Don't know why some of the hotels do what they do when it comes to entertainment, but I guess they must have their reasons. Gordie Brown, who packed them in at the Golden Nugget, is history. Hopefully he'll reappear soon at another property. Ditto for The Scintas at Rio. This talented family, who also filled the seats and even had the theater named after them, will end their five-year run on May 3 and head for the Sahara.
And last, but certainly not least, is the funniest comic in town, Rita Rudner, who ends her five-year run at New York-New York June 10, to make room for a nightclub. Rudner has said she will return this fall, but did not say at what hotel. Probably because the hotel now has someone performing who it plans on getting rid of to make way for Rudner.
In an interview, Rudner said, "They just feel they want a nightclub...and sometimes a move is good for everybody. We bought a beach house in Laguna, and it will be my first summer off in six years and then we'll be going back to work."
As an example of how successful her show was, her run at the resort sold more than 600,000 tickets and grossed more than $35 million. A nightclub? Are they nuts?
On the other hand, Australia's Thunder From Down Under at the Excalibur has been extended through 2012. Good news for the ladies -- and maybe some guys as well. The guys in the revue, I'm told, are all "hunks" and continue to get the gals' heart rates up. Hey, what can I tell you? Sex sells.
Thankfully, we do have some new fun shows in town, albeit not with an individual comedian. I went to see Menopause The Musical at the Hilton last week and I will say it right up front, dollar for dollar, it's the best show in town. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a very long time. Neither did the rest of the audience as they gave them a rousing standing O at the end of the show, and it certainly was well-deserved.
For any of you women who have gone, or are going through menopause and your partners who have had to, or are, suffering through it, this is a show you definitely don't want to miss. It's all about four women who meet while shopping at Bloomingdale's and share their menopause woes with each other to the music of many of your favorite songs, but with their own original lyrics. I'll say no more other than to again say it's the best ticket in town and for half of what you'll pay for the BIG shows. I'll be talking to the cast in the near future and will tell you all about it.
ON VEGAS TIME
You can't say we don't love to promote our town. Listen to this, all of you who like to buy Las Vegas memorablia. During the month of April, Las Vegas will introduce a new souvenir item -- the Las Vegas Musical Clock, Las Vegas Rocks. The face of the clock resembles a roulette wheel and every hour on the hour, or just by clapping your hands, the Las Vegas Strip lights up and plays the chorus of the song, Las Vegas Rocks™. Brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. The clocks will be available in April and as a bonus with each purchase of the musical clock, you'll get a CD with four original Las Vegas songs written and composed by Las Vegas entertainer Tony Sacca.
GIVE A HOOT
Speaking of singers, one of my favorite groups, Hootie & the Blowfish, has signed a two-year deal with Silverton Casino. The band will perform a minimum of three times yearly plus the Silverton is producing a $2 commemorative poker chip and custom gaming table felts. Performances for 2006 are April 22, August 26 and December 31.
TURNING JAPANESE
If you're looking for something different, the Riviera has added Matsuri, the number one production in Japan, to its list of entertainment. The show will run thru Apr. 29 and features world-ranked professional athletes and Olympic medalists, combines athletics, extreme sports, dance, and Japanese tradition.
I'm told this musical performance originally started as a hit Japanese television program, Kinniku-banzuke, a sports variety program that highlighted athletic performances set to music. As a stage show renamed Matsuri, it evolved to include a variety of musical stunts, extreme sports, and comedic routines. It is punctuated by Japanese earth and foot drum dances, which create rhythms using the human body, and tapping, clapping, and stomping the stage. Kind of like a Japanese version of Rent. I haven't seen it, but the word I get from those who have, it's well worth putting on your must-see list.
GO FLY A KITE
When was the last time you heard, or said, "Go fly a kite?" Well, that's just what you'll be able to do this Friday, March 24, during a free family night at Ansan Sister City Park. It's called "Let's Go Fly a Kite Movie Night in the Park" and runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with family kite flying, games and park activities. Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, will be shown on a big screen beginning at dark. The park is located on Ducharme Avenue between Buffalo Drive and Cimarron Road, north of Alta Drive. For more info, call (702) 229-6175.
TEEN FASHION SCENE
Nevada Ballet Theatre will present its annual Teen Fashion Show this Sunday, March 26, at Nordstrom's in the Fashion Show Mall. The show will feature some 100 young people from the community modeling the latest Spring and Summer fashions from Nordstrom. The day begins with breakfast and a silent auction at 8:30 a.m., followed by the fashion show at 10:30. That's the good part. Now for the not-so-good. I thought it was an error when I got the press release on this event, but no, it's correct. It will cost you $100, for each adult and child, to attend. I am a great supporter of the Nevada Ballet Theatre, but for a hundred bucks, they better be serving filet mignon and a bottle of Krug Brut Grand Cuvée champagne for breakfast.
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.
