Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘City’ schticks up for locals

Kate Maddox

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2001 | 10:30 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Sundays, Fridays and Tuesdays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Las Vegas entertainment hopefuls should benefit from the arrival of "The Second City" at the Flamingo Las Vegas in March. Not only will the show provide audience members with the chance to do a little impromptu schtick -- about a third of the 75-minute show will be improvised -- but those hoping to learn the tricks of the Second City trade can get involved at a training center aimed at locals.

At a press conference earlier this week, Second City director Mick Napier announced plans to set up the training facility and welcome any "local talent" interested in learning the art of improv.

There are more than 1,000 students enrolled in Second City's Chicago workshop.

"The Second City" is signed on for an 18-month stay at the Flamingo. The show is scheduled to open March 20 in conjunction with the training center.

Looks like female impersonator Kenny Kerr has landed a room at the New Frontier hotel after all.

Kerr reportedly signed a deal to get his show up and running in the small theater when "Legends of Comedy" moves out at the end of the month. (By the way, let's hope "Legends" picks up some steam when it reopens at O'Sheas. There were 10 people in the audience at one of last week's shows at the New Frontier -- two of them were Strip performers on hand to check out the room.)

As I reported on Friday, Kerr apparently had to come up with some quick cash (about 10 grand) in order to secure the lease. It appears he did.

One insider said Kerr, who left his last gig at the Plaza in September, is searching for a five-piece band and backup dancers. The new show is expected to open during the first week of February, with tickets in the $35 range. Calls to Kerr for comment were not returned.

Debbie Reynolds will be surrounded by old pals when she's honored by the Nevada Ballet Theatre as Woman of the Year Saturday. Singer Phyllis McGuire will chair the event, along with Tony Curtis.

But the real bonus should be the appearance of screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, who is scheduled to attend with fellow "These Old Broads" co-stars Joan Collins and Shirley MacLaine. The Carrie Fisher-penned ABC movie, about aging screen legends, rekindled the off-screen friendship of Taylor and Reynolds, who once battled over mutual ex-hubby Eddie Fisher. The party should be a nice precursor to the much-hyped TV movie.

"These Old Broads" airs Feb. 12, just in time for sweeps.

The Reynolds bash has lured some big-time media interest. Newsweek, People and "Entertainment Tonight" have all put in bids to cover the event at Caesars Palace.

When the price is right I guess James Brown puts on a coherent performance. Two beaucoup-bucks CES concerts were what brought the Godfather of soul back to Vegas last week. One party attendee said that (unlike his New Year's Eve meltdown) Brown played a 1 1/2-hour private CES-related function without incident.

If you're still curious about Carmen Electra's new Vegas gig, all questions will be answered shortly. Electra is expected to talk turkey about her singing, dancing and magic abilities when she addresses fans at the NATPE convention in Las Vegas next week.

A "high-priority" press conference centered on her role in "Lumiere" is scheduled for Jan. 23. Thanks. I was starting to lose sleep.