Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Joe Delaney: Entertainment abounds beyond the tube

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or [email protected].

Super Bowl Sunday is coming up ... While it is not a three-day weekend, it could surpass many of the extended holiday weekends in hotel occupancy and gaming action ... Will it be the surprising New York Giants or the equally overachieving Baltimore Ravens? ... The point spread and game over and under totals have held constant at three and 33, respectively.

There will be Super Bowl parties at most major hotels, with pro football greats, past and present, on hand plus beer, hot dogs, pretzels and peanuts and other goodies to go along with all the proposition bets, where one can bet on first touchdown, first field goal, etc.

Wayne Newton, back from the presidential inauguration activities, will be on hand in the Stardust for Super Bowl weekend ... Newton closes Feb. 1 and comes right back for a five-week stand starting Feb. 4 ... Don Rickles starts an exclusive two-year Stardust deal, performing Feb. 2 and 3.

Comedians prevail for football fans in town, with Howie Mandel at Bally's, Friday and Saturday; David Brenner's real-life comedy (Golden Nugget); Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars, Hollywood Theatre, and George Carlin in the EFX Theatre (MGM Grand); Sinbad, 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Danny Gans Theatre (Mirage); Pete Barbutti (Plaza); D.L. Hughley, Friday and Saturday (Riviera); and Andrew "Dice" Clay (Venetian).

Comedy clubs are an even better bargain with prices under $30 (under $20 in most cases) ... "Legends of Comedy," with depictions of Jack Benny, George Burns, Rodney Dangerfield, Jay Leno and Roseanne (New Frontier), is a treat for those old enough to remember.

For the younger group, try Harrah's Improv with Jeremy Hotz, Bruce Fine and Benny Ricardo; the Riviera Comedy Club with Bob Zany, Russ T. Nailz, Destiny and Wally Wang; or the Tropicana Comedy Stop with Basile, Scott Angrave and Scott Bruce ... There will be a review of the Tropicana show in Friday's Sun ... All three shows are worth your time.

If magic is your favorite entertainment form, Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Steve Wyrick (Sahara); "Showgirls of Magic" (San Remo); Rick Thomas, afternoons (Tropicana) and Melinda, First Lady of Magic (Venetian) are all at full strength ... Be sure to reserve early for the first two named above ... You might also try Mac King, afternoons (Harrah's) and Dixie Dooley, also afternoons (Plaza).

Impressionists? ... Danny Gans (Mirage) is the hottest ticket; Bill Acosta's "Lasting Impressions" (Flamingo Las Vegas) also has live music, plus a line of dancers ... Budget-minded bettors will like "Stars of the Strip," afternoons (Lady Luck) ... A hot act, getting hotter, the Scintas are today's version of the great groups of the past such as the Vagabonds and Happy Jesters (LV Hilton), and there's Andre-Philippe Gagnon (Venetian).

Production shows: If you can afford the tab, go for "O" (Bellagio) or "Mystere" (Treasure Island) ... If your wallet can handle both Cirque du Soleil shows, see "Mystere" first ... "Jubilee" (Bally's) is vintage Las Vegas, as is "Best of the Folies Bergere" (Tropicana) ... "EFX" (MGM Grand) opens next week as "EFX Alive" with Rick Springfield as its star.

Anent "EFX," with its incredible special effects, there have been three distinctly different editions ... The first was a tour de force tailored for Michael Crawford; the second, a younger edition custom built for David Cassidy; and the most recent, a vehicle for Broadway's Tommy Tune where, when he wasn't dancing, he acted more like a show/tour guide.

As anxious as I am to see if I can go the cashier's window Sunday, after the Super Bowl, this columnist is even more curious to see how "EFX Alive" fares with an even more contemporary, rock 'n' roll feel with Springfield ... We're rooting for Rick.

Unique and unusual: "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" (Flamingo Las Vegas); Blue Man Group (Luxor) and De la Guarda (Rio); also special and less expensive: "Bottoms Up" (Flamingo Las Vegas); "Legends In Concert" (Imperial Palace); "Viva Las Vegas" and "American Superstars" (Stratosphere).

There you have a fairly complete rundown for you and your friends who come in for Super Bowl weekend ... The town will be crowded so make those reservations early ... Your chances are better if you happen to be a guest at the hotel where the show you want to see is being performed ... Enjoy all of Las Vegas, including our surrounding areas ... See you Friday.

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