Venetian Showroom scores a victory with ‘V’

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 8:26 a.m.

"V: The Ultimate Variety Show" is a galaxy of entertainers, each outstanding in his own right.

Jeff Hobson, the host (and comic/magician), keeps the 90-minute production moving at a fast clip, entertaining the audience between acts.

In some productions, Hobson might be considered a specialty act, one that is onstage while the star performers are preparing for their next routine.

"V" is a show made up of speciality acts -- acrobats, jugglers, magicians, comedians. It has been compared to "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Among the entertainers are:

Henderson vocalist Serena Henry, who belted out an R&B version of "Wind Beneath My Wings." Henry, 20, competed earlier this summer on the NBC reality series "Fame." She was one of the four finalists, losing out to Harlemm Lee of Michigan.

The New Dynasty Acrobats, four men from China who perform amazing feats of strength, balance and agility on poles.

New Dynasty has been with the production from the beginning, as have most of the acts.

Aerial Expressions, featuring Chris Santistevens and John Harms performing aerial acrobatics on bungee-like cords as they soar above the audience.

The husband-wife magician team of Nathan and Sarah Burton.

Comedian Russ Merlin, who has made a career out of a simple, but hilarious, routine that entails seating four volunteers onstage, putting funny masks on them and having them communicate with sign language.

Merlin also performs with "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo.

Speed juggler Anthony Gatto, who adds new twists to routines that have been around hundreds of years.

Physical comic Joe Trammel, who is new to the cast, also is the featured entertainer in "Crazy Girls" at the Riviera.

Gone from "V" is a team of motorcycle daredevils who drove their machines at high speeds inside a round cage.

Coming up, according to "V" producer David Saxe, is a Blue Man Group-like band that will provide segues between acts.

Saxe, 34, who has been in show business most of his life, decided to make stars out of the little guys, and the concept works.

In fact, it has worked so well that he is taking the show (with different casts) to other cities. He says eventually he hopes to have a "V" in every major market in the country, and in some international cities.

A three-month gig at the Tropicana in Atlantic City recently ended, but probably will return next year.

Saxe has signed a five-year deal, with a five-year option, with the owners of the IMAX theater at Pier 39 at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. "V" will debut there April 1.

Next year Saxe says he will open a production in Tokyo, and is looking at venues in Biloxi, Miss., among other locations.

The Vegas production will celebrate its first year at the controversial Showroom at The Venetian on Sept. 12, controversial because a series of shows closed abruptly during the venue's four-year history.

Common complaints were that producers weren't getting economically feasible deals at the Showroom, which was leased from The Venetian by H&H of Nevada.

H&H signed a 30-year lease with The Venetian when the property opened in 1999. Earlier this year the hotel decided to buy out the lease.

Effective Nov. 30, the Showroom will revert back to The Venetian.

Officials have not yet announced what they will do with the room, other than to say they are shopping around for something special.

Venetian President Robert G. Goldstein said earlier this year, "We are looking at putting in major productions, possibly Broadway shows."

The casts of two productions now at The Venetian hope they will have a place in its future.

Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance," which was evicted from New York-New York to make room for "Zumanity," occupies the 8 p.m. time slot Tuesdays through Sundays (with additional shows at 10:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays).

"V" performances are at 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Based upon the attendance at a recent mid-week show, it will be surprising if Saxe's production doesn't make the cut (if a cut is to be made).

About 700 fans turned out for the early show, including a number of families with children.

As Las Vegas publicizes to the world that it is a playground for adults, it's refreshing to see a quality show that anyone can enjoy.