Stardust stages its final act

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 | 7:11 a.m.

What: "Headlights & Tailpipes"

When: Beginning April 4, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; dark Mondays

Where: Stardust Theater

Tickets: $39.95 to $59.95

Information: 732-6325

The topless revue "Headlights & Tailpipes" will be the final production at the venerable Stardust showroom before the venue closes later this year - or early next - to make room for the $4 billion Echelon Place.

"Headlights," produced by Jeff Kutash and ValCom Inc., premieres April 4.

Kutash has been working on the show for about two years.

He said the production might have languished another three years on paper if the timing hadn't been right.

A showroom opened up with the departure of "Havana Night Club" in February.

And it was a room that allowed for the uniqueness of "Headlights."

"This stage may be the last of the Mohicans of Las Vegas showrooms that can handle a show like this," Kutash said. "Today, most stages are built specific to a show - this one has a large enough backstage area, plus elevators and all of the other elements."

The production features a cast that will include dozens of classic cars (and the 2007 Shelby Cobra), motorcycles and 25 performers.

Among the featured artists in the show will be Playboy Playmates Lauren Anderson and Barbara Moore.

Kutash, who created the long-running "Splash!" at the Riviera, promises fans they will be amazed.

"If you love car culture, hot rods, and the world's most gorgeous models, this show is a must-see," he said. "The scenery and music and choreography will all be built around cars or motorcycles." He says the idea for the production evolved from his love of cars, and the national popularity of cars and racing.

"I thought, with NASCAR as big as it is, and the race being the biggest sporting event there is, maybe something involving cars and motorcycles would make a good show," Kutash said.

He said he knew the Stardust was going to have an opening and so he took the idea to the executives there.

"I'm thinking someone is going to pick this show up because it is unusual enough," Kutash said. "I hoped it would be the Stardust, before they blew the place up."

Even though "Headlights" is destined for a relatively short run (depending upon when the Stardust closes), Kutash says it's a "wonderful opportunity."

"Headlights" follows some classic productions at the Stardust, which opened in 1958.

The first was another topless revue - "Lido de Paris," one of the most popular shows in Las Vegas history. It opened in 1958 and closed in 1991 after 33 years.

It was a classic Las Vegas production, often called the world's No. 1 floor show, that through the years featured such talent as Siegfried & Roy.

The late Donn Arden, who created "Jubilee," which is still at Bally's, created the Las Vegas version of the Parisian production.

All of his productions were noted for blending glamour, extravaganza and musical entertainment.

Among its most famous performers in the cast of "Lido" were the Bluebell Girls, a troupe of dancers created by Madame Bluebell, who first gained recognition as a dancer with "Folies Bergere" in Paris.

In addition, the production featured an ice show, a water show, Apache dancers and other memorable acts.

The Stardust is known for its long-running productions.

"Lido" was followed by "Enter the Night," a nontopless revue that premiered in 1991 and closed in '98.

Olympic skating champion Dorothy Hamill was among the performers who appeared in the production.

The show included Russian acrobats, 65 singers and dancers and Bobby Berosini and his orangutans, and a live orchestra.

Wayne Newton opened in 2000 and closed in 2005.

He ushered in a new era for the Stardust showroom - headliners were used on a consistent basis instead of productions.

Newton was the main headliner, but when he was on vacations some big names played the room - including Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Don Rickles, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, B.B. King, Ann-Margret; Bob Newhart, Gene Pitney, Jack Jones, Phyllis Diller and many others.

After Newton, the venue returned briefly to its production roots with "Havana" but continued alternating headliners.

With "Headlights," the Stardust will retire the same way it began its illustrious life - a topless extravaganza.