Thursday, March 11, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Amazing Johnathan's departure sparks speculation
Every few months, it seems, a sudden change in one casino showroom will create a sort of musical chairs game or chain reaction of entertainment changes.
The sudden departure of the Amazing Johnathan from the Golden Nugget last week is a good starting point for an update on changes around town and what we might expect.
Since Johnathan has announced he will pursue breach-of-contract litigation against the Nugget after his two-year deal went south in just weeks, hotel officials are tight-lipped about his departure.
The point of contention apparently will be whether Johnathan's shortfall on his required average ticket count -- said to be about 300 per show -- was the result of a drop in popularity, or, as he contends, a number of hotel mistakes:
"They didn't advertise the first two weeks, they raised the ticket price too high, there was no press opening, they left people on hold too long at the box office -- often upwards of 20 minutes -- and used various other tactics," the performer contends.
"Contrary to what Johnathan says, it wasn't a plan all along (to get rid of him)," says entertainment director Joe Leone, so the next two weeks will be spent weighing options for a late show.
Hypnotist Anthony Cools, who recently closed a stint at the Stardust, had expressed interest in the Nugget, but said Monday he had "no plans of going there right now."
After last weekend's successful pairing of Jewel and Tony Bennett, the Nugget plans to offer a headline act each month, with "Spirit of the Dance" working around the headliner in the early time slot.
Leone also is talking to bandleader Lon Bronson about moving his Tower of Power-style big band to the Nugget for a couple of late nights each week. Bronson must be wishing the Riviera had dropped him a year ago, since he's now entertaining more than one attractive offer.
His band also is one of the possibilities to replace Jimmy Hopper, who closes at the Bellagio's Fontana Lounge on Saturday by his own choosing, after becoming almost synonymous with the room for more than three years.
Hopper's camp is cryptic about his plans, saying things such as, "It's going to be an unbelievable year for Jimmy Hopper," one that could make him "a very recognized household name everywhere."
The singer is now in the position to be very choosy, and isn't likely to rush into a rent-the-room deal such as one he tried at the Luxor's Ra club a few years ago.
Two rumors seem almost perpetual at The Venetian. The first is that "Phantom of the Opera" is coming to the former Guggenheim space. The second is that the hotel finally will buy back the Showroom At The Venetian.
The former is an active likelihood once again, while April 30 is the latest unconfirmed date for The Venetian to reacquire the Showroom from H&H of Nevada, turning out "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" and "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show."
David Saxe, producer of the latter, says he has yet to receive any formal notification of a change.
Flatley has in the past talked with the Las Vegas Hilton about doing a new show there, so moving "Lord" there could be an option as well, making room for it in a schedule where tribute acts Trent Carlini and the Fab Four are contracted through October.
The rumors get really wide-ranging when it comes to what The Venetian would do with the recovered venue once it is back in control. They range from Gordie Brown -- a Danny Gans-styled impressionist who has been successful in Northern Nevada -- to the Blue Man Group, which might consider jumping ship from the Luxor to pick up another 400 or so seats in the larger Venetian venue.
There is also an open slot at the Greek Isles casino, now that "Sixtiesmania" is stepping back from trying to be a ticketed show and going back to an open-lounge format at the Sahara. ...
Moving away from speculation and into this week's facts: Two girlie shows, ahem, unveil changes this week.
Saxe's "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo gets a complete makeover, including four new showgirls out of five. Variety acts Joe Trammel and Russ Merlin will still run back and forth between "Showgirls" and "V."
And "Midnight Fantasy" at the Luxor is scheduled to debut a new opening number on or around Saturday, which will be the first significant change to the revue since late 2000.
Finally, close-up magician Steve Dacri has moved his "Xtreme Close-up Magic" show to the second-floor theater in O'Shea's. He and producer John Stuart coordinate the show schedule through hypnotist Justin Tranz, who has the room on a month-to-month basis with landlord Caesars Entertainment while it shops the property for sale.
Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays.
