Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Tyson keeps slugging it out as ‘Undisputed Truth’ extended through October

Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth VIP Grand Opening

Erik Kabik/ErikKabik.com

The VIP grand opening of “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth — Live on Stage” at MGM Grand on Saturday, April 14, 2012.

The Kats Report Bureau on Thursday night took in a rematch with Mike Tyson at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand.

In his fighting career, Mike Tyson was known for the quick KO — ask Michael Spinks, who was “entertained” by Tyson for 91 seconds in 1988. But as a stage performer, Tyson is built to go the distance, as his stage show at the MGM has proven. He’s getting more polished as the event wears on, too.

Prior to Thursday, the most recent performance I’d attended by Tyson was March 5, on the premiere night of “The Undisputed Truth,” during which the star of the show was caught unexpectedly by a stiff jab in the form of a faulty mic and earpiece (Tyson needs to hear the backstage audio cues from his wife, Kiki, who has helped write and directs the show).

This caused Iron Mike a great deal of frustration, but he soldiered on during that important performance and has since developed a show that is focused, fascinating and funny — the three F’s of “Undisputed Truth.” His recounting of his scrape with boxing mediocrity Mitch “Blood” Green, in which Tyson dons a wig of dreadlocks to resemble the embattled Green, is an especially inspired moment.

Impressively, the 250-seat room has been consistently sold out during Tyson’s run at MGM, and the room Thursday was customarily packed. The solid business and Tyson’s own dedication to the production has led to an extension of the production, with 24 additional dates for Sept. 8-Oct. 23.

The nights remain Thursdays through Sundays, the show times at 10 p.m. (though Tyson blasted onto the stage at 10:30 p.m. Thursday after hitting a traffic snarl on Tropicana Avenue). Mike and Kiki both indicated after Thursday's show that Tyson’s schedule is the only challenge in returning him to the stage. As for producer Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment, he said, “I’m thrilled to see this show coming back around, from starting at the MGM (in 2012) then going to Broadway and touring the world, and to be back here is really rewarding.”

The Steck-Tyson production is also a boost to the room’s landlord, Mr. Garrett, whose own club-operating venture is also driven by personal passion. The success of Tyson’s show only helps the viability of the comedy club, and the scene has become an effective underground — and Underground — hang at the hotel.

And a final, important point about Tyson, who turns 50 on Thursday: He makes jokes about his “lispy” speaking style, which can make the show difficult to decipher at times. But he has committed to memory all of the show’s scripted dialogue in a 75-minute performance. The inspiration for “Undisputed Truth” was Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale,” where Palminteri performs every role in the stage version of the movie, using no teleprompters. In an entertainment industry where most singers have no problem reading lyrics from an iPad onstage, or from a giant teleprompter at the back of an arena, Tyson’s attention to this detail should be applauded.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow Kats on Instagram Instagram.com/JohnnyKats1.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy