Columnist Joe Delaney: Show goes on for injured Reynolds

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

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

Debbie Reynolds opens tonight, a four-day stand, in the Orleans Showroom ... Her fall from the Orleans stage on New Year's Eve resulted in a hairline facture of her thighbone and a fractured heel that extends up to the ankle in her right leg ... Always the trouper, she called upon Pasquale, cobbler to the stars, who designed shoes for Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Reynolds and all of the stars on the MGM and Fox film lots these past 65 years.

Pasquale spent last weekend designing a special pair of shoes, and Reynolds will work from an electric cart ... She also reminded me that she will definitely be present as the Woman of the Year honoree for the Nevada Ballet Theatre's annual Black and White Ball Saturday at Caesars Palace.

If there were to be a picture in the dictionary alongside the definition of "trouper," it would have to be of Reynolds, founder of the Troupers, who have done great work for children through the years.

'Plaid' forever?

"Forever Plaid" continues to be a viable attraction in its sixth year in the Flamingo Las Vegas' Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre ... "Second City" is due to be "Forever Plaid's" replacement in March ... Wouldn't it have been worth trying 6 and 8 p.m. shows for "Forever Plaid" and 10 p.m. and midnight starting times for "Second City"?

Is the real reason for "Forever Plaid's" impending departure a proposed revision downward of the show's present agreement? ... Didn't Park Place Entertainment learn a lesson from the loss of George Carlin after 10 years of very good business at Bally's?

Carlin opens tonight in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre for five days, moves into MGM's "EFX" Theatre Jan. 23-28, then back to the Hollywood Theatre, Jan. 29-31 ... Drew Carey makes his MGM Grand debut with his improv group in the Hollywood Theatre Tuesday through Jan. 28.

Harrah's announcement, of a "new chapter" in its relationship with David Cassidy once he closed in "At the Copa," with Sheena Easton, came nearly two months ago ... "At the Copa," is closing this weekend at the Rio (a Harrah's hotel) ... At the time we wrote this column, there was still no word as to what would follow the show in the Copacabana showroom ... That's strange.

Will Kenny Kerr open his show, formerly called "Boy-lesque," in February after "Legends In Comedy" exits the New Frontier's makeshift showroom? ... Kerr, an excellent comedian as well, deserves continuance in Las Vegas ... He also deserves a venue worthy of his talents. In the meantime, if he does open, bet on him to make this room work.

Star-policy rundown

It's Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas) plus Justin Tranz's "Hip-nosis" (at both the Flamingo Las Vegas and O'Sheas); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); Mac King, early, and Clint Holmes, evenings (Harrah's); George Carlin (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy plus Danny Gans, each in their own theatre (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Reynolds (Orleans); Vanessa Williams (Paris Las Vegas); and Cassidy-Easton (Rio).

Plus Steve Wyrick (Sahara); Riders In the Sky (Suncoast); Eric Burdon and the New Animals (Sunset Station) Friday and "Bobcat" Goldthwait (Saturday); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic and Andre-Philippe Gagnon (Venetian).

Worth your time and the price: "Honky Tonk Angels" (Gold Coast); and the Original Drifters with Bill Pinkney, the Coasters featuring Carl Gardner and Sonny Turner's Platters, through Sunday at the Stardust ... Likewise, "Legends of Comedy" (New Frontier).

There are auditions for the annual Choreographer's Showcase, by appointment only, Saturday and Sunday, Charleston Heights Arts Center, call 229-6383 ... Walter Boenig, Clay Overlien, Hiroshi Suzuki and Garry Russell, the Dynamic Trombone Quarter perform Sunday at 3 p.m., Reed Whipple Cultural Center; admission is free but a ticket is required.

The Joseph Bernard Acting Studio presents "Laughcase 2001," tonight and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Winchester Center; admission is free ... The Best of New York Stage Series continues with Stephen Schwartz and Debbie Gravitte in concert, 2 p.m. Sunday, UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall ... Support your community events ... See you Friday.