More ‘Talent’ headed to Vegas

The dog days of August will not end before an "America's Got Talent" act comes to roost on the Strip, or before Donny Osmond finds himself a more worthy opponent for his nightly dance-off with Marie.

Recycled Percussion has hammered down an opening date of Aug. 30 for its "junk rock" in the Studio 54 nightclub, with 8 p.m. shows before the dance crowd rolls in. It will be produced by Massachusetts promoter Bill Blumenreich, who also backs Frank Caliendo's show at the Monte Carlo.

The troupe was featured on "America's Got Talent" last year and took part in the packaged revue that later played Planet Hollywood. The show will be interactive: Each audience member will be issued drumsticks and something to beat on during the show. ...

This would have been big news four years ago. Drew Lachey -- brother of the one who was married to Jessica Simpson -- will guest-host Bally's live afternoon edition of "The Price is Right" through Aug. 21.

The former boy-band singer in 98 Degrees was the winter 2006 winner of "Dancing With the Stars." This would set up the perfect dance showdown with Osmond, himself a former boy-band singer and fall 2009 "Dancing" winner. At least in a perfect world.

Todd Newton is still the permanent host of the afternoon game show. ...

The King's Ransom museum of Elvis Presley bric-a-brac at Imperial Palace has closed shop quietly and steered its Cadillac to parts unknown. The best thing about the collection that opened last fall was the early participation of Jimmy Velvet, a colorful character who has made a living from Elvis memorabilia since the 1970s. ...

It was a cheap shot, granted. But I couldn't resist making fun of an upcoming Las Vegas Hilton show called "Triumph," for launching a pompous teaser ad and then actually putting tickets on sale for an October opening, expecting people to shell out in advance for something deliberately kept mysterious.

But starring magicians Siegfried and -- er, Larry and Rafael, subsequently performed the ol' floating ball trick on Craig Ferguson's CBS show in June, to some entertaining reaction on YouTube.

If the June TV appearance did make you run out to buy advance tickets, it's my sad duty to report the magic show may be "pushing back the date somewhat, only due to technical elements of the show -- nothing more," says Candi Cazau, the former publicist for Boyd Gaming now involved in the venture along with radio personality Bart Torres. ...

The Las Vegas cast of "Jersey Boys" makes a quick appearance in the new movie "The Other Guys," disguised as the Broadway cast.

The Toronto edition of the hit Frankie Valli biography closes Aug. 22, its second anniversary. That will leave three companies of the "Boys" in North America: Broadway, Las Vegas and a touring cast.

It's hard to say if this makes any difference to the Palazzo cast, which marked two years in April. But I have speculated in the past that the limited shelf life of Broadway musicals on the Strip may have more to do with oversaturated feeder markets than with stereotypes of tourists being too wasted to follow the story and all that. ...

The break dancing Jabbawockeez further expand their brand Aug. 19 when they release an iTunes single, "Robot Remains," to coincide with the troupe's next engagement at the MGM Grand. ...

Finally, welcome help from a Turner. During last week's premiere of "Vegas! The Show" -- a full review runs in Friday's Neon section -- I couldn't help but think the admirable but effervescent production might gain a little more gravity from guest stars, such as Earl Turner. That particular name came to mind because Turner's wife, Christine, was sitting right in front of me.

Turns out, she was the first to lend a hand to this production. Midway through the show, magician Joseph Gabriel's big macaw took an unplanned second flight over the audience, swooped low and landed in talent agent Colleen Custer's hair. Before this could go the way of Tippi Hedren in "The Birds," Turner intervened by extending a helping arm.

"The bird knew what to do. As soon as I put my arm up to it, he got right on," says Turner, who once owned a cockatiel. "I think he made a very nice accessory to my outfit."

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.