Columnist Jerry Fink: Gallagher could be smash hit

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 | 8:55 a.m.

Gallagher, the prop-comic known for smashing watermelons and splattering fans in his audience, would be a welcome edition to the Sahara's entertainment lineup.

No contract has been signed and no specific dates or ticket prices have been set, but officials say he is being considered as a strong possibility for the busy period of late winter, early spring.

The sometimes controversial comic (in 1993 he was accused of insulting the audience at the Sands in a highly publicized incident) has a rabid, almost cultlike following among young adults.

Young adults are in abundance in Vegas during the March Madness and Final Four college basketball frenzies -- not to mention spring break -- which might make Gallagher a good choice for the Sahara Theatre.

R-rated hypnotist Justin Tranz, another entertainer with a strong youth following, will premiere at the Sahara on Thursday in plenty of time for the upcoming activities.

Sahara entertainment director Ron Garrett said the combination of Gallagher and Tranz would put the Sahara in good shape to attract the young crowds.

One person who gives Gallagher a connection to the Sahara is his producer, Bill Caron -- who also produces the hit "Platters, Drifters and Coasters" in the Sahara's Congo Room.

Tranz, whose act borders on X-rated, will be sharing the Congo Room with the "Platters, et al." His show will begin at 10 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays. Tranz had been at O'Sheas for five years before ending that gig last summer.

Garrett says he is still looking for either a production show or a headliner for the theater.

"We either want to put in a show there or we are looking for headliners to perform three or four days, or two to three weeks, at a time," he said.

He says he has been flooded with proposals from producers.

"Most of them are excellent," Garrett said.

He was impressed by the recent appearance at the Sahara by Connie Francis, a rock 'n' roll icon of the '50s and '60s. She sold out the day before New Year's Eve and on New Year's Day.

"There's no business on the night of New Year's Eve," he said. "The streets are closed at 6 p.m. and you can't get in or out -- it's like being captured. Once you're here, you have to stay. Locals avoid the Strip on that night."

Boy wonder

Fourteen-year-old Chris Iorio was born to play the guitar.

The 8th grade student at Greenspun Junior High School can be seen and heard beginning at about 9 p.m. tonight and Saturday at Jack's Irish Pub in Palace Station.

He performs there a couple of weekends a month. Because the pub serves food, it's OK for pre-adults to be in the room.

Iorio is lead guitarist for the rock band Old School, whose other three members are in their 30s.

"I love playing music with them," Iorio said. "They are great musicians, and great people."

Even though they may be a little old.

While the teen is a genius on the guitar, he hopes to become a vocalist, too.

Iorio might have to wait for his voice to change to seriously pursue that aspect of entertainment. Meanwhile, he is taking singing lessons in preparation for when that day arrives.

Chris' mother, Anne, says she has no idea where he gets his awesome talent. She's an executive casino host at Harrah's. Her husband, Paul, is a loan officer and an amateur on the guitar.

"My husband plays the guitar, and when Chris was 7 or 8 he told his father he wanted to learn to play," Anne said. "So Paul worked with him through his first book of lessons and then couldn't teach him anymore, so we got him guitar lessons."

Pete Thoennes was his first instructor, but Thoennes recently moved to Los Angeles and has been replaced by Vince Lauria.

Iorio has been taking lessons for more than five years. Unlike some young musicians, he doesn't have to be threatened to practice. He is eager for his daily two- or three-hour sessions.

"I look forward to practicing," he said. "On weekends I get to practice as much as I want, which is pretty much all day."

Iorio, an only child, is in his school's jazz band, but he has interests other than music -- including video games and football.

"Sometimes he has a few kids over to play," Anne said. "But he gets kind of bored. He's mostly around adults."

Iorio was discovered a year or so ago by Shawn Eiferman, former lead guitarist and vocalist for the Las Vegas band Epstein's Mother.

Eiferman used to host the Guitar Bar sessions at Fiesta Henderson.

"We used to go to the Fiesta to have pizza and watch the performers at the Guitar Bar," Anne said. "Shawn would run a long wire from the bar to the restaurant so Chris could play."

Last summer Iorio spent a week at Camp Jam in Atlanta, a rock 'n' roll music camp founded by Jeff Carlisi (former lead guitarist and songwriter of the platinum-selling rock band .38 Special).

While in Atlanta, Iorio was featured on CNN when it aired a segment on the camp. He also appeared in People magazine.

When the 34-year-old Eiferman formed Old School three months ago, he chose Iorio to be the lead guitarist. Vince Guarnere is the lead singer and Anthony Bronsden the bassist. Eiferman also is the group's drummer.

"They treat (Chris) as an equal," Anne said.

She isn't a show business mother, pushing her son into a performing career.

"I'm letting it take its natural course," Anne said.

Iorio wants to be a professional musician.

"I love music," he said. "Right now my favorite is rock 'n' roll, but I play a lot of blues and jazz, too."

When he isn't busy practicing, Iorio also gives guitar lessons. His class includes two pre-teens, who have a lot of respect for the old man.

Crazy juggler

Las Vegas entertainers cover the age range -- from 14-year-old guitar sensation Iorio to 65-year-old comic juggler Nino Frediani, once billed as the fastest juggler in the world.

Frediani is a speciality act in "Crazy Girls" at the Riviera, performing his internationally acclaimed speed-juggling act. He recently replaced his juggling son, Romano, when Romano got a gig in Akron, Ohio.

Frediani says he has a six-month contract, with an option.

He first arrived in Vegas in 1980 to perform with "City Lights" at the Flamingo and stayed on when the revue was replaced in 1995 by the "Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular."

Frediani, who was born in Portugal, spent the early years of his life traveling the world -- first with the family circus and then in nightclubs and other venues.

After "Radio" closed in 2000, Frediani again went on the road, performing in Palm Springs, Calif., and other locations.

And he and his wife, Kinuko, opened a water store at 8221 W. Charleston Blvd.

"We sell purified water," Frediani said. "People may not be aware of the terrible quality of the water you get from the taps in Las Vegas."

Last summer Frediani left the store for a three-month tour with a small circus he and a partner, Serge Barrello, created. They performed on Indian reservations, military bases and in small towns in the Southwest.

"Serge is French-Italian," Frediani said. "He was one of the best wire acts in the world when he was a young man."

Their stages included basketball courts, rodeo grounds and civic centers.

"We had three RVs and a truck to pull a cargo trailer for our props and the concession stand," Frediani said. "We had a Mexican family and a Russian family. There were 15 of us."

He played the role of a clown and also performed his juggling routine. The circus troupe included balancing acts, contortionists and other performers.

Frediani said it was like returning to his youth, when he traveled around Europe with his circus family.

"It was different than Europe, though," Frediani said. "In Europe when you go to a small town you find the priest and tell him you want to perform and he lectures you a little bit about not using profanity.

"In America it's more like, 'OK, make sure you leave the place clean,' and 'Are you insured?' "

King ill

The venerable Sonny King is under the weather and won't be hosting his weekly revue, "Off the Cuff," at the Bootlegger tonight and Saturday.

Pinch-hitting for the 82-year-old entertainer will be singer/dancer/comedian Nelson Sardelli.

"I was asked by the powers that be (Bootlegger owner Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt) to attempt to substitute for Sonny over the weekend," Sardelli said.

"Off the Cuff" features entertainment by a variety of performers who drop by for the evening, often after finishing their gigs on the Strip.

Sardelli has called many of his show business friends to join him onstage for his two-day engagement.

"Of course it is important that you realize that the fact that I've called on them does not mean they will show up," he said.

Pianist Tommy Deering and his trio will provide the music.

King is expected to return next weekend.

'Havana' extended

"Havana Night Club -- The Show," a hit at the Stardust for the past four months, has been extended through April 11.

"I am elated to extend my show's run in Las Vegas," creator, producer and director Nicole Durr said. "I think our show is proof that art is universal in its appeal."

The production, which explores the history of dance in Cuba, features a cast of 50 classically trained singers, dancers and musicians from Cuba.

The troupe made international headlines in November when all but three applied for political asylum. The three who did not apply have since returned to Cuba.

Since its worldwide debut in 2000, the production has visited more than 17 countries and been performed for more than two million fans.

The production is co-directed by Emmy award-winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega. Michael Cotton, known for his work with Gloria Estefan, Michael Jackson and Aero- smith, designed the sets in collaboration with Durr, who also designed the costumes.

Siegfried & Roy are the show's presenters.

Page in Primm

International singing star Patti Page, one of the biggest-selling female artists of all time, is used to performing in small towns.

There's a boulevard named after Page in her native Claremore, Okla., a thoroughfare that runs parallel to Will Rogers Boulevard, named after another famous Sooner. (Actually, Rogers was from Oologah, 13 miles northwest of Claremore, but the late humorist noted that no one knew how to pronounce it, much less spell it.)

The 76-year-old Page should feel right at home at Whiskey Pete's in Primm for her performance at 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $27.45.

She will be singing some of her classic hits, including "Old Cape Cod," "Allegheny Moon," "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte," "(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window" and her biggest-selling record, "Tennessee Waltz."

Page also will sing songs from her more recent release, "Child of Mine," a 13-song collection of children's favorites that was produced by Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Jon Vezner.

During her illustrious career Page has sold more than 100 million records, including 15 gold records and four gold albums.

"Tennessee Waltz" sold 10 million records and was No. 1 on the pop, country and R&B charts.

'Purple Foxes' party

Several entertainers will pay tribute Saturday to members of the Marine Corps' "Purple Foxes," performing at a private send-off party for members of the elite group of helicopter pilots headed for Iraq.

The Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, which was organized during the Vietnam War, is frequently called on for rescue missions behind enemy lines, often working under intense enemy fire.

Organizers say 25 of the squadron's 38 members will attend the party at Turnberry Place's Stirling Club. Among the members is Capt. Bill McKelvey, an airline pilot and Turnberry resident.

The event, to be catered by Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, will be hosted by Turnberry entertainment director Kelly Clinton and will feature such performers as the Scintas and impressionist Gordie Brown.

'Wheel' in Vegas

"Wheel of Fortune" will begin taping three weeks of shows at the Las Vegas Hilton on Jan. 21.

The shows will tape for three consecutive days before audiences of more than 4,000 per taping. The shows will air during February sweeps.

The taping will be take place Jan. 21 for the game show's "Las Vegas Week," Jan. 22 for "Sweethearts Week" and Jan. 23 for "Big Money Week."

Splish Splash

"Splash" is making waves.

KR Entertainment, producer of "Splash," has announced a number of changes to the long-running production at the Riviera, building up to the 20th anniversary celebration in May.

Changes include:

Scott Jordan joins the cast as lead male vocalist. He once was a singer for the British company of "Chippendales."

Chris Barber is the new company manager for the production. Seth Griffith is the new operations manager and Kenny Wizz is the new performance director.

Oksana Howard performs a tribute to Madonna.

Speciality acts include traditional Argentinian entertainers "Los Latin Cowboys"; The Richard Brothers (a juggling act); daredevil motorcyclists "Riders of the Thunderdome" and international skating stars Mikhail Panin and Margarita Barber.

"Splash" debuted June 21, 1985.

Odds and ends

Comedians/producers Cort McCown and Paul Hughes host the "Hollywood Comedy Tour" at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palms' The Lounge. Guest comedians will include Godfrey (the 7-Up commercial Guy) and Jon Reep (the Hemi commercial guy). Tickets are $25.

Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes is back at work after surgery for colon cancer Dec. 22. He returned Monday.

Frank Sinatra tribute artist Gary Anthony has joined the cast of "Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean" at the Greek Isles. The production includes co-producer Sandy Hackett as Joey Bishop; Louis Velez as Sammy Davis Jr.; Pete Wilcox (and sometimes Andy DiMino) as Dean and Stacey Nicole as Marilyn Monroe. Anthony also performs his tribute at Casa di Amore on Fridays, backed by keyboardist Dennis Mellen and saxophonist Rick Jones.

Soul-pop singer Gladys Knight, headliner at the Flamingo, has released a gospel album, "One Voice." The CD, available in most music stores, features 15 songs and introduces guest artists NXL and John Fluker, as well as the special bonus track duet by Knight and Bebe Winans ("Make Time to Love").

Danny Gans invited 120 Coronado High School teachers to his show last week and introduced them as a group of celebrities.

"They are with our children more hours in the day than parents are," said Gans, who often invites police officers and firefighters to his show. "These people have a tremendous effect on our kids."

Gans also invited 70 teachers and their spouses from Vandenberg Elementary School to his show last weekend.

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