Columnist Joe Delaney: New productions settle into homes

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

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

Two new shows in town: Master illusionist Steve Wyrick opened last weekend in a new, specially built Sahara Theater ... His deal is reported to be for eight years ... "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus," based upon the best-selling book, is the new Flamingo Las Vegas showroom evening attraction, joining the hot "laffternoon" hit, "Bottoms Up," plus the long-running "Forever Plaid" in Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre.

The Flamingo show is in preview mode through Thursday with tickets going for $42.90 plus tax ... Starting Sept. 28, prices will range from the mid-$30s to the upper-$50s depending on location, a little steep for a new show minus a marquee name.

The new Sahara Theater represents a $24 million investment and looks it ... Wyrick is said to have spent approximately $6 million to make his show Strip worthy ... The tab is a modest $34.95 plus tax.

It's a celebration

Happy 15th anniversary to the Riviera's "An Evening at La Cage," starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers ... Festivities start with tonight's 7:30 show, followed by an invitation-only dinner hosted by Monti Rock III ... Congrats as well to comedian Carole Montgomery, star of the Riviera's "Crazy Girls," elected second vice president of the parent-teacher association at her son's school in Spring Valley.

The Riviera's "Splash," once again in award-winning form, is continuing its policy of covered performances at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays ... It is topless at all other shows.

Tony and Darlene Sacca deserve a lot of credit for building their "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" TV show, which is now seen in more than 180 markets and three times a weekend locally; always doing a fine job of promoting Las Vegas as a whole.

Star-policy rundown

It's Merle Haggard, Saturday only (Boulder Station); "Patsy Cline Tribute" (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Masters of Shaolin, plus Rita Rudner, plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy, plus Danny Gans (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); and the Righteous Brothers (Orleans).

David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Wayne Newton (Stardust); Sha Na Na, this weekend only (Stratosphere); Debbie Reynolds, Saturday and Sunday (Suncoast); Pat Cooper and Patti Prince, Friday (Sunset Station); and Melinda, the First Lady of Magic (Venetian).

Burton, the Righteous Brothers, Smothers Brothers, Bob Anderson, the Checkmates and the DeCastro Sisters will be inducted into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame at 2 p.m. Friday in the Tropicana's Tiffany Theatre ... Congrats, all, and fans, get there early.

Local happenings

"Art Beyond Borders," an international touring art exhibition, will be presented at the Las Vegas Art Museum starting Friday and continuing through Nov. 13 ... The annual Greek Food Festival takes place Friday through Sunday at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church.

There will be a benefit concert featuring Grammy-nominated singer Maura O'Connell, from County Clare, Ireland, plus dinner, starting at 7 p.m. in the Regent Las Vegas Grand Ballroom, with all proceeds going to the U.S.-Ireland Alliance, which is dedicated to strengthening relations between this country and Ireland, north and south.

Final weekend for Neil Simon's "Proposals," Las Vegas Little Theater ... The Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada annual dinner and roast honors John H. Mowbray Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

In conclusion

The Mandalay Bay Events Center has a busy weekend with Luther Vandross and Boyz II Men Friday and the 10th annual Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival on Saturday, starting time 8 p.m. both nights ... Oops: The correct dates and times for Sonny King and his pals are Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 3 and 7:30 p.m. ... See you Friday.