Less means more of Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow has a contract extension through 2009 at the Las Vegas Hilton, but 32 shows this year are being canceled.

Hilton spokesman Ira David Sternberg said Manilow, 64, is "reformatting" his schedule.

Originally signed to 24 shows in 2005, he signed for an additional 150 through 2007.

He was sidelined in August 2006 because of surgery to have torn cartilage in both of his hips repaired.

Worried Manilow fans have been pressing for an explanation for the two shows he canceled during the Christmas holiday.

Asked if Manilow fans should be concerned that the cancellations are health-related, Sternberg said, "Not at all. He's signed for '09. He's revamping the show, which has been very successful for us and for him."

Manilow won an Emmy in August 2006 for outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program for his TV special "Barry Manilow: Music and Passion."

A Manilow fan site listed the canceled dates as: March 4, 6, 13; April 1, 3, 10, 29; May 1, 8, 21, 22, 28, 29; June 18, 19, 26; Aug. 26, 28; Sept. 4, 23, 25; Oct. 2, 21, 23, 30; Nov. 11, 13, 20 and Dec. 16, 18, 27, 28.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The Jan. 14 reading at the Little Theatre of the new comedy play written by Rita Rudner and husband/manager Martin Bergman was sold out in three hours Thursday. Rudner and Hooters headliner Bobby Slayton are teaming up for the reading of the play, titled "776." The Little Theatre, with about 150 seats, is the city's oldest community playhouse. ...

Former NBA star Kenny Smith, an analyst for TNT's "Inside the NBA," has partnered with Rick Garson and Rodney Henry to shoot a pilot for a new Vegas-style series on TNT. The pilot will be filmed this weekend at the V Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort. ...

Canon U.S.A. and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are teaming up for another fundraiser Tuesday at Mandalay Bay.

SIGHTINGS

Bob Gaudio, one of the original members of The Four Seasons and executive producer of "Jersey Boys," getting his first look at the "Jersey Boys" theater at Palazzo on Friday. He was accompanied by Rick Elice, who wrote the multiple Tony Award-winning show that chronicles the life of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Preview performances begin April 4, and tickets are on sale now. The Four Seasons scored two dozen Top 40 singles between 1962 and 1968, and had No. 1 hits with "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Rag Doll." ... At Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort): Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne, dining with fellow Aussies Joe Hachem, the 2005 World Series of Poker main event champion, former boxing champ Jeff Fenech, and Planet Hollywood President Mike Mecca and wife Sandy. Mike Mecca spent four years in Melbourne, Australia, as the chief executive for the Crowne Casino. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Thursday: Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Braylon Edwards of the Cleveland Browns, in a Cristal champagne-buying competition. ... Boxer "Sugar" Shane Mosley, bowling with family and friends in the private VIP suite at Red Rock Lanes at Red Rock Resort on Wednesday night.