Photos: It’s Vegas the Show vs. Vegas! the Show

Las Vegas Rocks Cafe

Vegas the Show at Las Vegas Rocks Cafe.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Thursday, June 10, 2010 | 4:34 a.m.

Vegas the Show

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David Saxe.

Producers of two Las Vegas history-themed song-and-dance shows will continue their dispute now that both have set opening dates and were unable to reach a compromise. The titles of both shows are very similar, with only an exclamation point to separate the difference!

First to open was Tony Sacca’s Vegas the Show yesterday in The Embassy Theater of downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. Tony says his show is a story in song featuring music and comedy and is a multimedia journey through the history of Las Vegas. It starts from the 1930s and progresses to present day, and also predicts the future as to how Las Vegas entertainment will look in 2050.

Tony heads up the cast with comic impressionist Tom Wallek; Laurie Caceres, principal singer and dancer from Jubilee! at Bally’s; and singer-dancers Nellie Norris and Amanda Kaisert. Grammy winner Gary Anderson arranged and orchestrated the music for the production, which also features decade-by-decade video from the past 75 years.

Tony’s show is an afternoon affair that can be combined with lunch at his cafe.

Rival producer David Saxe has announced that he’s nine days from opening what he’s calling Vegas! the Show. He says it’s “the must-see official show” of Las Vegas. It re-creates the greatest moments in Las Vegas’ history and is the story of the most influential and exciting entertainers who made Las Vegas … Vegas!

David, who wrote and developed the show, said Vegas! the Show is like all of the shows on The Strip rolled into one. From vintage Vegas icons like The Rat Pack and Elvis Presley to today’s hottest performers, this amazing cast, big band orchestra and beautiful showgirls make Vegas! the Show one of the biggest stage productions on The Strip in nearly two decades.

Full dress rehearsals begin next week at the former Steve Wyrick Theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile -- now known as The Saxe Theater -- under the direction of Broadway choreographer Tiger Martina.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.