Columnist Joe Delaney: NDT offers program for the whole family

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 | 11:09 a.m.

NEVADA DANCE THEATRE, under the direction of Bruce Steivel, presents a program for the entire family, tonight through Sunday, in UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre. ... "Hansel and Gretel," by Engelbert Humperdinck (the other one) and Giuseppe Verdi, shares top billing with Prokoviev's "Peter and the Wolf," both staged by NDT's founder and artistic director emeritus, Vassili Sulich; the latter piece is sans narration.

Also on this weekend's program is "Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet," choreographed by Peter Anastos, plus the pas de deux, "Satanella," from "Carnival of Venice," staged by Marius Petips and choreographed by Steivel, NDT's new artistic director.

Our review of tonight's performance will appear as "It Happened Last Night" in Friday's Las Vegas SUN Accent section. ... We're curious about a "Peter and the Wolf" without a narration.

Monday showcase

Anthony Cools is a hypnotist-comedian from Canada who gave a special performance at 7 p.m. Monday in Arizona Charlie's Naughty Ladies Saloon. ... Cools seemed quite professional but his work should be rated "Triple X" and, even so, toned down and presented at midnight rather than such an early evening hour. ... This could work for him.

His setup is the usual preface, some dialogue, selection of a large number of audience members, sending rejects back to their seats and working with five or six subjects. ... It is his dialogue and what the subjects are made to perform while "under" which set a nadir for what might be termed the lowest possible common denominator.

P.J. Belly and his Texas Thunder Band make the Naughty Ladies Saloon a good place to hang out on Monday nights. ... We agree that the Naughty Ladies should be back in their saloon.

Some good wishes

All the best to all concerned at the new Reserve Hotel and Casino in Henderson; we plan to check it out next week. ... Good wishes as well to Nancy Kosik, the new executive director for Variety Club, Tent 39, The Children's Charity, plus a huge "thank you" to Pauline McFetridge for her outstanding contributions to the club these past few years.

Actor's Repertory Theatre presents "Zelda, The Last Flapper," opening Friday at the Summerlin Library Theatre. ... "My Sister In This House" is also new, UNLV's intimate Black Box Theatre. ... Both productions play this weekend and next, check for times.

Wendy Wasserstein's "The Sisters Rosenzweig" is now at the LV Little Theatre and "The Monkey King" combines puppetry, picture story-telling and mask theatre at the Reed Whipple Center. ... Las Vegas has excellent community theater, even better when you support it.

Anent Valentine

Check the Valentine's Day weekend specials, especially with Sheryl Crow, Elton John and the Rolling Stones in town. ... Elton John will be in concert, MGM Grand Garden Casino on Saturday. ... Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci performs at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Sunset Station's Club Madrid. ... Also at Sunset Station, it's Max Carl & Big Dance plus the Eagles' Glenn Frey, 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday, Club Madrid.

The Ballet de Capitole de Toulouse performs at 8 p.m. Sunday in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. ... This is separate from the Master Series; ticket prices range from $13.75 to $33.75, call 895-3801.

Binion's Horseshoe is hosting the Ron Wood Art Exhibit, Friday through Monday, featuring the rock 'n' roll artist's limited edition works, including etchings that are signed and numbered. ... All of his works are available for purchase with part of the proceeds going to LIFEbeat, a charity.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); Clint Black (Caesars); Debbie Reynolds (her hotel); America, (Saturday and Sunday, Harrah's); Rodney Dangerfield (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Roy Clark (Orleans); Danny Gans (Rio); and Air Supply (Friday and Saturday, (Riviera).

Robert Wagner and Jill St. John co-star in "Love Letters," 6 p.m. through Sunday, MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre. ... Best lounge bet: Sam Butera & the Wildest (Orleans). ... See you Friday.