Columnist Joe Delaney: ‘Viva Las Vegas’ remains the afternoon king

Joe Delaney

Friday, April 7, 2000 | 8:54 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@ lasvegassun.com or 259-4066

Dick Feeney's "Viva Las Vegas," a nicely tight, high-quality revue, is completing its first decade as LV's all-time champion afternoon attraction, currently in the Stratosphere showroom, 2 & 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays ... With occasional substitutions, the show should continue well into the new millennium.

Feeney's format is simple ... There are five attractive and talented dancers plus versatile vocalist Natalie Carson for opening, interim and closing production numbers plus three very funny comedic practitioners in Dave Swan, complete with tux, Macho Man Bruce Mickelson and our favorite Elvis put-on, Golden Joe Baker.

"Viva Las Vegas" began as a slot promotion to build afternoon attendance at the Sands, now the Venetian. ... When the Sands was closed, it moved immediately to the Stratosphere without missing a beat. ... It is still in an ascendant phase.

Continuing on

Current average show attendance is 550 or 1,100 per day, two shows a day, six days a week, dark Sundays ... Its weekly attendance maintains a steady 6,600 average with approximately half the people attending paying the $11.50 plus tax tab and the other half, slot players with coupons, seeing the show for the price of a drink ($5.95).

Macho Mickelson's observations on male-female relationships and commentary as he operates in that last bastion of man's supremacy, the outdoor barbecue, are near-classic comedic statements ... Feeney also has Mickelson set for a Jackie Gleason tribute that could carry both producer and star well into the next decade of this century.

Swan's monolog is ideal for setting the scene and the uptempo mood that sustains throughout ... Baker's Elvis is the extra special comedy touch that sends the crowds out smiling and satisfied.

More p.m. attractions

Darren Romeo, "The Voice of Magic" (Flamingo Las Vegas) at 3 p.m., combines illusions, impressions and songs in his own voice ... Mac King (Harrah's) offers liberal doses of comedy and magic, 1 & 3 p.m. ... Impressions and comedy dominate the "Stars of the Strip," with Robby Howard and the Walkers (Lady Luck) ... "Wheel of Fortune" (MGM Grand) also has 3 p.m. performances while master illusionist Rick Thomas (Tropicana) performs at 2 & 4 p.m.

Thomas has $20.95 as his top ticket; all of the other shows mentioned above are in the $9.95-$14.95 range ... "Viva Las Vegas" is the best entertainment value, especially for slot players.

Lon Bronson is the hottest band leader in town with his All-Star Band in the Riviera Lounge at 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays ... Bronson also has a full complement backing David Cassidy and Sheena Easton (Rio) and "The Rat Pack Is Back" in the Sahara's new Congo Room.

Local happenings

The annual Clark County Children's Festival is free, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Winchester Community Center) ... The Moscow Virtuosi performs at 8 o'clock this evening (UNLV's Ham Hall), closing this season's Charles Vanda Master Series ... The Rainbow Company presents Brian Kral's "Wetlands," this weekend and next (Reed Whipple Center) ... The Desertwind Trio recital is at 8 o'clock this evening (Charleston Heights Center).

Dr. Douglas R. Peterson and the Nevada Musical Arts Society presents the Bach Mass in B Minor at 3 p.m. Sunday (UNLV's Ham Hall) See story on page 5E ... The Marv Koral All-Stars, featuring Carl Fontana, play from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays in the Pierce Street Annex; highly recommended.

Carl (C.D.) LaBove is joined by Chipps Cooney and Jimmie (J.J.) Walker for the week starting Monday (Tropicana Comedy Stop) ... LaBove was part of the late Sam Kinison's Band of Comedy Outlaws.

Friday addenda

"Stomp" returns to the MGM Grand's "EFX" Theatre, Tuesday through April 16 ... "Grease" takes over the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, April 27-May 30 ... "Tap Dogs," which never should have had to leave, returns, this time to the Rio in its new theater, April 19-May 8 ... "Soul Jam," this weekend at the Stardust, features the Stylistics, Delfonics, the Chi-Lites, and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes.

Look for Danny Gans to announce special nights for locals, starting in the fall, with lower prices and the proceeds going to local charities ... Have you sent in your check to the Sun Summer Camp Fund yet? ... It is so vital ... See you next Thursday.