Columnist Joe Delaney: Danny Gans’ drawing power continues at Mirage

Joe Delaney

Thursday, April 6, 2000 | 9:48 a.m.

Danny Gans' debut Saturday in the new state-of-the-art Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage the equal of LV's best to date was an auspicious occasion. ... As we understand it, the audience included 500 invited VIPs, approximately 250 Inner-City Games participants and their families, plus 150 media members and 365 fortunate purchasers of tickets.

All of the proceeds were earmarked for local children's charities. ... The "official" opening was Tuesday. ... It is reported that the first week is sold out except for a few hundred seats on Sunday. ... Mondays and Fridays are dark nights. ... Show time is 8 p.m., tickets are $67.50 plus tax and there is a Golden Circle area, slightly higher.

Gans was at the very top of his immense form Saturday and the audience was highly responsive throughout. ... We did have one adverse reaction which we will address in our critique in Friday's Accent section.

Last week's recap

Activity was heavy, starting with a well-performed and positively reviewed performance of "The Rat Pack Is Back" in the Sahara's "new" Congo Room. ... The original Congo Room site is being renovated for magician Steve Wyrick, set to open there in a month or so. ... Absent future litigation, "Rat Pack" looks like a winner.

Thursday night was spent in Arizona Charlie's Grand Palace Theatre where a near-capacity crowd cheered singer Tony Kenny, comedian Joe Cuddy who "stole" the show, legendary musician Dermot O'Brien and other members of Dublin's famed Jury Hotel Irish Cabaret. ... The sad news was that the Palace Grand Theatre will soon be converted into a full-time bingo parlor.

With Joe Guercio as a consultant, Arizona Charlie's has been at the forefront in bringing in acts that have gone on to become Strip headliners. ... Arizona Charlie's never should have let the Naughty Ladies leave.

Recap, continued

Friday at noon we headed for Laughlin and a look around ... The evening's high point was a VIP party for Penny France's "Diamonds and Pearls," an updated taste of the old Las Vegas, ready for an LV showroom as-is, with kick-butt music and choreography, a hot cast, plus singer Aisling (pronounce "Ash-ling") Bowyer, Senor Rai and his assistant, Tillie. ... Rai is Liberace as a magician, on valium, but getting through, somehow.

"Diamond and Pearls" is really a joint effort by Penny France and Trenna Howard, who share production, direction and staging credits. ... Choreography is by Joan Palethorpe and Marci Renee. ... Costume designer R.W. Shek and technical and lighting director Bill Gitter were on the mark as always, as was the brilliant Sho-Trax music and sound tracks.

Bowyer is billed as "The Voice." ... She is that, a beauty, and much more. ... Bowyer is a star in the making; the ball is really in her court at this point.

Laughlin windup

Roger Whittaker was at the Riverside and the Mickey Finn Show at the Ramada Express. ... Olivia Newton-John was scheduled in the Flamingo Hilton Outdoor Amphitheater. ... Top LV headliners play Laughlin Outdoor Amphitheaters during the summer months; other times it's revues and lounge acts. ... "Diamond and Pearls" alone is worth the trip. ... This weekend Laughlin is celebrating its annual Rodeo Days.

Star-policy roundup

It's Legends of Motown (Caesars Palace); Bob Anderson (Desert Inn); "Honky Tonk Angels" (Gold Coast); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy, plus Danny Gans (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Righteous Brothers (Orleans); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Soul Jam (Stardust); and Andre-Phillippe Gagnon (Venetian).

Saturday night, after the Gans show, we had the good fortune to be seated with songwriter Bob ("Butterfly Kisses") Carlyle, his wife and friends for dinner. ... Carlyle sings a duet with Gans on Danny's new Myrrh label CD. ... Mark and Sue Manteris were more excellent dinner company.

"The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas, at 2 and 4 p.m., Tropicana showroom, is racking up crowd counts that rival the "Folies Bergere's" near-capacity numbers.

Correction: Basset Hound Rescue's phone number should have been listed as 566-9838; sorry for any inconvenience. ... Darlene Carr also needs foster homes for bassets, as well as adoptions. ... Call her for details. ... See you Friday.