Columnist Joe Delaney: Saxe family has a long history in Las Vegas

Joe Delaney

Thursday, May 3, 2001 | 8:17 a.m.

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

Show and business are two separate words ... If the show does not do business, it will soon be history ... David Saxe serves as producer for his sister, Melinda, First Lady of Magic, who has recently expanded her show schedule at the Venetian ... Melinda's production is in a profit mode despite its sub-lessee status and paying an unusually high fee to ticket brokers -- quite an accomplishment.

David recently took over the reins from their mother, producer Bonnie Saxe, as producer of her "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo as an additional responsibility ... Bonnie is producing a show in Tennessee.

This past Tuesday David was the guest lecturer in my Hotel Entertainment class at UNLV ... Proud father Dick Saxe, bandleader and conductor for more than 20 "Nites of Stars" I put together for St. Jude's Ranch for Children in the 1970s and '80s, attended the class with his son.

Dick Saxe had the relief band that played the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere" when the regular band had the night off ... Bonnie was a dancer in the show, and that's where they met ... It was Bonnie who first created and staged her daughter Melinda's act, which started at Bourbon Street, moved to the Landmark and then Lady Luck before Melinda and her mother parted company and the daughter went off to perform in Florida.

Dick and Bonnie were divorced during the Landmark period ... When Bonnie and Melinda split, Bonnie produced the first "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo ... The show later became "Les Trix," inspired by the opening of the nearby Paris Las Vegas, and is now once again "Showgirls of Magic."

Before returning to Las Vegas, Melinda did have successful stands in Atlantic City and in the theater originally built for Wayne Newton in Branson, Mo. ... David remained with Melinda through all of this and has mastered the business part well, leaving Melinda to concentrate on the show which she has mastered equally well ... They are a winning team, despite the heavy odds.

David's task is a little tougher at the San Remo due to the character and size of the room that has to pass as mini-theater, less than 200 seats ... If it can be done, we're betting on David ... As one of his former UNLV instructors, I shared the pride of David and his father last Tuesday.

Star-policy rundown

It's top drummer Roy Haynes (Blue Note Las Vegas); Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); Clint Holmes, evenings; Mac King, afternoons (Harrah's); Trent Carlini as Elvis (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); Tom Jones, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage); there's more.

Plus Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Kenny Kerr (New Frontier); Righteous Brothers (Orleans); Kevin James (Paris Las Vegas); Pete Barbutti (Plaza); "The Scintas" and Earl Turner, in separate theaters (Rio); Newton (Stardust); Rick Thomas (Tropicana); and Melinda, plus Andre-Philippe Gagnon (Venetian).

Cinco de Mayo

There are special Cinco de Mayo activities Friday and Saturday at Sam's Town ... Richard Cobo and the American Flamenco Theatre performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza at Lorenzi Park.

Contrary to rumors, we understand on good authority that "Lord of the Dance" (New York-New York) will add an extra day and an extra performance, starting June 4 ... Look for an announcement shortly extending the show at least through the end of 2001.

UNLV's production of "Cabaret" concludes this Sunday in the Judy Bayley Theatre while the LV Little Theatre's "Nunsense" opens Friday for a three-weekend run ... "Broken Globes" is another Friday opening, in the Community College of Southern Nevada's Performing Arts Center ... Warning: Adult language and subjects limit attendance to children over 12, and ages 12-16, must be accompanied by an adult ... Check for times at all three productions.

LV Jazz Society's annual free Jazz Picnic will feature five swinging bands, starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Winchester Center ... Bring your own picnic lunch, blankets or chairs, refreshments will be available (no pets please) ... Support the Sun Camp Fund, so vital, every penny goes to the children's camp costs ... See you Friday.