Comic takes raunchy act to bigger digs at the Flamingo

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Monday, Aug. 18, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Insult comic Vinnie Favorito moved from the tiny O’Sheas a few weeks ago and is packing the 200-seat showroom at the Flamingo, renamed Bugsy’s Cabaret after Second City closed up shop.

“They have unleashed me,” Favorito says.

As if anyone ever had a leash on the Boston-born comic famous for taking no prisoners in his war against political correctness.

“I was going to say on my new sign ‘Comedy that walks the line,’ which is what George Carlin use to say to me,” Favorito says. “But (Flamingo President) Don Marrandino said no, it’s got to be edgier, racier. So I put on the sign, ‘Vinnie Favorito, completely f’n’ crazy.’ ”

Favorito performs at 8 p.m. seven nights a week, sharing the showroom with the topless “X, Burlesque,” which starts at 10 p.m.

“And Donny and Marie are moving in next door,” he says. “The Flamingo is happening. It’s a hip hotel. The location can’t be beaten.”

Donny & Marie hip? Maybe Favorito is completely f’n’ crazy.

“O’Sheas was a testing ground to prove I could sell the edginess,” Favorito says. “It took three years, but I won.”

He says he doesn’t do as many jokes in his new show. “I just do a few up front and then it’s a free-for-all with the crowd — full frontal in your face here I come. I’m in my groove. I’m getting deeper in with audience members. It’s much more personal.”

He’s taping each show and selling CDs 10 minutes after the show ends. You get a souvenir and your friends can hear you be insulted.

Working seven nights a week doesn’t bother Favorito.

“I want as much stage time as I can get,” he says. “Now that I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime I want to work and I want to build my show. I want them lined out the door every night. I’m in this business 20 years for a reason — not because I’m lazy. I want to work.

“Besides, I only work an hour night. Who can’t handle that? I can swim in my pool till 6:30, shower and go to work and get right back in my pool. What a life I’m living.”

‘Hair’ in the park

Local vocalist Jessica Marciel, daughter of legendary drummer Irv Kluger, was an 18-year-old ingenue in 1968 when she landed the role of Chrissy the teenybopper in the Los Angeles production of “Hair.”

Marciel sometimes attends cast reunions and was excited when she learned that the counterculture musical was going to be performed in New York’s Central Park as part of the Shakespeare in the Park series.

Marciel wasn’t able to make the premiere but her daughter, Alexandra, was there and gave a running account of what was happening and who was there via text messages. Among the opening night attendees: Ben Vereen (who was in the original), Jim Rado (who co-authored the musical), Kathleen Turner and Harvey Fierstein.

The production continues through Aug. 29. “I’m going to try to get there before it closes,” Marciel says.

Around town

The Rock & Roll Dance Party — official tribute band to rock legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper — heads the lineup at Henderson’s Rockin’ Blues Music Festival. In addition to music, there’s a free car show with 300 classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars. (1 to 10 p.m. Sept. 20, Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, $10, 267-2171, HendersonLive.com) ... Former police officer, logger and truck driver Steve Dixon and his Mason Dixons Band plays a benefit for “Positively Kids,” a resource for Southern Nevada medically dependent children and their families. (6 p.m. Wednesday, the Plaza Hotel, $47, 248-3568) ... Sheryl Crow headlines at Planet Hollywood with James Blunt and reggae legends Toots & the Maytals. (7 p.m. Friday, Theatre for the Performing Arts, Planet Hollywood; $59 to $134; 474-4000, ticketmaster.com) ... RX Bandits, Portugal the Man and Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground descend on Jillian’s (6 p.m. Saturday; Jillian’s; 759-0450)