Sunday, April 2, 2000 PRIOR ISSUE   -   ARCHIVES
Blue Man Group, Jerry Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Russel/Mason, More...

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Jackie Brett
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Beginning with the show's title "Blue Man Group" and its promotional pictures of three men in skullcaps covered with cobalt-blue greasepaint, the hint that this isn't a typical show, Vegas or otherwise, is made perfectly clear. It's also a difficult show to describe because it's a one-of-a-kind experience.

A simple one line description might be the show is The Three Stooges without hostility.

Innovative ...childlike play...are captured throughout this performance. For example, one bit is a simple experience like three blue men and a lady "volunteer" from the audience eating four twinkies. Sounds mundane but it's very effective especially when you consider that the trio of blue men are silent, yet expressive.

Other entertaining childlike staged activities are releasing cream cheese balls from a gumball machine and throwing them so a partner can catch as many as possible in his mouth. Sounds stupid; however, it's actually very imaginative and entertaining.

In numerous segments, the trio brings art into the forefront like with the spin paint art section. Crepe papering the entire 1,200-seat theater is one of the group's signature pieces. The billowing crepe paper is dropped from the ceiling and as the audience participates in passing it from over their heads to the row below, the creep paper forms giant globs that eventually work their way to the stage. After watching the trio's antics and enjoying their surprise humor, the audience realizes they are now reverting back to their own childhood play.

Another signature Blue Man piece features three drums, and different color florescent paint that is squirted into the drum heads. When the robotic-like animated men bang their drums, the paint artfully flies through the air.

The showroom and 50-foot stage setting is rather stark with an almost warehouse feeling. This surrealistic tone lends itself to being a canvas for a non-traditional show. The seven-piece band works on upper levels to the right and left of the stage. The musicians dress in black body suits with neon lines that make then look unreal and similar to stick figures.

At one point in the show, the blue men introduced huge fascinating almost modern tribal-like instruments made entirely of white PVC pipes. The sounds they generate from the homemade instruments are unique and inviting.

Aiding and solidifying the strangeness of the whole experience, the show's heavy percussion and aggressive music is hypnotizing and acts similar to background music in a movie.

While the show sounds weird, it is actually very funny, engrossing and entertaining. Tickets to Blue Man Group are $55 for the top section and $65 for lower seats. Shows are 7 p.m. nightly except Tuesday and also at 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, call 702-262-4400 or visit www.blueman.com.

Carrot Top with his distinct appearance just completed a gig in the 650-seat Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand and will return again, June 22 - July 5. As one of the country's hottest young comics, he's known for his fire-red curls on top of his head to the props and gadgets that fill his trunk.

His success has also translated into big screen roles in "Dennis the Menace II" and "Chairman of the Board." On his website www.carrottop.com, you'll find his tour schedules, photos, merchandise, and a chance to Tell it to the Top.

Music Industry icon Kenny Rogers carved a name for himself in the late `60s with Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, and he graduated to superstardom in his solo career that still flourishes. The man known as "The Gambler" returns to the Las Vegas Hilton for two 9 p.m. shows on April 14 and 15. This follows an engagement at The Riviera that ends tonight.

Rogers has sold over 80 million records and won too many awards to mention. His latest gold album, "She Rides Wild Horses," has a new hit single, "The Greatest," that catapulted him back into the limelight last summer.

Tickets to see Rogers are $65 and $55, call 1-800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: "Together Again" with special guest Louise DuArt will share the stage at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater, April 7-9. Due to popular demand, a third show in the 1,700-seat showroom was added on Sunday, April 9. Conway and Korman shared a soundstage together for ten years on CBS Television's wildly popular "The Carol Burnett Show." Tickets are $65 and $55, call 1-800-222-5361 or 702l-732-5755.

Johnny Potash who has portrayed Charlie Daniels in the "American Superstars" show at the Stratosphere since it opened in 1996, has taken over the additional duty of company manager.

Potash is a Nevada native born in Reno in 1968. He started playing the fiddle at age eight and later placed in the top 20 of the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest. He is also adept at the mandolin and guitar and has opened shows for major stars.

"American Superstars" features tributes to Madonna, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Charlie Daniels and Gloria Estefan. Shows are 7 p.m. nightly except Thursday and also at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday an Saturday in the Broadway Showroom. Tickets are $26.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 5 to 12, call 1-800-99-TOWER (998-6937) or 702-380-7711.

Jerry Lewis will return to The Orleans Showroom April 21-24, after performing to sold out crowds every night last January. He will do a one man, two-hour show with a 30-piece orchestra.

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Lewis has 65 years in show business and skyrocketed to fame in 1946 when he teamed with Dean Martin for 10 years. They made 16 moneymaking movies between nightclub engagements, personal appearances, and television bookings. Their last film together was "Hollywood or Bust" in 1956.

After being a duo, Lewis kept on the move and recorded several albums. His "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby," an old Al Jolson song, sold 1.4 million copies, more than any of Martin's hits. Lewis at 74 continues his incredible solo career and popularity in Europe. Lewis is also producing remakes of his films: "The Bellboy," "The Errand Boy," "Nutty Professor 2," and "Cinderfella."

Tickets to Lewis' shows are$54.95, $59.95 and $64.95 plus tax, call 702-365-7075.

An added special event this time will be "The Jerry Lewis Filmfest," April 17-19, at the Century Theaters at The Orleans. Monday at 7:30 p.m. "Cinderfella" will be shown and on Wednesday "Errand Boy" will be screened. Tickets for both shows are free.

Tuesday, April 18, is VIP Night and a fund-raiser with Lewis in attendance. There will be a cocktail reception hosted by Mayor Oscar Goodman with a silent auction featuring Jerry Lewis memorabilia at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 9 p.m. Q&A session with the man himself. Tickets are $25 and that includes a 10 percent discount off a ticket to his show in the showroom. A limited number of gold passes are $85 and that includes all three screenings, events, cocktail reception and one ticket to the Jerry Lewis Show in the showroom. For information call 702-365-7075.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) will make its debut at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with three performances, June 8-10. More than 40,000 fans are expected to attend the Copenhagen Cup Finale of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour. Eight PRCA-sanctioned rodeos make up this tour.

The championship event at the MGM will be aired on TNN in two tape-delayed, two-hour shows on June 10 and 11. Tickets are $30, $45, $60 and $150 per performance, call TicketMaster at 702-474-4000.

Legendary rockers Dave Mason and Leon Russell will perform at Sunset Station's Club Madrid on Saturday, April 22, at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $17.50, $22.50 and $27.50 plus tax, call 702-547-777 or visit tickets.com starting April 4.

Mason's nearly 30-year career encompasses producing, performing and writing. He penned "Feelin' Alright," considered a rock `n roll anthem and recorded by over 300 artists, during his tenure with the classic group Traffic. In 1993, he joined Fleetwood Mac and has toured the world.

Russell is a songwriter, producer, arranger and musician, who has created rock classics and tunes as well. He has recorded hit records with many major stars and Englishman Joe Cocker turned Russell's "Delta Lady" into a classic rock staple.

The Golden Boys of Bandstand featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell will headline The Desert Inn, April 14-16. The trio will perform solo and together, singing their own hits and performing musical tributes to Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Bobby Darin and Rick Nelson. Tickets are $55, call 1-800-634-6909 or 702-733-4566. Cocktails, tax and gratuity are not included.

All three gentlemen have had hit songs and made movies. Avalon became popular with his first single, "De De Dinah," and was a full-fledged teen idol with the release of "Venus," one of the biggest hits of the era. Fabian, born Fabian Forte, had recorded dozens of hit singles by age 18 including "Tiger," "I'm A Man" and "Turn Me Loose." Rydell sold more than 25 million records with 34 Top 40 songs including "Volare," "We Got Love" and "Wild One."

Another nostalgic show "The Legends of Motown" starring The Temptations, Freda Payne and The Marvelettes, will play at Caesars Palace April 6-9. Tickets are $65 including tax, pus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 1-800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

The Temptations are an integral part of Motown history and the group institutionalized The Temptations Walk, a synchronized stylish stage move, that they continue to use today with the last original member Otis Williams at the helm. Payne's big 1970s hit was "Band of Gold." The Marvelettes' million-sellilng debut single was "Please Mr. Postman," followed by more million-sellers "Playboy," "Beachwood 4-5789" and "Don't' Mess With Bill."

Additionally the Stardust has `70s Soul Jam with the Stylistics, the Chi-Lites, the Delfonics and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes performing April 6-8. Tickets for the 9 p.m. shows are $44.95 which includes tax, tip and one beverage.

Gary Wright with a blast from the `70s past is set to perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Sunset Station's club Madrid. Tickets are $15, $17.50 and $22.50 plus tax, call 702-547-7777.

Wright seemed to appear from nowhere when his single "Dream Weaver" hit the charts in 1975, from the platinum-selling album of the same name. He has since composed film scores but received much larger acclaim when the song "Dream Weaver" was used in the film, "Wayne's World" in 1992.

The world's largest show of antique and modern firearms, Western Americana, collectibles and military memorabilia will be held for the first time in Las Vegas, April 28-30, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. After a 22-year run in Los Angeles, the Great Western Show, Inc. will hold two shows annually on the last weekend of April and October. For information, call 949-261-5700.

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Editorial Content Copyright(C) 2000 Jackie Brett; Internet Presentation Copyright(C) Las Vegas Leisure Guide