LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 | 7:38 a.m.

Tony Bennett is so cool - the epitome of coolness - that I doubt he sweats in a sauna.

He had fans working up a sweat at his recent engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, applauding in standing ovations.

At 80 years of age, he still has incredible vocal control and physical poise. He shows he still has some agility, doing a few dance steps here and there during the performance. He doesn't say much during a performance, just an occasional anecdote.

"Rosemary Clooney and I were the original 'American Idols,' " Bennett said.

His music does his talking for him: "The Best Is Yet to Come," "Smile," "All of Me," even a jazzy version of the Hank Williams hit "Cold, Cold Heart."

And of course, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

Even though he has sung the songs thousands of times, there is nothing jaded about his performance. It's as if he is singing the songs for the first time.

That's cool.

Liza without the zzzzzz's

There were no zzzzzzzzz's sawed at Liza Minnelli's recent concert at the Luxor - part of the venue's "Spotlight Series" (a brilliant idea).

The chanteuse of New York kept her fans enraptured throughout the evening - from the opening number, "I Can See Clearly Now," to the closing standing ovations that kept drawing her back into the spotlight, where she belongs.

She sang the songs that have endeared her to the public - "Cabaret," "On a Clear Day," "New York, New York" - and a few that were surprises, including a funny tribute number to Sara Lee, the pastry manufacturer.

"A fan brought me a Sara Lee cheesecake before one show," Minnelli, who has been dieting, said. "I've been married four times, and I've never enjoyed anything as much as I enjoyed that cheesecake."

Minnelli - a little flighty - giggled, occasionally cursed, talked a bit (a very little bit) about her famous mother (Judy Garland) and father (film director Vincente Minnelli) and generally mesmerized everyone as she chatted away, dropping famous names and talking about her show business career and the films and stage productions in which she has starred.

Those who didn't get to attend one of her recent performances have a second chance. She returns to the Luxor on Nov. 23-25.

"Ka"

"Ka," the grandiose production by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand, has evolved into a much more coherent and interesting story since its debut almost two years ago.

While most Cirque shows focus on athletes performing artistically in a variety of circumstances, "Ka" takes a different tack. It has a story line - one that was almost overwhelmed by the magnificent machinery and special effects in the earlier versions of the production. The story is told without words and initially was difficult to follow.

But with some tweaking, the creators now have a show whose story can be followed with ease and fans can better appreciate the drama and the humor that infuses the production. "Ka's" athleticism and stunning stagecraft are put to good use, creating breathtaking battle scenes as well as intriguing scenes involving puppetry and martial arts.

While the production itself is enjoyable, experiencing the $135 million theater, which has been described by some as resembling a space ship and by others as a cathedral, is almost worth the price of admission.

The production recently gained national exposure when it played an important part in the plot of the hit TV series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tickets range from $99 to $150.

"Route of All Evil Tour"

Aerosmith and Motley Crue are both in concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 4. Will the MGM ever be the same?

Well, it survived back-to-back weekends with Jimmy Buffett and his legion of Parrot Heads, so there's no reason it can't make it through the "Route of All Evil Tour."

Each band features all of its original members: Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx with Motley Crue; Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer with Aerosmith.

This is the first time the groups have toured together.

Tickets range from $55 to $185. For information, call 891-1111.

Singing psychologist

Entertaining is a tough gig. Some who choose it as a career probably should have their heads examined.

Hawaiian entertainer Alben is just the one to do it.

Alben, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology, has been performing at 5:30 p.m. Fridays for the past month at the Aladdin's V Theater. Unless things change, you have until Nov. 3 to check out the vocalist, who prefers performing to analyzing.

Alben sings everything from pop and ballads to Broadway and opera.

A Pain in the "Redneck"

"Redneck Comedy Live!" disappeared from the Sahara faster than a platter of biscuits and gravy at a Bubba family reunion.

Before the act could get warmed up, it disappeared.

Or maybe not.

Producers say it's closing next week for "retooling," which means it may or may not be back, depending upon the tools they get to perform if and when it reopens. No restart date was announced.

I thought the lineup was pretty good: comedian and host Dick Hardwick, T. Bubba Bechtol, Sam Griesbaum (pronounced "grease-bomb") and Killer Beaz. But the general response seemed lukewarm.

Maybe the comedy was too tame or too lame. Maybe the humor wasn't redneck enough.

Whatever the reason, the show will close next week for the stated purpose of preparing for National Finals Rodeo, Nov. 30 through Dec. 9.

You have until Saturday to catch a performance. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $44.50. For information, call the Sahara box office at 737-2515.