Columnist Joe Delaney: Hines bringing his dancing shoes to UNLV

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 9:11 a.m.

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

Gregory Hines, performing in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall Friday at 8 p.m. as part of the Performing Arts Center's "The Best of the New York Stage" series, is the main entertainment event this first weekend of the new year ... Dancer, singer, actor and director, Hines began performing at age 3, under the aegis of tap master Henry LeTang.

At age 5 Hines was appearing professionally with his older brother Maurice ... As Hines, Hines & Dad, joined by their father, Maurice Sr., they played the Sands and other LV hotels ... Growing up, they were able to absorb tap-dancing knowledge from such greats as Honi Coles, Teddy Hale, the Nicholas Brothers, Sandman Sims and, especially, Sammy Davis Jr.

If it's available, rent the 1989 film "Tap," starring Hines, most of the greats listed above, plus Savion Glover ... For the real fan, this is a film worth owning and playing on a regular basis.

His other film credits include "The Cotton Club," "White Nights," co-starring with Mikhail Baryshnikov, "Running Scared" and "Waiting to Exhale" ... Broadway credits include starring roles in "Eubie," "Comin' Uptown" and "Sophisticated Ladies," plus a Tony Award for his portrayal of "Jelly Roll" Morton in "Jelly's Last Jam."

On television Hines' work has earned him several Emmys. He has a recurring role in the hit sitcom "Will & Grace" as Will's boss ... Call 895-2787 immediately as the UNLV performance will likely sell out ... The World Stage Series concludes at 2 p.m. on Jan. 14 in UNLV's Ham Hall with Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal ... Tickets are available.

More Broadway: "George Gershwin Meets Jerry Herman" features the compositions of both composers and stars Gary Oakes, Mona Mills and Lou Garcia, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Winchester Community Center ... Jazz treat: The World's Smallest Jazz Band, co-starrimg George "Moose" Mosse and Ronnie Di Fillips, continues 2-5 p.m. Sundays (Swede's Corner).

Star-policy rundown

It's Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); the Bacon Brothers, Friday only (Hard Rock); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Scintas (Hilton); Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans, in separate theaters (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton and Penn & Teller in separate theaters (Rio); Steve Wyrick (Sahara); Collin Raye (Sam's Town); Wayne Newton (Stardust); Ambrosia (Suncoast); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic, and Andre-Philippe Gagnon, separate times (Venetian).

No performer gives back more to the community on a year-round basis than the Monte Carlo's Lance Burton ... He is often joined by Danny Gans for good causes as well ... Clint Holmes is another contributor who deserves mention ... The December champions this year are the cast members of "Forever Plaid" (Flamingo Las Vegas) who seemed to be doing something special for a good local cause just about every day.

"Staying Alive" would be a proper theme song for Melinda, First Lady of Magic, and her producer-brother David, working under much-less-than-perfect conditions, four-wall at its worst, dealing through an intermediary rather than directly with the hotel and still doing good enough business to warrant continuance ... Add Dixie Dooley and his "Houdini Lives Again" show (Plaza), another case of survival completely on one's own.

On a nicer note, congrats to Jack Morgan and his Russ Morgan Orchestra, voted National Band Leader of the Year by the National Ballroom & Entertainment Association ... The Russ Morgan Orchestra was an important part of the Dunes hotel in its heyday.

Very old timers will remember the Club 51 on New York City's 52nd Street, circa 1940s, where a group of comedians would share the stage and, in good fun, take off on costumers as they entered; this in addition to their regular material ... It would work here in the right room with Sonny King as host and locals such as Peter Anthony, Pete Barbutti (currently at the Plaza), Freddie Bell, Babe Pier and Cork Proctor, similar to King's too-short run at the Regent Las Vegas.

We hope your New Year's Eve was safe, sane and great fun, and we wish the Sun, its staff and our readers the best year yet in 2001 ... See you Friday.