Everything Las Vegas Issue # 689
February 13th, 2009
‘La Cage’ to end two decade run at Riviera by Robin Leach.
On Monday night, the cast and crew of the female impersonator show "Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera were notified by owner Norbert Aleman that he regrettably was being forced to shut down the long-running production.
Headliner Frank Marino and his fellow female impersonators received the news as the show ended at 9 p.m.
There were weeklong negotiations with Riviera executives and the show’s producers, but because of falling ticket sales and no sign of an immediate recovery for hotel bookings, it was decided to close the show.
Frank, who played the show’s colorful Mistress of Ceremonies as Joan Rivers, held the title of Las Vegas’ longest-running headliner. He was presented with a key to the city on “Frank Marino Day” on Feb. 1, 2006.
The pink slips came nine days after the third anniversary of that presentation by Mayor Oscar Goodman. Additionally, Frank has a star on the Strip’s Walk of Stars and Frank Marino Drive in honor of him.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/10/la-cage-end-run-riviera/
Siegfried & Roy reunion performance scheduled for ‘20/20’ special.
More than five years after last appearing onstage at The Mirage, Siegfried & Roy are in rehearsals for their much-anticipated reunion and farewell performance.
An official announcement is expected that the legendary illusionists will appear in a special hourlong, prime-time installment of the ABC News program “20/20,” to be recorded live at the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute’s Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” benefit gala, scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Bellagio. The show will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Pacific time on March 6.
“We never got to say a proper goodbye,” Roy Horn said in an exclusive interview on his first tour of the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute on the Union Park development near downtown Las Vegas. “This will be our final bow and it will never be repeated.”
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/04/siegfried-roy-reunion-performance-scheduled-2020-s/
Vegas Recovery? Don’t Bet On It. By Rick Garman
www.vegas4visitors.com
2008 was a bad year for a lot of people. Las Vegas was certainly not immune to the economic crisis engulfing the country and the city has taken a hard hit on just about every level as tourism declines and the money those tourists brought with them vanishes. Anyone hoping that 2009 was going to be better for America’s playground may be disappointed as a raft of doom and gloom news is surfacing just a few weeks into the new year.
Station Casinos is expected to file for bankruptcy in March as part of a plan to restructure its debt. The company most famous for running a chain of usually highly successful locals’ casinos like Red Rock Resort and Green Vally Ranch has been hit hard as a lot of Vegas residents are staying home and the relatively small chunk of the tourism market they were used to has all but disappeared. The move is not a traditional going out of business bankruptcy, but rather one of those so-complicated-it-makes-my-head-hurt financial moves designed to make the company stronger in the long run, so it could be a good thing ultimately unless you’re one of the people to whom the company owes money.
Hopefully none of those people work at one of the Wynn Resorts because they are going to feel the financial pinch even more. The company announced that employees of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore will be getting cuts to their salaries, hours, and 401(k) contributions in order to save as much as $100 million annually. The good news is that by doing so, Wynn Resorts hopes to not have to lay anyone off, a move that has already been happening at other companies on The Strip.
Meanwhile gaming stocks have continued to drop to some of their lowest levels on record, wiping out corporate value and much hope of these companies being able to even keep the status quo going. One of the hardest hit was MGM Mirage who controls the majority of casinos on The Strip (Bellagio, Mirage, and many more). After a Wall Street downgrading their stock slipped to around $5 (after being well over $100 a year ago) and there are rumors that they may need to sell another hotel or two – after just selling Treasure Island – just to keep the lights on.
Speaking of rumors, there are rumblings that another major casino company may be forced into bankruptcy sooner rather than later and this bankruptcy could be the kind that causes doors to close.
Paradoxically it’s a great time for people like you and me to go to Vegas. Occupancy, which normally hovers in the 90-95% range, is down to the 70-75% range and room rates have dropped dramatically. Accommodations that were regularly going for $400 a night or more are now often in the $100-$200 range and you can find weekend rooms at fine Strip hotels for under $100 easily. That would’ve been unheard of a year ago even at the low-end properties.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards by Rick Garman
The You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello Award of the Week goes to The Joint, the near-legendary concert venue at the Hard Rock Hotel that closed last week after a reportedly fiery concert by the hard rocking act Motley Crue. A new, bigger Joint will be opening in April as a part of a $700 million dollar expansion of the hotel and one of the first performers on the new stage will be Sir Paul McCartney (April 19 – tickets go on sale February 14 through Ticketmaster).
Speaking of the Hard Rock, the Seeing Double Award of the Week goes to the restaurant portion of that particular chain, which is readying a second outlet in Vegas. The three-story facility is currently under construction on The Strip just north of the MGM Grand and will feature a store, a full restaurant, and a private space for small concerts and other events. It is scheduled to open in July.
The Whoops Mr. Moto I’m a Coffee Pot Award of the Week goes to Java, the new leopard cub born in November at Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden at the Mirage.
And finally the Duuuuuuude Award of the Week goes to Monster Circus, the new act that will be playing at the Las Vegas Hilton. Described as a “high-octane live rock concert with sexy dancers, human circus acts, aerialists, and freaks,” the show will feature a super –band of sorts staffed by people who have played with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Ratt, KISS, and more. The show opens March 19 and will play several nights a month after the Barry Manilow concert, which is funny in ways that I probably don’t need to explain. Go to lvhilton.com for more information.
Updated Show Review: Le Reve By Rick Garman
When I first saw this show at Wynn Las Vegas in 2005, I liked it but thought the Cirque du Soleil style imagery and acts were derivative and at times disturbing. But like everything else in Las Vegas, it continues to evolve since it opened and now Le Reve manages to impress on its own merits with an improved, clearer, and less threatening storyline, enhanced special effects, and an integration of ballroom dancing that puts it on par with some of the best shows in Las Vegas.
Created originally by Franco Dragone, the man who created Cirque du Soleil’s “O,” Le Reve has many of the same thematic elements, most notably the giant water tank that people dive into, swim through, and do dramatic aerial stunts above. As with “O” the conceit can be a bit limiting but part of the shows’ evolution has been to emphasize more of the non-water based stunts and ballroom dance making it a richer experience.
The story, such as it is, is pretty much the same as it was – a person falls asleep and then wanders through an aquatic dream world of angels and demons, hopes and fears, comedy and drama. The big change, however, is that the lead character is now a woman returning home from a date with a handsome man. This shift has proved seismic in the overall tone of the show, turning it into a romantic quest – a stumble through the kinds of insecurities we all feel when exploring the boundaries of a relationship.
Gone are the misogynistic and homophobic overtones that many people picked up on in the early version of the show, even though many of the set pieces that evoked those feelings are pretty much the same. For instance a human sculpture segment, where two men angrily lock bodies while showcasing almost unbelievable feats of strength, is virtually identical. But whereas before it came across to many as a war between the two sides of human sexuality with the gay side taking a very serious beating, now comes off as a battle between the two sides of the woman’s boyfriend’s personality – is he a good, loving, caring man or is he a jerk?
That’s not to say that all of the disturbing imagery is gone but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. One particularly affecting segment looks like an aerial ballet of angels falling to earth (or water, as the case may be), only to be scooped up by a grim-reaper-esque figure collecting the dead. Whether or not that’s the intended meaning behind that part the show, or whether that’s how you’ll interpret it, is almost irrelevant. The very fact that these elements exist to challenge the willing members of the audience who want something more than people diving into a pool is noteworthy.
But for those who do want the mindlessness, Le Reve can still deliver on that. It is certainly darker than similar shows but it now contains enough humor and all of the eye-popping visual stunts and set pieces that people have come to expect from this particular genre.
And the addition over the last couple of years of some dramatic ballroom style dance is also enlivening. Mostly Latin inspired, the dancing couples are championship caliber even before you consider the fact that often they are dancing on narrow, wet walkways and sometimes actually up to their ankles in water. How they manage to do that without sacrificing the aesthetics of their choreography is nothing short of amazing.
Also noteworthy is the revamped theater. More than 400 seats were removed and the existing ones replaced with larger, more comfortable versions. Plus there is a row of VIP seats – big plushy chairs that ring the top row of the theater with built in monitors to watch the action above, backstage, and underwater. It’s difficult at first to get used to it – as is the case with most of these types of shows there is too much going on at once anyway to catch it all, but once you get the hang of when to look at the video screens (most notably when someone hits the water from a high distance) it really adds to the show. Plus the seats come with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries complimentary in the price of the ticket.
When it debuted, it was impossible to not compare Le Reve to O, but now Le Reve has established enough of its own identity that it stands as a unique and completely satisfying whole all on its own.
Le Reve
Wynn Las Vegas
3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
888-320-7110
website
Price:
$99-179
Show Times:
Thu-Mon 7 & 9:30pm
Vegas4Visitors Rating: A-
http://vegas4visitors.com
Oscar Odds by Rick Garman
It’s awards season again and what would a celebration of achievement in film making be without a good bet on who is going to win? Wynn Las Vegas sports book director Johnny Avello has released his “just for fun” odds on the major races in this year’s Academy Awards race.
Danny Boyle’s love letter to India “Slumdog Millionaire” is leading the pack for Best Picture with even odds. Just behind it is the movie that made me want to call up Brad Pitt and ask for those three hours of my life back, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which is coming in a 7:2 odds. Rounding out the pack is “Frost/Nixon” at 5:1, “Milk” at 10:1, and “The Reader” pulling in the long shot odds at 15:1.
In the best actor race, comeback kid Mickey Rourke is the odds on favorite for his role in “The Wrestler.” You would double your money with 2:1 odds if you were able to bet on him and he won. But not far off that point is Sean Penn at 5:2 for his heartbreaking portrayal of slain gay civil rights leader Harvey “Milk.” Frank Langella as President Nixon in “Frost/Nixon” is competitive at 3:1, with Brad Pitt for “Benjamin Button” and Richard Jenkins for “The Visitor” trailing way behind at 8:1 and 18:1 respectively.
For the leading ladies, it’s a very tight race for the front of the pack with Kate Winslet barely edging out Meryl Streep. Winslet’s role in “The Reader” is garnering 8:5 odds while Streep’s no “nunsense” turn in “Doubt” is at 9:5. Anne Hathway is getting 6:1 odds for “Rachel Getting Married,” Angelina Jolie is matching her hubby’s odds at 8:1 for “The Changeling,” and Melissa Leo is at the back of the pack with 12:1 odds for “Frozen River.”
In other races, Heath Ledger is favored to win Best Supporting Actor with 6:5 odds for his role as The Joker in “The Dark Knight;” Viola Davis’ short but powerful role in “Doubt” is pulling in the best odds for Best Supporting Actress at 2:1; and the aforementioned Danny Boyle is ahead in the Best Director race with 4:5 odds for “Slumdog Millionaire.”
The longest of long shots in the odds this year is in the Best Director race where “Milk” director Gus Van Sant is pulling down 25:1 odds.
Remember, this is all just for amusement purposes. It is not legal to put bets on competitions like The Academy Awards.
What Next? "Prostate Trouble: The Horror Show?"
By Newsletter member and friend, Brian Rouff
A few months ago, when I reviewed “Jersey Boys” for Living Las Vegas, I mentioned that I rarely attend Las Vegas shows, especially musicals. Recently, though, a friend gave me two free tickets to “Menopause The Musical” at the Las Vegas Hilton. With my column deadline looming, the lure of free tickets, and my friend’s glowing recommendation (“It’s laugh-out-loud funny”), my wife and I braved a cold, blustery, late-December night to see the show.
Before I tell you what I thought of it, let me explain my special fondness for the Hilton. My history with the hotel goes back to 1974, when I made my first of many trips to Las Vegas. (Like most locals, before I became a Las Vegas resident, I was a frequent visitor.)
I was 19, living in Southern California and just beginning my lifelong love/hate relationship with gambling. (It runs in the family and I’m convinced it’s genetic – the subject for a future column.) My buddy Frank and I spent that summer poring over Mike Goodman’s paperback “Your Best Bet” as well as Edward Thorp’s seminal blackjack classic “Beat the Dealer.” For months, we practiced our strategy and card-counting techniques, alternating as player and dealer. Believe me when I say that if I could have transferred some of my practice luck to the actual tables, I’d be a high roller today. Or homeless. These things can go either way.
More here:
http://living-las-vegas.com/2009/02/menopause-musical-las-vegas/
Carrot Top: Anything for a laugh, and his frenetic formula works.
He can be juvenile, yes, but also smart and topical.
By: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun
Carrot Top had been onstage less than two minutes when I turned to Leila Navidi, the Sun photographer seated next to me, and whispered, “If you tell anyone how hard I laughed at this, you’ll never work in this town again.”
He’s inescapable in Las Vegas — that blaze of orange curls and grimacing grin leering out from highway billboards, bus sides and taxi tops. Still, it took me a whole year to find out how exactly Carrot Top, the redheaded stepchild of the Strip, has reigned for three years at Luxor.
If you’re an ADD specialist, a seventh grade detention monitor or a mom of young boys, you can take a pass on Carrot Top’s short attention span showbiz shtick.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/02/anything-laugh-and-his-frenetic-formula-works/
Blue Man Group: Blue, but not the blues.
Show is loud, spirited, colorful and full of surprises.
By: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun
In the new Vegas, “blue” is synonymous with a curious trio of wordless humanoid aliens, whose playfully ingenious long-running show is nearing four years at the Venetian.
Exuberantly messy and thunderously noisy, Blue Man Group is a rarity amid on-Strip entertainments, hitting the sweet spot for grown-ups and kids alike.
Before the show begins, it’s amusing to watch the people seated in the first five rows as they wiggle into the clear plastic ponchos provided for them (it’s also funny to sit behind them with their comically pointy hoods). Announcements to the audience begin scrolling, stock-ticker style, and the increasingly silly instructions get everyone in a chummy mood.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/26/blue-not-blues/
INTERVIEWS: Ventriloquist Terry Fator talks about his puppets on the eve of his new Mirage show.
Fator finds fame with a little help from some friends.
By: Mike Weatherford/Las Vegas Review Journal
The billboards promise Terry Fator and "His Cast of Thousands." That's cheeky Vegas hyperbole, but there is no doubt that without his puppets — maybe not thousands, but easily a dozen — Fator never would have drawn the "America's Got Talent" attention that led to fame and fortune on the Strip.
With the new headliner launching his residency at The Mirage on Saturday (performances until March 17 are designated as previews), Fator took time out to talk about the little people who helped him along the way and to introduce some brand new co-stars.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/39546502.html
HEIDI'S PICKS: Eats of the Week/From The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Create
7290 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; 586-0430
Our burgers were overcooked because we were unaware they could be done to order (next time we'll know), but we liked most everything else about Create, including the upbeat (if a little personal) attitude of management and employees. The Impressionist burger was just spicy enough with its jalapenos, pepperjack cheese and atomic mayo, and our do-it-yourself option was pretty much as ordered. Also worthy of note: nice crispy fries (both sweet potato and regular), and truly delicious frozen custard. (1/23/09)
Overall: B $
FUSIA
Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 262-4778
Fusia is uncommonly friendly for a Strip-resort restaurant; it also flies under the radar, but its food quality compares quite nicely with that of the big boys. The white-miso-lacquered sea bass with sambal aioli was flaky, firm and sweet, and we also liked the duck spring rolls with mandarin relish, spring field greens and Cinnamon Monkey Bread — the best dessert we'd had in a long time, on the Strip or off. (5/9/08)
Overall: B+ $$$
THE MAPLE TREE
6000 Spring Mountain Road; 362-5151
The Maple Tree works to evoke a New England sugarhouse, which it does to mixed degrees. But maple syrup reigns supreme here — the real stuff, which is just perfect on the fluffy pancakes. We liked the Sugarhouse Sampler, which, besides pancakes, includes eggs, sausage, bacon and maple-baked ham, and the crab cakes and eggs, with their country potatoes. And we especially liked the service. (3/26/08)
Overall: A- $
MORELS FRENCH STEAKHOUSE & BISTRO
Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 607-6333
Asking us if we'd like filtered tap water instead of bottled charmed us right off the bat, but Morels easily stayed in our good graces with a combination of good service, a pleasant interior (and a patio) and top-notch food that included an amuse-bouche of a prosciutto-wrapped fig with a cherry-ginger reduction, mushroom bisque, a summer heirloom tomato salad, the daily fish (Loch Duart salmon), a Kansas City steak and Truffled Creamed Summer Corn. We even loved the good yeast rolls — and the tapenade and butter rolled in sea salt that were served with them. (7/4/08)
Overall: A $$$$
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/39546527.html
Annual gaming revenues suffer sharpest drop in state history.
Las Vegas stung by variety of economic woes, from jobless rate to foreclosures.
By HOWARD STUTZ/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
It's official.
The year 2008 was the worst on record for declining gaming revenues in Nevada, falling nearly 10 percent for the year — and a whopping 18.9 percent just in the fourth quarter.
Now the question is: Will the trend continue into 2009?
Casinos statewide won $11.6 billion from customers during the year, a drop of 9.7 percent when compared with the $12.8 billion won from gamblers in 2007, the sharpest decline in state history, according to figures released Wednesday by the Gaming Control Board.
The 2008 gaming revenue figure was the lowest statewide total since 2005, when casinos also won $11.6 billion from gamblers.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/39483742.html
LENNY'S LAS VEGAS: Tips for Valentine's Day
She will love this. This weekend is Valentine’s Day, and for you romantics looking for something special you might want to consider a one-hour cruise aboard the beautiful La Contessa, which includes complementary champagne. You board at The Village (MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas) for the 6:30 p.m. shove off, but make sure you’re there 20 minutes prior to cruise time. Cost is $30 for singles and $50 per couple. For more information or reservations, call 702-564-2865.
He will be drooling over this. Valentine’s Day can and should be romantic, but it’s always nice to add some sizzle to it and one way to do it, ladies, is dressing in a fantasy outfit for your favorite guy. The place to go is Bare Essentials Fantasy Fashions at 4029 W. Sahara Ave. Owners Rick and Eldon have a wide variety of quality outfits at reasonable prices and best of all, every item spells S-E-X-Y. The store is bright and clean so you don’t feel like your in some sleazy joint. They also carry a small line of sex toys, or should I say "marital aids" to be politically correct. Either way, you’re sure to find what you want to make this Valentine’s Day an unforgettable one for both of you.
Sad Songs Say So Much: Don’t like to start my column off on a sad note, but when I heard Elton John will be leaving Caesars Palace after his next run, it was anything but happy news. His hit show, "The Red Piano," will run April 7 -8, April 10-12, April 14-16, April 18-19, and April 21 – 22.
"The Red Piano" was originally booked for 75 shows over three years, but the response was so great, Caesars accelerated the number of shows and Elton completed the original commitment in only 18 months. The resort extended the agreement for an additional 166 shows for a final engagement total of 241. I’m told they would have gladly extended it once again, but that the entertainer didn’t want to lock himself into another extension.
If you haven’t seen his show, and even if you’re not a huge Elton fan, you don’t want to miss it. It’s a lot more than just Elton sitting and singing. Here’s a hint: It is also very sexy. Tickets aren’t cheap, ranging from $100 to $250, but for a special treat, worth every penny. You can get tickets at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-888-4ELTONJ (435-8665), or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, keyword Elton John.
A Piece of History: If you haven’t seen "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition," put it on your list. It has a new look since it moved from the Tropicana to its present home at Luxor, still bringing to life the story of the ill-fated ship through authentic artifacts, dramatic room recreations and hands-on interactive experiences. Exhibition galleries take visitors through the historical disaster in chronological order – from the construction yards and the ship’s maiden voyage to its fated sinking and modern-day recovery efforts.
Unique to this display are more than 20 never-before-seen artifacts including gaming chips, personal passenger papers and decorative sections from Titanic’s famed Grand Staircase. The dramatic exhibition also includes the largest piece of the Titanic ever recovered. Known as the Big Piece, this 15-ton section of the Titanic’s starboard hull was raised 12,500 feet from the ocean floor after an 80-year-long effort.
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/39456932.html
NORM: They're calling it a day at 'La Cage'
After 23 1/2 years, the end of the line for "An Evening at La Cage" came with the suddenness of a stiletto heel snapping in half.
Long-time producer Norbert Aleman, a no-nonsense Frenchman, asked the cast to gather after Monday's show in the main dressing room of their Riviera theater.
"The good news," began a somber Aleman, "is we're all having a party down at Christopher's (lounge). The bad news is this is the last performance of 'La Cage.'"
The news hit Ryan Zink the hardest. Zink, who portrays country star Reba McEntire and socialite Paris Hilton, broke into tears.
Anxiety had been building for some time.
"We were all kind of holding our breaths," said Jimmy Emerson, who has been headliner Frank Marino's understudy for almost 20 years. "We kind of were suspicious because Frank was already taking gowns home. Not a good sign."
Everyone went to the party — except Emerson.
"I'm famous for having a big mouth," he explained, and he wasn't happy. "A little notice would have been nice."
"Crystal" Woods, one of the show's original members, along with Marino, had a hunch the end was near, given the dour economic developments along the Strip.
"But you're never prepared (to hear it)," he said.
Woods, who has made a living since 1982 impersonating Diana Ross, might be in a better position than most of his castmates.
He's been called back to two auditions for NBC's "America's Got Talent." Out of thousands, he was among 25 selected after two auditions.
If he gets the call, he'll sing "I'm Coming Out."
"I'm saving 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough.' I'm going to keep the faith."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/39420952.html
What a drag: Run ends for 'La Cage'
Producer says he has TV deal, hopes to reopen.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
The venerable drag show "An Evening at La Cage" abruptly ended its 23-year run Monday, though the revue still might have two possible futures under different scenarios.
Producer Norbert Aleman said he characterizes the closing as "a break." He said he has made a deal with reality-TV producers for a backstage-drama series and hopes to reopen the live show when the cameras are ready to roll, perhaps in May.
"The writing is on the wall," Aleman said Tuesday. "It's better if we take a break right now and see what's up with the economy, rather than see my numbers go down and have to perform for under 100 people.
"If he sells the reality series, Aleman said, he will ask the Riviera if he can reopen. However, he said he understands that "I cannot ask the Riviera to not rent the room if somebody (else) is going to come along," and he then would look for another venue.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/39420997.html
Man falls to death from 8th floor window at Circus Circus
A man died early today when he fell out of an 8th floor balcony window at Circus Circus Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas police said.
Friends of the man told officers he was leaning out of the window to smoke and fell around 3:06 a.m., Lt. Craig Clatt said.
The man's identity was not released by police but Clatt said his death appears to be accidental. Alcohol may have been a factor in the death.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/39492307.html
NORM: Donny hoping to be asked to dance.
Donny Osmond was on the telephone, hoping to clear up some confusion about the "Dancing With the Stars" story that caused him some grief.
"I probably said too much," he said.
He had gone on radio and TV shows, hinting strongly that he was going to take the leap and follow in the footsteps of his sister, Marie.
Chalk it up to a case of dance fever. He wanted on the ABC show. But when his comments started making headlines, he had to acknowledge that he was still waiting for an invitation from the producer.
"You've got to be so careful how you say things," Osmond said.
If the offer comes for the fall season, he'll jump at it, he said.
It would be a killer schedule, with his commitment to five performances a week in the Donny & Marie Show at the Flamingo, but he's figured out how to juggle his schedule to do it.
"If this happens, make sure they bury me in Utah, because it's going to kill me," he said.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/39279267.html
Norm: BIG NIGHT FOR GANS FANS
When Danny Gans and Steve Wynn sat down to go over the song list, the boss brought up "The Boss."
Gans wanted to update. Wynn wanted to stick with a winning formula.
"Steve said, 'It's like a Bruce Springsteen concert: He's not going to sing all of his new stuff. People come to hear the greatest hits.'"
Both got their way, and judging from the response, the audience came out the big winner. Which explains why Gans' opening-night show at Wynn's new Encore hotel lasted a rare two hours.
"When Steve got done with his list, it came to 90 minutes. I decided to go ahead and add my new songs, too, and we'll sort it out later."
Other changes Gans' fans will discover in the vocal impressionist's roomier new home: production add-ons and lighting improvements.
What hasn't changed is that it's still one of the best feel-good shows to hit this town.
In what was probably a first for Steve and Elaine Wynn since getting in the resort
business decades ago, they missed the opening night because of their rumored split.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/39279267.html
Las Vegas chapel a must for many on Valentine’s Day
A Little White Wedding Chapel getting ready for big day of romance.
By: Melissa Arseniuk/Las Vegas Sun
Seventy-one-year-old Charolette Richards is ready.
After decades of weddings and vow renewals, she’s had plenty of practice: The ardent minister has performed thousands of marriage ceremonies during the years –- “too many to mention, hundreds of thousands,” she says.
When it comes to Valentine's Day, she’s a seasoned pro. A Feb. 14 All-Star, even.
This year, however, Valentine’s Day will be special for Richards; golden, in fact. It will mark half a century of wedding planning, flower arranging, limo driving and vow exchanging for the V-Day veteran.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/12/las-vegas-chapel-must-many-marriage-valentines-day/
Scintas, ‘Menopause’ ending runs at Hilton.
Source: Las Vegas Sun
The Las Vegas Hilton is lining up new entertainment offerings for its Shimmer Cabaret, but a spokesman says it’s not yet ready to announce the new show lineup.
“Laugh Out Loud With The Scintas," the Buffalo, N.Y., foursome who have been performing at the Hilton since 2007, will end their run on March 14 to start a tour around the country. The Scintas — who earlier performed at the Sahara and the Rio — will also work on an upcoming syndicated television show and perform limited dates around the country, the Hilton said.
For more than two decades, The Scintas — brothers Frankie and Joey and sister Chrissi Scinta; along with "adopted Scinta" Pete O’Donnell — have entertained audiences nationwide.
“Laugh Out Loud with The Scintas” has its final performance scheduled for March 14. Showtimes are Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.95-$64.99, plus tax and service charge, although the Scintas said locals will be offered tickets for $20 through the end of the production.
Also ending at the Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret is "Menopause The Musical," which debuted at the Hilton three years ago. Its final show locally is April 5, but productions of the show will continue nationwide and around the world at various venues.
Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer and producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived menopause.
Tickets are $49.50 for "Menopause," which runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/11/scintas-menopause-ending-runs-hilton/
'X' Burlesque Celebrates Two Year Anniversary
The steamiest show on the Strip, “X” Burlesque, celebrates its second anniversary at Flamingo Las Vegas with the addition of several different dance numbers, hot costumes and a new look to the set.
“X” Burlesque showcases a variety of performances by six gorgeous dancers set to music by today’s hottest artists. Some new additions include a feisty Latin number, a Country-Western medley set to Jessica Simpson’s “Boots” and Toby Keith’s “She’s a Hottie” and a sexy performance to Aerosmith’s “Pink.” For 90 minutes, the burlesque beauties bare their assets all while teasing, seducing and playfully interacting with the audience.
Husband and wife team Matt and Angela Stabile are the clever creators of the titillating production. The provocative yet artful show has been infused with even more energy than years before.
“We always like to re-invent the show and make it sexier, edgier and better than ever,” said producer, Angela Stabile. We've added two new curtains and brand new, "barely there" costumes. We know the experience will stay in people’s heads long after the show ends.”
“X” Burlesque combines high-energy performance with the use of outrageous props such as bathtubs, guitars, lollipops and feather boas to fulfill the audience’s every fantasy.
Mid-show comics like Nancy Ryan entertain with adult humor and allow the audience to catch their breath before the next heart-pounding experience.
"X” Burlesque performs nightly in Bugsy’s Cabaret at 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $44.95 General Admission and $55.95 VIP (plus tax and fees) and can be purchased at the Flamingo Box Office or by phone at 702-733-3333 or 800-221-7299. Guests must be 18 or older with proper ID.
QUEEN EMILY JOINS 'MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL'
HIT PRODUCTION AT LAS VEGAS HILTON
Queen Emily, one of the top five finalists in "America's Got Talent," will join the cast of Menopause The Musical® at the Las Vegas Hilton on Friday, February 13.
Queen Emily got her start singing as a little girl in church. Although her talent was apparent to everyone who heard her sing, life got in the way of her dreams. Raising her daughters as a single mother meant Emily's musical aspirations had to be put on hold.
When she turned 40, Emily experienced an epiphany and realized that it was time to stop dreaming and start acting, which led her to the "America's Got Talent" auditions. She became a top five finalist in the popular show (out of the more than 200,000 people who auditioned), dazzling the nation with her story and her voice.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PmUnvhNCu4)
Menopause The Musical®, which debuted at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 1, 2006, continues playing to sold out audiences nightly and is approaching 1500 performances in Las Vegas.
Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, Writer/Producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived "The Change." From its first performance, the show has evolved as a "grassroots" movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of the post-World War II baby boomer generation. Since it's inception in 2001, it has played to nearly eleven million people across the world.
Showtimes for Menopause The Musical® in the Las Vegas Hilton's Shimmer Cabaret are Mon., Tues., Thur., Fri., 7 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. & 7 p.m., and Sunday 6 p.m. Dark Wednesdays. Tickets are $49.50 (plus tax and service charge) and can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, online at www.lvhilton.com, www.vegas.com, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361. For group sales, call 888-440-6662, ext. 3.
Las Vegas Entertainment News: February 2009 by Chuck Rounds.
This February is a great month…there are two major events that make it one of the busier months of the year— Valentine's Day, and MAGIC. February is the shortest month of the year, but Las Vegas has it packed full. February is a time when new shows open and old shows change their venues or their substance. February is always the start of changes as the city looks ahead to the summer. Late winter and early spring are good times to get shows opened so that they can establish themselves prior to the summer season…but this spring, we say good-bye to an old friend.
The very sad and disheartening news came last month…Folies Bergere will be closing in late March. The show just celebrated its 49th year, and it was moving toward 50, but owners of the Tropicana decided to pull the plug. This show was the last true connection to the past glory of Las Vegas. Its showgirls are synonymous with the city. It has been the longest running show in America…and it is all coming to an end. If you ever wanted to see what the true Las Vegas show was all about, you have about 6 weeks left. Jubilee will still have showgirls, but that show opened in the 80's, not the 50's…there's a big difference. It is merely a pup in comparison. A new show will go into the space…the title has not yet been announced. Folies is the quintessential Las Vegas show…see it if you can.
MAGIC is one of the biggest conventions of the year with over 115k attendees…but in addition to this convention; there are also over 200 other conventions that hit the city this month.
Las Vegas is the capital of many things, but it certainly becomes apparent that during February, we are the wedding capital of the world. Valentine's Day brings thousands of perspective couples and guests to pending nuptials. It is a the time for "Love and Weddings." Thousands of people will swarm to Las Vegas in order to get married. Every chapel will be filled to capacity from literally dawn right up to the stroke of midnight. There are more weddings on Valentine's Day than on any other day of the year. The number of weddings overall has fallen in recent years, but with Valentine's being on a Saturday, it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers are pulled on that day.
"Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" opened on Valentine's Day at the Rio, six years ago, and it is now moving over to Planet Hollywood into what was the London club. The size of the space will allow for more guests at the wedding and an expanded cast of cousins.
Impressionist, singer and entertainer Gordie Brown's new headlining show Gordie Brown Live officially opens at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Feb. 5, in the Golden Nugget's newly named Gordie Brown Showroom. The property announced Brown's signing to a multi-year headlining contract in September 2008, while he was touring North America with Celine Dion. The entertainer is well known for his amazing comedy and vast repertoire of celebrity impressions such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone, as well as Las Vegas icons like Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis, Jr. Brown has consistently received rave reviews by both critics and audiences alike, and has been recognized as Entertainer of the Year and Best Show.
"ND's Fuego – The Evolution of Nightlife" debuts a multi-faceted club experience beginning Feb.12 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Combining the elements of an interactive production with live performances. The Latin-themed nightclub provides a total sensory experience with state-of-the-art technology and integrated performances by talented dancers and singers backed by live music. Interludes with surreal characters, elaborate costumes, high-tech digital imaging and guest performances from world-renowned DJs make "ND's Fuego" a premier nightlife destination…and it will be interesting to see if they can pull it off, since these are the same folks that brought us "Raw Talent Live"—the complete disaster of a production.
After continued success performing at Flamingo Las Vegas, comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito has announced that he will extend his run for an additional three years. Favorito's edgy, in-your-face style of comedy has made him a favorite among Las Vegas locals and tourists alike. Vinnie Favorito has been making audiences laugh along the Las Vegas Strip for more than 10 years and is well known for his celebrity roasting. With quick-witted insults and outstanding improvisational skills, Favorito has roasted many well-known celebrities including Jerry Springer, Pat O'Brien, Larry Flynt and Magic Johnson.
Week number three…
Craig Ferguson
MGM Grand Feb 19 – Feb 27
JAMZ Cheerleading & Dance 2009 National Championship
Orleans Hotel Feb 19 – Feb 23
Las Vegas International Film Festival
Red Rock Casino Feb 19 – Feb 22
Al Stewart
Santa Fe Feb 20
Dana Carvey
Orleans Hotel | Feb 20 – Feb 22
Jason Michael Carroll
Suncoast Hotel Feb 20 – Feb 21
Jon Reep
South Point Casino Feb 20 – Feb 22
Peace Frog – Tribute to the Doors
Cannery Casino Feb 20 – Feb 21
Ray Romano & Brad Garrett
Mirage Feb 20 – Feb 21
Skid Row
Sunset Station Feb 20
Thursday w/ Four Year Strong, Bring Me the Horizon, More . . .
Mandalay Bay Feb 20
2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championship
Cashman Center Feb 21 – Jul 23
Brooks & Dunn
Buffalo Bill's Feb 21
Cher
Caesars Palace Feb 21 – Feb 28
Mosaic
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 21
Yes
Mandalay Bay Feb 21
The last week of the month brings…
Blondie
Buffalo Bill's Feb 24
Bill Engvall
Treasure Island – TI Feb 26 – Feb 27
Hank III
Mandalay Bay Feb 26
Dead or Alive – Tribute to Bon Jovi
Cannery Casino Feb 27 – Feb 28
Emerson Drive
South Point Casino Feb 27 – Mar 1
Fighter Pilot for a Day
Special Event Feb 27 – Mar 1Tel. (714) 522-7590 / (800) 522-7590
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Orleans Hotel Feb 27 – Mar 1
Ron White
Mirage Feb 27 – Feb 28
The Buckinghams
Suncoast Hotel Feb 27 – Mar 1
Zappa Plays Zappa
Mandalay Bay Feb 27
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Mandalay Bay Feb 28
Dokken
Santa Fe Station Feb 28
Eric Burdon and The Animals
Aliante Station Feb 28
Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez
Buffalo Bill's Feb 28
Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race
Las Vegas Motor Feb 28
Wayne Newton
MGM Grand Feb 28 – Mar 4
Cher
Caesars Palace Mar 1 – Mar 21
Enrique Bunbury
Mandalay Bay Mar 1
The Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup Race
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Mar 1
I Go Shows ( www.Igoshows.com ) is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production. The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.
Lust is in the Air.
The scent of passion lingers in Zumanity.
By: Kiko Miyasato/Las Vegas Magazine
Some prefer roses, others prefer chocolates and some might even prefer jewels. But this Valentine's Day why don't you and your sweetheart splurge on something a tad bit more…lascivious. Enter Zumanity – The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil, a show that rouses the demure, riles the senses and reawakens the libido.
Like its Cirque counterparts on the Strip, Zumanity delivers on the intense physicality of its performers, but the themes that run throughout the show unleash a whole other sumthin' sumthin'. It's all about sex. Now before you let your prudish side show too much, no one in the show actually performs the act; rather it's a series of vignettes that play up our fantasies, our desires and our curiosity. It's cabaret meets variety show meets provocative drama. Your hostess for the evening is the grand dame Edie, Mistress of Sensuality. She's comical, naughty and playful; and your trusty guide through the world of the human zoo. And what a sexual safari it is.
The Botero Sisters get the crowd going with their pleasingly plump physiques wrapped in fishnets and bustiers as they squeeze past seated guests to drop strawberries into gaping mouths. Dick and Izzy, the swinging couple, keep our minds educated with all things sexual as Dick continues to peddle his "toys" and inventive Izzy introduces us to an alcohol-dispensing brassiere.
Interspersed with the comedy are full-on performances of sexual artistic expression. Topless beauties synchronize contortions and acrobatics in a giant fishbowl as the water whets our desire; the hula-hooping schoolgirl blows the mind with her mastering of the circular objects; the latex-clad dominatrix practices the art of bondage on herself and the climax is explosive. These are just a few of the erotic images that you'll be served throughout the show.
The hedonistic playdate with the cast of Zumanity culminates onstage as the show closes with one big love-in. (OK, so it's a big orgy.) Every character reunites onstage on a rotating platform to celebrate the closing of the torrid affair. It's the perfect sweet release and happy ending to an evening of exquisite theater.
http://lvshowbiz.com/
Sweet Return
The Flavor of Romance: By Eric Gladstone/Las Vegas Magazine
"It's good for your health, a proven stress reliever and women love it." Jean-Philippe Maury is talking about – what else? – chocolate, of course. Bellagio's executive pastry chef is actually one of several world-class pâtissiers and chocolatiers in Las Vegas, giving romantics an embarrassment of options come Valentine's Day. Whether it is Wynn's chef Frederic Robert, François Payard at Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay's Vincent Pilon (Food Network's Chocolate Masterpieces Challenge winner in 2005, 2006 and 2008) Kamel Guechida (Bon Appetit's Pastry Chef of the Year) at Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand) and Long Nguyen at The Venetian and The Palazzo, all offer creations to ignite the passion in your palate.
"It's good for your health, a proven stress reliever and women love it." Jean-Philippe Maury is talking about – what else? – chocolate, of course. Bellagio's executive pastry chef is actually one of several world-class pâtissiers and chocolatiers in Las Vegas, giving romantics an embarrassment of options come Valentine's Day. Whether it is Wynn's chef Frederic Robert, François Payard at Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay's Vincent Pilon (Food Network's Chocolate Masterpieces Challenge winner in 2005, 2006 and 2008) Kamel Guechida (Bon Appetit's Pastry Chef of the Year) at Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand) and Long Nguyen at The Venetian and The Palazzo, all offer creations to ignite the passion in your palate.
Over at Caesars Palace, Payard's Parisian-inspired shop, Payard Pâtisserie, offers more than a dozen handmade chocolates, simple but pretty hand-painted chocolate hearts and several milk and dark chocolate desserts and crêpes to order.
Over at Caesars Palace, Payard's Parisian-inspired shop, Payard Pâtisserie, offers more than a dozen handmade chocolates, simple but pretty hand-painted chocolate hearts and several milk and dark chocolate desserts and crêpes to order.
Then there's Ethel's, the boutique division of M&M Mars that makes world class chocolates – 80 varieties – right here in Southern Nevada (trust me, I've visited the factory at Two Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson, and you can, too!) and available at Ethel's Chocolate Lounge in Fashion Show. Elegant heart boxes include a "dessert collection" (raspberry champagne tart, crème brulée, etc.) as well as a new Valentine's flavor, white chocolate lemon caramel … although you might opt to fill your own box with their seductive liqueur-filled cocktail flavors.
Ethel's Lounges are also offering a special raspberry chocolate fondue (reservations accepted!) that's fun and festive. Other great places for a fun chocolate fondue a deux include Koi (Planet Hollywood), Cathouse (Luxor) and Dos Caminos (The Palazzo).
Of course, if you're looking to coordinate your meal around a perfect ending, you might also want to consider…the Valrhona chocolate souffle and chocolate turtle coupe at Daniel Boulud (Wynn)…the massive 24-layer chocolate cake at Strip House (Planet Hollywood)…the milk chocolate black tea pannecotta at Social House (TI)…the dramatic Volcano Crunch at Harrah's Range Steakhouse or even the Choco Taco (vanilla ice cream, raspberry and caramel sauce, fresh strawberries) at Pink Taco (Hard Rock Hotel).
If you're looking for some other form of chocolate, whether it's in a glass (chocolate martinis are everywhere) or on your face (select property spas offer chocolate mask treatments), one thing is for sure: You can find it here.
http://lvshowbiz.com/
Gans Begins Anew
Master impressionist opens at Encore. By: Hilary L. Green/Las Vegas Magazine
The "Man of Many Voices," the multiple award-winning singer-comedian-impressionist Danny Gans, has opened at Steve Wynn's magnificent resort Encore.
Time called Gans "…the hottest entertainer in Las Vegas" and he consistently wins Entertainer of the Year awards. He brings an exciting show with lots of surprises to the Encore – so fans are not disappointed – while retaining a selection of his greatest hits, many of which are presented with new material.
The all-star cast in Gans' fast-moving show includes amazingly accurate impressions of a wide array of celebrities such as Jason Mraz, Maroon 5 and a huge opening number featuring a horn tribute to Chicago and Gans' uncanny, spot-on voice of Peter Cetera. There are other on-the-money characterizations of performers such as Michael Bublé and Bon Jovi plus a showstopping Ray Charles segment.
The magnificent Encore Theater has been customized for Gans' show. There are 1,000 luxurious, bright-red seats on the main floor and 500 more in the balcony. Each seat is positioned to provide optimum views of the handsome star's brilliant impressions. The crystal-clear sound system, state-of-the-art lighting and the set design, along with dazzling visuals, complete the colorful canvas for Gans' impeccable artistry.
And when an unforgettable closing number leaves the audience wanting more, you realize Gans has taken entertainment to another level.
http://lvshowbiz.com/
Bob Anderson: Old pro, back from Branson.
By Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun
Bob Anderson had been a fixture of the Las Vegas entertainment scene for more than 30 years, but he was finding it difficult to find work in 2003.
The entertainment philosophy was changing — bigger shows, fewer headliners. Lounge entertainment was disappearing from the Strip, where the likes of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Shecky Greene, Alan King and the Mary Kaye Trio had helped make Vegas the Entertainment Capital.
At the urging of his pal, country singer Mickey Gilley, Anderson packed up the family and moved to Branson, Mo.
Anderson returns to Vegas to perform Friday and Saturday at the Cannery.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/13/old-pro-back-branson/
Posted on February 13th, 2009 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter
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