Columnist Joe Dealeny: Sammy Shore is still crazy after all these years

Joe Dealeny

Friday, Sept. 4, 1998 | 9:53 a.m.

COMEDIC CHAMELEON is one of the terms that suits Sammy Shore, headlining through Sunday in the Riviera Comedy Club. ... Versatility is another Shore strong suit. ... At the last minute Monday, opening night, Sammy was told that the cost of using his taped music would be prohibitive.

Undaunted, the 70-year-old started his 30-minute set with a complete impromptu. ... After telling the audience what had just happened, he organized them into an "orchestra," having them mimic Sam's version of the sounds of the instruments, creating an opening overture, complete with an audience member making the introduction announcement.

Comedian Bernie Allen was present Monday and told us later that it was sheer brilliance as Shore conducted his vocal audience orchestra. ... Allen headlines in the Riviera Comedy Club during the week of Sept. 21.

Sammy is running

Prolific is another term. ... In 1984, Shore wrote a book that made the best-seller list, "The Warm-Up." ... It was based upon his years as an opening act, especially with Elvis Presley in the 1970s, plus unbilled stints at the Riviera, filling in for 10 minutes between two musical acts in the hotel's main showroom.

In 1997, in legit theatres in Los Angeles and New York City, he starred in "The Warm-Up" as a one-man show, directed by Academy Award winner Martin Landau. ... In February, Shore will open in "King Levine," a contemporary Jewish family version based upon Shakespeare's "King Lear." ... Actor Joe Bologna directs.

Next month, Sammy heads for several locations in Missouri, where he will play a bad guy, a lawyer, in a feature film entitled, "Delicate Flowers." ... He has also authored a new book.

Interesting title

The book's working title is "70 Sucks -- From the Comedy Store to Comedy Central." ... It will again be autobiographical, including his account of former wife Mitzi Shore and himself opening the first L.A. Comedy Store, his tours with their son, Pauly Shore, plus dialogues with Milton Berle, Sid Caesar and many other comedic greats, past and present.

His present act also includes a Jewish rap number as "2 Pac Shore," a brief bit on Brother Sam, a mainstay from his years at the Hilton with Elvis, and a closer portraying TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and a Spanish interpreter, an unusual, very funny concept. ... Sammy remains creative, always innovative, 50 years from his comedy debut.

Never one to rest on his laurels, to settle for a status quo, always working free form, ad lib, Shore continues a mirthful marvel, a must-study for aspiring young comedians seeking to be different.

Labor Day weekend

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon has become synonymous with Labor Day weekend. ... Despite the telethon's defection to L.A., it remains a major LV event. ... One local origination will be master magician Lance Burton, "live" from the Monte Carlo hotel-casion showroom at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday and carried on KLAS Channel 8.

San Diego's Wise Monkey Orchestra, featuring supersoul hit music, will open the new Fat Daddy's night club, 3015 Fremont St., with a performance at 10 tonight. ... Correction: The lineup this week in MGM's "Catch A Rising Star" is Jerry Miner and Ron Kenney. ... Mea culpa. ... Kenney is another Mitzi Shore's Comedy Store alumnus.

Four-time Grammy Award winner the Robert Cray Band, one of the best in the blues genre, performs tonight at 8 (Sunset Station). ... Rabih El-Khaouli sings at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday (Boulder Station).

Jazz happenings

It's the Mike Greene Trio, Wednesday through Saturday evenings (Santa Fe) plus The Jazz Organ-ization, noon-3 p.m. Sunday (Sante Fe Pavilion) ... Marv Koral's All-Stars, column favorites, are at Carollo's Restaurant, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Sundays. ... Pogo's is the Friday jazz place and Monday belongs to Don Menza & Friends (Riviera).

We're looking forward to the return of "Stomp" in the MGM Grand Theater, Sept. 8-13, while "EFX" takes a break. ... Do support the MDA Telethon. ... See you next Thursday.