Las Vegas was a big feature this week as it hosted several shows by some of our favorite celebrities. News on Bette Midler is also the talk of the town as she is retiring from Caesars Colosseum, on Jan. 31, 2010. Also, Las Vegas news hits big with the Cirque Du Soleil show, Carlos Santana, Rick Belcastro and Wayne Brady .

The Fitzgerald Showroom downtown celebrated its anniversary, appropriately called Fitz of Laughter, starring Kevin Burke. Kevin is doing double duty since he also stars in Defending the Caveman at the Excalibur. The guy is funny and hardworking.

Dick Feeney’s production of The Rat Pack downtown at the Plaza has become a mainstay, even though the show faced a lawsuit from Buddy Hackett’s son, Sandy. Reportedly, Dick Feeney paid off Sandy boy with $40,000.

Now we hear that Mr. Hackett is opening his OWN Rat Pack show, where he’ll be playing the part of Joey Bishop! This version is supposed to open at the Sahara. Does Las Vegas, or anywhere else for that matter, have room for two Rat Packs? The original show with the Rat Pack theme was in the Congo Room at the Sahara and starred David Cassidy with Bobby Caldwell as Sinatra. It was a wonderful production.

Check out the specials being offered at The Joint at the Hard Rock for the month of November. Feature star Carlos Santana is involved with Three Square Food Bank, and for everyone who donates $5 or brings five non-perishable food items to the show, they receive a $5 coupon for restaurants at Hard Rock. Not a bad idea and the whole thing is being supported by Santana and Hard Rock in connection with World Hunger Year.
“The Showgirl Must Go On” takes on new meaning with the announcement that Bette Midler will call it quits, after two fabulous years at Caesars Colosseum, on Jan. 31, 2010. It’s been a great run for Bette, and I loved shopping for all those great gifts promoting her show at Caesars. Of course, along with the announcement was the statement that Bette will always have a home at Caesars. However, it is rumored that there is no love lost between The Divine Miss M and reporter Alicia Jacobs. Girls, girls – be nice!

Cirque Du Soleil just keeps growing and growing and growing. Every corner and every major hotel/casino seems to feature a Cirque show. CityCenter will be the newest to feature a Cirque show named Viva Elvis. Yes, it’s a tribute to the life and music of The King. After hearing all the comments from the Cirque show Love which is at the Mirage and features the music from the Beatles, Viva Elvis will be another hit!

The Season of Cirque Du Soleil is offering a special break to Nevada residents. Purchase one ticket at regular price and Nevada residents will have the chance to purchase the second ticket for $25. This is a first and it offers a great opportunity to catch several of the Cirque shows currently in Las Vegas.

Surprise, surprise, surprise! I was treated to a morning at the South Point Cinemark theaters, where a select group enjoyed Michael Jackson’s movie “This Is It” in Extreme Digital or XD. This is the latest in movie technology and offered outstanding sound together with picture quality on a huge screen that is unsurpassed. Enough said about that. On to the movie. Not only was I overwhelmed by this documentary, but it brought the loss of this extraordinary man to a new level of reality. And the brilliance of director Kenny Ortega remains profound. I urge everyone to see this film. As I continue to think of Michael’s family and his legacy, I am reminded again of the great loss resulting from his death.

We had the pleasure of going to the Latin Grammy Awards as guests of MGM/Grand President of Entertainment Richard Sturm. Great show and an even greater host. Mr.Sturm is, as usual, a genuine class act. The highlight of the evening was the special tribute to Juan Gabriel. His fans went wild for this major performer who is also constantly doing benefit performances for the underprivileged. The entertainment was capped with a duet by Alicia Keys and Alejandro Sanz and appearances by Salsa greats Luis Enrique, Oscar de Leon and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Side bar – the ladies were beautifully and tastefully dressed.
Rick Belcastro, owner of Badda Bing Gentleman’s Club, made a surprise appearance in Tropicana’s Last Supper, The Sopranos take-off. Rick, adding a shot of authenticity to the production, joined the show playing the mob boss with the gruff exterior and Tony Soprano-like attitude. Rick has always had another career, moonlighting as a stage actor. Also in the audience was Nifty Vickerson, Rick’s henchman and A. J. Johnson, his personal photographer.

The multi-talented Wayne Brady has reportedly postponed the reopening of his show at The Venetian until Jan, 2010.

This article appears as it was reported by gamingtoday.com

Posted November 16th, 2009 under Gaming News. Tags: Alejandro Sanz, Alicia Keys, Badda Bing Gentleman’s Club, Bette Midler, Bobby Caldwell, Buddy Hackett, Caesars Colosseum, Carlos Santana, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, David Cassidy, Defending the Caveman, Dick Feeney, Fitz of Laughter, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Joey Bishop, Juan Gabriel, Kenny Ortega, Kevin Burke, Las Vegas, Luis Enrique, Nifty Vickerson, Oscar de Leon, Richard Sturm, Rick Belcastro, South Point Cinemark theaters, The Fitzgerald Showroom, The Joint, The Rat Pack, The Sopranos, The Venetian, Three Square Food Bank, Wayne Brady, World Hunger Year.
RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.