Ovation Theatre becomes a Saxe solo

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | 8:37 a.m.

After a lifetime in show business, producer David Saxe might have the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I've been in the business 20 years," the 34-year-old Saxe said. 'Now, I have a chance to own and operate my own venue."

His chance struck like lightning, precipitating a number of whirlwind changes that had some heads spinning.

On Thursday Saxe signed an agreement to buy the Ovation Theatre at the Aladdin from Martin-Harris Construction. Martin-Harris had owned the 30,000-square-foot space since foreclosing on the property when the Seville Restaurant went bankrupt last year.

Friday night Saxe closed "Ovation," the revue he and co-producer John Stuart debuted at the room in November. Earlier this year Stuart bought out Saxe and became the sole producer of the production, which generally had good reviews.

Monday Saxe moved his production "V, The Ultimate Variety Show" from the 860-seat Showroom at The Venetian to his new 400-seat digs at the Aladdin, replacing "Ovation."

Saxe says the loss in seating capacity might hurt attendance somewhat, but he will compensate by adding shows instead of 11 shows a week, there will be 14. "We anticipate every show being sold out," he said.

The urgency to find a new home for "V" was caused by The Venetian closing its showroom for remodeling. Also displaced by the room's closure was Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance," which has not announced a new home.

"V" and "Ovation" were virtually the same kind of productions, with five or six speciality acts normally used in larger productions to divert audiences during scene changes.

Saxe says he will keep the best of each production and create "V2" (for V squared).

On May 29 he is scheduled to debut another version of "V" in San Francisco. Some of the acts in the Vegas productions may end up in the City by the Bay.

Saxe is excited about his latest opportunity.

"I have seen venues mismanaged my whole life," said Saxe, son of dancer-choreographer Bonnie Saxe (formerly of "Folies Bergere") and the late bandleader Richard Saxe. "I know how to do it right."

Saxe started working in the business at age 5, helping his dad set up for shows at the Tropicana.

In 1986, at age 16, he began helping co-produce a magic act at Bourbon Street featuring his sister, Melinda. When he was 20 he produced "Girl's Night Out" and "Ecstasy."

On his production plate now, in addition to "V," is "Showgirls of Magic," at the San Remo, and several other projects.

"I'm going to have top-notch everything," Saxe said of his new showroom. "The theater will have one of the best shows in Las Vegas. We're going to put that room on the map."

He may have to put it on the map. Not a lot of people are aware of the venue nestled inside Dessert Passage, which is noted for its dining and shopping venues rather than entertainment.

The Aladdin venue originally was the nightclub and restaurant Sevilla, which briefly featured Charo in "Bravo" last year. Stuart, best known for creating "Legends in Concert" at the Imperial Palace, produced Charo's show.

Financial difficulties forced the Sevilla owners into bankruptcy.

Martin-Harris foreclosed on the property and developed the space as an investment. In addition to the Ovation Theatre, the venue includes the OV Cafe and OV Bar outside the theater.

In an earlier interview, Bill Hibbard, the chief financial officer of Martin-Harris, said, "We are building it into an operating entity to make it available for sale. We will stay in it as long as we can produce a profit, and until we can get a reasonable offer. General contractors don't generally stay in theaters very long."

Saxe was the first to come up with the reasonable offer.

He says he is looking at other productions for the venue, including the filming of television shows from the location.

"I'm weighing my options, picking the best things," Saxe said.

In addition to "Ovation," the Ovation Theatre included an afternoon dance show, "All U Can Dance," and a dinner theater production, "Ba Da Bing."

The fate of those two shows is not yet known. For now Saxe said they will continue.

Although the Showroom at The Venetian may have been a better location, in terms of foot traffic, Saxe says "V's" showtimes at the Aladdin will be better. At The Venetian performances were at 6 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. At the Aladdin they are at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Ovation property includes multiple rooms that have not been utilized. Saxe says in addition to theater productions, he is looking to develop nightclubs, restaurants and other venues.

But "V2" is his main concern at the moment.

"We will have the best acts I know of in the world," he said. "Out of the top 10 acts in the world, I've got seven of them."