Wayne Newton makes the cut at Penn & Teller’s ‘Fool Us’

The Kats! Bureau at this writing is Starbucks next to the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio. I’ve experienced a first today: A singing shoeshine man. His name is Rico, and he just polished my Aldo boots to the tune of “Come and Get Your Love.” The fee, too was a song: $10 (not including tip). Rico works 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, if you are so inclined.

The purpose of my visit is to check in on Penn & Teller, who have finished taping the fourth season of their CW series “Fool Us.” Folks started lining up for the free-admission show at 11:30 a.m. (taping started at 2 p.m.) to watch pro magicians attempt to perform tricks that “fool” the Rio’s 16-year headliners.

Those who have managed to play P&T for fools are awarded an opportunity to perform onstage at the Rio. The winners (if there are any) will be revealed when “Fool Us” re-launches in early July.

Vegas entertainers spice up the intervals between acts. On Wednesday, Wayne Newton played foil in a card trick by guest magician Mike Pisciotta. Newton was greeted with a standing ovation as he took the stage.

Folks who have watched the taping report that Harrah’s headliner Ralphie May, “Baskets” co-star and Emmy Award-winner Louie Anderson and Flamingo headliner Piff the Magic Dragon (who did fool the guys during the show’s first season) are among this season’s guest stars.

The show has taped around town, too, including a segment at Rebar lounge on Main Street in the Arts District. A couple of weeks ago, P&T staged what has been billed as “The World’s Most Expensive Card Trick,” from the corner of Flamingo and the Strip near the “Absinthe” tent at Caesars. The spectacle was broadcast live on the Bally’s marquee, and was great bait for the show.

More from our scene:

PARTYIN’ MARTY ALLEN

When Marty Allen performs on his 95th birthday at South Point Showroom at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, he’ll be what is believed to be the second-oldest Vegas headliner ever. George Burns, who headlined at age 98 in 1994 at Caesars Palace’s Circus Maximus showroom, remains the standard-bearer.

Allen’s wife, vocalist Karon Kate Blackwell, is joining him onstage for the show, a mix of music, comedy and video footage of Allen’s career. Blackwell has also been working on a Justin Timberlake number for the show. This means that he, too, is an artist who defies time.

THE SCENE AT HRH

Most of the upgrades to Hard Rock Hotel should be finished by May 1. The hotel is opening the “Magic Mike Live” male revue at Club Dominia (the old Body English) on March 30, is about to launch three retail outlets operated by Hudson Group on the walkway leading from the hotel’s Paradise Road garage, opens MB Steak by David and Michael Morton and has already expanded its convention-center space and added a Dunkin’ Donuts outlet and the Oyster Bar at Hard Rock Hotel.

On March 11, the hotel relaunched “Raiding the Rock Vault” at Vinyl music club, which has totally sold out at least two performances. Also in the works: Vanity nightclub is closing by August, with unconfirmed reports that the space is to be renovated for “The Voice” stage show.

And that isn’t folding in plans for the old Hard Rock Cafe building and parcel. No word, yet, on what is happening there, but one idea I like is to create a more open, indoor-outdoor entertainment complex with options for live music, taverns and dining, similar to how Caesars Entertainment created Linq promenade.

As HRH Chief Operating Officer Jody Lake says, “The Hard Rock will be a completely transformed property and will be moving from its adolescent years to the grown up phase of operations. We’ve learned a lot along the way, been able to maintain a relevant presence in the ever changing Las Vegas resort scene and have made more progress and changes the past three years than the previous 18 combined.”

KENNY AT 4!

What started as something of a parlor performance is now a real hang in town, Kenny Davidsen’s “Bow-Tie Cabaret” show at Tuscany’s Copa Room, celebrates its fourth anniversary at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The show is free, and as always, characteristically long in format and rife with fine singers.

On the docket Friday: Anne Martinez and Brandon Nix of “Baz”; Justin Shandor, late of “Million Dollar Quartet”’ Enoch Augustus Scott of “Zombie Burlesque”; Vin Adinolfi of the Bronx Wanderers; Jassen Allen, primarily of Mondays’ Dark among his many gigs; Eric Sean of David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra; Joshua Smith and Elyse Branch of “Vegas! The Show”; Davidsen’s operatic mother, Rita Davidsen, and many others (including, possibly, an appearance by the puppet Topless Johnny). The Tuscany is frequently tagged on my social media posts for good reason. It’s cool scene, filled with fast friends, where talent abounds.

PALM READING

Donny Osmond is the next celeb to be sketched on the famous wall o’ celebs at Palm Restaurant at Forum Shops at Caesars. Should happen any day now, I’m told, and Osmond wants to actually sit for Steve Spector’s artwork rather than send a photo.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.