Sunday, December 29, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

LAS VEGAS SHOWS: Flamingo has the real thing with Gladys Knight as headliner

Gladys Knight was a rare exception to another year of impersonators, magic and topless shows. "Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor" took the second spot on this year's list.

At least give 'em credit for trying.

If no single show arrived to become the talk of the town this year, a good 15 of them flew in under the radar and continue to wrestle for attention on the Strip, while a whopping 20 or more came and went.

So many contenders, so little real inspiration.

A worthy few, such as comic impressionist Stephen Sorrentino and the Stevie Wonder tribute "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," deserved to stick around but couldn't cope with tough pay-to-play terms that became more and more common this year.

Others didn't last long enough to be missed. And the failure of those based on shopworn revue or magic formats -- "Sourire," "Beats of Passion," even the well-financed Siegfried & Roy protege Darren Romeo -- suggests a sea change is overdue.

We might not have long to wait. February's arrival of the Broadway hit "Mamma Mia!" will tell us whether the door will swing open for as many as four original theatrical musicals -- including a live version of the "Moulin Rouge" movie -- that are developing in the New York wings.

And will the March arrival of Cirque du Celine -- er, "A New Day" starring Celine Dion -- cause other A-list pop stars to give up touring and surround themselves with acrobats for a standing gig?

Time will tell. This year, it was the rare effort ("Tease" or the partially improvised "Boo!") that didn't fall into familiar categories: costumed tribute (Jay White as Neil Diamond, Trent Carlini as Elvis), beef- or cheesecake (Chippendales, "Showgirls," "X"), or magic (Dirk Arthur).

As for the Top 10, it may look a bit familiar, too. Unlike the movies and concerts lists, this Top 10 is supposed to include older shows as well as those that debuted in 2002.

1. Gladys Knight, Flamingo -- Not a tribute to Gladys Knight. Not an impression or impersonation of Gladys Knight. The real Gladys Knight, on the Strip five nights a week. What a concept. The Flamingo recently announced a three-year contract extension.

2. "Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor" 3. "O" at Bellagio and 4. "Mystere" at Treasure Island -- These blockbusters remain Las Vegas' crown jewels, giving vision to spectacle.

5. Clint Holmes, Harrah's Las Vegas -- A good year for Harrah's worthy headliner included a contract extension until 2006 and the staging of his autobiographical musical, "Comfortable Shoes," in Chicago.

6. Penn & Teller, Rio -- The comedy magicians moved into the Rio's Samba Theatre for two years, giving them a place to mix intelligent humor with genuinely baffling magic and a thought-provoking tirade or two.

7. "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding," Rio -- This surreal, half-improvised theater piece took its time getting to Las Vegas, but the wait was worth it.

8. Richard Jeni, New York-New York -- Imagine a career comedian who survives without a sitcom, and is bright without being snooty, and casually profane without taking the easy road to raunch.

9. "The Mac King Comedy Show," Harrah's Las Vegas -- A $16.45 reminder to most every other Las Vegas show worth seeing that "inexpensive" does not equal "cheap." It's a real show as well as a real value, the best on the Strip.

10. Caesars Magical Empire, Caesars Palace -- One of Park Place Entertainment's several dubious moves this year was the November closing of this classy family attraction that drew repeat business and didn't feel like a kiddie park.