Joe Brown

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Story Archive

'West Side Story': The story, you’d recognize; the music — maybe not: Monday, July 13, 2009; I cannot in good conscience recommend the Super Summer Theatre’s staging of “West Side Story” at Spring Mountain Ranch, even as an excuse to wiggle your bare toes in the damp grass and enjoy the cool breezes and starlight and snacks at 1950s prices.
5 reasons we really don’t like Kenny G: Friday, July 10, 2009; Last Friday, Joe Brown made all the Thomas Kinkade fans angry. This week, he thought, "What the heck, I’m on a roll here; I’ll get the Kenny G lovers all riled up. They’re the same thing, after all."
‘Ice’ should be a cool respite, but it’s really no treat: Show doesn’t offer enough pizazz for price; Monday, July 6, 2009; What could be more precious in a desert city in the summer than ice? Glittering, clear, cooling, clinking ice.
Grifﬁn’s here and she’s lettin’ it fly: And she’s just been dying to see her wax figure; Friday, July 3, 2009; Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated comedian Kathy Griffin was immortalized in Las Vegas on Thursday night with her own wax figure at Madame Tussauds at the Venetian.
‘Painter of Light,’ not right: Thursday, July 2, 2009; Thomas Kinkade, the “Painter of Light”(TM) who describes himself as “America’s most collected artist,” recently rendered Las Vegas in a painting that went on sale this week.
A grateful Jackson disciple: Wednesday, July 1, 2009; When I heard that Michael Jackson had died, one of my first thoughts was of actor/singer/songwriter Erich Bergen, who plays the role of Four Seasons songwriter Bob Gaudio in “Jersey Boys” at the Palazzo. I knew Bergen would be taking the news harder than most.
Breathing warmth, not fire, this magic show charms: Monday, June 29, 2009; Most shows on the Las Vegas Strip are all shiny and neon-bright.
Mac King’s Comedy Magic is plaid.
Oddity became his legacy: Friday, June 26, 2009; Michael Jackson died 20 years ago.
The band Yes taps keyboardist’s son, tribute artist: Thursday, June 25, 2009; When the progressive rock band Yes comes to the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, three members of the classic lineup — guitarist Steve Howe, bass player Chris Squire, drummer Alan White — will take the stage with two new Yes-men.
Male nudity is show’s point, yes, but there’s more: Wednesday, June 24, 2009; What comes after the full monty?
That would be “Naked Boys Singing!,” a musical revue with seven men singing and dancing in the altogether.
Certainly there’s no shortage of bare men in Las Vegas, with at least four male dance revues on tap on the Strip. The difference is that “Naked Boys Singing!” is not a tease.
We warned you, but did you listen? No.: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; She did it again.
If Motown had been Vegas ...: Monday, June 22, 2009; Everybody, it has been said, is crazy about a sharp-dressed man.
See a real talent. But for your own sake, ditch the cell phone.: Thursday, June 18, 2009; In a world where merit equaled mass popularity, Patti LuPone would be headlining at Caesars Palace along with Bette and Cher. Instead, LuPone — the Broadway star’s Broadway star — headlines Saturday and Sunday at the Orleans Showroom, where she’ll debut her new solo show, “The Gypsy in My Soul.”
Gordie Brown: A show stuck in time: Gordie Brown’s act aimed at those who haven’t kept up; Monday, June 15, 2009; There are thousands of hardworking showbiz people in Las Vegas. But the hardest jobs may belong to the five musicians who have to stand behind impressionist Gordie Brown and act as if they think his shtick is funny or even amusing. Night after night.
Warning! This exhibit is gross: ‘Grossology’ exhibit lives up to its name, but it’s all in the name of science, and besides, your kids are going to love it; Thursday, June 11, 2009; Booger. Barf. Burp. Fart. Poop. Any parent or elementary school teacher can confirm to you that these are the funniest words in the history of human language.
Our kind of culture: Homegrown CineVegas made for the movie enthusiasts of the Las Vegas Valley; Wednesday, June 10, 2009; This is a diatribe. A jeremiad, a manifesto, a proclamation. For all of those — and I include myself — who have rolled their eyes and sighed and whined that “there’s no culture in Las Vegas,” please get over yourselves and do something about it. The CineVegas film festival begins its 11th edition today, and it is the single best current example of a homegrown cultural event that’s really vital and growing and evolving.
Setting steals the show: Experience of attending outdoor theater trumps the limited allure of a Buddy Holly musical; Monday, June 8, 2009; I didn’t much care for “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical,” but it’s being performed in such pleasant surroundings and circumstances that I had a swell evening in spite of the show.
Gang of (almost) doppelgangers: ‘Legends in Concert’ at Harrah’s a tribute revue with some real talent; Tuesday, May 26, 2009; There’s one show on the Las Vegas Strip at which the farther away you’re seated from the performers, the better.
Flight of the Conchords: Caricatures of themselves: New Zealand duo’s self-effacing humor makes comedic heroes of folk music nobodies; Friday, May 22, 2009; Flight of the Conchords -- “New Zealand’s fourth most famous folk parody duo” -- can’t draw even 10 people to a free open mike night. But here they are, packing the Joint at the Hard Rock with comedy nerds on Saturday.
Triumphant tragedy: Insurgo Theater Movement’s bold production of ‘Medea’ runs hot and cool; Wednesday, May 20, 2009; Everyone in Corinth knows Medea has been dumped by her husband. It’s the talk of the town — you can hear her wailing and sobbing from blocks away.
Bread, butter, with a side of surprise: In big season finale, Philharmonic leaves audience hungry for more; Tuesday, May 19, 2009; Las Vegas Philharmonic closed its season on a note of triumph Saturday night, as more than 200 musicians and singers and a capacity crowd filled UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall.
‘The Lion King’ brought to life: Stage version of the Disney film wows with sound and motion, color and characters; Monday, May 18, 2009; Before even taking measure of the uncompromised quality of “The Lion King” as a theatrical experience, it’s worth noting that the arrival of this Disney-produced musical on the Strip is significant.
Dreaming of Old Vegas: Noel Coward, live in ’55: Dapper Englishman, in town during career lull, gave audiences an experience most modern acts can’t match; Thursday, May 14, 2009; I recently came across the live 1955 recording of “Noel Coward at Las Vegas,” and the photo on the CD cover sent me into a daydream about what a Vegas performance once was and could be.
'Shear Madness': Show's script only its start: Cast’s improvisations make comedy murder mystery fresh daily; Monday, May 11, 2009; “What’s going on in there?” this guy asked me as I was making my way out of the Shear Madness Theater and into the buzzy Friday night cross traffic at the Town Square shopping center.
A down-home good time: ‘Music Man’ an apt choice to close Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s season; Thursday, May 7, 2009; Maybe Nevada Conservatory Theatre chose “The Music Man” to close its successful season with an eye to its submerged sociopolitical comment — after all, it’s about a fast-talking fear-monger and flim-flam man who conjures a scare to create a need for his product.
Tom Jones as sensual, soulful as ever: Monday, May 4, 2009; It was just a one-panty night. But that was no reflection on the superhuman efforts of singer Tom Jones, who inspected the pale-pink offering with bemusement on the stage at the MGM Grand.
Family fun makes best-seller: Rock star writer comes to Vegas to read from current work and preview coming attractions; Friday, May 1, 2009; David Sedaris, whose wryly comic autobiographical essays have made him into a best-selling author, reads Sunday at UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall. And it promises to be a rare Las Vegas phenomenon — rarer even than snow on the palm trees — an author reading that sells out an 1,800-seat venue.
It’s like Elvis himself tracing the arc of his career: Monday, April 27, 2009; How do you praise an Elvis impersonator? Say he’s especially, essentially Elvish? Elvian? Elvisesque? Elvilicious? Trent Carlini deserves all those descriptives and more.
Britney Spears in Vegas: It's a 'Circus' all right: Lip-synching celebrity everyone loves to hate is back in Vegas with cast of dancing ‘freaks’; Friday, April 24, 2009; This is not a story about Britney Spears. Because, really, what would be the point? What don’t we already know about poor ol’ Brit-Brit? And what part of her haven’t we seen by this point in the 27-year-old’s 20-year showbiz career?
Short takes from the new Joint: Killers homecoming, epic McCartney show make Hard Rock venue’s first weekend special; Tuesday, April 21, 2009; The Hard Rock was the hot, glowing center of the Vegas apopcalypse this weekend, opening its refurbed concert venue The Joint with the one-two-three combination of the Killers on Friday, Avenged Sevenfold on Saturday and Paul McCartney on Sunday.
'Peepshow': Topless revue has lots of form, scant function: Monday, April 20, 2009; At last, Las Vegas has a strip club you can take your wife to. Or your girlfriend. Or your “delivered to your room” date for the evening.
‘Insect Play’ puts human nature under microscope in dark comedy: Thursday, April 16, 2009; An offbeat, earthy variant of the Alice in Wonderland setup, “The Insect Play” is a grimly amusing little dystopian satire that holds a magnifying glass to the ruthlessness of nature — human nature certainly not excepted — and the futility of most of our vainglorious exertions, including art itself.
Ballet sheds a dozen more dancers: New artistic director is dissolving Nevada Ballet Theatre’s star-centered structure; Tuesday, April 14, 2009; Many of Nevada Ballet Theatre’s dancers -- including last remaining principal dancers Zeb Nole and Racheal Hummel-Nole -- danced passionately during their Friday and Saturday season-ending performances, knowing that these would be their last steps with the company.
Sorry to see this season end: ‘American Masters’ showcases spirited, assured performances and director’s risk-taking; Monday, April 13, 2009; Perhaps they were inspired by the challenging presence of three guest artists, principal dancers from New York City Ballet. Or perhaps, more than ever, they realized they were dancing for their lives.
100-plus to stage Passion play: Cast, crew aiding others worldwide in telling the story of Jesus’ last days; Friday, April 10, 2009; Before there was “Jesus Christ Superstar” on record and Broadway, before there was “The Passion of the Christ” in movie theaters and on DVD, there was the Passion play.
It’s looking a lot like Old Vegas: Economic plunge has resorts looking to less pricey, more everyman-friendly amusements; Wednesday, April 8, 2009; After years of pushing the pricey and posh and salivating over the luxe and exclusive, Las Vegas appears to be testing a return to its honky-tonk badonkadonk roots as America’s Boardwalk. Are the attention-getting entertainment apparitions just a coincidental blip, or do they herald a move away from high-priced headliners and a return to this town’s everyman appetites?
'Freaks' carnie show on Strip an overdose of gross: Monday, April 6, 2009; “Freaks” is the little show that could. Could make you throw up in your mouth a little.
Osmonds still living a dream: Brother act is as lovable as ever, at least judging from the shrieks in the showroom; Thursday, April 2, 2009; On certain nights in Las Vegas, when the stars are aligned and the parking lots are full, these hills are alive with the sound of Osmonds.
'Monster Circus' a parade of scrap metal: Head-pounding concert series imagination, spark enthusiasm; Wednesday, April 1, 2009; Something called “Monster Circus” will be defiling the House of Manilow six nights a month, in what seems to be a desperate strategy to lure a younger, more down-market, free-spending crowd to the Las Vegas Hilton.
David Copperfield: Older, humbler, better: Copperfield, working harder than ever, makes it look easy; Monday, March 30, 2009; While a pair of ladies of a certain age are dominating the Colosseum at Caesars, across the street, David Copperfield and Tom Jones are turning the Hollywood Theatre into an arena for middle-aged male performers.
Los Tigres del Norte: All-night party promises pop with lyrical depth: Friday, March 27, 2009; One of the hottest rock bands in North America is fronted by a lead accordionist.
Symphony, singer fail to achieve liftoff in lighter pops program: Tuesday, March 24, 2009; Pops concerts are to orchestras what the “Nutcracker” is to ballet companies.
Six questions for Erich Bergen, actor and songwriter: Monday, March 23, 2009; The musical “Jersey Boys,” about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is still bright and sharp as a razor as it nears its first anniversary at the Palazzo.
Danny Gans: Here, he’s Mr. Close Enough: Likable entertainer Danny Gans makes up for weaknesses with quantity; Monday, March 23, 2009; Mention Gans anywhere else in the country and you’ll likely be answered with a puzzled look. How did this genial guy, a singing impressionist, become arguably an entertainment brand name in Las Vegas?
Then and there — apt for here and now: Wednesday, March 18, 2009; Something truly extraordinary is happening at UNLV’s Black Box Theatre.
Terry Fator leaves mixed impressions on opening night: Amid the puppets and takeoffs on famous singers, some humor falls; Monday, March 16, 2009; Newton’s third law of motion can be applied to entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip: While some venues seem to be veering toward boardwalk-style sideshow shockeroos — soon to open are “Freaks” at O’Sheas, “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood and “Monster Circus” at the Hilton — there’s an equal and opposite reaction favoring the family-friendly and familiar.
Vegas is tops at being near the bottom: City pops up on several lists ranking nation’s best, worst; Friday, March 13, 2009; We’re No. 1! We’re No. 1! It’s true: Las Vegas has come out on top in a bunch of recent national surveys.
Heart in hand, Kenny Loggins rides into danger zone: ‘Footloose’ singer unashamedly details emotional journey of divorce in latest album; Thursday, March 12, 2009; Whatever is going on in Kenny Loggins' life, happy or sad, ends up in his nakedly emotional music, and as a result, his past few albums have been sort of catchy group therapy sessions on CD.
George Wallace: Good-natured humor defined: Wallace’s easygoing show is like a chat with a funny old friend; Monday, March 9, 2009; George Wallace is a prime exponent of the theories and techniques of viral marketing, even if he doesn’t know what that is.
Cowboy Troy: A little country, a little rap: Cowboy Troy’s modern mashup act suits weekend’s NASCAR crowd; Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009; If Cowboy Troy hadn’t existed, some marketing genius would have invented him. A 6-foot-5 black conservative Republican TV-show-hosting 38-year-old father of 2-year-old triplets, Cowboy Troy calls his Big Tent criss-crossover combo platter of country, rap and grunge rock “hick-hop” and “y’allternative,” and hits the sweet spot for multiple pop culture niches.