Gabe Ginsberg
Murray Sawchuck with his new castmates in “Fantasy” at Luxor.
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Comedian and magician Murray Sawchuck doesn’t seem to understand the concept of spare time. He’s headlining at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana five nights a week, touring pretty steadily across the country and managing an internet empire that includes a YouTube channel with nearly 1.7 million subscribers.
But when he got a call from producer Anita Mann asking if he wanted the comedian spot in her long-running sexy revue “Fantasy” at Luxor, he immediately said yes. No appreciation at all for downtime.
“My greatest and worst asset is I’m a workaholic,” says Sawchuck. “I love it.”
Last Saturday, he played his 7 p.m. show at the Trop with girlfriend Dani Elizabeth, the host of “Crazy Girls” at Planet Hollywood who fills in for Sawchuck’s right-hand man Douglas “Lefty” Leferovich on certain nights. Then Elizabeth went to perform in “Crazy Girls” and Sawchuck went to perform in “Fantasy,” then the couple reunited for a joint guest spot in “Brian Newman After Dark” at the NoMad Restaurant at Park MGM. Three shows each. One night. Zero downtime.
“When Anita called me I said, ‘Yeah, I’d love to. Why not?’ I’ve always loved that show. It was the first show I saw when I came to Vegas, back when it was called ‘Midnight Fantasy,’” Sawchuck says. “It’s very different because everyone is there to see the girls and not me. They don’t know I’m coming out until I come out, and then you have 15 minutes to get the audience to like you. You actually have about 30 seconds to get them to like you, and if you don’t, it’s going to be the longest 15 minutes of your life.”
The previous occupant of those 15 minutes was veteran stand-up and impressionist Sean E. Cooper, who recently departed to pursue prospects as a solo performer. Cooper was an integral part of “Fantasy” for 18 of its 20 years.
The show has maintained its success over the long haul thanks to its focus on the personalities of its performers, and the comfortable confines of the Atrium Showroom at Luxor. Sawchuck appreciates both elements.
“When you walk in there, you’re in a real theater, and even though it’s about 350 [seats] it feels intimate,” he says. Many of the city’s topless female revues are performed in smaller, cabaret-style rooms. “Nothing will replace shows like 'Folies Bergere' or 'Jubilee!' but it’s almost like a pocket-sized version of those shows, with all its lights and sounds and costuming.”
Sawchuck took a turn in the former “Crazy Horse” revue at MGM Grand years ago, a similar situation. He says he was a bit nervous for the first few nights of the “Fantasy” gig because he needed to have the right material ready. “The first set went well but the next night I changed it, tightened it up and dialed it in.” Of course, he’s working a bit of magic into the comedy. He wouldn’t be Murray if he didn’t.
“For me to bump into a show like this is so much fun because it’s different material. It’s a little more edgy at ‘Fantasy’ but not much, because even my adult content could still be aired in primetime,” he says. “And when you do a show like this, you don’t have the pressure of you being onstage for 90 minutes or 75 minutes. You can share the stage and not worry as much. With a cast, there’s all sorts of things going on. It’s a really fun atmosphere, a team effort.”
His show at the Trop runs at 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, and 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and “Fantasy” at Luxor can be seen nightly at 10:30 p.m.
Nieve Malandra
More show news this week:
Celebrity psychic medium Thomas John made his debut at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace on February 6 and his Strip engagement has now been extended through July 26. It’s a bit of an understatement to say that this show is something different. “Being in Las Vegas has been a truly amazing experience,” he said. “My life mission is to bring peace of mind, comfort, joy and sometimes laughter to those who long for contact with a loved one who has passed and I am grateful to be able to make connections nightly, because our spirits never die.” The show is performed at 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Vegas-born jazz singer Nieve Malandra will perform at Siena Italian Authentic Trattoria near Summerlin on March 1 at 11:30 a.m. Malandra has been singing with Zowie Bowie and has performed on her own recently at NoMad Las Vegas at Park MGM. She can also be seen and heard Sundays at the Barrymore and Mondays at Golden Tiki.
As reported in this week’s Sun on the Strip podcast, “Friends! The Musical Parody” has found a new home at Paris Las Vegas after the comedy musical initially found its footing at the D in downtown Las Vegas. It opens in the Anthony Cools Showroom on March 9 and is set for a 7 p.m. time slot Friday through Wednesday. “‘Friends’ is a fresh and fun addition to our world-class entertainment lineup,” said Damian Costa, Caesars Entertainment vice president of entertainment operations.
Model, actress, showgirl and burlesque performer Sabina Kelley’s Valentine’s Day weekend run at “X Burlesque” at the Flamingo was such a hit, she’s giving it another go. Kelley will be guest-starring in “X Country” at Harrah’s Las Vegas in Harrah's Cabaret April 9-11. The Academy of Country Music’s annual awards show will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena April 5, meaning that will be another week that Vegas goes country. “X Country” will be ready.
“Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino also returns to guest-star duty in April, rejoining the cast of Chippendales at the Rio for his third limited engagement residency. This one kicks off April 24 and keeps the “Keto Guido” onstage until June 7. “I am really looking forward to returning to the stage for some of the most amazing audiences in Las Vegas,” he said. “I get the chance to do all of the things I love most, hosting, dancing and performing while being a part of one of the wildest shows on the Strip.” His current MTV show “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” returns with new episodes tonight, February 26.
