Big news in our town last week was the announcement that the Las Vegas Hilton has signed country music and television star, Reba McEntire, to a multi-week engagement in 2006. The superstar begins the first part of her engagement on Wednesday, May 3.
This was a surprise announcement as many observers, when hearing that the Hilton was going to make a major announcement, thought it might be Bette Midler, who has been in town talking to Steve Wynn about doing a permanent gig at his Wynn Las Vegas.
I had done a lengthy interview with Hilton CEO Rudy Prieto, just days before the announcement, during which he told me the hotel was just finalizing a five-year master plan for the property, that would include a major star, other than Barry Manilow, performing at the Hilton. With Manilow and now, Reba and comedian David Brenner who performs nightly, the resort has a formidable lineup.
Reba should be a huge draw for the Hilton, as much of her music crosses over from country to pop, and her highly successful television show, Reba, has a huge following of all ages and both men and women.
Reba will perform Wednesdays through Sundays (over nonconsecutive weeks) at 9 p.m. (Sundays, 8 p.m.) in the Hilton Theater beginning May 3. Tickets are $138 (plus tax and service charge), $124 (plus tax and service charge) and VIP seating, which includes a meet-and-greet with Reba, priced at $225 (plus tax and service charge). Tickets can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office or by visiting www.lvhilton.com or calling 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361.
Caesars Palace has shown, with Celine Dion and Elton John, that headliners can pack showrooms night after night and it looks like the Hilton will be able to do the same.
DREAM ON
As I've said before, it looks like Las Vegas is swinging away from the Cirque du Soleil type shows, thank God. Four -- Mystere, O, Zumanity and KA -- though all great, were enough. As can be seen by Le Reve at Wynn. Although this wasn't a Cirque show, it was created by Cirque creator Franco Dragone and it falls far short of his predecessors.
Le Reve opened with poor reviews, from both the media and the public, and those reviews were well-deserved. I went to see Le Reve again the other night, supposedly after it had been tweaked, and found it just as bad. The idea for the show is that it's supposed to be an unfinished dream (Le Reve means The Dream in French), but what it needs is some kind of thread to hold it together. I found it very disjointed and lacking any sense of direction. Maybe that's what Dragone wanted, but it doesn't work.
So I, for one, am very happy to see the days of the headliners returning to Las Vegas, accompanied by Broadway-type shows, although I'm told Avenue Q, also at Wynn, is not doing that well. That would be a shame, if true, because it's a funny, creative, wonderful show. I think with more promotion for it, it will do fine, as the reviews have been great from day one and I haven't heard a negative word about it from the many people I know who have seen it.
MAKE A WISH
This time of year is for giving and who better than the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On Dec. 14, ultranightlife.com is hosting a charity event at the Empire Ballroom (across from the Monte Carlo). Organizers say it will be a night of music and dance, with all of the proceeds going toward helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its wonderful work for children.
There will be a red carpet from 8-9 p.m. for the arrival of celebrity guests that include, at this writing, Cary Hart and his crew from the hit show Inked, Pro BMX Rider Nathan Berkheimer, and Super Cross Rider Derek Betcher. The festivities get under way at 9 and everyone can party on until 3 a.m. And for all you single guys and gals, there will be a dating auction to help raise money for the Foundation.
Tickets are $25 at the door, but you may have a chance to get in free, well almost, by e-mailing Ultralist@UltraNightlife.com and giving them your first and last name along with how many people you will be bringing. If your names end up on the guest list, all they ask is a minimum of a $10 donation at the door.
The Drummer KC will be performing and if you have not seen KC perform, say organizers, "it is one hell of a show!" Check out his website at www.Thedrummerkc.com. You'll also have to get dressed up for the event, with men asked to wear collared shirts, suits, slacks/designer jeans and ladies in a cocktail dress or "fashionable attire". It's for a great cause, so if you're free Dec. 14 and want a good time, this is the place to be.
LOCAL APPRECIATION
Here's something all you locals will want to get in on. It's the annual Local Appreciation Weeks from magician Lance Burton. After last year's one-week success of 2,000 locals taking advantage of the holiday special, this year the show will do an extra week before the traditional holiday dark weeks. Anyone with a Nevada I.D. can reserve tickets by calling (702) 730-7160 or visiting the theatre box-office or tickets & tours sales desk in the Monte Carlo lobby.
The $35 per ticket admission includes all taxes and other fees. This is a great offer as regular price for the show is $72.55 plus a three bucks handling charge. This offer is good for all shows from Tuesday, Nov. 29 thru Saturday, Dec. 10. Show times for these two weeks are 7 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday with added 10 p.m. shows on Tuesday and Saturday. After Dec. 10 the show will be dark from Dec. 11-25 and reopening on Monday, Dec. 26.
BIG WINNER
I'd like to close this column with an upbeat item and what could be more upbeat than somebody winning a lot of money. It would be a lot more upbeat if I had won, but you and I know that's never going to happen, so let's put our hands together for Jennifer Peculis of Ohio, who took only five spins of a Wheel of Fortune machine at the Imperial Palace to win $448,714.95.
The 28-year-old Jennifer and her fiancé, Ben, who will now really be in a hurry to marry her, had enjoyed a Thanksgiving weekend at the Imperial Palace and had already checked out Monday morning. But their flight was not until late afternoon, so Jennifer was trying her luck at a Wheel of Fortune Megajackpot quarter machine. She had already played two others before trying the third with $10. Less than five minutes later, she won the progressive jackpot.
"I saw the first Wheel of Fortune symbol, then up came the second and by the time the third came up it was a blur," she said. She was so excited, she didn't even realize at first how much she had won. Jennifer said she plans to pay off her house, her car and student loans, "And still have a lot left over," she added. I've already put in dibs for the "lot left over."
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
