Columnist Joe Delaney: Lucas talking up a storm during his Rio run

Joe Delaney

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 8:37 a.m.

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

Ronn Lucas, "the man who can make anything talk," combines elements of stand-up comedy, improvisation, audience interaction and contemporary ventriloquism, usually with hilarious results, 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays in the Rio's Copacabana Showroom ... Lucas is in through Oct. 7; we predict a return for an extended run.

What sets Lucas apart from the standard stand-up comedy act is that half of his time is spent making other people -- and other things -- talk ... He can make a basketball heckle the audience as he blows up a balloon ... He often trades jokes with his microphone or has a toaster join him singing rounds on "Row, Row, Row, Your Boat."

As a highlight, often to close the performance, he will randomly pick a member of the audience and turn him into a life-size dummy who delivers funny one-liners and even dances a few steps ... There are several unusual dummies: Scorch and Buffalo Billy, who are regular contributors, in addition to a host of everyday objects.

Lucas was just 7 when he saw a television show on which ventriloquist Edgar Bergen apparently made a baby talk, then brought his caustic wooden companion, Charlie McCarthy, onstage with very funny results ... Lucas then purchased a record album entitled "Instant Ventriloquism" by Jimmy Nelson, a ventro-comic best known for his Nestle chocolate commercials.

A workaholic, Lucas performed wherever and whenever he could, often ringing up as many as 500 appearances a year ... His hard work led to his winning a number of prestigious comedy competitions, including the National Laff-Off Championship on Showtime ... This led to a two-year run on Broadway in "Sugar Babies."

During this period he made appearances on "Night Court" and "L.A. Law," receiving an Emmy nomination for the latter ... He hosted his own weekly television special in Great Britain for four years.

Lucas is as well known in Europe and elsewhere abroad as he is in the United States ... He has performed twice for England's royal family, as well as for Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and recently, George W. Bush ... Afternoon entertainment in Las Vegas has just taken a giant step forward.

Weekend wrap-up

Reminder: There are two outstanding choices Saturday evening -- Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's Grand Slam for Children at 8 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena, with performances by Don Henley, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Brian McKnight and Ray Romano .... Also at 8 p.m., UNLV's prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series starts its new season with the Philadelphia Orchestra, directed by Wolfgang Sawallisch, in Artemus Ham Hall ... Tickets are still available.

Sunday, 3-5 p.m. in the Orleans showroom, Bob Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Serena Henry, the Lettermen, Bobby Rydell, Rita Rudner, Sgt. Randy Sutton, Larry White and the Newport Jazz Connection will appear in a sold-out benefit for seriously ailing Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Bobby Kintzel, struck by a stolen car while on duty ... KJUL 93.1-FM's Duke Morgan will emcee.

Marv Koral and his Jazz All-Stars Reunion with Carl Fontana, trombone; Gus Mancuso, piano; Bob Badgley, bass; Pat Sherrod, drums; and Koral on flute and clarinet will now perform on Thursdays, starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Jazzed Cafe and Vinoteca on West Sahara ... Friday's jazz is at Pogo's and on Monday, it's at the Riviera.

KUNV 91.5-FM, our town's best jazz radio station, part of UNLV, will present a special fund-raising jazz concert on Oct. 21 at Artemus Ham Hall ... More to come ... See you next Thursday