‘Jubilee’ a quintessential Las Vegas production

Joe Delaney

Friday, Dec. 18, 1998 | 10 a.m.

"Jubilee" was performed before an enthusiastic capacity crowd at earlier this week in Bally's Jubilee Room. It is a classic, vintage Las Vegas production show, the last creation of the late Donn Arden, best known for introducing the "Lido de Paris" at the Stardust in the mid-1950s.

Act I, "Showtime," and Act VII, "The Finale," a seven-scene tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and music from their films, are recent replacements, true to the style and ambiance of Arden.

Dirk Arthur earns his star billing as the "Magic of Dirk Arthur" with two rapidly-paced appearances as Acts IV and VI. Performing large illusions as well as screen-assisted close-up magic, his magic is extremely well-performed standard fare. Jean Nedel's incredible feats of balancing, with touches of humor, ia equally effective in the Act II slot.

Act I, "Showtime," features the entire cast in six scenes of song and dance. The song selection is outstanding throughout the one hour and 45 minutes. What Arden achieved in every show was the look and feel of the great Hollywood musicals, beginning with Busby Berkeley. "Jubilee" has a feeling of opulence, a rich look, and a large, talented and attractive cast of more than 100, including the specialty acts and understudies.

Acts III and V; "Samson and Delilah" and "Titanic," are the heart of the show with remarkable production values, especially in the latter where they actually "sink" the Titanic onstage. It proceeded the hit film by a number of years, but the film's success has given the "Jubilee" enactment a new life. Each of these acts alone would be worth the price of admission.

Peter Aaronson and Fluff LaCoque are credited as associate producers. The creation of the Act I and VII replacements were under the supervision of Joel Fischman, not credited here as he is now entertainment vice president for the Circus Circus properties. Direction, staging and choreography by Tom Hansen, assisted by Diane Palm, are first class as is the additional choreography contributed by Winston Hemsley and Rich Rizzo.

Pete Menafee deserves special mention for his costumes; likewise Bob Mackie who collaborated with Menafee on the new finale. Jim Harbert, Tom Hansen and Paul Mann share the music supervision honors. Orchestrations were the contributions of Bill Stafford, Jimmy Bryant and Paul Mann. Arden always worked with the best people and it remains evident even today.

"Jubilee" is not taking a pre-Christmas break. Why not take a respite from shopping and card-writing to enjoy an example of original Las Vegas at its best?