Columnist Joe Delaney: Trio of talented women set up shop in local showrooms

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Oct. 29, 1998 | 11:41 a.m.

THREE SPECIAL LADIES are in Las Vegas this weekend: Anne Murray in what may be her last appearance in Bally's Celebrity Room; Mary Wilson of the Supremes, joining The Temptations and Marvelettes as "Legends of Motown" at Caesars Palace; and comedian Rita Rudner, soft-spoken but hard-hitting, at the Desert Inn.

Quoting from my article in ShowBiz last March: "In this era of pop, country, rock and operatic divas with larger-than-life personas and egos to match, it is a pleasure to spend an evening with someone so talented, so unaffected, so real as Anne Murray." ... It's worth being repeated here.

Mary Wilson deserves credit as a classy survivor, building a solo career for herself while still true to her roots. ... The Temptations will be featured on NBC-TV with a mini-series, starting Sunday. ... Most of the Motown acts continue as viable Las Vegas performers.

Anent Rita

Actress, comedian, writer, Rita Rudner is gentleness personified onstage at the Desert Inn. ... Her observations are like razor blades wrapped in velvet, soft-spoken punch lines that suddenly explode, often with several after-shock effects. ... Catch her in the D.I. Crystal Room this weekend, a very, very funny lady.

We could add Sharon Haynes to the list. ... She captures the essence of the late Patsy Cline, appearing nightly with The Jordanaires at the Gold Coast, in a show that is a real bargain at $21.95 or you can have dinner and the show for $24.95.

Friday night at the LV Hilton, there is another talented and attractive special lady, Faith Hill, in for only two nights, closing on Saturday. ... For more "special ladies," you might try Saturday's Halloween Ball in the Luxor's Ra night club, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Males on marquees

It's Steve Wyrick (Lady Luck); Tom Jones, second week (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); the Smothers Brothers (Orleans); Kenny Kerr & Co. (Plaza); Danny Gans (Rio) and the Michael LaRocca Show (World Trade Center). ... LaRocca's show is a Broadway musicals tribute, as is "Broadway Cabaret," also recommended (San Remo).

Speaking of Lance Burton, we applaud his many contributions, not only through the Shriners and the local Variety Club, Tent 39, plus his recent "Magic and Miracles" benefit for the Childrens' Miracle Network and his appearance in L.A. for Nickelodeon's Help-A-Thon for Public Parks.

This evening, Burton will be a celebrity judge at the Beaux Arts Ball in MGM's Studio 54 with all funds going to Aid for AIDS in Nevada. ... Last Friday, Lance was honored as Clark County Child Advocate of the Year by the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Foundation.

Kennedy's coming

Circle Nov. 18 on your calendar. ... UNLV's prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series will present Kennedy, Britain's leading violin virtuoso. ... His EMI-Angel CD on Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is one of the best-selling classical albums ever. ... While playing a classical selection, Kennedy may suddenly interpolate a series of Jimi Hendrix guitar improvisations, quite a departure from the classical norm.

Also watch for "Fifty-something," a special program on KLVX Channel 10, Sunday at 11 a.m., repeated on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. ... Comedian Rich Little is featured on one of the segments.

Jim Halsey, former personal manager of the Oak Ridge Boys, among others, and the person who brought country artists to the Strip via his "Country Music, USA" at the Landmark in the 1970s, received the Governor's Arts Award last week for his courses at Oklahoma City University.

Be sure to vote

Election Day is Tuesday. ... Early voting continues through Friday at selected places. ... Are you as tired as I am of those political ads that tell me to call the opposing candidate and tell him or her to stop saying some particular thing? ... My first thought is to call and tell those candidates to stop running those ads. ... Do vote.

Good to see that more and more restaurants are adding jazz groups on weekends, the latest is Panini's on Fridays and Saturdays. ... We'll give you an updated listing in Friday's column. ... As a 1953 Law School graduate, we're pleased to report that the Tulane Green Wave football team is 6-0 so far this season; an incredible turnaround from previous seasons.

Perhaps this can happen next year for our UNLV football Rebels. ... We hope so. ... We are looking forward to a strong Rebel basketball season. ... Go Rebels! ... See you Friday.