Columnist Joe Delaney: Will Mirage dwellers be calling out, ‘Oh, Romeo’?

Joe Delaney

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 8:27 a.m.

MGM MIRAGE, in announcing its arrangement with Cirque du Soleil, did not stress two other important aspects ... "Siegfried & Roy" will continue for the foreseeable future at The Mirage, but there will come a day, not that far in the future, when they will call it a day ... When they do, it would be an even-money bet their theater would be re-christened.

Darren Romeo is a personable young man with excellent stage presence and a fine singing voice, whose magic is extremely well-produced and performed, but he is nothing out of the ordinary ... There were approximately 400 in The Mirage audience at the show caught; a good many of which were invited ... The Siegfried & Roy Theatre seats 1,500 ... Very little positive buzz so far.

The second aspect of the MGM MIRAGE deal is that neither Caesars Palace, Park Place Entertainment, nor Steve Wynn can use the Cirque du Soleil name in the extravaganzas Franco Dragone will create for Celine Dion, scheduled to open in March 2003, and Steve Wynn later in this decade ... Dragone was a major contributor to both "O" and "Mystere."

Romeo's show differs from the others, especially his afternoon competition ... It is also more expensive at $30, but it does include one drink ... Its production values are also superior to those of the competition ... His break-even point also has to be much higher ... If he succeeds, he will raise the levels and returns for his competition as well.

Penn & Teller's new multiyear deal with The Rio in its Samba Theatre is one more good example of what we have been preaching in the column for years: Find the right star or act for the right room then build an identification with that hotel ... It has worked since the 1950s with production shows ... It is working now with star-policy attractions as well.

This will raise a hackle or two, but Park Place Entertainment did not really get into gear in regard to entertainment in Las Vegas until the passing of CEO Arthur Goldberg ... Check it out at the LV Hilton, especially with the Righteous Brothers, rotating with the Smothers Brothers and the Commodores, full time, plus hot weekend attractions.

Star-policy rundown

It's Gladys Knight (Flamingo Las Vegas); Society of Seven, 8 p.m., Amazing Johnathan, 10 p.m. (Golden Nugget); Mac King afternoons, Clint Holmes evenings (Harrah's); Righteous Brothers and Sheena Easton in separate rooms (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); George Carlin, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand).

There's more: Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Rita Rudner (New York-New York); An Evening with Burt Reynolds (Orleans); Aisha Tyler & Anthony Clark (Paris Las Vegas); Ronn Lucas afternoons, Scintas evenings, plus Penn & Teller in the Samba Theatre (Rio); and Marlene Ricci (Riviera).

And still more: "Bravo" starring Charo, and Steve Wyrick in separate theaters (Sahara); Crystal Gayle (Sam's Town); Lesley Gore, Shirley Alston Reeves, Little Peggy March and the Chiffons (Stardust); the Kingston Trio (Suncoast); Rick Thomas (Tropicana); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic (Venetian).

In recent columns, we have pointed out some of the people behind the scenes ... Dick Feeney, at the age of 50, is a very successful entrepreneur ... He has achieved success as a producer, director, arranger, musician and as an expert in producing and packaging shows ... Starting in his native Boston, he was a sought-after trumpet player who created his own group, which he soon outgrew.

Feeney knew early that show and business were two completely separate words ... The show must have quality; it must be profitable for both the producer and the venue; no business, no show.

"Viva Las Vegas" was created by Feeney as a slot promotion 12 years ago at the Sands 12 ... When the Sands was closed and imploded to be replaced by The Venetian, Feeney moved it to the larger Stratosphere Broadway Showroom, where it is still doing capacity two shows an afternoon, six days a week ... Others have since copied his mode of operation.

Breck Wall, creator of "Bottoms Up," approached Feeney ... Their efforts have given the fast-paced revue a new lease on life, afternoons at the Flamingo Las Vegas ... Currently, he is in partnership with Sandy Hackett at the Greek Isles Hotel, once the Debbie Reynolds Hotel, with two evening shows.

"A Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean" recreates the halcyon days of the original Rat Pack at the Sands, offering show or dinner with show as an option ... It is followed by the Sandy Hackett Comedy Club at 9 p.m., a show that offers a dinner option for just one dollar over the show price ... Both shows are now in a profit mode.

In both the Stratosphere and Flamingo Las Vegas shows, there is a modest ticket price or coupons which entitle one to the show for the price of one drink at approximately $5.95 ... Both shows are advertised; both are comparative bargains ... Likewise, the two shows at the Greek Isles, especially if one chooses the dinner option.

In addition to the Feeney productions, visitors would do well to check out the coupon deals and discounts offered by many shows during the summer months ... This is a break for locals who like to see shows and have friends visiting they would like to treat to a good but not costly afternoon or evening out ... See you Friday.