Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 9:35 a.m.
Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or [email protected].
Making the rounds: Last Thursday, it was "The Rat Pack Is Back," in a lounge that is now called simply The Starlight at the Desert Inn. ... We had to miss Wednesday's press night. ... Thursday's show was "Invitation only." ... Audiences such as this are not the norm. ... This is a similar situation to "Night Madness" (San Remo) a night earlier when visiting basketball players and a principal's friends predominated.
David Cassidy, fresh from starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand), and successful television producer-writer Don Reo, share the executive producer chores. ... Dionne Kirschner, with good TV credits, is the producer.
The story line: The date is Dec. 12, 1961, Frank Sinatra's 46th birthday. ... Sinatra would like to keep this quiet but his Sands buddies, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop, have decided to surprise the Chairman of the Board with an onstage birthday party.
Anent the cast
Hiram Kaston, as Joey Bishop, made his vintage laugh lines work. ... With a regular paying audience, he would be more effective at 15 minutes, half the time, no audience banter. ... Bobby Caldwell had the mannerisms and musical timing as Sinatra, singing "Come Fly With Me," "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and "Luck, Be A Lady Tonight."
As Caldwell started a saloon song, he was interrupted by Steve Apple, an engaging performer, as Dean Martin. ... After some banter Martin presented Sinatra with candy as a birthday gift. ... Candy, a comely blonde, went off with Frank, allowing Dean to sing his signature songs.
Tony Tillman (Sammy Davis Jr.) came to Las Vegas opening for Bill Cosby and has been a successful lounge act for years. ... He is an effective, sometimes over-the-top Sammy. ... His birthday gift was Brandy, Candy's twin sister, the other two depart. ... Tillman would be more effective, less intensive, especially on "Bojangles."
The conclusion
Frank and Dean return to heckle Sammy until Joey Bishop wheels out the booze cart for jokes and toasts. ... The songs that follow are Rat Pack classics. ... That night there was an impromptu Bobby Darin by David Cassidy that nearly stopped the show. ... The "Birth of the Blues" closer is ideal. ... The Lon Bronson 12-piece orchestra, developed at the Riviera, deserves co-star or, at least, "extra-added attraction" billing.
My concern was the same as it was for "Night Madness" in last Friday's Sun critique. ... The D.I. tickets are $30; cocktails, tax and gratuity extra, which means a two-drink evening would cost more than $40 a person. ... Night Madness" has a $29.95 tab which includes tax, gratuity and two drinks. ...Both prices seem high for shows as yet unproven.
The next night
On Friday it was "Chicago," re-visited at Mandalay Bay, this time with Marilu Henner as Roxie Hart and Stephanie Pope portraying Velma Kelly, replacing Chita Rivera and Ute Lemper, respectively. ... Rivera had an awesome star presence. ... The current version plays better as more of an ensemble effort which included Henner and Pope taking their final bows together. ... This rivalry is much more believable.
Ben Vereen continues practically perfect as the lawyer, Billy Flynn. ... The same can be said for Marcia Lewis's Matron "Mama" Morton and Ernie Sabella as Roxie's cuckold husband, Amos Hart.
Marilu Henner is only committed through Aug. 22 with no official word on a replacement as we type this. ... In a show such as this, replacements can give the production a fresh approach while still retaining the intent, feel and ambiance of the original.
Star-policy rundown
It's Chuck Berry and Little Richard (Caesars Palace); Alabina, a hot new international group (Desert Inn); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Golden Nugget); Kenny Rogers, plus Mario & Daniel (LV Hilton); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Wayne Newton, plus Tommy Tune in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Righteous Brothers (Orleans) and Danny Gans (Rio).
Join the LV Jazz Society and support jazz music wherever its played. ... There will be an updated listing in Friday's column. ... Have you sent your check to the Sun Summer Camp Fund? ... It's so important, every penny does go to the kids, there is no overhead. ... See you Friday.
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