The Broadway hit "Footloose" has moved into the Rio's new 1,500-seat, $35-million Samba Theatre for a 13-week engagement running through Aug. 18. The production features a popular score including multi-platinum hits "Footloose," "Almost Paradise," "Let's Hear it for the Boy" and "Holding Out for a Hero."

The musical tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago who moves to the rather typical rural town of Bomont with his mother, after his father left them. Ren doesn't fit in and begins to cause trouble when he tries to have the town's unusual law against dancing overturned.

The law came about after Reverend Moore's son Bobby was killed in a car accident brought on by a night of drinking and dancing. The Reverend's rebellious daughter, Ariel aids Ren in the emotional struggle until a happy ending has everyone kicking up their heels.

Eight songs in the show were specially written for the musical and were not featured in the movie. One song in particular that is captivating is "Somebody's Eyes" sung by three teenager girls. They try to explain to Ren that you can't make a move in the small town of Bomont without somebody knowing your business.

"Footloose" is very uplifting, light hearted, youthful in spirit and thoroughly entertaining. It's an easy show to highly recommend. Tickets are $45 including tax. Performances are nightly except Thursdays. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. There are discounts for seniors 55 and older and children 5-12 for matinee shows, call 1-888-746-7784 or 702-252-77776.

Last month, Buca di Beppo (pronounced "boo kah dee beh poe") opened its second location just a couple blocks off the Strip in Las Vegas at 412 E. Flamingo Road. The first location in Summerlin opened last January. Buca means basement and Beppo is slang for "buddy Joe." The company's CEO has patterned the Southern Italian themed restaurants of which there are 40 located in seven states and the District of Columbia after the one his grandfather ran in the basement of their apartment building in Cleveland's Little Italy.

The restaurant's decor is reminiscent of the Italian-American supper clubs of the 1940's and 50's. The 7,587 square foot building seats 258 and is divided into separate dining rooms.

The Pope's Table requiring reservations is a circular room in Sistine splendor accentuated by several Romanesque columns. It seats 14 to 18 people for a cozy gathering.

The Cardinal's Room features two red vinyl booths, a big table that seats 10 and decorations that include official Cardinal vestments. The Kitchen Table overlooks the kitchen and gives a table for six a view of the cooking process. The Poster Room has posters and pictures covering the ceiling. In the Wine Room, wine bottles cover the ceiling.

The restaurant's menus are on huge boards on the walls causing many patrons to stand and visit with guests seated nearest the menus. The food is fresh and cooked all day.

Warning, be prepared! The portions served on over-sized platters are gigantic and meant to be shared. For example, the Chicken Cacciatore is "7 lbs. of amore," and the pizza is as "big as a bath mat."

Buca de Beppo is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 11 p.m. on Friday, from 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. For carryout orders or reservations call 702-TOMATOES (702-866-2867).

The Temptations will showcases their legendary song and dance style in the Crystal Showroom at The Desert Inn, June 22-25. For over three decades, the Grammy Award-winning group has carried on the tradition that helped define the "Motown Sound." Today, The Temptations are on the road with original member, Otis Williams.

The group is celebrating its first gold album certification since 1975. "Phoenix Rising," released in August 1998 and dedicated to the memory of Melvin Franklin, taps into the resurgence of romantic R&B and scores a hit with its first single "Stay."

Tickets are $45, call 1-800-634-6909, 702-733-4566, or visit www.thedesertinn.com.

The Vegas Ventriloquist festival put on by the International Ventriloquist's Association (IVA) will be held at Harrah's, June 14-18. During that week, world renowned ventriloquist Ronn Lucas will appear in the Danny Gans theater at the Mirage on June 16-17, and again on June 23-24 and June 30-July 2.

His other appearance will be in the gala show Ventastic 2000 in Harrah's showroom on Sunday, June 18 at 7 p.m.. Other performers will be Canadian ventriloquist Don Bryan and British ventriloquist Wendy Morgan. The show will be hosted by magic-comedian Mac King. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax. For information log on to www.inquista.com.

Jim Yester, co-founder and original lead singer of The Association; Bruce Belland, co-founder and original lead singer of The Four Preps; and David Somerville, co-founder and original lead singer of The Diamonds will appear together in concert in the Sunset Ballroom at The Flamingo Hilton on June 23-24.

Yester gave fans songs like "Never My Love," "Along Comes Mary," and the romantic tune "Cherish." Belland made "26 Miles," "Big Man," and "Down by the Station." Somerville sang "Little Darlin'," "The Stroll," and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love." Tickets are $25 and $30 plus tax, call 702-733-3333.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

America's hot young comic, Carrot Top will bring his popular brand of humor combined with his ingenious props to the 650-seat Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand for three set engagements June 6-13, June 22-July 5 and Sept. 7-13. With his rapid-fire delivery, laser lights and rock-n-roll music, his shows are unlike any other. Tickets are $30 plus tax, call 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

Rock icons Chuck Berry and Little Richard will headline at Caesars Palace, June 13-15 and 17-18. Tickets are $50 and 55 with tax included plus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

Some music historians trace rock's birth directly to Berry's first hit, "Maybelline" in 1955. Berry's other hits include "Roll Over Beethoven," "Johnny B. Goode," "Nadine," "Sweet Little Sixteen," and "Reelin' and Rockin'." In 1987, Berry wrote his autobiography and was featured in a 1988 film, "Hail! Hail! Rock `n' Roll."

Little Richard signed a recording contract with RCA in 1951. He became a national name when he cut a rock `n' roll version of "Tutti-Frutti," using his falsetto voice and distinctive piano playing, and sold three million records. His other hits include "Long Tall Sally," `Rip It Up" "Jenny Jenny" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly." He had a self-imposed hiatus from the industry and returned in 1985 for an appearance in the hit movie," Down and Out In Beverly Hills."

Comedian Sinbad will bring his funny stories minus foul language to the Las Vegas Hilton, June 30 and July 1. He made his debut in the 1980's on the television Show "Star Search." He never won, but appeared on the show seven times and became a finalist.

Since then, Sinbad has hosted the late-night talk show "Vibe;" starred in numerous feature films; and been executive producer for and starred in Fox Television's "The Sinbad Show" and HBO's "Sinbad's Summer Jam Weekend" series. In addition, he released a book "Sinbad's Guide To Life (Because I Know Everything), published by Bantom Books Hardcover in 1997.

Tickets to see Sinbad are $45, $55 and $65, call 800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

The California pop/rock band of the 70's, the Doobie Brothers will headline at The Orleans Showroom, June 9-11. Early in 1982, the Doobie Brothers announced they were splitting up after a farewell tour. In 1987, the group reunited for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl that quickly became a brief reunion tour. Their reunion album, "Cycles," went Gold upon its release in 1989, spawning the Top 10 hit "the Doctor." Tickets are $59.59, $60.50 and $79.50 plus tax, call 702-365-7075.

The Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley an Bobby Hatfield, will follow the Doobie Brothers at The Orleans, June 14-25. Tickets are $44.95, $49.95 and $54.95 plus tax.

There's some serious boxing taking place this month beginning on June 10 in the 10,000-seat Caesars Palace outdoor stadium with former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield facing off with WBA No. 1 contender John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight title in the main event. Tickets range from $50 up to $500 with a $3 ticket-handling fee. For tickets, call 800-634-6698 or 702-731-7865.

On June 17, the action moves to closed circuit viewing of the Oscar De La Hoya verses Shane Mosley fight for the World Welterweight Championship. The Las Vegas Hilton will host the viewing in the Las Vegas Hilton Theater with assigned seating. Tickets are $40 call 800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755. Caesars Palace will show the fight on large-screen televisions in the resort's Palace Ballroom. Tickets are $40 plus the $3 ticket-handling fee, call 800-634-6698 or 702-731-7865.

Keeping with what appears to be a 50s and 60s entertainment revival during June, the Santa Fe off US 95 and Rancho Road will have a Doo Wop Festival during the month. Each group will do 7 and 9:30 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $10 each with two drinks included, call 702-658-4900.

The Happenings will perform in the Santa Fe Ice Lounge on June 9 & 10. They hit the national charts in May 1966 with their first hit single "See You in September." Another great tune was "Go Away Little Girl." Today, the group consists of three principal members.

The Legends of Doo-Wop will follow on June 16 & 17. This vocal group is made up of three former lead singers and one bassman from legendary rock-n-roll bands. Their group's associations were The Passions, The Fascinators, The Imaginations and the 5 Sharks.

The Del Vikings are a five member band carrying on the sound and style of the original band with songs such as "Come Go With Me" and "Sunday Kind of Love."

The Shangri-Las are the sixties girl group with a dynamite hit like "Leader of the Pack."

The Markman Gallery located inside the Regent Las Vegas resort in Summerlin will hold it first Las Vegas Artist Showcase over the July 4th weekend. The exclusive showing of up-and-coming artists who reside in the Las Vegas community will be reviewed and selected and have their work hung in the chic gallery next to famous artists. The gallery is open daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For information, call 702-240-8513.

Nothing wrong with a free outdoor evening concert especially when its a tradition like the Summer Concert Series sponsored by Clark County Parks & Recreation. Jazz in the Park now in its eleventh year will feature The Michael Wolff Trio on June 10 and Ernie Watts on June 24, at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater close to downtown Las Vegas.

Wolff led the Arsenio Hall Show band for five years and has five CD releases of his own. Watts is a two time Grammy winner who appears with his quartet. For information, call 702-455-8200.

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAUGHLIN SEGMENT
>LAST WEEK'S LAS VEGAS SEGMENT
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide