Columnist Joe Delaney: Show-shoppers weekend buying guide

Joe Delaney

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 2:21 a.m.

BUDGET-MINDED? ... There are plenty of excellent choices under $30, under $20, and even $10 and under. ... If you're only going to see one show and can afford it, the top choices would be Siegfried & Roy (Mirage, $89.95); "Mystere" (Treasure Island, $64.50); and "EFX" (MGM Grand, $63.45 and $45.); the big three, price-wise.

"Jubilee" (Bally's); "Great Radio City Spectacular" (Flamingo-Hilton); "Starlight Express" (LV Hilton); "MADhattan" (New York, New York); "Splash" (Riviera); "Enter The Night" (Stardust); and "Folies Bergere" (Tropicana) have prices ranging from $66 down, with "Enter The Night" a best-bargain at $26.90.

"King Arthur's Tournament (Excalibur) includes dinner at $29.95; dinners are also available at the Flamingo-Hilton. ... Note: Prices quoted do not always include drinks, taxes or gratuities.

It's magic

After Siegfried & Roy at $89.95, it's Lance Burton (Monte Carlo), another best-buy, and "Spellbound '97" (Harrah's), both at $34.95. ... When David Copperfield appears at Caesars Palace, his tab is $75 which is also the price at Caesars Magical Empire, the latter does include dinner. ... San Remo's "Showgirls of Magic" costs a modest $19.95.

Penn & Teller (Bally's) is recommended at $35.20 ... Real bargains: There are three shows under $10 -- Dixie Dooley (Boardwalk); Nick Lewin's Comedy Magic (Maxim); and Rick Thomas (Tropicana); all are afternoon shows. ... Lewin would be our first choice here.

Comedy is nicely affordable at the Four Queens ($9.95); Harrah's Improv ($14.95); Maxim ($17.95); MGM's "Catch" ($14); Riviera ($14.95); and Tropicana ($14.30). ... Each features three or four comedians in a show that changes weekly.

Star policy

Check the Show Guide listings at Bally's, MGM Grand, Orleans, Rio and Sahara for current attractions. ... Caesars Circus Maximus and the Desert Inn Crystal Room are dark this weekend. ... Star policy prices can start in the mid-$20s and go as high as $80 (worth it) for Liza Minnelli when she appears in Bally's Celebrity Room.

"Legends In Concert" (Imperial Palace, $29.50) and "American Superstars" (Stratosphere, $22.95) are reasonably priced. ... Country fans are recommended to both "Country Tonite" (Aladdin, $19.95) and "Country Fever" (Golden Nugget, $22.95); the first named is more authentic.

Girly shows: Try "Heatwave" (Maxim, $24.95) or "La Cage" ($21.95) and "Crazy Girls" ($19.95), both at the Riviera. ... "Jukebox Rock" (Continental, $21.95) is self-explanatory. ... "Forever Plaid" (Flamingo-Hilton) is the quality best-buy here.

More best-buys

It's Marty Allen-Karon Kate Blackwell-Robbie Howard at $12.95 (Westward Ho); "Viva Las Vegas," great variety for just $10 (Stratosphere); and the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions, $7.95 (Excalibur). ... Add Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden (Mirage, $10) to this list. ... If we missed one, it was unintentional. ... Check the adjoining Show Guide for lounge and jazz acts. ... Have you given to the SUN Summer Camp Fund? ... Please. ... See you next Thursday.