Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Competing discount ticket outlets may not benefit consumer

The Strip now has two same-day discount ticket outlets, after a split between the partners of Coca-Cola Tickets 2Nite resulted in extended litigation and one partner opening an identical operation nearby on the Strip.

Tix4tonight is the new entry, opening in a strip mall just south of the Harley-Davidson Cafe. The new outlet is operated by Mitch Francis of the California-based Cinema Ride Inc., while former partner Hal Kolker and his Entasis LLC retain the original Showcase Mall ticket operation the two started in 2002.

Kolker filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against his ex-partner's venture. The litigation that extends back to late 2002 is continued until March 1 in Clark County District Court.

The original outlet bought an ad in Sunday's Review-Journal headed, "An open letter to our friends in the Las Vegas entertainment industry." The letter said the company plans to expand with "local satellite locations" in the coming year.

Francis called his rival's ad "misleading and deceptive" on Monday. He added that he considers his new location to be temporary.

Is more the merrier for the consumer? Possibly, but a visit to both booths on Friday found both operations selling the middle-tier shows. One could argue "half-price" brings the tickets down to what most people would be willing to pay in the first place.

Shows offered by the original Coca-Cola outlet included Aladdin magician Steve Wyrick as well as "The World's Greatest Magic Show" at the Sahara, Westin Casuarina comedian David Brenner, the Rio's "Showgirls" and Harrah's "Skintight."

Those offered by the new operation included the Stratosphere's "American Superstars," Stardust hypnotist Anthony Cools, the Riviera's "An Evening at La Cage" and the Imperial Palace's "Legends in Concert."

Both outlets listed tickets for "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" at The Venetian and for Plaza magician Dirk Arthur, though word on the street is that each operation is leaning on producers for exclusivity.

David Saxe, producer of The Venetian's "V -- the Ultimate Variety Show" and original co-producer of "Ovation" at Desert Passage, said he has no problem selling exclusively through Francis at the new outlet.

"I think Mitch has proven himself in the town," Saxe said. "I don't think it's good to have two (outlets)." ...

Saxe has a few loyalty issues of his own. He's vying for control of "Ovation" with John Stuart, the "Legends in Concert" founder he launched the show with.

Saxe said he's busy opening a new version of "V" at a former Imax theater on San Francisco's Pier 39, and so was willing to sell his stake in "Ovation" to Stuart. But the deal is tangled up, and Saxe said Stuart is claiming control without having come up with the money. ...

The Amazing Johnathan finally has the green light to reopen sooner than later at the Golden Nugget: Friday, to be exact.

That would be the same day the Golden Nugget changes hands from MGM Mirage to the Poster Financial Group if the sale is approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday.

Johnathan stands to reap publicity from "The Casino," a Fox reality show about the Golden Nugget's transition to its new ownership.

Johnathan has a two-year deal and his tickets will sell for $55. "We know his show will be constantly evolving," entertainment director Joe Leone said Friday. The announcement came the same week the Amazing one was apparently telling everyone at a Riviera magicians convention that the deal had gone south.

"There were so many deals involved" in the change of ownership, Leone said. ...

Finally, an odd comeback: The Orleans confirmed that Jerry Lewis will be performing for a single night on March 3, but hotel officials were debating whether to sell tickets or make it a private show for friends, family and casino guests. The entertainer told hotel officials he wants about 500 of the 827 seats for his own distribution.

Lewis has been telling interviewers such as CNN's Larry King that he would be performing soon, but The Orleans -- which made a big deal out of a 20-year contract with Lewis in 2000 -- left no room for him on its theater schedule.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Tuesdays and Sundays.