Friday, Jan. 22, 1999 | 10:46 a.m.
Mandalay Bay is going first-class with "Chicago," starring Chita Rivera, who created the role of Velma Kelly in the original Bob Fosse production in 1975. ... Chita was there Tuesday when a large group of invited media were treated to a 45-minute, condensed version on-stage in the hotel's incomplete 1,500-seat theatre-to-be, bits and pieces, impeccably performed.
John Kander and Fred Ebb created the music, book and lyrics for "Chicago" just as they did for "Cabaret," starring Liza Minnelli. ... This 1996 revival has won a Grammy award for "Best Musical Show Album," six Drama Desk awards, five Outer Critics Circle awards, three Astaire awards, The New York Drama Critics Circle award, plus six Tony awards.
The Las Vegas production's creative team and featured performers have collectively won 22 Tony awards, one Emmy award and one Academy award. ... "Chicago," with Rivera as Roxie Hart, is scheduled to open March 3 at Mandalay Bay.
A brief historyMaurine Dallas Watkins, a newspaper reporter with the Chicago Tribune, wrote "Chicago" as a comedy, based upon actual events. ... It had its premiere in December 1926 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. ... The play provided the plot for the 1928 film "Chicago," and 1942's "Roxie Hart," starring Ginger Rogers as Roxie.
Bob Fosse spent 13 years, starting in the mid-1950s, trying to clear the rights to the story. ... The 1975 production starred Gwen Verdon as Roxie, Rivera as Velma and Jerry Orbach as the fast-talking attorney, played by Adolph Menjou in the 1942 film.
Kander and Ebb are the best at creating musical versions from other sources. ... "Cabaret" was based upon "I Am A Camera," a play starring Julie Harris and later made as a film with her in 1955. ... "Kiss of the Spider Woman" was a film first; Chita Rivera starred in the musical version.
Back in townBuddy Greco is appearing in the Fontana Lounge at the Bellagio, fresh from two sold-out weeks in New York City's famed Algonquin Hotel. ... Buddy's latest CD, "Like Young," on the Dolphin label, has been on the Billboard charts since November. ... It was Greco who kicked off the lounge renaissance at the D.I. a few years back.
Buddy played piano in the Benny Goodman Orchestra at age 16. ... In 1950, I took him into a recording studio for an album of Fats Waller songs entitled "Ain't Misbehaving." ... We thought it was time for a Waller revival but were 30 years too soon.
Marlene Riccui had an incredible buildup some years back under the aegis of Frank Sinatra, including an all-star TV special filmed at Caesars Palace. ... She's back in action here as special guest star in "The Great Radio City Spectacular," starring the Rockettes (Flamingo Hilton).
Special eventMaster magician Lance Burton will perform in a special show, "Magic, Music and Mirth," at 5 p.m. Sunday in his Monte Carlo Theatre with Elayne Boosler, the Smothers Brothers and the "Broadway Cabaret" cast as his guest performers. ... Tickets are tax-deductible with proceeds going to the Animal Foundation's Target Zero no-euthanasia project.
Burton has also been a valuable member-contributor to Variety Club, the Children's Charity in this community. ... Lance is to be commended for his willingness to participate in local causes.
Weekend eventsSinger-composers Kim and Reggie Harris perform at 7 this evening (Winchester Community Center). ... John Lennon's Original Quarrymen perform two free concerts, 7 and 9 p.m. (Palace Station's Trax). ... Wednesday is a new jazz night (Green Shack); Friday, it's Pogo's. ... Ernie George's Quartet is at Bourbon Street through Saturday.
More jazz: Mike Breene Trio, tonight and Saturday (Santa Fe), where the Jazz Organ-ization holds forth, noon-3 p.m. on Sunday. ... Marv Koral's All-Stars are at Carollo's, 5:30-9:30 p.m., also on Sundays while Monday night belongs to Don Menza and Co. (Riviera).
Nevada Ballet Theatre's annual Black & White Ball honors Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt Saturday at the Mirage. ... Carole Simpson of ABC News moderates a panel on "Diversity in the Next Millennium" for the Barrick Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m. Monday in UNLV's Ham Hall, free, but with tickets.
Don't miss Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday (Riviera). ... See you next Thursday.
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