Columnist Joe Delaney: ‘Blue Man,’ ‘Stomp’ drumming up support

Joe Delaney

Thursday, April 13, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

Percussion prevails this week in Las Vegas with "Blue Man Group: Live At Luxor" settling in nicely for an extended run and "Stomp" banging away in the MGM Grand EFX Theatre through Sunday while Tommy Tune & Co. take a break. ... Both productions are multiple-award winners and great fun, but there once was a time in Nevada when a drum solo in a showroom or lounge would result in a warning or, in some venues, instant dismissal.

Penn & Teller, our favorite comedians who are also capable of first-class magic, open tonight for a fortnight's run in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, following which the star-policy showroom will house the musical "Grease" for the period of April 27 to May 30. "Laverne & Shirley" stars Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka will co-star in the MGM Grand production of "Grease." ... Show times will vary; $50 plus tax and handling fee is the top price.

More percussion

"Tap Dogs," which had a successful run under less than desirable conditions at the Stratosphere a few years back, opens the Rio's all-new $35 million, 1,500-seat theater on Wednesday for a three-week stand. ... The tap dance extravaganza in a working man's setting will be performed at 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, dark on Sundays, for $39, which includes tax.

More "Grease"

Bishop Gorman High School's drama department is presenting the rock 'n' roll musical tonight through Saturday in the Flamingo Library Theatre. ... Tickets are just $6.50 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. ... This evening only, a $10 ticket entitles one to preferred seating plus a burger, chips and a soda. ... How appropriate!

Jill Seagrave portrays Sandy and Nick Pizzariello is Danny. ... Seagrave is the daughter of proud parents Jim and Jan Seagrave. ... Jim is the PR and advertising chief at the Stardust hotel-casino.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin (Bally's); Tony Bennett (Caesars Palace); Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell, plus Susan Anton (Desert Inn); "Honky Tonk Angels" (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Kenny Rogers (LV Hilton); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Penn & Teller (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy, plus Danny Gans (Mirage); and Lance Burton (Monte Carlo).

There's more: the Righteous Brothers (Orleans); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Jack Jones and Phyllis Diller (Stardust); and Andrew "Dice" Clay plus Andre-Philippe Gagnon (Venetian).

"The Jerry Lewis Filmfest" starts Monday in the Orleans hotel's Century Theaters with 7:30 p.m. screenings of "Cinderfella," "The Errand Boy" and "The Bell Boy" on succeeding nights. ... Lewis opens in the Orleans showroom for four nights, April 21-24.

Local happenings

The Las Vegas Youth Orchestra's High School Philharmonic performs tonight at 7:30 in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall; tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. ... Rainbow Company's excellent "Wetlands" concludes this weekend (Reed Whipple Center)... Miguelito's Flarumba presents "La Vampira," Friday at 7:30 p.m. (Winchester Center).

Friday at 2:30 p.m., as part of KVVU's "Take Five For Kids" program, cast members of the Riviera's "Splash" will help deliver baby food, formula, clothes, diapers, toiletries, candy, toys and other gifts to the children at Clark County's Child Haven.

Guitar virtuoso Joe Lano and his trio have been held over indefinitely in Paris Las Vegas' posh Napoleon's Room. ... They're there 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. ... Walt Blanton and Tim Bonenfant lead an all-star jazz group in concert, 2 p.m. Saturday, UNLV's Paul Harris Theatre.

Thursday addenda

Jimmy Buffett will be in concert Saturday at 8 p.m. (MGM Grand Garden Arena), preceded by "Parrot's Paradise," 11 a.m.-7 p.m., hosted by Tommy Rocker in the MGM's Adventures Park. ... The Liberace Museum celebrates its 21st anniversary Saturday with free music and prizes, noon-4 p.m. in the museum parking lot with proceeds going to the Liberace Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Trumpeter Greg Marciel and Therapy will perform Sunday at 2 p.m. (Charleston Heights Center). ... The Marv Koral All-Stars featuring Carl Fontana play the Pierce Street Annex, 6-10 p.m. Sundays. ... Please give to the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you Friday.