So much for things slowing down after Memorial Day. The question is whether the two biggest Las Vegas shows of 2006 can both open in June without one stealing all the thunder.

"Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular," the shortened but technologically souped-up version of Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera," opens at The Venetian June 4, with a grand opening gala on June 24.

The Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show at The Mirage also looks to drop within that time frame. An announcement of the show's official title, opening date and ticket prices could come as early as next week. It's up to Cirque management to decide if they want to get on the same square with "Phantom" or distance themselves.

Those promoting the titles are looking at a "glass half-full" scenario of national publications and TV news magazines having to choose, or splitting coverage between both shows. "If they're opening three or four weeks apart, it's unlikely that, say, Time magazine is going (to Las Vegas) twice," says Chris Jones, theater critic for the Chicago Tribune. "It would be better to be really close and do it on the same weekend."

But it's also true that each title merits individual attention. That's why the timing doesn't thrill Jennifer Dunne, Cirque's director of marketing and public relations. She's hoping the Beatles show will draw music writers and reviewers from more youthful publications who wouldn't be interested in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

And considering the frenzy that continues to surround all things Beatles, the burden of proof seems to be on the "Phantom" promoters to get the word out that this is a high-tech reinvention, not simply a road company plopped down on the Strip.

"For the media it's a much tougher sell," Jones says. The producers have "to make the case that ('Phantom') is a nationally important show."

However, Scott Zeiger, the executive producer of "Phantom," says "I don't see it as competitive. I see it as exciting. I hope that everyone who comes and sees our show this summer stays and sees the Beatles show. And vice versa."

"Phantom," he says, is "arguably as big a brand as Cirque du Soleil." With a worldwide gross of $3.3 billion, "I can honestly say that of all the theater pieces in the world, 'Phantom of the Opera' is the 800-pound gorilla. ... There are a whole lot of media outlets that are equally as interested."

The good news for both titles is that national coverage will put Las Vegas entertainment back in the spotlight, after a couple of years of being pushed aside by the "Whatever happens here" campaign and its emphasis on creating your own fun instead of sitting in a theater seat. ...

Of course, no mere $100 million show could hope to compete with Barry Williams in "The Real Greg Brady." Fortunately for both the Beatles and "Phantom," this limited engagement at the Riviera begins and ends in May, giving those two shows a fair chance of survival.

The one-man show from "The Brady Bunch" alumnus promises "stories, songs, dance, audience participation and multimedia," all for $21.95. It runs selected dates between May 6 and May 20 in the Le Bistro cabaret. ...

If you were planning to see "Matsuri," another Riviera show, you'd best not procrastinate. Or perhaps you should really procrastinate. The afternoon "Muscle Musical" is concluding its limited run April 29, as originally scheduled. The cast will head back to its home country of Japan for a new production in Tokyo.

But James Hoke, who markets the show through President Destination Marketing Group, says there has been enough serious interest along the Strip that the troupe should be back to the Riviera or elsewhere for a longer run in September. ...

Longtime Las Vegas lounge star Loretta Holloway was so motivated by her mention in this year's Best of Las Vegas special section -- which recalled that she was named Best Lounge Performer in the first readers' poll back in 1982 -- she's coming back from South Carolina for two showcase performances.

The dates are tentatively at The Stirling Club in Turnberry Place on May 25 and at the Bootlegger on May 28. She will keep longtime fans updated through her mailing list or they can seek updates on Lorettaholloway.com. ...

The Mount Charleston Hotel is hosting a jazz festival for the first time in more than 10 years. The new one takes place June 30-July 1 and the featured performers include Kool and the Gang, Fattburger and Drumjungle. It will be produced with the Newport Pacific Jazz Festival. ...

The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace has locked down a return Nov. 14-18, expanding from three to five days. The festival will again be co-produced by HBO and AEG Live, which produces the Celine Dion show at Caesars. No details about acts or programming came with the news.

But here's one piece of festival-related trivia: Everyone knew comedian Dane Cook was red-hot, but here is a way to count it. When Cook did his stand-up act at The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace on Nov. 19, general admission tickets were $45 for all seats.

Last Saturday at Mandalay Bay, the worst seats sold for $50. Within the four tiers of pricing, it cost $150 for the floor seats surrounding the stage in-the-round, and $100 to sit off the floor in the lower risers of seats.

How much will tickets be if he comes back in another five months?

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 383-0288 or e-mail him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com.