Columnist Jerry Fink: Production bottoms out at Flamingo

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 | 8:28 a.m.

"Bottoms Up" is out of the Flamingo.

The last performance of the afternoon hokey-but-fun topless burlesque show was Saturday.

About 400 fans witnessed the final show, which has been amusing people for 45 years -- starting in 1959 at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas.

The production, a creation of Breck Wall (who also stars), arrived in Vegas in 1964 and has rarely been without a home since. It first played at the now-defunct Castaways (which stood where the Mirage now stands). Wall then took the show to the now-defunct Hacienda, where Mandalay Bay now stands.

It was at Caesars Palace for about two years before moving to the International Hotel (now the Las Vegas Hilton) and then was at the Flamingo for two years beginning in 1971 before bouncing around to various other venues.

Its most recent stay at the Flamingo began four years ago.

"Bottom's Up" is a resilient show that always lands on its feet -- not its backside.

"I'm confident it will be back," said Wall, who stuck around after the final performance to clean out the dressing rooms.

The question is where.

"My only feeling about the closing is that I really loved the Flamingo and the staff," Wall said. "They were wonderful to me.

"But we will be running again. I'm not even worried about it."

Forbidden fruits

Some thin-skinned Vegas performers and producers may be cringing with the announcement that "Forbidden Las Vegas" will be debuting at the Westin on Nov. 19.

The production is patterned after the successful "Forbidden Broadway," a satirical show that, for the past 23 years, has lampooned Broadway shows and performers.

Gerard Alessandrini -- creator, writer and director of the original "Forbidden" -- is bringing the show to town with the help of producers Paul Reder and Rich Super.

Alessandrini says Vegas is ready to be satirized.

"There is probably more live entertainment in Vegas than New York," he said.

The format in Las Vegas will be the same as the one in New York -- taking an original song and changing the lyrics for comic effects.

Alessandrini says he isn't bothered by the fact that the Westin theater seats only about 300 and is several blocks east of the Strip.

"It's similar to the one on Broadway -- small, intimate, off the beaten path," he said.

Comedian David Brenner recently left the Westin for the Las Vegas Hilton, saying the Westin didn't promote him.

Fred Buro, chief marketing officer for Columbia Sussex (parent company of Westin), said the company learned from its experience with Brenner and will be helping to promote "Forbidden Las Vegas."

Oh, Roy

Roy Horn keeps amazing fans.

Half of the Siegfried & Roy team attends many performances of "Havana Night Club" at the Stardust. He and Siegfried Fischbacher (also a frequent guest) are presenters of the production, which has a cast of 53 performers from Cuba.

Following Monday night's show, Horn danced onstage with the cast. He wasn't Fred Astaire, but he moved to the rhythm of the Latin beat as best he could, which many found astounding.

Horn was on the brink of death after being injured by a tiger during a performance a year ago at the Mirage. He suffered a stroke and had other medical problems, from which many doubted he would recover.

Pal Joey

Las Vegas comedian Joey Villa is so busy these days he's in danger of shedding some of those 300 pounds he jokes about in his act.

In addition to participating in the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, this weekend the veteran stand-up comic (and friend of Frank Sinatra) will begin hosting a celebrity Sunday brunch in the Pavilion at the Golden Nugget.

The first brunch is only for invited guests. More dates will be announced later.

Brunch begins at 10:30 a.m. and the show starts at 11:45 a.m.

Among performers who will be joining Villa for the premiere are vocalists Clint Holmes, Michaelena, Mark Giovi, Frankie Randall, Tony Sacca and the Checkmates. Also appearing will be comedian Pete Barbuti, impressionist Rich Little and ventriloquist Ronn Lucas.

Villa, who earlier this year hosted a similar celebrity brunch at the Plaza, says various friends will drop by to help entertain during future brunches. He has a lot of friends to draw from after spending almost 50 years in the business.

Villa goes back to the early days of the Rat Pack. He was close friends with Sinatra and with Sinatra's closest friend, Jilly Rizzo. Villa gave a eulogy at Rizzo's funeral when the restaurateur and Sinatra ally was killed in a car crash in 1992 in Palm Springs, Calif.

Scary news

Scary magician Amazing Johnathan becomes even scarier as the Halloween season approaches.

Johnathan will perform several special Halloween shows Sunday through Wednesday and Friday through Oct. 31 at the Riviera. The performances will include clips from his favorite scary movies, guillotines, chain saws and a variety of surgical procedures.

Performances are at 10 p.m. nightly.

Fundraisers

The 38th annual Beaux Arts Ball will be held at 10 p.m. Thursday at MGM Grand's Studio 54.

The Ball benefits Golden Rainbow, an organization founded in 1986 to provide housing and financial assistance to the men, women, children and families living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

This year's event will feature performances by cast members from production shows including "Folies Bergere," "Jubilee!," "Midnight Fantasy," "Saturday Night Fever" and "We Will Rock You."

The winner of the best costume contest will receive $1,054.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For information call 384-2899.

Another worthwhile charitable event is "Showcase of Hope 2004," to be held for the Lutheran Social Services of Nevada at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Monte Carlo's Lance Burton Theater.

Holmes, Marlene Ricci, comedian Michael Goudeau and performers from "Mamma Mia!," "Jubilee!" and "Folies Bergere" will be among the celebrities performing for the fundraiser.

Proceeds will benefit a variety of programs supported by the Lutheran organization, including its food bank, emergency services, senior citizen and youth projects and a program for women in prison.

Tickets may be purchased at the Monte Carlo box office. For information call 730-7100.

And John Kaye & The Overlords will perform at a benefit for fallen law enforcement officers Saturday at MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas from noon until 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Choir Boys Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.

The day's activities begin at 9 a.m. at the Las Vegas Harley Davidson, 2605 S. Eastern Ave., with a registration for a Poker Run.

A Hawaiian Festival begins at MonteLago at 10 a.m.

Breast cancer awareness

Twelve-year-old singing sensation Facia will perform at noon Saturday during a breast cancer conference to be held at Nevada Partners Center, 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd. in North Las Vegas.

The conference, "Breast Cancer Undressed ...," is from 10 a.m until 3 p.m. There will be a number of speakers, including doctors and breast cancer survivors.

The event is in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To the Max

Colorful artist Peter Max is coming to Vegas.

The popular painter, whose work became an icon of the '60s, is set to open the Peter Max Gallery in the Forum Shops at Caesars,

The gallery will feature more than 100 pieces of Max's art, including original paintings, drawings and limited-edition prints. It will be open 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

Entertainment job fair

Minnie Madden's Callback News will host its first Entertainment Expo and Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Golden Nugget.

Originally called "Dirt Alert" when founded in 1989, the publication is an industry newspaper for performers.

Next week's expo will provide an opportunity for performers to meet with professionals who buy entertainment for hotels, cruise ships and other venues.

The free event is open to the public. For more information contact Callback News, 891-9222, or check the Web site www.callbacknews.com.

TI & NBA

The Sirens of TI, popular performers at the Treasure Island's Siren's Cove outdoor production, will sing the national anthem at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.

On Nov. 1 the scantily clad Sirens start their winter schedule with free performances nightly at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

X-ellent

What goes around comes around.

"X: An Erotic Adventure" debuted at the Aladdin in November 2002.

The topless show, a creation of producers Angela Sampras and Bobby Boling, closed about a year ago after the hotel took over the production's 400-seat theater to make room for magician Steve Wyrick.

On Oct. 30, "X" returns to the Aladdin, in another 400-seat venue -- the V Theater, which is in Desert Passage (about a half-mile hike down the hallway from Wyrick's theater).

Because of licensing issues, the eight "X" women must remain covered, but Boling says the cast "will be able to showcase many more of their unique talents."

You can see the talents at 10:30 nightly. Tickets are $49.95. For more information call 932-1818.