated to Las Vegas with his son in 2004. Harold will be remembered as an entertaining raconteur. He will be buried next to his wife, Florence, at Vista Memorial Gardens in Miami. In addition to his two special ladies, Harold was preceded in death by his brother, Samuel. Harold is survived by his son Martin and Martin's partner, Tim Olsen, of Las Vegas. Other survivors include son Rev. Steven Kreloff and wife, Michele, of Clearwater, Fla.; grandchildren, Benjamin Kreloff of Clearwater, Sarah Cotton of Chicago, and Rachel Goode of Clearwater; great-grandchildren, Abby, Naomi and Luke Kreloff, and Drew and Jack Goode; brother, Bernard Kreloff of Florida; and his sister, Gudy Koenigsberg of Israel. * * * * * * Happy birthday to the Sagittarians (November 23rd through December 21st) whose natal dates we know about...Kenny Kerr, Mark Giovi, Billy Chapel, Rich Little (who turns 70), UNLV's Larry Henley, Johnny Pate, Doug Breniser, Skip Trenier, Roger Caldwell, Danny Cohen, Paul Lowden, Bill Fayne and George Verbiwski. And anniversary greetings to Ken and Melissa Miles Gardner, and Steven Lee and Brenda Leonard Cowart. * * * * * * We don't like to toot our own horn...except when we deserve it. Las Vegas Channel 3's entertainment reporter succeeded in teasing those that were interested when it came to revealing the new show coming into Planet Hollywood following the departure of Stomp Out Loud on January 4th. Those that read our November 7th column, already had the answer to the burning question before the big announcement during a news broadcast...at least 10 days later. For those that missed the news (through either source), Stomp Out Loud's replacement will be the strictly adult, Peepshow. Tony-winning choreographer/director Jerry Mitchell will be at the helm. Heading up the 20+ Peepshow cast will be former Spice Girl, Mel B, and Dancing With the Stars' first season winner, General Hospital soap star, Kelly Monaco. Previews will begin on March 30th, with the "official" opening night scheduled for April 25th. * * * * * *  Skip Trenier  Liza Minnelli  Rosie O'Donnell From Primm to the Palace...Liza Minnelli (is there any other Liza?), whose last performance in Southern Nevada was NOT at Caesars Palace, or Bellagio, or the Luxor (where she played a few dates in late 2006 and early 2007), but at Buffalo Bill's in Primm, the little burgh close to the Nevada/California border. Beginning Wednesday (December 3rd), Liza takes her magic to Broadway, when she stars in her new show, Liza's At The Palace...!, at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street). Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents and Jubilee Time Productions, and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, such as Cabaret, Maybe This Time, and New York, New York - all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb - followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, the late Kay Thompson. Thompson was a legendary performer (Think Pink! from Funny Face) and author (Eloise at the Plaza), as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios, working with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza will perform musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act, including numbers such as I Love a Violin, Clap Yo' Hands, Jubilee Time, and Hello Hello, set to brand-new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis. Accompanying Minnelli onstage will be Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers. The concert performance will be scripted by Liza and Tony Award-winner David Zippel, and will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences embraced in a theatrical setting. Gary Labriola will serve as Executive Producer. There will be a twelve-piece orchestra, led by conductor/ drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch. Liza made her screen debut in 1949 as a toddler in the musical In the Good Old Summertime. She won Tony awards for Flora, the Red Menace in 1965, and The Act in 1978, along with a third, for Best Personal Achievement, thanks to her 1974 engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre. Nominated for an Academy Award for The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), she won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as "Sally Bowles" in Cabaret (1972), which also won her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award. She won an Emmy for Liza with a 'Z' (1972) and was the recipient of a Grammy Legend Award in 1989, making her one of the few artists who have won entertainments' top six awards. Liza has also been the recipient of three David di Donatello Awards - for The Sterile Cuckoo, Cabaret and Lifetime Achievement (2002). Additional film credits include Charlie Bubbles (1968), Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), Arthur (1981) Stepping Out (1991), and The Oh In Ohio (2006). Liza, now 62, recently attracted an entirely new generation of fans with her acclaimed turn as "Lucille 2" on the Emmy-winning sitcom, Arrested Development, and for her appearance on the chart-topping album The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. Ron Lewis has been a staple on the Las Vegas scene for decades, and last choreographed Liza in her Tony Award-winning performance in The Act on Broadway. Having worked on more than 80 productions, Lewis has directed and choreographed shows for some of the biggest names in show business, including Ann-Margret, Debbie Reynolds, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Paul Anka. Liza's At The Palace...! will play Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with matinees on Sundays at 3 p.m. Originally scheduled to run for two weeks, Liza has been extended and will play the Palace through December 28th. Ticket prices range from $55 to $125. At Ms. Minnelli's request, $25 first row seats will be made available at the box office by daily lottery. And speaking of Ms. Minnelli, she was one of the guests on the debut of Rosie O'Donnell's new TV variety show that aired on Wednesday night. Is Rosie ready for primetime? Based on what we saw, in our opinion, the answer is a resounding "NO." What was wrong with Rosie Live? The major problem is Rosie. If a successful variety show, ala the old Hollywood Palace, Ed Sullivan, Andy Williams, Carol Burnett, Sonny & Cher, etc., is what NBC was aiming for, this one is way off base. The idea is good, the host isn't. You already have the job, Rosie. All the screaming and shrieking is not only unnecessary, it is very annoying. A number of the segments were just plain embarrassing. The "Nancy Grace" (played by comic Kathy Griffin) bit fell flat, and the Clay Aiken spot was a mess. Aiken, an American Idol runner-up who is currently appearing in Spamalot on Broadway (his second go-round in this musical), came on in his costume. His short (but not short enough) segment involved discussing what he and Rosie had in common, via a pitiful shaggy dog story attempt at humor. The twosome both like musical theater. They both got their big break via a reality TV talent competition - Rosie on Star Search and Clay on Idol. They both have sons named Parker. They then pretended to try to think of what else they have in common. There were the expected, painful dramatic pauses (do we know where they are going here?), before O' Donnell says, "I know. We're both Gay...briel Byrne fans." Oh, puleeeze! Barbara Walters and Donald Trump must be jumping for joy. We think NBC served up THEIR turkey the night BEFORE Thanksgiving! * * * * * * Opportunity Village's annual Magical Forest opened last Saturday. It will operate nightly - Sundays through Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. - ending on December 30th. The Magical Forest, located at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. (there is Free Parking in the College of Southern Nevada lot), is a wonderful experience for "kids" of all ages. From the moment you enter, you are enchanted by the sights and sounds of the holiday season. From strolling through decorated trees and displays, to photos with Santa and nightly entertainment, there is something for everyone. Enjoy a ride on our passenger train. The Forest express winds its way through the two acre Forest, giving visitors another angle to view the many trees and displays. The Enchanted Carousel will delight riders and spectators alike. Featuring beautiful animals, lights and traditional carousel music, you will find yourself lost in the moment. Looking for more of a thrill? Then climb to the top of the 40' Alpine Slide. The view is simply amazing. For the little ones, check out the Junior Alpine Slide. If you are feeling hungry, visit the Gift Box Café as you are entertained nightly by local performing groups. All proceeds raised at the Magical Forest will benefit people with disabilities. General Admission, for children ages 3 to 11, is $7.50, and adults (12 and up) is $9.50. Passport prices are, children $14, and adults $16. Passports include entry to the park and unlimited rides on the Train, Carousel and Alpine Slide, as well as visits to the newest attraction, the Storytime Theatre sponsored by Penta Building Group. Tickets and Passports for the Magical Forest can be purchased at any area CVS/pharmacy location. Bulk ticket purchases are also available by calling Holly at (702) 880-4096. Since 1954, Opportunity Village has been serving men and women in the Southern Nevada community, providing them with programs and services to help enrich their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Village, taking a daytime tour of the campus, or getting involved with any of the programs, please call (702) 259-3741. * * * * * * We would like to share an e-mail we received from a longtime Vegas musician. Although we have assured this fellow that we will not mention him again, we also added the tag line "unless it's to print your message of today." In our homage to etiquette expert Emily Post, or author Dale Carnegie, of How To Win Friends and Influence People fame, we have decided to do just that (we are not changing the spelling, punctuation or syntax, for fear of doing something else to offend this man). This is exactly what we wrote in our column of October 17th... Veteran entertainer, Howie Gold, has found himself a piano at the very comfortable Ichabod's Lounge at 3300 E. East Flamingo, just west of Pecos. Reminiscent of the old Chateau Vegas atmosphere, Gold provides easy listening music for a mostly locals crowd from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Gold, who has spent more than 30 years entertaining in piano bars here and in Palm Springs, is very particular about who can sing along with his tasty piano playing. He has wisely decided that Diane Ellis and Danny Calico meet his high standards and has invited the twosome join him on Wednesdays and any other nights they have available. With Ellis at the mic, and Calico on vocals and drums, the threesome create a great crowd-pleasing sound. Ellis and Calico may be remembered when they were part of a vocal group called Chazz. As a duo, they called themselves D'Cal (a play on their names). Ichabod's is a 24-hour place with an extensive menu. They are located in the Renaissance Center, between Hollywood Videos and Food 4 Less. See you there. Here is Mr. Gold's response... you wrote a write up about me and icobod.s that i did not know about that i found on the internet its content should be approved by me before its reaches public knowledge!
And here is ours...
A "THANK YOU" for the mention would have been more appropriate, Mr. Gold, not a message saying I need to get your approval for giving you and your gig a plug. Do you get approval before playing Stardust, I Write the Songs, or Here's To Life? What you are asking is ridiculous, unreasonable and something no writer/journalist would go along with. I am not your paid publicist that needs your final okay before a press release goes out. In your case, I was just trying to promote Ichabod's and the work of some talented people. I would have thought you might welcome the plug. Wonder how Ichabod's would feel about your orders?
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Claire Voyant’s portrait by Charlie Frye
Tags: Gerald Gordon Roslyn Kind Sam Port Kelly Clinton Kelly Cher Clinion Bono Ha
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant
Las Vegas - November 14, 2008 
Susan Egan 
Spectrum 
Roslyn Kind As long as Cousin Claire has a couple of bosses who put no restrictions on her (thank you gentlemen, for believing in Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Speech, and freedom on the Internet), she feels free to say what is on her mind. We have no qualms about saying that we voted with our gut instincts and heart. The man whose name we checked on our ballot will be our next president, come January 20th. We have strong feelings about Proposition 8 as well. In case you aren't aware, Proposition 8, a ballot measure looking to overturn the May, 2008 California Supreme Court decision granting marriage equality, was approved by a narrow margin on November 4th. It means the state has rescinded the right of same sex couples to marry. It means that was okay for the last five months is now not okay. Legally, what does this mean for the couples who said their vows between May and now? Susan Egan, a very respected Broadway star - Thoroughly Modern Millie (playing Millie Dillmount), Cabaret (as Sally Bowles), Triumph of Love (Princess Leonide), Beauty and the Beast (Belle, for which Egan received both a Tony and Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress in a Musical), State Fair (Margy Frake), and the national tour of Bye, Bye Birdie (Kim MacAfee) - started a fire, via blogs and the Internet, regarding what she felt was a betrayal by a member of the entertainment community. Because we like what she had to say, we are printing Ms. Egan's, now, widespread message. Dear Friends --
I thought you might be interested to know that Scott Eckern, Artistic Director of California Music Theatre (Sacramento Music Circus) contributed $1000 in support of California's divisive Proposition 8, which eliminates (not just bans) the right for same-sex couples to marry and receive all of the emotional, economic, and social benefits that married couples often take for granted. Mr. Eckern's affiliation with CMT, as well as his title and the amount donated to legislate the lives of others, is public information that can be found (by clicking on the Link below). Marc Shaiman, composer (most notably of "Hairspray", which was produced at CMT last year) has already contacted Sacramento's CMT and expressed his disgust with the idea that a theatrical organization, employing and making money from gay artists and audience members, harbors an executive who uses a portion of his income to publicly support hate legislation (my term). I believe Mr. Shaiman may have told them they would no longer be allowed to produce his work, and has contacted the creators of "Avenue Q" (to be produced in March of '09) to enlighten them. I am deeply troubled by the news about Scott, as I have worked for and known him since 1993. I find his behavior hypocritical at best and, more likely, distressingly prejudiced. Many of you friends who, like myself, have worked for Scott might be floored to know this news. I think at this point I shall do my best to "out" him and any others like him. Folks who show (and make money) playing one game, but with an inner intolerance that denies everything our industry represents. I have personally been in contact with Marc Shaiman to confirm all the information. In his words: "Yes, it's all true! Of course, there is nothing much I can do since they've already done HAIRSPRAY, but the AVE Q guys (at least one of them) may do something, perhaps picket his own show! But, as I hope people realize, it is not really up to a writer to cancel a production that has already been licensed. What I could do I did, which was to call Mr. Eckern directly and say what I had to say. Reading this past week how people still actually think being gay is a choice (the only choice we make is not to lie about who we are) and that that one line from a beautiful book proves we are sinners (a book that also allows for the stoning of wives and of people who wear two different kinds of fabric at the same time), well, I am starting to feel that the only way to make people change is, I think, to now greet every person I meet and say "Hi, I'm Marc, God made me gay and I think that that He and I are both fabulous!" and leave the rest up to them." Sacramento Music Circus holds a cherished place in my heart, primarily because of Leland Ball and the inspirational talents he would gather for his productions. I feel the spirit of Leland is lost under Scott's leadership. As a private citizen, I choose not to support California Music Theatre while it operates under Mr. Eckern's tenure. I support Marc Shaiman in his boycott of CMT, and hope others will follow -- as ticket-buyers, writers, musical directors, crew, designers and performers and more. I feel compelled to write because I have heard from so many beloved friends the last few days. People who are in every way caring and generous citizens. Friends who are for the most part very quiet on the political front, who have had to awaken because of last Tuesday, due to their shock that their lifestyles are not "accepted" by so-called friends!! The irony of electing Obama and Prop 8 passing astounds me. I am not ordinarily a political fighter, but I do believe in information for all, and let them decide. And more than anything I believe in "holding the space" for what is right. In support of my gay and lesbian friends, I find it a travesty that the entire arts community is not standing in solidarity for equal rights. Shame on Scott. That our industry should be the first to raise money and awareness for AIDS to the result of awakening a country and world to the issue...well then, marriage (and every other sort of) equality is a no-brainer ...and a duty and obligation. I hope with this email to find others to "hold the space" with me...full equality in marriage rights. If you should feel compelled to pass the information about Scott Eckern on to others...by all means, do.
Hoping for change...still,
Signed Susan Egan
http://antigayblacklist.com
California Musical Theatre is Sacramento's oldest professional performing arts organization and state's largest nonprofit musical theater company. It has 32 full-time employees and its budget for 2007 was $16.5 million. The CMT produces the Music Circus, presents Broadway Sacramento, and recently opened Forever Plaid at the capital's newest performing venue, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Scott Eckern, who had been with the company for 25 years, was named CMT's artistic director in July 2002 after longtime producing director Leland Ball stepped down. Eckern also holds the post of chief operating officer. As a result of Egan's letter, and those of many others, by Monday (November 10th), gay and lesbian show folk were calling for an artistic and audience boycott of California Musical Theatre. "I feel so sad that someone from within my field and someone from within my community, who actually knows me, would contribute to an initiative that reduces me to second-class citizenship," said openly gay composer Gregg Coffin. "I feel so sorry that he (Eckern) chose to support divisiveness and hatred rather than equality and inclusion; especially a man of the theater who works with gay actors, dancers, directors, designers and staff at CMT. The duplicity of it makes me so incredibly sad." In a post on one Web site, Mark Shaiman relayed what he told Eckern during a Thursday (November 6th) phone call: "The idea that your donation came from a salary that for a short amount of time was drawn from profits from a show I wrote upsets me terribly and I would never allow anything I write to play there and will encourage my colleagues to consider doing the same." Shaiman has contacted colleagues in the theater, including Jeff Whitty, whose show, Avenue Q, comes to Broadway Sacramento next spring. Whitty's Web site details a telephone conversation he had with Eckern on Friday. "There's a great degree of hue and cry over getting Mr. Eckern fired," Whitty wrote. "I've searched my soul about this. I'm instinctively not comfortable with the idea of his dismissal, though my activist side still whispers, 'Punish!' "I fear for what Mr. Eckern's dismissal would say about theater: that there's only room for the pro-gay crowd. In a way, if we only allow people we agree with, if we only allow people who share a broad sympathy for the human condition, then we become one of those dreaded fantasy 'elites.' " Epilog...On Wednesday, Scott Eckern announced his resignation from CMT and stated that he was leaving the organization, saying "I chose to express my views through the democratic process, and I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused in doing so. I want to support not only my friends and loved ones, but everyone in their efforts to receive equal rights." He also stated that he was making a comparable donation ($1,000) to the Human Rights Campaign. Personally, we would have liked to see Mr. Eckern donate $5,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or a similar organization. Cousin Claire knows how she feels about this issue. If you would even consider donating money to a campaign of discrimination and hate, or are sitting on the fence and don't have an opinion about Proposition 8, one way or the other, maybe connecting to this site (see Link below) and listening to the heartfelt words of a straight, and straight thinking man, MSNBC‘s, Keith Olbermann, might help you understand what it is you are being asked to do. PLEASE, open up your mind and take the six minutes and 30 seconds to listen to Mr. Olbermann's emotional editorial.
http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/prop8repeal And speaking of Susan Egan, folks in the Southern California area can see the talented lady, a Seal Beach gal, at the Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, 6725 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, as she performs The First Farewell Tour this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, plus dinner or a two-drink minimum. Call (323) 466-2210 for reservations and/or additional information. (Lainie Kazan is at the Catalina through tomorrow night, and Roslyn Kind, at the North Las Vegas Cannery tonight, performs at the Hollywood club on December 30th and New Year's Eve.) * * * * * * To Sheila in Los Angeles who wrote asking,
A few years back I went to see an R&B group called Spectrum. Are they still performing in LV? If so where? Do they have a web site?
We went right to the source for the answer. Cushney Roberts, the founding member of Spectrum, informs that the group works regularly, although since the closing and destruction of the Boardwalk Casino on the Strip, most of their work has been headlining on cruise ships (primarily the Royal Caribbean, Princess and Norwegian lines) and as the featured vocalists with symphonies around the country. In past months, the gentlemen - Darryl Grant, Pierre Jovan, David Prescott and Roberts - have appeared with the Long Beach Symphony (CA), Claremont Symphony Orchestra (CA), Tampa Bay's Florida Orchestra, Hartford Symphony (CT), and Huntsville Symphony (AL). Upcoming for the musical quartet are dates with the Syracuse Symphony (NY), Symphony of Southeast Texas, Virginia Symphony, Augusta Symphony (GA), and Charlotte Symphony (NC). In California, where Sheila lives, Spectrum will perform the hits of the Temptations, Four Tops, Drifters and other "boy" groups with the Santa Rosa Symphony, March 21st and 22nd, and the San Diego Symphony, July 17th and 18th. You can keep tabs on the fellows by clicking onto their Web site at www.spectrumsings.com. Hope that helps, Sheila. * * * * * * Weekend reminders...Singer/actor Bruce Ewing (Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular) and musical director/pianist Joey Singer (Mamma Mia! and Debbie Reynolds) are presenting songs from their brand new holiday CD, Remembering to Dream. This Sunday (November 16th), at 1:30 and 3 p.m., the gentlemen will perform in the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana (at Spencer), presenting songs from the album that includes old and new holiday favorites such as O Holy Night, Mary Did You Know, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Christmas Song, All Those Christmas Clichés, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Just In Time For Christmas, Joy To The World and others. Ewing and Singer will also introduce an original song, the title track of the new CD, Remembering to Dream, written by Joey Singer and Ewing's fellow Phantom cast member, Jason Forbach. For additional information, call the museum at (702) 798-5595. If you can't make it to the Liberace Museum this weekend, you will have another chance to see and hear Ewing and Singer the following Sunday (November 23rd) at the Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana, just west of Sandhill. Show time at the church is at 2 p.m. Admission is free on both weekends, but a "free will offering" will be accepted, with proceeds going to the Liberace Foundation and Family Promise of Las Vegas. The CD will be available for purchase at the three concerts, and in the Community Lutheran Church Bookstore throughout the holiday season. It has been more than 30 years since Roslyn Kind performed in Las Vegas. She will have to change her bio after this weekend, when she goes into the North Las Vegas Cannery Club for shows tonight and tomorrow. The good, almost unbelievable news, is that the cost to see this talented singer/actress is a mere $10! The not so good news, it's on a first come, first served basis (as in no reservations). We have a feeling that, unless you get to the Cannery, and into the line outside the Club entrance, very, VERY early, you will miss the opportunity to see Ms. Kind in performance. (Show starts at 8 p.m. Maybe you should go REALLY early, and with a sleeping bag!) We have to wonder, why so long away for Mz. Rozzie? If the response is as good as we think it will be for this booking, maybe Kathie Spehar (the Cannery's entertainment maven) will bring Roslyn Kind back to our city...and not 30 years from now! 
Kelly Clinton 
Bill Nolte & dancing partner 
Pam Drews Phillips And don't forget, singer/dancer/comedian Kelly Clinton (presented by Michael Chapman and ChapQuist Entertainment), who makes her Starbright Theatre debut tomorrow night, beginning at 7 (NOT 7:30, as Cousin Claire learned after arriving late for one of the Starbright's terrific productions). Not that this multi-multi talented lady needs any assistance (she can more than carry a show on her own), but Kelly will be joined by Reva Rice (late of Spamalot and Just Another Man), and Lena Prima (yes, Louis Prima is her dad). The Starbright is located in Sun City Summerlin at 2215 West Thomas Ryan Blvd. (take Rampart to Lake Mead and head west, way west). Tickets ($18 for Sun City residents, $23 for the rest of us) are on sale at Desert Vista, Mountain Shadows and Pinnacle Community Centers. To purchase by credit card, call (702) 869-2064. For additional information, call (702) 240-1301. This weekend, it's talented entertainers, such as funnymen Jeff Hobson and Rob Torres, magic man Joseph Gabriel, foot juggler (she juggles FEET???) Antje Pode, hoopster Larissa Youens, singing man Ben Stone, and put-upon man (thanks to his lovely assistant, Sherry) Charlie Frye and the Company he keeps, all in Variety Live! at the Suncoast. Tickets start at $19.95 plus taxes and fees for the 7:30 p.m. shows, through Sunday. Call (702) 636-7075. Since the Suncoast is much easier to get to than the London Palladium, we will see you there. * * * * * * From friend Bill Nolte comes a report on his debut at New York's famed Birdland. Says Bill, who performed his one man show, All of Me (seen in Vegas in February as part of the Performing Arts of Nevada's Brown Bag series), for the New York crowd last Monday. Some East Coast references were added and Bill‘s Dancing With the Stars homage took on a new twist, when, at the end of the choreographed number, Nolte discarded his "partner" (see accompanying photo), thanking Cloris Leachman. It brought down the house. "It was fantastic," says Nolte. "I really didn't expect a crowd, but the club was almost full." His accompanist, Pam Drews Phillips, was thrilled to be playing at Birdland on the late jazz great, Oscar Peterson's, Royal Blue Bosendorfer grand piano. Jennifer Perry ("Rosie" in the Vegas version of Mamma Mia!) was there, Mark Sendroff (famous theatrical lawyer and agent), Patrick Parker from Paper Mill Playhouse, Stephen Berger, Mark Waldrop, Jan Herndon, Mary Murfitt (Oil City Symphony), Jill Geddes (Into the Woods, Delphi Or Bust), Carl Baldasso (art director/set designer), Jim Geyer and Pat Bases (ukulele act), Carol Purkiss, and several people from Calgary, Australia, England, Turkey, and Greece. (Boy, I hope the names of the people I don't know and am not familiar with are spelled correctly.) At the end of this month, Nolte will be going cruising on Seabourn for two weeks, traveling to Oman, Dubai and India. He will perform two different shows, All of Me and a Broadway-themed one-man revue. Bill hopes to do his new Broadway show in Las Vegas, perhaps in the spring. He says he is missing his Vegas home and family, "especially now that the leaves have fallen and it's getting chilly in New York." (We didn‘t tell him that, although we don't have as many falling leaves, it‘s getting cooler here as well.) * * * * * * Tomorrow (Saturday, November 15th) at 2 p.m., The Glenwillow String Trio will present their Simple Gifts program of classical chamber music and American folk music in celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The program will begin with the Serenade in C for String Trio by Ernst von Dohnanyi. The concert will include the music and arrangements of American composer and fiddler, Mark O'Connor, from his award-winning CD, Appalachia Waltz. The trio is composed of Las Vegas Philharmonic members Rebecca Ramsey (violin), Hanna Suk (viola) and Moonlight Tran (cello). Ramsey has played first chair for many orchestras and recording projects. A composer, she has enjoyed presenting her original works at the Liberace Composers' Showcase. This concert also will include her arrangement of the traditional Shaker tune, "Simple Gifts," and her composition, "Before the Dawn," from the CD "The Stone Sanctuary, Silhouettes of Zion." Suk has a master's degree in music from the National Music Academy of Ukraine and was an artist with the Kiev Chamber Orchestra and the National Ukraine Symphony Orchestra. She toured Europe and Ukraine as a solo performer and as a chamber musician. Tran has a bachelor of music performance degree in cello from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. She teaches for the Nevada School of the Arts, the College of Southern Nevada and in her own cello studio. Admission is free. Call (702) 229-6211 for more information. * * * * * * 
White Lion 
Giovanna Sardelli 
Bette Midler The Canyon Club, located inside the Four Queens Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, presents White Lion tomorrow (Saturday, November 15th) with doors opening at 9:30 p.m. Formed in 1983, the Brooklyn-bred rockers left their distinctive mark on the MTV generation in the late 1980s with smash hits such as Wait, Tell Me, Broken Heart and Little Fighter. The band was also recognized for meaningful songs that transcended social and political themes such as Cry For Freedom, Lights and Thunder, and Warsong. Their most memorable classic hit, When the Children Cry, reached double platinum. In March, White Lion released Return of the Pride, their first record in more than 16 years. Tickets for White Lion are $15 for locals and $25 general admission, and can be purchased by calling The Canyon Club box office at (702) 387-5175, or online at tickets.fourqueens.com. The box office is open Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. * * * * * * Nelson Sardelli has instructed us to "Start Spreading the News...It's Up to You New York, New York." Although we are Las Vegas, Las Vegas, not New York, New York (but there is a pretty good replica on the corner of the Strip and Tropicana), we certainly don‘t mind spreading the news. Sardelli‘s daughter, Giovanna Sardelli, has won the 2007-2008 Joe A. Callaway Award for Outstanding Director of her production of Rajiv Joseph's Animals Out of Paper. What makes this honor especially impressive is the competition that Giovanna faced. The finalists for the award were: Walter Bobbie (Footloose, Sweet Charity, Tony Award winning director for Chicago), for Christopher Durang's The Marriage of Bette and Boo, produced by The Roundabout Theatre Company; former Chicagoan, David Cromer, for Adding Machine, A Musical, produced by Scott Morfee, Tom Wirtshafter, and Margaret Cotter; Michael Greif (Rent, Grey Gardens, Never Gonna Dance, Jane Eyre), for Next to Normal, produced by Second Stage Theatre (they also produced Animals Out of Paper); and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Oscar-winner as Best Actor for the lead role in Capote), The Little Flower of East Orange, produced by The LABrynth Theatre Company, The Public Theatre. "I can't tell you how thrilled and honored I am to be included in this amazing company of talent," said the delighted Ms. Sardelli. Established by Equity member Joe A. Callaway in 1989 to encourage participation in the classics and non-profit theatre, the awards are administered by Actor's Equity Association. The winners, selected by a panel of critics, receive $1,000 and a commemorative plaque...and, of course the honor itself. Coincidentally, The Marriage of Bette and Boo (mentioned above) is playing at UNLV's Black Box Theatre through Sunday. The Las Vegas Review-Journal's theater critic, Anthony Del Valle, gave the production an "A" rating. It must REALLY be good! Tickets are $15. Show times are tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call (702) 895-2787 for reservations. * * * * * * We want to remind you about the upcoming Thanksgiving Semi-Formal Dance at the Italian-American Club, on Thursday, November 20th. Mark the date on your calendar and plan to attend a wonderful evening of dancing and entertainment. Dancing and Mingling on the Sahara features the music of Nobody Famous and The Infamous Horns. In addition to playing for your listening enjoyment, the group will also be playing dance music - everything from the Foxtrot, Two Beat, West Coast Swing, Waltz and Latin, to Shuffle, Polka and more. Robert Baumann, from Dance Charisma, will teach free dance moves and routines from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Open dancing will be from 7:30 to 10:45 p.m. The Italian-American Club is located at 2333 E. Sahara near Eastern. Admission at the door (the club opens at 6 p.m.) is $12 for singles, and $20 for couples. Save a couple of bucks by making your reservations in advance ($10 for singles, and $18 for couples). Call (702) 220-6325 * * * * * * A sure Bette? Since we rarely, if ever, saw commercials promoting Celine Dion's shows at Caesars, and don't recall seeing any for Elton John, or Cher, or Jerry Seinfeld, we have to wonder if the fact that we are seeing plenty of TV ads for Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On, means that the Divine One is not doing the big business the Colosseum is set up for. We know that Ms. Midler is one helluva dandy entertainer and this is a gambling town, but was this long term booking a bad Bette or is it just a case of the poor economy jitters? * * * * * * 
Jeneane Marie 
Mark Giovi 
Lou Garcia And speaking of divas, it's Jeneane Marie at the new Eastside Cannery next Friday and Saturday, November 21st and 22nd. Delivering pop, rock, blues and R&B in her own unique style, Jeneane Marie has been a Las Vegas favorite since the 1980s. Show times are at 9 p.m. in Marilyn's Lounge. Marilyn's is a great place to dance or listen to the sounds of incredible live local bands, unbelievable tribute acts, classic lounge crooners and some headliners while quenching your thirst on the coolest cocktails and the most twisted tequila libations. The room, with a state-of-the-art audio and lighting system, can accommodate 200 people in a cocktail table configuration, and 300 in concert style. If you haven't checked out the Boulder Strip at Tropicana property (where the Nevada Palace once stood), the sultry Jeneane Marie is a good reason to do so. * * * * * * The glitz and excitement of early Vegas is coming back to town with the launching of a new series of Classic Cabaret Nights at the glamorous new banquet facility, View 215. Opening night is Sunday, November 23rd. The first presentation will headline singer Mark Giovi. The evening of dining and entertainment will begin with flashbulbs popping, as a bevy of lovely costumed showgirls welcome guests to a bright red-carpeted entranceway. At 5 p.m., cocktails and complimentary Hors D'oeuvres will be served on the View 215 terrace. As the name suggests, the facility features a spectacular view of the Las Vegas Valley for the enjoyment of its guests. A three-course dinner - offering a choice of Chicken Picatta with Lemon Caper Butter sauce, Mahi Mahi with Teriyaki glaze and mango tropical salsa or
Penne Pasta Primavera - will be served at 6 p.m., with the show following at 7:30. The dinner and show package price is $50 (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required. Call (702) 307-4959 or email to Bavaro626@aol.com. Recently opened View 215 is located at 9130 W. Russell Road at the 215 freeway. The facility is available for all types of special events. For details, check out their Web site at www.view215.com. Giovi will draw upon his vast array of musical genres - from rock to opera and everything in between. A founding member of the Las Vegas Tenors, Mark performs six nights a week as the featured vocalist in the long-running Strip show, Bite. He has toured internationally, sharing the stage with Michael Jackson, Mark Anthony, Vanessa Carlton, Alanis Morisette and Shakira, among others. Since leaving the Tenors, Giovi has been spreading his artistic wings. In recent months, he has performed his own show at the upscale MacDonald Ranch Community Center; contributed his talents at the Aree Bray Cancer Benefit, where he sang an original song called Rise, written by Roger Fisher (Barracuda), Heart's founding guitarist who also performed; and at Nellis Air Force Base's Aviation Nation air show, Giovi sang the National Anthem as 15 parachutists drifted from the sky to the ground. Mark has become a favorite of Opportunity Village. At a black-tie event for the organization‘s 2008 Magical Forest launch, Giovi sang This Is the Moment (from Frank Wildhorn's Broadway musical, Jekyll and Hyde) and Puccini's Nessun Dorma, bringing the crowd to its feet before the big finish. On Tuesday, the married father of two will be featured as part of Opportunity Village's Golf Tournament, at the fabulous Cascata Golf Course in Boulder City. Calling him "The Voice of Opportunity," Mark, who was born with cerebral palsy, exemplifies the mission statement of Opportunity Village. Since 1954, the organization has been serving disabled people in the Las Vegas community, providing them with programs and services to help enrich their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Village, taking a daytime tour of the campus, or getting involved with Opportunity Village or the Magical Forest, please call (702) 259-3741. We will have more information about the Magical Forest next Friday. Classic Cabaret Nights is a presentation of Bavaro ETC, Exclusive Talent Concepts, headed by producer Jeanne Bavaro. Bavaro, who is the personal manager of singer/impressionist Bill Acosta, tap phenom, Jay Fagan, and Giovi, is a woman on a mission. Her goal is "to bring back the golden days of the Supper Club era" - top quality talent and good food at affordable prices - reminiscent of early Vegas. And speaking of the Las Vegas Tenors, they have performance dates scheduled at the Suncoast, January 30th through February 1st. Also on Sunday, but in the afternoon...Singer/dancer/actor Lou Garcia, who often appears with his Amigo in Song, Gary Oakes, will go solo for his 2 p.m., Sunday, November 23rd show at the Clark County Flamingo Library Theater, at 1401 E. Flamingo. Calling his one-man-show From Havana to Broadway, the accomplished Cuban-born singer/dancer/actor presents a repertoire of material, ranging from Latin love songs and rhythmic calypso melodies, to popular American standards and favorite show tunes from popular Broadway musicals such as Follies, Gypsy, Mame, The Roar of Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd and Cats. Lou's show business career has spanned more than 40 years, beginning with his stint as principal vocalist with the United States Navy Steel Band. From there, it was on to nightclubs, television, trade shows and summer stock productions, culminating in appearances on Broadway in musicals Ilya Darling and Zorba. His first Las Vegas appearance was in the cast of the musical Mame with Juliet Prowse at the International Hotel (now the Las Vegas Hilton) and later as a principal in Donn Arden's musical extravaganza, Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM Grand (now Bally‘s). Many years as a headliner on numerous cruise lines attests to the versatile talents of this accomplished performer, who is sure to entertain audiences in his entertaining nostalgic song and dance journey From Havana to Broadway. Presented by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, tickets for From Havana to Broadway are $15 per person. For further information or reservations, call the PASN office at (702) 658-6741. Tickets will also be available at the Clark County Library Theater box office, at 1 p.m. The performance begins at 2 (doors open for the unreserved seating at 1:30). * * * * * * 
The Association Next weekend, November 21st through 23rd, it's The Association at the Suncoast. Starting in the mid-1960s, the California pop music band had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts, among them, Cherish, Along Comes Mary, Never My Love, Windy, Goodbye Columbus, and Darlin' Be Home Soon. The Association is notable for being the leadoff band at 1967's first multi-group rock festival, the Monterey Pop Festival. Known for their tight vocal harmony, The Association was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Tickets are from $19.95 plus taxes and fees. Shows are at 7:30. For reservations, call (702) 636-7111, or toll free at (877) 677-7111. * * * * * * Matisyahu will perform at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues on November 22nd. What is a Matisyahu, you may ask? If not for certain young relatives, we wouldn't have the answer. But since we do, we know that Matisyahu (born Matthew Paul Miller) is an American reggae musician who blends traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip-hop sounds. The 39-year-old stands out for wearing the traditional clothing of Hasidic Jews and not performing on Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday). Since 2004, he has released two studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs, and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production, including Bill Laswell, and duo Sly & Robbie. Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard. Matisyahu appears with the Flobots and Chester French. Tickets range from $28 to $35, plus taxes and fees. For reservations, call the House of Blues at (702) 632-7600. 
Matisyahu 
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano * * * * * * Cutting-edge magician Jeff McBride will end his Magic at the Edge run in the Sound Trax Showroom at the Palace Station on November 22nd. We give McBride an "A" for effort (or should it be an "E" for effort?), for taking his classy act to an off-Strip property, not really known for "cutting-edge" entertainment. Actually, in spite of entertainers such as Earl Turner who have worked the West Sahara hotel/casino, the place is probably best known as the location of OJ Simpson's most recent notoriety. However, we digress (we do that often). Tonight and tomorrow, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., McBride will host the next to last weekend of Wonderground at Palace Station. The magical, interactive club experience will be putting on a spectacular end to its run with special guests Ross Johnson and young Berk Eratay, a student of McBride's. Johnson is a psychic entertainer specializing in mind reading, magic, fortune telling, telepathy and mentalism. He has been honing his craft for more than 20 years, performing for hundreds of top corporations. Berk, a mentalist from Istanbul, Turkey, recently won TV's Uri Geller's Phenomenon - Turkey. Wonderground is a magical club experience that features interactive close-up magic, uncommon variety acts, performance art, a psychic sideshow and DJ Leo Diaz spinning house, mash-ups and down-tempo techno. The performers have been different every week and you never know who might show up. Past celebrity guests include our favorite mentalist Gerry McCambridge (Hooters), Lance Burton (Monte Carlo), Criss Angel (Luxor) and Keith Barry (at Planet Hollywood through the 27th). Entrance is $10 at the door, or half price for patrons showing up in magical costumes before 10:30 p.m. Those who have attended McBride's Magic at the Edge show earlier in the evening can show their ticket stub for free admission. * * * * * * Okay, you New Yorkers, or Big Apple visitors...This Sunday, it's the husband and wife musical team of Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano remembering John Wallowitch, Lew Spence and Murray Grand at the Metropolitan Room. Join Barbara and Eric as they salute three masters of the art of theater and café music. David Hurst of Cabaret Scenes magazine writes about the presentation, "A triumph in every sense of the word, Remembering... is a showcase not only for the composers of the title, but for Comstock and Fasano as well. For those unfamiliar with Wallowitch, Spence and Grand, here's a quick synopsis: Singer-songwriter-pianist Murray Grand, who died March 7, 2007, at the age of 87, created the first café revue in New York City and had his most famous composition, Guess Who I Saw Today, included in the Smithsonian Institute's collection of "the 25 most important night-club songs of all time." John Wallowitch, a singer-composer of thousands of songs and a familiar face on New York television's cable-access show, John's Cabaret, died August 15, 2007, at the age of 81. Best known for songs that reveled in word play and witty social observation, such as Bruce, which was popularized by Blossom Dearie, Wallowitch was often compared to Noel Coward and Cole Porter for his smart and snappy tunes. Lew Spence, who didn't publish his first song until he was almost thirty, was best known for Nice ‘n' Easy, a smash hit for Frank Sinatra, died January 9, 2008, at the age of 87. He was also notable for becoming a full-time lyricist in his late forties after almost two decades of providing only melodies for other people's words. (Thanks for your help, Mr. Hurst.) The Metropolitan Room is at 34 West 22nd Street. Show time is 7 p.m. You don't want to miss this one. Call (212) 206-0440 for reservations.
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Claire Voyant’s portrait by Charlie Frye
Tags: Susan Egan Spectrum Roslyn Kind Kelly Clinton Bill Nolte Pam Drews Phillips
Displaying keen perception and great insight.
She’s a little bit naughty. She’s a little bit nice.
She calls ‘em like she sees (and hears) ‘em.
She’s...
Claire Voyant Las Vegas - November 7, 2008 
Criss Angel 
Jerry Mitchell 
Steve Solomon WOW!
In this corner, the big winner is...our new president, Barack Obama. In the other corner, the big loser...the Bad Boy of Magic, Criss Angel. There are no hanging chads involved here, and no demands for recounts. The critics AND audience members, seem to be unanimous when it comes to Angel's (in association with Cirque du Soleil) new show at the Luxor. It appears, to most who have seen it, that Believe is an $85 million + (some figures claim as high as $100 million) disaster. A year ago, Cousin Claire called a small musical revue that she saw at a local's favorite venue, a "slight misstep" in an otherwise impressive series of offerings. From what we are reading and hearing, Believe it or not, this production is a MAJOR misstep. A speed bump of epic proportions. A bust. A bomb. A great big, very expensive disappointment. We have yet to hear one reviewer (and we don't consider Las Vegas Channel 3's Alicia Jacobs to be a qualified, unbiased and fair critic, especially when it comes to attractive male show business types) speak well of this Cirque du Soleil effort. When entertainment writers (not us, as we haven't seen this one) use words like "boring" to describe a new, much hyped production that is supposed to run for 10 years, friends, you got trouble...BIG trouble! Oh, you've got trouble. Terrible, terrible trouble. Oh yes you've got trouble, trouble, trouble! Lots and lots a' trouble. (Thank you, Music Man Meredith Willson.) It's almost inconceivable to believe that Believe could generate so much consistent bad press. We have not seen one positive piece on Believe. Prior to all the bad reviews (or maybe in spite of all the bad reviews), it is claimed that there had been $5 million in tickets sold before the first public performance. One show business-type suggested that those early ticket buyers fell into one of three categories, (1) Angel's following built through his Mindfreak TV series, (2) the Cirque fan base who like to see all new Cirque shows, and (3) the crowd that will pay to see a train wreck. Maybe, instead of hanging out with the likes of Pamela Anderson; Cameron Diaz; Minnie Driver; Miss Nevada, Veronica Grabowski; Paris Hilton; Lindsay Lohan; Britney Spears, and now, 80-year-old Hugh Hefner's former playgirl, Holly Madison (29), our 40-year-old Angel should have been taking acting lessons and working more on his live performance on stage than his reputation as a ladies man. If it was publicity he was seeking, Criss Angel is definitely getting it...although, certainly not the kind he was hoping for. When other Cirque, or Cirque-related shows (Zumanity, Le Reve, Celine Dion's A New Day, and Ka) opened to lukewarm reviews, they were described as "works in progress." Some of the problems in those shows could be fixed (with new choreographers, some rewriting or rethinking) or hidden. What do you do with a show where the problem is the STAR? We have heard that the powers-that-be (who ARE these people, anyway?) won't try to make any changes in Believe until January. Acting lessons for Mr. Angel or, at the very least, an on-the-scene coach, might be a good starting place to fix this humongous problem. No one who loves Las Vegas, or lives and works here, wants anything with money, creativity and/or effort involved, to fail - whether it be a well-run, well-crafted hotel, restaurant, publication, department store, specialty shop...or show. It is a black-eye for the community.
SPOILER ALERT: If you do decide to see this show, based on the dark and scary photos we saw - featuring blood and gore and injured bunnies - we suggest leaving the kids at home. In the past few weeks, Believe is the second Vegas show to take a critical hit. Mike Weatherford gave the Sahara's new show, Raw Talent Live, a "D" rating. We don't recall the entertainment writer/critic ever giving any other show a "D." Raw Talent Live must really be a stinker to generate a "D." Mediocrity, or worse, does not bode well for a city that calls itself "The Entertainment Capital of the World." Bad news for Stomp Out Loud cast members, crew and fans. Things will be a lot quieter around Planet Hollywood after January 4th, when the raucous and rhythmic production winds up its 21-months at the Strip hotel/casino. Coincidentally, Stomp Out Loud will end its run on the same night that Mamma Mia! shuts up shop and sails off into the sunset. The Lion King will replace Mamma Mia! in the Mandalay Bay Theater. Hopefully, the award-winning Lion King will have the same success as its predecessor. Although there has been no announcement regarding what will go into the theater at Planet Hollywood, a little birdie tells us |
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