Senior members of ‘Jersey Boys’ moving on
Half of the original Las Vegas “Jersey Boys” cast is moving on.
The most senior members, Deven May, who plays Four Seasons outcast Tommy DeVito, and Jeff Leibow, who portrays Nick Massi, are done as of Nov. 23 when their contacts run out.
They have been in the show since it opened at the Palazzo in April 2008. They were in the cast before moving to Las Vegas when they worked with the Las Vegas company at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco while the Palazzo theater was being built.
After 3 ½ years at the Palazzo, “Jersey Boys” moved to Paris Las Vegas in early 2012.
May told me Monday during the Sesquicentennial All-Star Concert at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts that he is involved in a reality show based on a local artist, from the art world not a musical artist. The project will air next year.
He also has invested in a business project that involves an aquatic container.
Leibow, in a telephone interview Tuesday, said he intends to pursue TV and film work in addition to working as the full-time director of the NF Hope Foundation, an organization that raises funds and awareness to battle neurofibromatosis, also known as NF.
He and his wife, Melody, have a daughter, Emma, 5, who suffered NF, a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system.
Leibow is helping put together an NF all-star concert Oct. 19 at The Venetian’s Sands Showroom. It starts at 1 p.m.
RAVES FROM REYNOLDS HALL
While Reynolds Hall was still aglow from the star-studded evening, I sought out three individuals who were part of the 9/11 tribute at Mandalay Bay in November 2001.
Smith Center President and CEO Myron Martin, who produced the 9/11 show and the sequicentennial celebration, credited community spirit.
“Not since the 9/11 concert have I felt the communities all came together — the entertainment community and the broader community, the entire state — to do something great to say happy birthday to this great state,” Martin said.
“It was a perfect night. Every performer brought their ‘A’ game. I mean, think about it, the amount of talent on this stage,” he said.
Clint Holmes couldn’t stop talking about the camaraderie that permeated the backstage area.
“This was something special. We all get to celebrate it together. It’s an honor, too, because there are so many people in town, to be one of all these folks is pretty cool.”
And, he quickly added, “I got to introduce Wayne (Newton). I’ve never done that. Never. So that’s a moment for me.”
Newton, who closed the show by talking about what it meant to be part of more than 50 years of the state’s 150 years, said he will look back on the evening as “one of the highest compliments I’ve ever been given.”
The biggest moment of the night came when 88-year-old comedy icon Jerry Lewis walked on stage with a red cane and introduced veteran vocal impressionist Bob Anderson before his Frank Sinatra tribute. Anderson shared some hot news: He has signed a one-year deal to do his Sinatra show at the Palazzo.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The 42nd Greek Food Festival runs from Thursday through Sunday at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 El Camino Road. Times: 5-10 p.m. Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. ...
Clarification: Sunday’s item about Floyd Mayweather Jr., leaving behind a bag full of $50,000 in cash next to a Hummer at a valet area at Caesars Palace was missing a date element. It happened several years ago, and Mayweather probably had no idea that a concierge turned the cash in when he tipped the parking attendant and two security guards.
SIGHTINGS
Magician Mat Franco, newly crowned season 9 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” surprised the audience when he walked on stage and performed a trick during Terry Fator’s show at The Mirage on Monday. Franco, the first magician to win the NBC talent show, is in town to headline in the “America’s Got Talent” show at Planet Hollywood Resort. Fator, the season 2 winner of “AGT,” is the only ventriloquist to win. He went on to become the show’s most successful winner, with five years as a Mirage headliner.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Kris Jenner is divorcing Bruce Jenner on the grounds of irreconcilable surgery.” — Harrah’s headliner Rita Rudner.
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
