Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.
Magician Rick Thomas may have to saw himself in half.
Everybody seems to want a piece of the popular entertainer.
Rumors are that Thomas, whose contract is up in April, could be moving his popular afternoon show from the Tropicana to the Stardust this year. A spokesman for the Tropicana said no one with the organization knows anything about the rumor and declined comment.
However, the company is expected to make an announcement in the weeks ahead about redevelopment plans for the property, which is owned by Phoenix-based Aztar Corp.
Stardust spokesman Jim Seagrave said only that there have been negotiations between Thomas and Boyd Gaming (the Stardust's parent company), but no contract has been signed.
Thomas says, "It's nice to be wanted."
The Stardust wasn't the first venue connected to Thomas by rumor.
"The first rumors that came out were that I was going to the Wynn hotel," said Thomas, who has been the afternoon headliner at the Tropicana for eight years.
The 6-foot-4-inch former competitive ballroom dancer is delighted by all of the talk on the street about his future.
"It's great to have people talking about you like that," he said. "It must mean you are somebody."
Thomas remained noncommittal about specific plans for the future.
"I'm looking forward to a long stay in Las Vegas," he said.
He says his eight-year relationship with the Tropicana has been "awesome."
"If they could keep me, I think they would I'm just waiting to see what they will announce."
Thomas says he's as much in the dark about what's going on at the Tropicana as everyone else.
"They have done an excellent job of keeping everybody guessing," he said. "But the Tropicana has got to make an announcement, and then other announcements will follow. Everybody will have to say what's going on."
Amid discussion of his future, Thomas expressed gratitude toward the Tropicana.
"My allegiance to the Tropicana is unquestionable," he said. "The first day I walked in I said I want to make sure when my show comes to the Tropicana that the Tropicana prospers from the show -- if the hotel succeeds I will succeed.
"You go in making sure the hotel realizes you are in their court. It's not about, 'How much money can I make?' If they know it's a joint effort, that's the key -- I am there for them, and I will be there to give them everything I've got."
Thomas, by nature a workaholic, spends his time away from the Tropicana performing at corporate engagements, developing new illusions to keep his act fresh and touring the world.
"I'm a good ambassador for the hotel," Thomas said.
Whether Thomas remains at the Tropicana or moves to the Stardust -- or some other venue -- he says his future shows are going to grow.
"Whatever may come next, the show will be better," he said.
For the past eight years Thomas has shared the showroom with "Folies Bergere."
"Two shows have to work around each other," he said. "I'm proud of what we have been able to accomplish."
But because of the limited space he has had to curtail some of his illusions.
"There are magicians who know the illusions I have performed in the past," Thomas said. "The illusions are spoken about in the magical realm, and the magicians say they should be seen by the world.
"I can say that illusions unique to me will be back out there."
Thomas, a native of Long Beach, Calif., has been performing magic since age 7 -- professionally since age 13 -- developing his skills at the same time he was one of the nation's top-rated ballroom dancers. Thomas' graceful dance moves now are part of his act.
By age 18 Thomas was performing at Disneyland and eventually began working on cruise ships.
He has toured the world, including a five-year engagement in Guam from '92-'97.
It was in Guam that Thomas learned to train tigers, and he added the big cats to his production.
"I have always loved animals," he said. "When I was 13, I had birds in my act -- doves and cockatoos."
After becoming a successful international magician, Thomas landed a gig at the Tropicana.
"Mine is the most successful afternoon production in Las Vegas history," Thomas said.
Initially, Thomas wasn't thrilled about an afternoon show, but he says he has since been blessed with the time slot.
"I'm able to raise my family here -- to go home at night and play with the kids and tuck them in bed at night.
"I'm able to have a life with my family beyond the stage."
He and his wife, Kimberly (who once was his assistant onstage), have two children: Miranda, 10, and Brandon, 6.
"I have come to realize there are a lot of entertainers envious of my position," Thomas said. "I can go out at night to see other shows and have a family life -- it has been wonderful."
There also a lot of entertainers who only come to Vegas for the money.
"Some of them want to take the money and run," Thomas said. "But for the people who live in Las Vegas -- there is an awesome community here who knows the entertainers who want to be part of their community, and are not here just to make money off the Strip."
Thomas respects his audience, just as he respects his community.
"My show is not about the magic," he said. "It's about the hour the audience and I are together. I love watching them respond.
"It's an experience we all have, one that creates a memory. It's about us enjoying time together. The audiences soon realize they don't want a wall between you and them -- they are involved in the show. The magic is secondary. I make sure they are entertained first. If they are fooled in the process, that's icing on the cake."
Thomas credits his backstage crew with his success.
"There is a team of people fulfilling their own personal dreams, all doing together what is needed to make the show great," he said. "No man is an island. Every single job affects the group -- and my group of people have the talents it takes to make me look good.
"They are all winners."
It remains to be seen whether the group of winners will remain at the Tropicana or move on.
But Thomas is confident he will have an even brighter future in Vegas.
"The Tropicana doesn't want to lose me," Thomas said. "I'm a wanted man. It's a good feeling."
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