The David Cassidy-Don Reo production "The Rat Pack Is Back," is now ensconced in the Sahara's renovated 550-seat Congo Room. Last year, the production drew enthusiastic crowds to the Desert Inn's cozy 300-seat Starlight Lounge and should have no trouble maintaining the same success at the Sahara.

The theme is a journey back to Dec. 12, 1961. It's Frank Sinatra's 46th birthday being celebrated on stage with his Rat Pack pals minus Peter Lawford. The four cast members are veterans from the Desert Inn production. Bobby Caldwell is once again the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. Tony Tillman is Sammy Davis Jr., Rick Michel plays Dean Martin, and Hiram Kaster delivers the court jester, Joey Bishop.

While this particular Rat Pack meeting is fictional, what is captured is the spirit of how the group used to interact on stage and the entertainment value they delivered. The old days of Las Vegas will never return; however, this show gives some insight. There's comedy, group numbers, solo numbers, and playful fooling around.

The "Rat Pack Is Back" plays at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Tickets are $34.95 and $44.95, call 702-737-2515.

Jazz-rock gurus Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, better known as Steely Dan, will perform a one night only concert on Saturday, June 10, at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

Steely Dan is hitting the road for a 38 date U.S. Tour in support of their critically acclaimed album, "Two Against Nature," released Feb. 20 on Giant/Reprise. The tour begins on May 31 in Spokane, WA.

It has been 20 yeas since Steely Dan's last studio album was released. With the release of "Two Against Nature," Steely Dan is using the technology of the Internet to spread the news of their music to the masses. Their website, steelydan.com, has fostered a sense of community around the band since its inception in March 1996.

Steely Dan's successful career began with the release of their first album "Can't Buy A Thrill" in 1972. Six more albums followed with Steely Dan's record sales totaling more than 11 million. Tickets to see the duo at Mandalay Bay are $35,$75 and $150, call 702-474-4000.

Thunder From Down Under, the celebrated globetrotting troupe of male dances from Australia displaying eye-popping bodybuilder physiques, will appear at the Stardust Resort, May 26 through June 16. The company of seven performer-athletes will be making their sixth appearance at the Stardust since debuting at the Las Vegas Strip resort in 1993.

Thunder From Down Under has made several world tours in recent years, making highly-acclaimed appearances in Russia, Canada, South Africa and numerous countries throughout Europe and Asia.

The current edition of Thunder From Down Under, called "Celebration Of Man," follows the evolution of the male species from caveman days to the modern era. Performances in the Stardust Ballroom are Wednesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with additional 10:30 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday. The cost is $25.95 per person with tax, tip and two beverages included.

"Honky Tonk Angels" at the Gold Coast has been extended through May 28. Finally caught this tribute show that is the brainchild of Sharon Haynes, who is a Gold Coast regular in her Patsy Cline show. Haynes portrays Cline in "Honky Tonk Angels" and brought in Corrie Sachs to play Reba McEntire and Lori Legacy to copy Dolly Parton. All three gals do an excellent job, and Haynes and Sachs double back as The Judds.

This show is very upbeat, warm, friendly and well worth the price of admission, which is $18.95 or $23.95 with dinner. For information, call 702-251-574

Dwight Yoakam, singer, songwriter and emerging actor, will perform at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater on June 9 and 10, with country music's newest star Keith Urban performing his latest hit "Your Everything."

Yoakam has sold more than eight-million records, won two Grammy awards and earned a total of 15 Grammy nominations in his remarkable career. He's the only California-based country singer to rise to sustained national prominence since the heyday of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. His latest album is "Last Chance for a Thousand Years: Dwight Yoakam's Greatest Hits from the 90s."

As an actor his commanding role in Billy Bob Thornton's Oscar-winning "Sling Blade" has captured new fans for the country star. Tickets to see Yoakam at the Las Vegas Hilton are $45 and $55, call 800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

The trio known on a first-name basis, Peter, Paul and Mary, made their debut at Greenwich Village's Bitter End Coffee House almost 39 years ago. They will appear at The Orleans Showroom, May 19-21. Tickets are $79.95,$69.95 and $59.95 plus taxes, call 702-365-7075.

On March 23, Peter, Paul and Mary, whose musical anthems of political and social concern have stirred four generations of Americans, released a retrospective album on Warner Bros. Records called "Songs of Conscience and Concern." The songs are a collection of 15 of their most powerful and evocative songs, pulled from nine different albums they released over their near 40-year association.

By 1970, the trio had earned eight gold and five platinum albums. The group disbanded that year to pursue individual interests. Paul Stookey's spiritual commitment led him to pen "The Wedding Song," and he created a multi-media organization that is still involved in a variety of children's computer, television and music projects. Mary Travers recorded five albums, produced and wrote and starred in a BBC television series, lectured and toured. Peter concentrated on political activism and solo music projects and also co-wrote and produced the No. 2 hit for Mary McGregor entitled, "Torn Between Two Lovers."

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

The Elvis-A-Rama Museum opened last November and houses the world's largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia. The museum recently placed on display several new authenticated personal Elvis Presley items, bringing the total value of the collection to $3.5 million. Many of these items were purchased at the Graceland auction held last winter at the MGM Grand.

New memorabilia now on display includes the "Cisco Kid" black and green leather-trimmed jumpsuit worn in 1971 that was pictured on the "He Touched Me" album sleeve. Another jumpsuit, the dark blue, two-piece sleeveless jumpsuit with jewel-studded jacket and ornate blue leather belt, will be displayed only during the summer months. Elvis performed in this jumpsuit at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1975. There's also an autographed pair of blue suede shoes.

Other items fans will appreciate are Elvis' 1956 black address book that includes the names and phone numbers of Natalie Wood, Nick Adams and Colonel Tom Parker and his social security card. From Elvis' military years, there is one of only two Army trunks Elvis shipped back from Germany containing a set of the King's fatigues and eight pages of correspondence between Parker and Elvis between 1959 and 1960. For more information, call 702-309-7200 or visit www.elvisarama.com.

Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas will bring his voice manipulations to the new Danny Gans Theater at the Mirage June 16,17,23, 24, 30 and July 1-2.

Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, the Emmy and Grammy award-winning "First Couple" of American popular music, will return to headline Caesars Palace May 18-21.

The couple personify the great American songbook, performing standards from Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter. Their critically acclaimed television special, "Steve and Eydie Celebrating Irving Berlin," received seven Emmy Awards; their tribute to the Gershwin bothers, "Our Love Is Here To Stay," garnered two more Emmys; and the musical salute to Cole Porter, "From This Moment On," won an Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board.

The famed couple first appeared as "Steve & Eydie" on Oct. 6, 1960, as part of the original cast of "The Tonight Show" starring Steve Allen. Tickets are $55, including tax, plus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

The Kabuki Lounge, located just inside the front doors of the center-Strip Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, has Chuy's Company featuring Chuy Gomez anchoring the nightly stage shows through June 4, and again from June 26-July 16. Gomez has performed at most of the hotels in Las Vegas and been the opening act for many celebrities including Tony Bennett, The Doors, Four Freshman, Bobby Darin and Paul Anka.

Chuy's Company provides music ranging from Top 40 to country from 9 p.m. to 1:40 a.m. Chuy is joined by three acts performing nightly from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 702-731-3311 or visit www.imperialpalace.com.

The Omnimax films EXTREME and ALASKA: Sprit of the Wild have been extended indefinitely at the Omnimax Theatre at Caesars Palace. EXTREME alternates hourly with ALASKA from 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, beginning with EXTREME.

EXTREME, a 44-minute film sponsored by Saab, features top athletes in extreme sports action_skiing and snowboarding remote mountain peaks, climbing vertical frozen waterfalls and red-rock spires, surfing some of the largest waves ever attempted and windsurfing gale-force winds.

ALASKA, narrated by actor Charlton Heston, takes viewers fishing for salmon with brown bears, soaring with bald eagles, dodging calving glaciers and racing on the hooves of caribou and moose. ALASKA was nominated for a Best Documentary - Short Subject Academy Award in 1998.

Ticket prices for Omnimax movies are $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 2 to 12 years, military, seniors (55 or older), physically challenged persons, Caesars Palace hotel guests and groups of 15 or more. For information, call 702-731-7900.

Boulder Station's Margaritavillle Bar has started a lineup of nightly summer specials. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, offers $1 drink specials including select beers, Margaritas, the martini-of-the-day, house wine, and well drinks. The quick-serve food outlets offer dining discounts.

Specials also include entertainment five nights each week. Karaoke is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. Tommy Rocker provides entertainment for ladies night, from 7 to 11 p.m., each Thursday, and ladies receive free select drinks. "Shooting Stars Karaoke" is featured from 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Each Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. is jazz. For information, call the Boulder Station special events hotline, 702-432-7769.

The 98.5 KLUC Summer Jam 2000 is scheduled at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, June 10, at 2 p.m. Summer Jam 2000 will feature Sisqo', Pink, Voice V, Nu Flavor, A.B. Quintanilla & Los Kumbia Kings, and Angelina. Tickets are $18 and $25 the day of show, plus $2 for parking, call 702-895-3900 or visit www.thomasandmack.com.

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