Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

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Late comedian’s friends collect money for trees to honor his memory

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Late comedian Bernie Allen.

Comedian Bernie Allen left behind a host of friends who are now raising money to plant a living memorial to the man who made Frank Sinatra laugh.

Allen died in 2004 at age 87.

Allen caught the attention of Sinatra at a Friars Club dinner in New York in 1966 honoring Joe E. Lewis, whom Sinatra portrayed in the 1957 movie “The Joker Is Wild.” The friendship that grew out of that night resulted in Allen eventually moving to Vegas and having a long career here.

Comedian Cork Proctor is among friends of Allen who are raising money to buy three trees to plant in Sunset Park in his honor. A plaque will be placed at the site.

“It’s kind of a unique homage to Bernie,” Proctor says. “It will be a nice memorial. The trees will be low-water, something like a mesquite. They don’t provide a lot of shade, but who needs shade?”

So far they have raised $160 and are shooting for about $500 for three trees and a plaque. Park personnel will plant the trees in a triangular arrangement.

He isn’t promoting a major fund drive, just a little movement to honor a friendly and funny guy who made generations of Las Vegas fans laugh. No complications involved, just a simple gesture.

“It’s no big deal,” he says. “I’m looking at 20 bucks a pop — and it’s not tax deductible.”

Details: Checks should be made out to Plant World and sent to Bernie Allen Trees at 7380 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 124-216, Las Vegas NV 89123.

Fantasy calendar

Photographer Jerry Metellus barks orders like a drill sergeant as he shoots photos of Lindsay, one of the dancers in the topless show “Fantasy” at the Luxor.

The scantily clad performer stands backstage, as if she is about to make an entrance.

“You’re lost in your thoughts walking onstage,” he directs. “Shoulders back. Don’t lean forward! One step back. Yes! It’s showtime. Here we go. Beautiful! Now drop the forehead a little bit more. Give me your right shoulder a little bit back, push your hips forward. Yes! Drop the head. Lips open slightly. Drop the forehead again.”

The fruits of their labor will be visible in a couple of months when the “Fantasy” calendar, “Backstage Pass,” is released — depicting cast members in various backstage locations in various stages of dress or, rather, undress (none of the dancers is topless, though this is a topless show).

“We don’t show anything in the calendars, but the pictures are so beautiful,” producer Anita Mann says. “They are so sensual and seductive and alluring, but not topless.”

The first calendar was in 2006.

“It was just one page to test it, to see if people liked it — and they loved it,” Mann says. “So we kept printing and printing. So the next year, 2007, we printed a ‘Welcome to the Luxor’ calendar, followed by a ‘Fantasy Sports’ calendar and now the ‘Backstage Pass.’ ”

This year’s calendar is inspiring a tweaking of the show.

Choreographer Cris Judd (who was married to Jennifer Lopez for about 30 seconds) is creating a new opening number based on the calendar.

“Vegas” returns for the day

“Vegas, the Show” will come to the Plaza for a single performance Sunday afternoon.

The musical — part history, part entertainment — made its debut last year at the Starbright Theatre in Summerlin. It covers Vegas history from the 1930s to the year 2050.

The cast includes producer Tony Sacca and comic impressionist Tom Wallek, who will narrate and portray famous characters of the past.

Also in the production are principal singer and dancer Laurie Caceres, who performs in “Jubilee!,” and singer/dancers Nellie Norris and Amanda Kaiser. Gary Anderson conducts the Michael T Orchestra.

Details: “Vegas, the Show,” 4 p.m. Sunday, The Plaza, $30, 242-5444

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