Columnist Joe Delaney: Holmes’ decision to expand repertoire a wise one

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000 | 9:06 a.m.

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

Second thoughts: It's good to know that Clint Holmes may be revising his program in Harrah's main showroom. ... This critic had no quarrel with his performance opening night. ... It was his song selection, aimed almost entirely at the under-45 age group. ... If Holmes is going to do local business, a necessity, the over-45s, locals and visitors, could be the difference between a good house and a capacity crowd.

To Holmes & Co.'s credit, the show was ready on opening night, no "soft openings" or preview performances. ... The only shortcoming was really an error of omission, rather than commission.

In answer to the question, would I go see Holmes again, not as a critic but as a paying customer, I would. ... Roberta and our daughter Kathleen would most likely attend with me.

More second thoughts

"Splash" (Riviera) was another January opener, a "new" edition, which we attended on opening night as a critic-customer, reporting that the tank was gone, good riddance, replaced by an ice rink, ... The show was much improved, thanks to excellent variety acts. ... Promised more changes, we went to the official opening Wednesday.

"Notre Dame de Paris" (Paris Las Vegas) had a preview performance; our critique was in the Sun on Jan. 21. ... We found it faithful to the Victor Hugo novel, a pop-rock opera approach sans dialogue, well sung and performed but too much of a downer, with Quasimodo a sad sole survivor. ... We would prefer to be wrong but our long-run prognosis is doubtful; too grim.

"David Cassidy at the Copa, Co-starring Sheena Easton" (Rio) had a soft opening last week. ... The official opening is tonight. ... First thoughts, only fair; second thoughts, here next week.

Final second thought

Wayne Newton was in top form for his opening night in the Stardust's newly re-christened Wayne Newton Theater. ... Newton, et al, gave the blue-ribbon audience a blue-ribbon performance. ... There was no need here for soft openings or preview performances. ... This looks like a long-run, win-win situation for all concerned. ... I'd go again.

An appreciation

Bill Willard was the dean of the Las Vegas entertainment writers and critics. ... He was a true renaissance man; artist, author, painter, sculptor, entertainer, producer, political activist, a longtime contributor to the arts. ... It was a privilege to work with him on UNLV's Arnold Shaw Research Center for Popular Music.

Willard succeeded the late Shaw as Executive Director in 1990 but insisted it should always include Shaw's name in the title. ... The center is scheduled to open officially early this fall.

Tough but always fair, Willard fought the good fight, ever alert, until he signed off for the last time at age 86 last Thursday. ... Would-be critics and reviewers would do well to use Willard as a role model. ... When the Arnold Shaw Research Center for Popular Music is opened, Bill Willard's name deserves to be memorialized there as well.

Star-policy rundown

It's David Copperfield (Caesars); K.C. & The Sunshine Band (Desert Inn); Buddy Greco, Lezlie Anders & their big band, Fridays only (Flamingo Hilton); Holmes (Harrah's); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Shirley Bassey plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); and Al Martino (Orleans).

There's more: Cassidy and Easton (Rio); Newton (Stardust); and impressionist Andre-Phillipe Gagnon (Venetian). ... Star policy and live orchestras onstage; the way to go in the new millennium.

Mid-day matinees: Darren Romeo, the Voice of Magic (Flamingo Hilton), 1 & 3 p.m., has caught on nicely as has comedy-magician Mac King, same hours (Harrah's). ... Still No. 1, afternoons, "Viva Las Vegas, 2 & 4 p.m. (Stratosphere). ...More magic: Rick Thomas (Tropicana), 2 & 4 p.m. ... New show: Robbie Howard & The Walkers, 2 & 4 p.m. (Lady Luck).

Jazz notes

LV Jazz Society's annual meeting is 1 p.m. Sunday, Winchester Center, followed by singer Roz Ryan and the Nevada Jazz Orchestra at 2 p.m. ... Ryan is currently featured in Mandalay Bay's "Chicago." ... Catch Joe Darro, Jay Orlando & Co., 5-9 p.m. Sunday (Caribbean Cabana) and Marv Koral's All-Stars, featuring Carl Fontana, also 5-9 p.m., Pierce Street Annex. ... Catch all three. ... Support good jazz, everywhere. ... See you Friday.