LV entertainers volunteer to stage show for USO

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 | 8:47 a.m.

The elite of Las Vegas entertainers on Wednesday announced plans for a Veterans Day performance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center to benefit the USO -- the organization that provides entertainment and other services for military personnel.

Wayne Newton, Lance Burton and Clint Holmes were among local celebrities revealing the Nov. 11 event, which could raise a minimum of $300,000 if the center's 12,000-seat arena is sold out.

All tickets will be $25, although patrons may donate more. Tickets are available at Mandalay Bay and through Ticketmaster. Newton said sponsors are also being sought to help raise additional money.

"This isn't just a cause, we are at war," magician Lance Burton, who performs at the Monte Carlo, said during a press conference at Mandalay Bay. "This is not peacetime anymore. That all changed on Sept. 11 ... we have been attacked on our soil.

"We are not doing this because it is a good cause, this is our survival as a nation, and the military is the one that's out there. They are the point guys."

Retired Gen. John Tilelli Jr., president of the USO, said he was awestruck at the gesture made by the Las Vegas entertainers.

"This is a major event," Tilelli said. "When I heard about it I was awed by just the thought of it."

Tilelli said the USO has a lot of support around the country, "but Las Vegas is leading the way (with) this event."

Singer Earl Turner, impressionists Bill Acosta and Bob Anderson and the musical-comedy group the Scintas -- which includes brothers Joe and Frank and their sister Chrissi -- were among those who put together the USO benefit and appeared onstage at the press conference in a show of unity.

"Mr. (Frank) Scinta, on the day of the attack, called me and we talked about a need to entertain people," said Holmes, who performs at Harrah's. "We wanted to do something, everybody in America does."

Holmes, the Scintas and other performers met soon after the initial telephone call and began laying the groundwork for the benefit.

"Our first meeting was really amazing," Burton said. "Everyone involved in this is donating their time.

"This is the first time in the history of Las Vegas, that I know of, where every single segment putting a show like this together is all volunteer."

Siegfried and Roy, through spokesman Bernie Yuman, said they also will perform at the benefit, as will the McGuire Sisters and Rick Springfield.

"What you see here is the beginning of an idea, and certainly not the end," Newton said. "We are waiting to hear from many other performers."

Tilelli noted that the day after the benefit Newton will perform for troops during a tour for the USO that will include stops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Korea and Bahrain in the Middle East.

Newton, 59, said he first performed for the USO at the age of 7.

"I sang for President Truman when he was leaving office," Newton said. "That was a USO event."