Thursday, May 27, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
MIKE WEATHERFORD: With summer comes several show changes
Mariachis and matinees are in, flying money is out and George Wallace appears to be sticking around another year, as summer brings several show changes on and around the Strip.
• "M ... Mariachi Passion & Tradition" gives us another letter to follow "O" and "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show" as a year-round, Latin-themed show sharing the "V" theater inside the Desert Passage mall.
Rodri J. Rodriguez of Rodri Entertainment Group also helms the annual Mariachi USA Festival each summer at the Hollywood Bowl. "She's an icon in the business," says co-producer John Stuart, who calls the new 14-member production "a high-end, elegant show."
The show was scheduled to open earlier this week to get the kinks ironed out in time for Memorial Day weekend. It will have a 10:30 p.m. time slot Tuesdays through Sundays, plus a 1 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Tickets range from $45 to $77.
• "Jeff Hobson's Money and Madness" wraps it up on Monday at the Excalibur, after four months. Producer Dick Foster said he wants to relaunch the comedy magician's money-throwing showcase next fall, possibly as an afternoon show.
• Stand-up comedy veteran George Wallace's future beyond June was not guaranteed at the Flamingo, and there was talk his 10 p.m. berth would go to hypnotist Anthony Cools. But now it sounds like a deal is pending to keep Wallace at the Flamingo into mid-April of next year.
• "Showgirls" turned off the lights at the Rio on Monday after two years. Producer Greg Thompson will return to the same theater next fall with "Erocktica," with an opening date still to be determined.
• "Ladies of Rock" opens today as the latest arrival in the Riviera's Le Bistro Theater, booked Thursdays through Saturdays through at least July 3. British entertainer Paula Randell offers tributes to Cher and Tina Turner along with some original songs.
• "The World's Greatest Magic Show" has moved from the Sahara to the Greek Isles, with a 9 p.m. time slot most nights. But like the mariachi show, it's also testing the waters for a Sunday matinee with a 2 p.m. performance.
• "Spotlight" is a new variety show at Bourbon Street hosted by juggler Will Roya and Michael Johns. Originally announced as "Applause," the revue opens Saturday with a first-week lineup that includes dance act Motown & More, singer Jon Halbert and escape artist Tyas Frantz.
"Shock" has folded its carnival tent at Bourbon Street after 16 months.
• "Outlaws, Cowboys & Men in Black" follows "Serendipity" into the Gold Coast starting next Wednesday. As noted in a previous column, the hotel and producer Sharon Haynes decided to test a repertory approach to their tribute shows. A core group of performers will be joined by rotating cast members, with a new title and format every six weeks.
This one features Bob Coloca as Waylon Jennings, Leon Smith as Willie Nelson and Bruce Mickelson -- longtime star of the afternoon revue "Viva Las Vegas" -- as Johnny Cash. ...
Just days after a Neon section Mother's Day weekend feature on Mary "Mama" Scinta, the mother of the Rio headliners was hospitalized with an inflamed pancreas, frightening the whole family with a cancer scare. Mayo Clinic physicians are still testing her, but so far have given her good news.
Scinta has not been able to resume her role as part of the "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" ensemble cast, but is hoping to return to the show within a week or two. ...
Tix4Tonight, one of two same-day, half-price show ticket operations, has formally announced a long-planned move to the new Hawaiian Marketplace, 3743 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The retail center opens this week, but the ticket outlet doesn't move in until July.
Chairman Mitch Francis helped launch Coca-Cola Tickets 2Nite in the Showcase Mall, but left to open the new venture in January after an ugly split and ongoing litigation with his former partner. ...
"Entertainment Las Vegas Style" host Tony Sacca is helming "Las Vegas Sings for America" at 2 p.m. June 6 at the Stratosphere. Bill Acosta, Sandy Hackett and the cast of "American Superstars" are among the entertainers helping raise money for the Youth Foundation for the Performing Arts.
Admission is a $25 donation. Call 889-3587 for further details.
Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays.
