Vegas history carries a tune

Thursday, May 17, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

What: "Vegas the Show: History With Humor ... A Story in Song"

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Summerlin's Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.

Tickets: $25; 240-1301

Veteran Las Vegas entertainer Tony Sacca has combined songs, comedy, dance and vintage video clips to create a production highlighting the history of his favorite city.

"I spent three years working on this," Sacca says. "It was a labor of pure love."

If you love history, Las Vegas and entertainment, then you should love this entertaining history of Las Vegas.

"Vegas the Show: History With Humor ... A Story in Song" will be showcased at 7 p.m. Friday at the 300-seat Starbright Theatre in Summerlin.

The title is a bit long and there is enough material to go for hours without even scratching the surface of Las Vegas' storied past. But the musical lasts only 80 minutes.

The musical is divided into decades, beginning with the '30s.

Sacca, host of the syndicated TV interview show "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" for almost 20 years, has amassed an impressive collection of video clips, which will be used liberally in telling the Las Vegas story to fans who might enjoy a little history with their entertainment.

Comic Tom Walleck opens each segment with an impression of a person recognizable from that era. There is a video from Sacca's collection and music relevant to each period.

"We're not giving too much," Sacca says. "Each song lasts about a minute or less. We only give a taste of the song."

The production covers the legalizing of gambling, quickie divorces, the building of Hoover Dam, Jimmy Durante (the first headliner on the Strip), the Andrews Sisters, the McGuire Sisters and more - through a surprise ending in 2050.

Today, the population in and around Las Vegas is about 2 million. When the story begins the population is about 5,000.

"Not including the three girls upstairs at Rosie's," Sacca says.

Along with Sacca and Walleck, the cast includes singer -dancers Laurie Caceres, Dawn Davidson Tavary and Nellie Norris.

Comedian David Brenner, who has performed in Las Vegas during some of its colorful past, acted as the "humor consultant" for the show.

Gary Anderson conducts the eight-piece Michael T. Orchestra. Anderson won a Grammy Award for the soundtrack to "Sesame Street's" 30th Anniversary "Elmopalooza" and served as music director for Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme. He also wrote "Itchy & Scratchy" theme for "The Simpsons."