Columnist Joe Delaney: Tricky dance and tricky politics

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998 | 11:21 a.m.

RANDOM RAMBLINGS. ... New York-New York's "Lord of the Dance" is properly billed as "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance." ... People with some knowledge of show business would understand that Michael Flatley is not performing in it, just as the late Donn Arden's name preceded many of his successful LV shows in which he did not appear.

If there are taps on the "Lord of the Dance" sound track, so what? ... If you've seen the show, you know the people in it are dancing to the music and dancing very well, as well.

Attendance at some of the shows is down this summer. ... This is not true of "Lord of the Dance" or another recent arrival, "Tap Dogs," at the Stratosphere. ... "Viva Las Vegas" (afternoons) and "American Superstars" (evenings) are also doing well at that hotel.

Black Monday

Ted Koppel's "Nightline" on ABC at 11:30 p.m. was worth staying up for on Monday; an intelligent, well-rounded discussion of the President Clinton-Monica Lewinsky developments that day. ... It was a big improvement over Dan Rather and his CBS associates and their anti-Clinton bias on KLAS Channel 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. earlier.

Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect" following Koppel, had a very funny opening with Maher as Clinton doing Clinton's speech as he should have given it. ... Like most people, TV dominated our house on Monday.

Does anyone wonder who is underwriting Paula Jones' facial re-construction and who will be paying Tripp's and Lewinsky's legal bills? ... Will we ever learn the real reason Monica Lewinsky, her mother and father were given such complete immunity by Starr? ... Monday's events will be the subject of many future dramas in all the entertainment media.

Still rambling

Why don't more Las Vegans support good plays and concerts locally? ... Actors Repertory Theatre, the LV Little Theatre and UNLV, to name just three, offer outstanding productions; there are others as well. ... Prices are affordable; performances excellent. ... Classical concerts and jazz offerings are mostly high quality and deserve your support.

Start a little savings fund, and once or twice a month attend some local event. ... Read the LV Sun, join the Allied Arts Council. ...There is nothing more satisfying that a live performance. ... Try it, I'm sure you'll like it.

Some Sunday, have brunch at the Santa Fe and catch the Jazz Organ-ization and/ or later that evening, 5:30-9:30 p.m., have a meal and dig Marv Koral and his All-Stars: Carl Fontana, Joe Romano, Carl Saunders, Gus Mancuso, Rudi Aikels and Santo Savino, plus top-notch sit-ins.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); Howie Mandel-Hal Spear (Caesars); Ray Romano (D.I.); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Little Anthony & The Imperials (LV Hilton); Tom Jones (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); the Righteous Brothers (Orleans); Danny Gans (Rio); and the Coasters, Drifters and Platters (Sahara).

Good to hear that Kenny Kerr will take his show to the Union Plaza shortly, once a successful venue for Kenny & Co. ... Kerr is a brilliant comedian in addition to his other talents.

While wishing people well recently, our column should have included: Myron Martin, new director of UNLV's Performing Arts Center; H.C. Rowe, joining Joel Fischman in Circus Circus Corporate Office, in charge of the new Mandalay Bay 13,000-seat arena; and Todd Margoluis as Gordon Biersch's director of corporate marketing, talented, capable people.

Thursday addenda

Don't miss "Little Shop of Horrors," the musical, through Aug. 29 at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. ... Classical guitarist Nemanja Bogunovic performs Friday at 7:30 p.m., Winchester Community Center. ... Tommy Chong, once of Cheech and Chong, does 8 and 10 p.m. shows Saturday, in Sunset Station's Club Madrid. ... Be sure you sent in your check to the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you Friday.