LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007 | 7:16 a.m.

Since closing at the Venetian more than three years ago, Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" has been Irish step dancing around the world.

"We've been pretty much on the road since then," lead dancer Tracy Smith said.

The Irish dancers performed more than 2,000 shows during a four-year run at New York-New York followed by 18 months at the Venetian. "Lord" revisits Las Vegas on Thursday for a one-night engagement at the Orleans.

After a break for Christmas they head to Taiwan, where they will join the European company of "Lord of the Dance" for one big show.

"There'll be 80 or 90 dancers onstage," said Smith, who married Don McCarron, who dances the title role, in August.

For Vegas it will be a less dramatic 40 dancers, but still an impressive sight to see - 80 legs dancing wildly while the upper torsos of the bodies remain rigid.

Smith was with the company in Las Vegas for most of its run. Since leaving, it has performed in more than 300 cities in 20 countries.

The Vegas stop is part of the show's 10th anniversary tour.

Michael Flatley, once the lead in "Riverdance," created "Lord of the Dance." He continues to oversee the production but doesn't perform.

Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, Orleans Arena, $35 to $65, 284-7777.

Broadway benefits

The tunes of Broadway highlight two holiday benefits for Las Vegas nonprofit organizations.

Members of the cast, crew and orchestra of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" will present "A Phantom Family Holiday Concert: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" on Sunday on the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. It's a benefit for Family Promise, which assists Las Vegas homeless families.

Performers from several Vegas productions will be featured in "Infinite Joy: The Songs of William Finn" next weekend at Krave. The concert is a benefit for the Las Vegas Rape Crisis Center.

Finn is known for his musicals "Falsettos" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The concert features Harry Bouvy, Justin Brill, Reva Rice and Steven Strafford (of "Spamalot"); Nadine Roden ("Mamma Mia!"); Daniel Herron and Jessica Sheridan ("The Producers"); and Tina Walsh ("EFX" and "Mamma Mia!").

Details: "A Phantom Family Holiday Concert," 2 p.m. Sunday, Nicholas Horn Theater on the Cheyenne Campus of CSN, $30.

"Infinite Joy: The Songs of William Finn," 1 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16, Krave theater, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South (at Planet Hollywood), $35 to $100, (866) 811-4111 or playhousewest.org.

Around town

Swing dancing is in again. Check out "Swing Night" at Just Jazz nightclub with saxophonist Jay Orlando's band featuring keyboardist-vocalist Joe Darro (7 to 10 p.m. Sundays, 1000 E. Sahara Ave.) ... Wes Winters, a Liberace-inspired pianist, performs two shows Mondays at Palace Station's Pasta Palace (5 and 7:30 p.m., $19.99 includes three-course meal, 367-2411, ext. 2320) ... Despite reports the deal is dead, Cher fans still push for their favorite to join Bette Midler as Celine Dion's replacements at Caesars Palace. So far, 2,150 fans have shown their support at petitiononline.com/cher2008/.