Columnist Joe Delaney: Evolving ‘Splash’ is emblematic of Riviera’s success

Joe Delaney

Thursday, June 27, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.

Last weekend the Riviera's "Splash" spectacular celebrated its 17th anniversary; a successful, award-winning work in progress, constantly improving, ever re-inventing itself ... Utilizing a large, attractive and talented cast, state-of-the-art production effects and top specialty acts, "Splash" is authentic Las Vegas, today.

The cast and management are involved in the community; a year-round commitment ... It is also extending its policy of two-for-one admissions for Nevada residents (who are required to carry valid picture IDs) throughout the summer, in addition to a free Chicken Whopper, with a coupon from designated Burger King outlets ... The Riviera also offers 11 other entertainment options.

"An Evening at La Cage," starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers, is also in its 18th year ... "Crazy Girls," starring tumult comedian Joe Trammel, is another long-running success story, while the Riviera Comedy Club features a new set of comedians each week ... John Caponera, Danny McMaster and John Caparulo are this week's Comedy Club lineup.

Recently the Riviera lounge was converted into the Le Bistro with four shows nightly: Jay White as Neil Diamond (7 p.m.); column-favorite singer, Marlene Ricci (8:30); musical comedian/impressionist Stephen Sorrentino (10 p.m.); and Trent Carlini as "The Dream King" (11:30), each appearing Tuesdays through Sundays, dark on Mondays. And there's more.

Starting July 1, Outrageous comedy/hypnotist Dr. Scott Lewis continues doing 7 p.m. shows, followed by Australian singer and top variety entertainer David Gilchrist, making his Las Vegas debut, at 8:30 ... Saturday nights, starting at 1 a.m., Lon Bronson and his All-Star Big Band with celebrity guests have sit-ins all night long.

With the exception of "Splash" and "The Dream King," all of the above shows are priced at under $30 plus tax and/or fees ... The "Dream King" has a $34.95 plus tax and fee tab, while the Lon Bronson Big Band requires a two-drink minimum, as does Jim LeBoeuf and the Naturals, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays through Sundays in Le Bistro.

The Le Bistro offerings are comparatively recent and there have already been a few departures and replacements ... Twelve shows may prove to be too many for one hotel ... Not so far ... The point is that four six-day-a-week shows have been doing well for years, four recent arrivals seem to be holding their own, and the other four fill out a full seven-day week schedule; no dark days.

Another point: Unlike The Venetian, with its Club C2K converted into a woefully inadequate (in every respect) showroom operated on a full four-wall basis with an onerous rental fee added -- where a number of worthwhile attempts have failed -- the Riviera does provide its attractions with proper showrooms, adequate backstage facilities and full technical cooperation.

In last Thursday's column we neglected to add that Charo survived at The Venetian by believing in "Bravo," working for the love of it, but finally "escaped," and is doing very nicely in the Sahara Congo Room ... Melinda, First Lady of Magic, deserves a similar break.

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); Smothers Brothers and Sheena Easton, separate theaters (LV Hilton); Carrot Top, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand); and Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage).

There's more: Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Rita Rudner (New York-New York); Vicki Lawrence and Mama (Orleans); Peter Frampton (Paris Las Vegas); Ronn Lucas afternoons, Scintas evenings, plus Penn & Teller in the Samba Theatre (The Rio); Marlene Ricci (Riviera); and "Bravo" starring Charo and Steve Wyrick in separate theaters (Sahara).

And still more: Don Rickles and Lorna Luft (Stardust); Rhonda Shear's Comedy Pajama Party (Suncoast); Rick Thomas (Tropicana); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic, 6 p.m., plus Melissa Manchester and Peabo Bryson in "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," 8 p.m. (The Venetian).

Musical director and trombonist John Haig, a major contributor in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus from 1988 until its closing in 2000, has assembled a handpicked 17-musician orchestra for the fifth annual "Lamont Patterson Big Band Dance," July 1 at 7 p.m. in the Stardust Ballroom ... Haig's Caesars Palace orchestra was a consistent award-winner.

Haig, the orchestra and vocalists Ginnie Pallone and James Stanton will feature arrangements made popular by the top big bands plus original Sinatra charts ... There will also be a Salute to the Armed Forces ... Patterson was an LV-based jazz and entertainment columnist ... Before his death in 1997 he provided funds for a University of Nevada, Las Vegas music scholarship plus these annual big band dances, free but with a ticket.

Congrats to the Scintas, extended until 2006 at The Rio ... The Rio is another hotel that believes in multiple entertainment selections with five other excellent choices ... Please support the Sun Summer Camp Fund by calling 385-3111 ... See you Friday.