Columnist Joe Delaney: Anderson deserves a showroom of his own

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 3, 2002 | 10:10 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4066.

Bob Anderson is back where he belongs, starring in a Las Vegas showroom, even if it is a truncated, transformed nightclub at The Venetian ... It is interesting to note that the show, "The Main Event," is billed as "An Unauthorized Biography of the Sinatra Era," but Anderson does not portray Old Blue Eyes ... Anderson replicates all the other stars associated with Sinatra.

Anderson also starred in the Atlantic City version of the show, which closed recently after a good run ... There aren't too many singing impressionists who can equal the variety and accuracy of Anderson's repertoire ... Clint Holmes' forte at Harrah's is not doing impressions, but Holmes' career in Las Vegas draws certain parallels with Anderson, who is still looking for a showroom to call his own.

Anderson's Las Vegas appearances have included starring in Christmas productions in Caesars Palace Circus Maximus; intimate nightclub settings at the Top of the Dunes (site of Bellagio); and at the Stardust on his own ... Anderson was very well received as an opening act for Don Rickles in the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater, and later starring in the Hilton's NightClub.

In 1999 Anderson had a long run at New York City's elegant Plaza Hotel, during which noted New York Post columnist Liz Smith wrote, "Don't miss the incredible singer and impressionist Bob Anderson ... in the Edwardian Room. Walter Winchell would have given him an orchid. Heck, I'll give him two."

In our book, Anderson rates right up there with Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Buddy Greco and Sonny King as a saloon singer ... Perhaps this engagement will lead to that room of his own, but it will take the kind of support that Harrah's has given to Holmes ... Anderson has been a model of consistency through the years in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

Weekend wrap-up

Add the two Fiestas, Rancho and Henderson, as places to observe Cinco de Mayo ... Action starts at 4 p.m. today and continues through Sunday with food, beverages and continuous entertainment with various tribute bands doing the music of Santana, ZZ Top, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, plus Foghat, Sunday festivals and firework displays.

Other choices include Paul Rodriguez and his Crown Royal Comedy Jam (Hilton); George Lopez (Paris Las Vegas) and Celiz Cruz (Sam's Town) ... In commenting on Gale Baker's "Neon Queens," a book on the showgirls so vital to our town's continued success, we neglected to mention that the paperbacks are available at Border's Bookstores.

Our pleasant memories -- and there are many -- of Phyllis Diller, making her farewell stand-up comedy performance at Suncoast this weekend, include her visits to our television shows in the 1960s and 1970s, when she would actually cook her specialty, garbage soup, and come through whenever called upon for local happenings ... She is a very special lady.

"How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying" starts a two-weekend stand tonight at 8 o'clock in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Judy Bayley Theatre ... Saturday at 8 p.m., the Las Vegas Philharmonic concludes its most successful season yet with special guest, violin virtuoso Stefan Milenkovich, in UNLV's Ham Hall ... Congrats, all.

UNLV Opera Theatre One Acts, with the accent on comedy, will be performed in the Black Box Theatre this weekend ... Community College of Southern Nevada's annual Spring Dance Concert is at 7:30 tonight and Saturday, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday ... Actors Repertory Theatre's "The Foreigner" opens tonight for three weekends (Summerlin Library Theatre).

Boyd Coulter's Good Time Band plays for dancing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Charleston Heights Center) ... There will be a Cinco de Mayo Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (Lorenzi Park) ... Also on Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunset Park, it's the Las Vegas Jazz Society's annual, free Jazz Picnic, with the Tom Ehlen Big Band, Centennial High School Jazz Band and Caliente Latin Ensemble.

Reminder: May 12 is Mother's Day ... Treat her to the annual Joe Williams Scholarship Fund Concert at 2 p.m. in The Orleans Showroom, with performances by Anderson, Holmes, Pete Barbutti and the CCSN All-Star Band, plus special guest Barbara Morrison ... Order tickets today ... Support the Sun Summer Camp Fund, as well ... See you next Thursday.