Columnist Joe Delaney: Reynolds keeps on kicking at the Orleans

Joe Delaney

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 9:33 a.m.

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

Debbie Reynolds, back in the entertainer-friendly confines of the Orleans showroom through Sunday, is a multitalented renaissance woman and a winner in every entertainment medium ... Mary Frances Reynolds was born in El Paso, Texas, on April 1, 1932 ... Her first ambition was to be a gym teacher ... The family moved to Burbank, Calif., soon after, and at age 16, she became Miss Burbank of 1948.

Five years later, now Debbie Reynolds, she learned to dance and co-starred with Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor in "Singing in the Rain," a hit musical that belongs on everyone's all-time top 10 films list ... A decade later she received an Academy Award nomination for her performance as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

In 1996 she received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Albert Brooks film "Mother" ... Last year she received an Emmy nomination for her recurring role in the hit sitcom "Will & Grace" ... Her work in films also resulted in two million-selling recordings, "Tammy" and "Abba Dabba Honeymoon."

Reynolds is the founder, president and moving force behind the Thalians, a charitable organization that has raised millions of dollars for emotionally disturbed children ... She has also been a lifelong supporter and fund-raiser for the Girl Scouts ... As a major LV headliner these past three decades, she has been equally active in local fund-raising activities.

With all of her success in films, television and on Broadway, starring in "Irene," she derives equal satisfaction as a live performer, working in Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City and major venues nationwide ... She says she wants to be like Jack Benny, George Burns, Jimmy Durante and Sophie Tucker, onstage and performing right until the end.

Reynolds is also a topnotch comedian and impressionist ... Her Zsa Zsa Gabor and Barbra Streisand carbons are comedy classics, superb satire ... Her humor is real, warm, earthy and always in good taste ... She is the consummate communicator, believing that laughter is a verification of life, carrying one through the vicissitudes in every lifetime.

She has experienced more than her share of misfortunes, including the loss of her namesake hotel on Convention Center Drive, but remains undaunted, ever forward, always the entertainer, bringing joy to those fortunate enough to share an evening with her wherever she performs.

Weekend wrap-up

There are a number of two-for-one opportunities available to Nevada residents through Oct. 31 ... Harrah's sent out a mailing offering $10 tickets to its Clint Holmes, "Skintight" and Improv shows, plus the Scintas' performances at the Rio, to Nevada residents with picture ID ... There are conditions, but one can secure four tickets at $10 to each of the above shows through Nov. 30.

With the exception of the top tickets, why not offer two-for-one deals or $10 tickets to residents through Dec. 24? ... Fill those empty seats, especially Sundays through Thursdays.

Nevada Dance Theatre's season opens with "Don Quixote," tonight through Sunday (Rio Samba Theatre) ... "Doubles," a comedy, starts a three-weekend run tonight (LV Little Theatre) ... "Machinal" opens tonight for two weekends at UNLV's Black Box Theatre ... Also tonight at 8 p.m., the Guess Who and Joe Cocker (Mandalay Bay Events Center).

UNLV's KUNV 91.5-FM will benefit from a special jazz concert featuring the Mary Stallings Trio and One For All, with Eric Alexander, Steve Davis, Jim Rotondi, David Hazeltine, Peter Farnsworth and Joe Washington, Sunday at 7 p.m. in Artemus Ham Hall ... Last call for the Rita Rudner Golf Tournament Monday at Stallion Mountain Country Club, benefitting Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada ... See you next Thursday.