Columnist Joe Delaney: Comedy reigns supreme at local venues this weekend

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001 | 8:28 a.m.

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

Comedy comes in infinite varieties and this weekend the choices are outstanding, with comedic current-events commentator David Brenner (Golden Nugget); philosopher, iconoclast and erudite semanticist George Carlin (MGM Grand); the haiku-like, funny, male vs. female observations of Rita Rudner (New York-New York); and the classic "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" roles, in reverse order, portrayed by Don Rickles (Stardust).

Lance Burton is off this week, and his Monte Carlo Theatre offers a comedic double feature with the off-the-wall approach of Dom Irrera and the rants of John Pinette, both graduates of Mitzi Shore's Comedy Store at the Dunes in the late 1980s.

There are several local comedy clubs: "Catch a Rising Star" (Excalibur) with Pat Gowin and Kevin Johnson; Harrah's Improv showcasing Jerry Hotz, Jack Thomas and Becky Pedigo; the Comedy Club (Riviera) presenting Clayton Jackson, Bill Robinson and Shyama Hogue; plus the Tropicana Comedy Stop with Richie Byrne and Cynthia Koury as this week's attractions. Meanwhile "The Second City" is a comedic production show.

Impressionists rely on comedy, usually in the form of satire, with Danny Gans (Mirage) as the hottest ticket in this genre ... Bill Acosta's "Lasting Impressions" (Flamingo Las Vegas) is the closest contender and $20 less costly ... Robbie Howard and the Walkers in "Stars of the Strip" (Lady Luck) are a Casino Center comedy bargain, an afternoon show for a drink with a coupon.

The Scintas (Rio) combine music, comedy and impressions laced with humor ... Hawaii's musical ambassadors, the Society of Seven, are at the LV Hilton NightClub with an occasional impression or two ... Frank Marino uses Joan Rivers as his comedic vehicle, starring in "An Evening At La Cage" (Riviera).

"Blue Man Group -- Live at Luxor" belongs in any listing of shows with a high laugh quotient, as does "The Best of Bottoms Up" with Breck Wall, David Harris and Sue Motsinger as the main mirth-makers, in a revue format (Flamingo Las Vegas) ... Another example of vintage Las Vegas is "Viva Las Vegas," a revue with three completely different comedic practitioners, Dave Swan, Bruce Michelson and Golden Joe Baker, a most unusual Elvis Presley.

Comedy with magic can be found along with an excellent dinner at Caesars Magical Empire ... The Amazing Johnathan (Golden Nugget, evenings) is funny but with borderline good taste, while Mac King (Harrah's, afternoons) garners the most laughs and always with impeccable taste and timing ... Michael Holly (Sahara) uses magic and a bit of a variety smorgasbord, also in the afternoon.

Hypnotists create comedy by inducing willing members of the audiences to make fools of themselves ... Justin Tranz' "Hip-nosis" (O'Sheas) has been doing this here for a while, as has Dr. Naughty (Bourbon Street) ... "Benjamin, the Wildman, X-rated Comedy Hypnotist" is recent at Howard Johnson on West Tropicana, and coming shortly, a female hypnotist (Casino Royale).

In addition to Rudner and a few female comedians in comedy clubs, there are two regulars: Michele LaFong, who combines ventriloquism and impressions at Bourbon Street, and Carole Montgomery, the comedy star of "Crazy Girls" (Riviera) ... "Showgirls of Magic" features a very physical Joe Trammel in a nonstop comedic decathlon (San Remo).

One more impressionist: Neil Diamond's favorite person doing Neil Diamond is Jay White, who will be doing his "Neil Diamond Tribute" tonight through Saturday at the Castaways ... There are two superstar tribute shows, mostly for the music: "Legends In Concert" (Imperial Palace) and "American Superstars" (Stratosphere).

Production shows, etc.

Try "O" (Bellagio); or "Tournament of Kings" (Exalibur); "Storm" (Mandalay Bay); "EXF Alive" starring Rick Springfield (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); "Thunder From Down Under" (New Frontier); "Lord of the Dance" (New York-New York); "Splash" (Riviera); "Mystere" (Treasure Island); "Folies Bergere" (Tropicana); "Melinda, First Lady of Magic" (Venetian).

Lorna Luft made a believer out of me with her brilliant concert appearances at the Desert Inn just before it closed ... Judy Garland's daughter makes Rickles' show at the Stardust one of the best entertainment combinations in town this weekend ... Clint Holmes (Harrah's) is a musical experience, contemporary material rendered with near-perfection bu a super song salesman.

Show producer ("Viva Las Vegas") and Vegas marketing expert ("Bottoms Up") Dick Feeney has a new production, "Miss Pearl's Cathouse Revival & Dinner Show," which had showcase performances recently ... Comedian David Iannaci, Tami Pryce, Len Talarico, Lance Cangy, Shannon Bradford, Jeannie Duran, Emily Ellis and Robin gave the period-piece production an all-out effort.

Ianacci is a versatile comedian, scoring heavily in a variety of characterizations, while Talarico was equally effective in the dinner show portion and the "Cathouse Revival" ... This would be a natural for a middle-sized showroom with dinner-service capability, offering a variety show with strong nostalgic values, plus robust comedy ... See you Friday.

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