Joe Delaney: Reno Hilton has huge hit

Friday, March 28, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"AIREUS" SOARS. ... This past weekend was spent in Reno for the world premiere of the Breck Wall & Patrick Maes production "Aireus," a high-flying spectacular that makes full use of the world's largest stage. ... Wall & Maes are producers of the hilarious long-run revue "Bottoms Up," plus some 60 other productions over four decades.

Together with multitalented Michael Darrin, who is credited with staging, direction, choreography, costume and scenery design, Wall & Maes have created a 90-minute extravaganza starring Russia's famed Flying Cranes and featuring the Fausto Scorpions. ... Tom Bolean, master of the trampoline, provided acrobatics and visual comedy.

Bob Lentini's original music and show soundtrack are other major contributions. ... We would have preferred about 5 percent less volume throughout.

'Aireus' rundown

The show starts off in high gear with the Flight Crew, 14 strong, and just keeps soaring through 17 fast-paced scenes before raising it another notch with the Fausto Scorpions, acrobats with very funny audience participation, then hits a new peak with the Flying Cranes, making their debut in a U.S. production.

"Aireus" is an unprecedented triumph for Wall, Maes and Darrin. ... Reno Hilton Senior Vice President Anthony Santo deserves honorable mention for his total support.

Lighting Director Greg Hoff shares lighting design credit with Terry Gerard -- equally important factors in an outstanding production that appears set for a multi-year run. ... At $24.95, "Aireus" may be the best main showroom entertainment buy in the entire state of Nevada, worth a trip to Reno by itself.

This 'n' that

Tony Bennett (Caesars Palace Circus Maximus through Sunday) is both friend and column favorite for more than 40 years. ... We proposed to our Roberta 33 years ago during a Bennett performance in the Sahara Congo Room. ... She made me wait until after the show for the answer. ... Bennett's "Billie Holiday Tribute" album is another sure Grammy winner.

Song-stylist Loretta Holloway, back at Luxor, will be the UNLV Arnold Shaw Research Center for Popular Music celebrity/guest at 3 p.m. Thursday at Arizona Charlie's. ... Dig her CD, "Quietly." ... Gallagher makes his usual comedic mess, 8 p.m. Saturday (Hard Rock).

Steve Wynn and Paul Anka were seen enjoying Danny Gans at the Rio last Sunday, then visited backstage. ... Recommended: Ascendant comedian Jeff Wayne (Comedy Max) and octogenarian Bernie Allen (Riviera Comedy Club); afternoon special, Nick Lewin's Comedy Magic (Maxim).

Friday addenda

Get your tickets early for the fifth annual Share Our Strength, Taste of the Nation, presented by American Express and Calphalon from 6-9 p.m. Thursday in the Riviera's Convention Center. ... More than 40 top chefs present samples of their best. ... It's tax-deductible and 100 percent of the ticket proceeds go to groups fighting and preventing hunger. ... It's $15 more ($60) at the door. ... See you next Thursday.