San Remo’s ‘Night Madness’ a work in progress

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 16, 1999 | 9:42 a.m.

Maliboo Magic's production of "Night Madness," new in the San Remo's mini-showroom, playing Wednesdays through Mondays at 7:30 and 10 p.m., is billed as "A Tale of Love and Mayhem, A Tale of Music and Magic." There is a modicum of magic, and the music is well-chosen but on tape. There is no mayhem and love does triumph in the end. The cast is stronger than the show's content.

Former co-star of the sitcom "Growing Pains," Julie McCullough is Mystery Girl, a beauty in black, complete with black wings, whose mission is to guide co-star, former Playboy Playmate of the Year, 1992, Corrina Jones (Amie), through her transformation from very plain Jane to gorgeous girl and help her find happiness with her single-minded magician boyfriend, Johnny Magic, portrayed by Scott Steindorff.

Steindorff co-wrote the play with John Macks, head writer with NBC's "Tonight Show" and comedy writer for the Academy Awards and Emmys. Steindorff is credited with rewriting Tommy Tune's version of "EFX" at the MGM Grand and he credits Tune for his remaining in Las Vegas to do "Night Madness."

The dialogue is ordinary and in dire need of punching up; the laughs are not there.

At the start of the show there is narration about evil sorcerers vs. good magicians and the fact that love conquers all. The first encounter has Mystery Girl and Johnny Magic's girlfriend assistant trying to make Johnny realize that love is more important. Enter the evil sorcerer in the person of Peter Pitofsky, who takes hold of Johnny's mind.

Peter Pitofsky, half of the comedy team featured in "MADhattan," which opened and closed at New York-New York, picks up the show considerably when he enters as an evil sorcerer, assuming the character after some very funny physical byplay with the audience. Pitofsky is a great admirer of the comedic style of Charlie Callas, a compliment to both men. He energizes the proceedings whenever he is on. His comedic contribution was the show's only high spot.

The 130-seat showroom was full, thanks to a large contingent of young basketball players from Nebraska there for a good time, and they quickly got into the spirit of the evening.

It really is a work in progress at this point. Can it be made to succeed in Las Vegas? It is a talented cast, better than their material, and the writers have credits that would indicate they could improve the script without outside help.

Do they have the money and the patience to succeed at $29.95, including tax, gratuity and two drinks, against the very heavy competition in the world's entertainment capital?

Prognosis: Hopeful but doubtful, especially as-is.