Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: MIKE WEATHERFORD

Las Vegas magic scene settling down

It has been a game of magical musical chairs this summer, but at least a couple of the players are starting to land on some squares.

The Sahara's Steve Wyrick has yet to announce where he's headed after vacating the hotel on Aug. 31. But producer Dick Feeney confirms some details that have been all but official about the replacement, "The World's Greatest Magic Show."

It will be a variety format in the vein of the similarly titled "World's Greatest Magic" TV specials. Like "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show" at The Venetian, the idea of 8 to 10 magicians doing their best segments seems like such an obvious one, it's a wonder it hasn't been done yet.

But, as Feeney notes, most illusionists are distracted by the Lance Burton business model and get starry-eyed about having their own headline show on the Strip. "They all think with the right backing and the right marketing, they can be a star," Feeney says. "They all want to follow in the footsteps of Lance."

The result has been many a magic "headliner" in which a strong signature segment is padded with "45 minutes of stuff they bought from someone else or don't know how to do."

Feeney plans a diverse showcase of international acts to give the show an across-the-board appeal with overseas tourists. Needless to say, his phone has been ringing with calls from roving magicians.

Wyrick and the Silverton's Dirk Arthur are working to relocate their shows; Arthur says he'll probably end up downtown. The Tropicana's Rick Thomas is hoping to keep his name off the "homeless" list amid uncertainties of the Tropicana's remodeling plan.

"It's a daily thing," Thomas says of his constant inquiries. "The Tropicana has kept it quiet on all fronts. They have said they don't want to lose me." ...

A Billboard.com report that Elton John is mulling a three-year deal with Caesars Palace spread like a brushfire across the Internet. You can figure there has to be something to it; if the report was preposterous, it would have drawn immediate denials.

Instead, there is suspicious silence and so far, no official comment from the star himself or from Concerts West and Park Place Entertainment, the partners in the 4,000-seat Colosseum built for Celine Dion. (John's publicist had just returned from vacation Monday and had to catch up; Concerts West producer John Meglen deferred to Park Place officials, who say only that they want to work with "world-class entertainers.")....

Larry Joe Campbell, who plays Andy on the ABC sitcom "According to Jim," will borrow The Second City's Flamingo venue to do his stage show on Tuesdays during August.

Campbell doesn't do stand-up comedy, but a long-form narrative in which he plays several characters. While basically a one-man show, he will tap a couple of the local Second City cast members for supporting roles.

The alumnus of Second City's Detroit company visited Las Vegas in March to take part in the troupe's 1,000th show/second anniversary celebration. Tickets will be $24.95 for the 10:30 p.m. shows. ...

Buddy Greco amends last week's news about the Peggy Lee tribute "Fever" playing the Suncoast. A scheduling conflict on Aug. 14 means that he and his wife Lezlie Anders will be doing two shows in one day on the 15th; a 3 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 evening show.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Sundays and Tuesdays.COMING WEDNESDAY