The ‘Beats’ goes on again at The Venetian

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

"Beats of Passion," a successful international musical variety show that debuted at The Venetian last summer, has returned to the hotel's troubled showroom that has a reputation for grinding productions into confetti.

"Beats" bucked that trend. It was to have had a six-week run at the venue when it opened last July, but the energized revue ran for almost six months, closing in November.

That makes it one of the showroom's most successful productions. Only two shows have lasted longer -- "Melinda, First Lady of Magic," and impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon. Melinda has been there for two years, starting in July 2000. Gagnon was there slightly more than two years, beginning in May 1999 and closing in June 2001.

"Beats" opened Monday night in the wake of the recent closings of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," the tribute to Stevie Wonder; and "The Main Event," a musical biography of Frank Sinatra.

Fernando Quevedo, the 32-year-old producer and director of "Beats," says he is not nervous about the showroom's reputation.

"I have a good relationship with the owner," Quevedo said.

Quevedo referred to H&H of Nevada, which has a 30-year lease on the property. Quevedo said he was invited to bring the show back.

"I am also pretty confident because we have a good production that meets the demands of the audience," he said. "We do not have a niche show. We're not locked into Broadway or anything else."

The young producer is so confident that he is bringing a second show into The Venetian, which will debut Aug. 29. He describes "Sourire" as a "lavish French extravaganza." Its performances will be at 10 p.m. "Beats" is an 8 p.m. show.

Claude Thomas, a French producer who owns showrooms in Paris and Quebec, is associate producer of "Beats" and "Sourire."

Quevedo says "Sourire" is a "serious show that doesn't take itself seriously. It has everything from Cher to Pavarotti."

He said there have been no major changes in "Beats."

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Quevedo said.

He said the two shows will have at least one thing in common: Both are fast paced.

"I have my left foot in the old style of show business and my right foot in the new style," Quevedo said. "I like quick change. My attention span is not that long."

The theme of "Beats" is that of the entertainer's passion to perform.

"One of the things that attracted my attention to performers is, what will make a person rehearse for countless hours to throw a ball into the air and catch it," Quevedo said. "The answer is passion."

"Beats" brings back most of the cast of last year's production, which includes Quevedo's father, Tuco, a member of Los Huincas Gauchos. It also includes flamenco dancer Vanessa Alvarado and Stas Greiner, who spent seven years with "Mystere" at Treasure Island.

One person who will be absent is juggler Romano Frediani, who is performing in Australia. Replacing Frediani will be his father, Nino, considered by some experts to be one of the best jugglers in the world.

"This is an international revue, with literally performers from all over the world," Quevedo said.

Debbie Freeman, formerly with the Rockettes, is the show's choreographer. The lighting was designed by Jeff Pickett.

After "Beats" closed last year, Quevedo produced "Le Dinner Cabaret" at the Greek Isles. The production closed after three months, although it had several positive reviews. Quevedo said it was very difficult to find a following at the new venue.

With one show now in production and a second on the horizon, Quevedo says he and Thomas are looking at doing two more productions.

"We're negotiating with another property to place 'Le Dinner Cabaret,' " he said. "And we're are looking at something in Reno."