Show packed with U.K. talent to take the Orleans stage

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Publicity photo

Magician and comedian Paul Zenon is among the performers in “Britain’s Top Talent.”

Publicity photo

Yo-yo champion Aaron Sparks is among the performers in "Britain's Top Talent."

Publicity photo

Baton twirler and modern dancer Nathalie Entherline is among the performers in "Britain's Top Talent."

One of Elton John’s favorite bands — the Overtures — heads the lineup of “Britain’s Top Talent,” a variety show coming to the Orleans this weekend.

“Whenever he has a party he books them to do the music,” producer Paul Stone says. “When he took his Red Piano show to London last New Year’s Eve to perform at the O2 Arena for 20,000 people, they were the main supporting act. It’s a fantastic band.”

The Overtures are a ’60s tribute group performing hits by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Who, the Byrds, the Small Faces, the Hollies, the Everly Brothers and Bob Dylan.

Leading up to the Overtures are five acts including magician-comedian Paul Zenon, yo-yo expert Arron Sparks, baton twirler/acrobat Nathalie Enterline and vocalist Ben Stone, the producer’s son.

Magician/comedian Jeff Hobson, a longtime favorite in Las Vegas, will host the show.

Stone, a magician, has been producing variety shows in Great Britain and the United States for more than 30 years.

Last year he produced “Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium,” a tribute to two of Las Vegas’ most famous residents. That marked the launch of MagiCares, a charity that promotes the use of magic to raise money for a variety of causes.

Stone says for the show at the Orleans, 400 to 500 tickets will be donated to military men and women, police, firefighters and members of other services organizations.

“The performers coming from England for this show have pretty much donated their services to be here,” he says. “It’s a way of giving a little back.”

Details: “Britain’s Top Talent”; 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday; Orleans; $29.95; 365-7111

Cash tribute

Jimmie Ray portrays Johnny Cash and Cyndi Cantrell plays June Carter in the tribute show “In Remembrance,” which marks the sixth anniversary of Cash’s death on Saturday.

Modeled after the couple’s 1994 tour, the tribute incorporates music from all six decades of their careers.

“In Remembrance” features Charlie Franks as Elvis, violinist Willy Wainwright and tribute artists portraying Loretta Lynn, Minnie Pearl and Willie Nelson. Before the tribute show, Ring of Fire performs “The Best of Bluegrass” and the Encore Dancers do “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Review.”

The show benefits the Injured Police Officers Fund of Southern Nevada.

Details: 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday; Nicholas Horn Theater, College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas; $13-$19; 651-5483

Around town

Cheap Trick’s tribute to the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” album debuts at the Las Vegas Hilton Sunday. Special guests include Joan Osborne, Rob Laufer and Ian Ball of Gomez. (8 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, Sept. 17-19 and 21-23; Las Vegas Hilton; $65 to $95; 732-5755, lvhilton.com, cheaptrick.com or billedwardspresents.com) ... Comedian Cliff Lawrence, who opened for the likes of George Burns and Rich Little, will teach the next Bonkerz Comedy School at Palace Station, filling in for instructor Mick Lazinski, who is on tour. (Next four Saturdays; Palace Station; $275; (866) 414-2665)