A whole new meaning

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 | 8:48 a.m.

Growing up black and Jewish in Beverly Hills was a challenge.

So was being the daughter of brilliant, ground-breaking comedian Richard Pryor.

Rain Pryor put her unique life under a microscope during her "Fried Chicken & Latkes: A One Woman Experience" concert at the Tropicana's Comedy Stop last week.

The 36-year-old performer has been touring with her one-woman show off-and-on for the past two years, but it has acquired special meaning since her father died on Dec. 10 of a heart attack following a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Rain Pryor's performance kicked off the five-day Las Vegas Comedy Festival, which ended Saturday.

This year's festival was dedicated to her father.

The festival, first produced in 2002 at the Stardust, included daily workshops and seminars for aspiring comedians and two nightly comedy showcases.

"I'm black and a Jew," Pryor said. "Shalom, my brothers."

Hers is a touching tribute to her father as well as an autobiographical presentation that sometimes is funny, sometimes sad, sometimes shocking, but never dull.

Pryor tells her fascinating story using song and comedy and raw characters who have been a major part of her life -- including her father's grandmother, who ran a house of prostitution.

She doesn't try to be her father onstage, although her facial features look a lot like his, and when the occasion calls for it she does a chilling impression of him.

Pryor doesn't dwell too long on the negatives, but, like her father, she isn't afraid to speak from the heart, no matter how painful it might be.

She talked of a father who was often absent because he was working or doing drugs.

But then he would attend her school performances and be there for her when she stubbed her toe.

"That was my daddy," she said. "He would take me fishing with him; he would kiss my toe -- he was a hands-on daddy, but the struggle for his attention was tough."

Pryor was 12 years old when her father set himself on fire while using cocaine, an incident that made international headlines.

"My dad tried to kill himself," she said.

She quipped that she and her mother, from where the Jewish lineage came, went to the hospital and sat in the waiting room.

"The nurse came out and said 'Mrs. Pryor,' and eight women stood up," Pryor said. "My dad was afflicted with WWD -- white woman's disease."

She described his father as a complex man whom she admired.

"I loved my dad, I feared my dad," Pryor said. "When he was diagnosed with MS, he told me it stood for 'more (expletive).'

"But it slowed his life down enough to let us kids in."

She said she saw her father the last time on Nov. 29.

"I rubbed his head; I rubbed his hand; I told him I would do everything I could to find a cure for MS," she said. "And I told him I loved him."

Comedy Festival

Speaking of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, Marty Fischer took over as producer this year.

Fischer (of Gold Star Entertainment in New York) has been involved in comedy -- managing comedians and producing shows -- for about 15 years.

"I have helped people with several comedy festivals around the country," Fischer said. "I see this as an opportunity to take the Las Vegas Comedy Festival to a new level."

The festival has entered into a partnership with The National Association of Television Producers and Executives, which held its annual Las Vegas convention last week.

Fischer says future comedy festivals will be held during the conventions.

"It's exciting to have the NAPTE membership come out to the festival," he said. "It's an opportunity for performers to be seen by people who can help their careers."

The Saturday night grand finale was a gala affair with an awards ceremony. Awards included the Uncle Miltie Pioneer of Television Award, which went to Jonathan Winters.

Soupy Sales received the Achievement in Comedy Award.

The Jerry Lewis Humanitarian Award went to Saranne Rothberg, founder of Comedy Cures, which promotes humor as a way to help cure illnesses.

Havana Night's Future

The future of the popular "Havana Night Club" musical at the Stardust won't be revealed to fans until Feb. 22.

The production's final performance will be Saturday.

There have been more than 450 shows since it premiered in August 2004.

Producer N.D. Durr will reveal her plans on the international television show "Don Francisco Presenta," which will air on Univision at 9 p.m., Feb. 22.

The show is seen in 33 countries.

"Havana Night Club" made international headlines in 2004 when the Cuban cast of about 50 was denied permission to leave their country to perform.

Permission eventually was granted, and after the show premiered, most of the cast requested political asylum.

In a prepared statement, Durr said "We are excited to begin a new chapter in our history-making journey with the announcement of a new venue and a brand new show."

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at jerry@lasvegassun.com.