Columnist Joe Delaney: Canned music at shows can’t compare to the real thing

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 10 a.m.

"Chicago," now a long-running hit at Mandalay Bay, not only uses a full live orchestra but the musicians are prominently featured onstage throughout. ... Clint Holmes' opening night at Harrah's, Jan. 14, made full use of his regular musical complement onstage but added five horns for a wonderful plus throughout his performance.

"David Cassidy At The Copa, co-starring Sheena Easton" (Rio), opened on Jan. 18 with the 19-piece Lon Bronson kick-butt big band onstage as an equal participant. ... All three of these shows are valid proof that live music is a vital concomitant to a singing/dancing performance. ... Pre-recorded music severely limits spontaneity.

Jerry Lewis used 30 musicians for his recent Orleans debut, the first of at least four engagements there in 2000. ... A consummate showman and performer, Lewis knows the value of live music onstage.

Newton, too

Wayne Newton had the fire-count limit in the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater for his official opening Monday. ... For the past three decades and more, Newton has always used a full orchestral accompaniment, top musicians, with arrangements worthy of all concerned. ... Our commentary on Newton's performance will appear in Friday's Sun. ... Musically, as always, it was outstanding.

It might be argued that a theatrical drama, a pop-rock opera like "Notre Dame de Paris" at Paris Las Vegas cannot "afford" the cost of such a large orchestra. ... If it could, the orchestra would be heard and not seen. ... The fact remains it would be felt and a force.

Even if there were a minimal amount of live musicians onstage or not, a rhythm section and lead horns plus keyboards, there would be that necessary interaction between singers, dancers and musicians.

Star-policy rundown

It's Sinbad (Bally's); Drew Carey's improv (Caesars); Don Rickles (Desert Inn); Buddy Greco, Lezlie Anders and their orchestra, Friday only (Flamingo Hilton); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Jamie Foxx (LV Hilton); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Carrot Top plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); and, happily, there's more.

There's the Everly Brothers (Orleans); Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling (Riviera); Wayne Newton (Stardust) and Andre-Philippe Gagnon plus Andrew "Dice" Clay (Venetian).

Las Vegas is returning to more stars and more star-policy rooms, a propitious sign as we start the year 2000. ... This city and its major industry, the hotel-casino-resort-convention-entertainment complex, was built upon star power. ... Even production shows need star enhancement.

Some examples

Comedian Rip Taylor is currently starring in "The Great Radio City Spectacular" at the Flamingo Hilton. ... Taylor has "carried" numerous production shows here in the past. ... Most of 1999, Rip spent starring in the road company of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum." ... Even when Susan Anton or Marlene Ricci are appearing in the Flamingo Hilton production, Taylor should have the star slot.

Mario & Daniel are a major reason why people tell their friends they should see "The Best of the Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana. ... Lance Burton was once the "reason" to see a previous version of the "Folies." ... Featured acts make production shows into winners.

Siegfried & Roy started here as a featured act in a production show... It is the featured acts that make the Riviera's new edition of "Splash" more than just another collection of production numbers.

Thursday addenda

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and the action will be heavy. ... We were sitting with a ticket on Tampa Bay to go all the way. ... Thanks to daughter Kathleen, we wound up with another four-way parlay winner; Tennessee and the over plus Tampa Bay and the under last weekend. ... Our heart is with Tennessee but this weekend the money remains in our pocket. ... This has been a very nice NFL season after drawing a blank the year before.

We're looking forward to doing follow-ups next week, attending the official press openings for "Splash" and David Cassidy-Sheena Easton. ... It's getting to be more like the old Las Vegas on the Strip. ... See you Friday.