Columnist Joe Delaney: Is LV ready for high-end Bellagio?

THINKING OUT LOUD. ... When Steve Wynn's Bellagio opens in mid-October of this year, it should be the grandest grand opening in Las Vegas history. ... It should also be the proper hotel to end one millenium and start the next. ... Once the initial excitement ends and whatever normalcy results, there are a few areas worth questioning.

Has Wynn developed a previously untapped source of high-end clientele? ... It would be a reasonable assumption that many Mirage, Treasure Island and Golden Nugget prime customers are going to want to try the Bellagio. ... Caesars Palace, LV Hilton and MGM Grand may find some of their best customers opting to check out the Bellagio.

Is Las Vegas ready for an exclusive hotel? ... The Tally-Ho, forerunner of the Aladdin at that location, was a non-gaming hotel, an idea whose time came much later. ... Will Bellagio be another case of too much, too soon?

Upcoming season

UNLV has lined up an exciting 1998-1999 season of cultural events. ... The 23rd season of the prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series will present the St. Petersburg State Symphony of Russia, violinist Nigel Kennedy, the New York Philharmonic directed by Kurt Mazur, the Russian National Ballet, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, closing with the Canadian Brass on May 1, 1999.

UNLV's Performing Arts Center has also arranged a joint series of musical and non-musical travel events in conjunction with Preferred Travel Services. ... Order early for best seats and/or travel reservations.

UNLV's University Theatre's ambitious 1998-1999 season includes "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," "Sweet Charity," and "Happily Ever Aftering with Lerner and Loewe." ... This is in addition to productions in the Black Box Theatre and elsewhere on the campus.

Ballet news

The Nevada Ballet Theatre, formerly Nevada Dance Theatre, will perform in the Cashman Theatre for its 1998-1999 season with an opening gala, "Raymonda, A Handel Celebration" and "In The Mood," "The Nutcracker," "Les Sylphides," "In The Glow Of The Night" and "Good Times;" and close with "Coppelia," April 9-11, 1999. ... Call 732-3838.

Las Vegas now has a number of outstanding theater groups plus the annual summer musicals at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. ... Prices are quite reasonable and most performances are first class.

Two successful touring shows, both featuring exciting dance forms, have settled in Las Vegas: Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" (New York, New York) and "Tap Dogs" (Stratosphere). ... The former may find its $50 weeknights, $60 weekend-night prices a deterrent, while the $24.95 price at the Stratosphere makes it a good buy, price-wise.

Star-policy rundown

It's Penn & Teller (Bally's); David Copperfield (Caesars); Freddy Fender (Gold Coast); Martina McBride (LV Hilton); Carrot Top (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Willie Nelson (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Clarinetist Abe Most and His Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra plays at the Stardust, 7 p.m. Saturday.

Thanks to the Internet and digitally-remastered re-issues on CDs and cassettes, the younger generation is discovering the big band sounds of the 1930s and 1940s. ... There is a Count Basie Orchestra performing at the Riviera on July 21 and a Harry James Orchestra at the Stardust on Aug. 1, part of that hotel's continuing monthly big-band series.

Marv Koral's All-Stars featuring Carl Fontana, Gus Mancuso, Joe Romano and Carl Saunders are now ensconced at Carollo's, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays. ... Frank Leone's piano is special, early evenings at Nicky Blair's restaurant.

Thursday addenda

Recommended: "Tony & Marie's Wedding," at 6:30 nightly, in the Orleans Hotel convention area; good fun plus dinner and audience involvement. ... Belated 11th anniversary bests to Larry Taylor and his Big Band Ballroom Dancing at the Gold Coast, Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. ... Please contribute to the Sun Summer Camp Fund, it's vital -- and tax-deductible. ... See you Friday.

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