Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Wyrick Aladdin gig no illusion, sources say

Abracadabra! A new magician may be coming to the Aladdin.

Late Thursday afternoon the hotel announced that the last performance of the lighthearted variety show "Society of Seven" at the Center Stage Showroom would be Sept. 28.

Two sources who spoke to VegasBeat Thursday night insisted that illusionist Steve Wyrick -- who left his Sahara showroom last month -- has already signed a deal to "four-wall" the space until at least February, when new owners are expected to take over the bankrupt property.

A "four-wall" arrangement means Wyrick would rent the room from the hotel or work for no money up front. His compensation would come from ticket sales and, possibly, drink and merchandise sales.

"It is a small space for a show like Wyrick's, but he wants to stay on the Strip -- prestige, you know -- and he'll pare down his act to accommodate the room," a Strip entertainer who is friendly with Wyrick said.

His act has recently included eight dancers and an illusion where a helicopter or a twin-engine plane appears on stage.

The Center Stage is basically a converted ballroom with a small stage and little storage or dressing area.

Wyrick could not be reached for comment this morning.

Aladdin spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said there was "nothing official to announce yet."

After several years performing in Branson, Mo., and elsewhere, Wyrick opened at the Lady Luck casino in 1997, and then opened his multimillion-dollar production show at the Sahara in March 2000.

The naughty "X" show plays in the Center Stage's late-night slot, and no changes are expected with its performance schedule.

You've got ... a bid

Andre Agassi is having an online charity auction in conjunction with his upcoming "Grand Slam for Children" event.

StubHub.com is taking bids on packages that include tickets to the MGM Grand Garden Arena show, which features performances by Billy Joel, Elton John, Faith Hill, Dennis Miller, Sheryl Crow and Robin Williams, as well as signed photos and a gourmet dinner.

Bids close Sept. 29; the event takes place Oct. 4.

Growing up

The KVVU Channel 5 Fox morning news show is expanding to four hours, possibly as early as next week.

"For competitive reasons, I don't want to say when, but I can confirm that we are expanding," said Marc Weiner, station news director.

"There has been tremendous growth in the morning -- our ratings are up 41 percent from this time last year," he said, citing recent Nielsen numbers.

The show will start an hour earlier, airing from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Jarr head

Sultry actress Nikki Cox and all the other stars of the NBC casino drama, "Las Vegas" -- James Caan, Josh Duhamel and Vanessa Marcil -- were at the Hollywood charity premiere of the show Tuesday night.

All have a real affinity for Vegas, they told the Sun's pop culture reporter Kirk Baird, who made the scene -- especially Cox.

"I absolutely love Las Vegas," the raven-haired beauty gushed. "And I am a huge Cook E. Jarr fan."

Jarr, the lounge legend, is a regular at Harrah's Carnival Court.

"Las Vegas" premieres Monday night (KVBC Channel 3).

New addition

Henderson resident and entertainer Billy Hinsche is an uncle. His niece, Wendy Wilson (of Wilson Phillips), gave birth over the weekend to 9-pound, 21-inch Leo Evan Knutson.

Also present at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai hospital for the big event: new aunt Carnie Wilson, new grandfather and old Beach Boy Brian Wilson, Chynna Phillips, Owen Elliot (Mama Cass' daughter) and, of course, the new dad, sound engineer Dan Knutson.

Hinsche returns home to play the Suncoast this weekend. The former Dino, Desi and Billy player is the musical director for Ricci Martin's tribute show to his father, Dean Martin.

Martin's show shares the stage with Gary Lewis and the Playboys for the Las Vegas debut of the offspring of Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Star table

New Golden Nugget boss Tom Breitling was having an intimate chat with Vegas veterinarian -- and Playboy's Miss August -- Colleen Marie at Sedona on Wednesday night, the cool Flamingo Road space owned in part by Agassi.

Also at the table: Clint Holmes, Bill Fayne, Kelly Clinton and artist Ruby Mazur -- who had spent all day prepping for his December solo show at Barbara Lee Woollen's Art de Vignettes gallery at the Fashion Show mall.

Earlier in the evening, Breitling and partner Tim Poster saw Holmes' show over at Harrah's.

VegasBits

Live: "Saturday Night Live" alums Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Nealon, Tracy Morgan and producer Lorne Michaels supped Thursday night at N9NE (Palms). After hosting the "SNL" slot machine party at Rain in the Desert (Palms) Wednesday night, Aykroyd spent some time with friends at Treasures, the new gentleman's club ...

Mashed: "M*A*S*H's" Radar, Gary Burghoff, had dinner Thursday night at BullShrimp (Green Valley Ranch). This afternoon, he tours four Station Casinos promoting a new slot machine ...

Operator: Prominent political pollster Frank Luntz has been spotted at a few locations in Las Vegas this week. He was commissioned by the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation to gauge support for a proposed downtown arts facility ...

Dinner: "Dateline" correspondent Keith Morrison had dinner Tuesday at Spiedini ...

Happy: Righteous Brother and regular Orleans headliner Bill Medley turns 63 today ...

Move: Ron Garrett is the new advertising, entertainment and marketing honcho at the Sahara. Until recently, he was the general manager at the Greek Isles ...

See clearly: Dennis Rodman was at the Sands Convention Center Thursday as part of the International Vision Expo, plugging his line of new eyewear. His former wife, Carmen Electra, will be there this afternoon. Saturday, Paris and Nicky Hilton are expected to make an appearance. Also, celebrity lines endorsed by Britney Spears, Lauren Hutton and SpongeBob SquarePants will be unveiled today, but those stars will not be in attendance.

Flatley suit dropped

The woman who accused "Riverdance" star Michael Flatley of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel room dropped her suit Thursday.

The $35 million lawsuit was filed in March.

"I always maintained my innocence and I'm delighted and relieved that this has been finally and fully vindicated," Flatley told the Irish Independent. "I always said that these allegations were bogus."

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