Columnist Joe Delaney: Contributions aplenty via City of Brotherly Love

PHILADELPHIA. the City of Brotherly Love, is the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross's house, William Penn's hat, Philly Steak sandwiches, hoagies, Tastykake, scrapple and successful boy singers with Italian antecedents. ... My natal city was also the birthplace for a number of comedic contributors, including the great W.C. Fields.

Bill Cosby and David "Soft Pretzels With Mustard" Brenner are two contemporary humorists who remain true to their Philadelphia roots. ... Cos was just here at the Mirage and returns in November. ... Brenner performs at the Riviera's Top of the Riv, doing 9 p.m. shows this Friday and Saturday. ... David now calls Aspen, Colo., home.

Imogene Coca, 90 this November, the late Guy Marks, Elaine May (of Nichols & May), TV's Bob Saget and comedian/film star Will Smith are others who made their first declaration of independence in Philly.

David's tale

In a recent phone interview, Brenner told this story. ... The Golden Nugget once had its Cabaret showroom on the street level, a great room. ... David refused to play there, it seemed too much like a lounge. ... Steve Wynn asked him what should be changed. ... Brenner suggested first that curtains should close off the windows to the pool area.

Next he asked for an entrance directly from backstage so performers would not have to walk through the audience, plus a real dressing room so he wouldn't have to dress in his room then ride the elevator and walk in his tuxedo through the casino with regular customers.

Wynn agreed to all three suggestions and David agreed to play the Cabaret. "Wynn was a man of his word. I had some of my best Las Vegas years to date working the Golden Nugget Cabaret." ... Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Alan King and Willie Nelson also worked that warm showroom.

Star-policy rundown

It's Penn & Teller (Bally's); David Copperfield (Caesars); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Wayne Newton (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Glen Campbell, too long away (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Leon Russell appears Friday only, at 8 p.m., at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Afterthought: We thoroughly enjoyed Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" last Thursday at New York-New York. ... The show seemed 10 to 15 minutes too long. ... Elimination of Erin, The Goddess's last song and shortening that extended ending would do it.

This Friday's "It Happened Last Night" will cover the "Tap Dogs" early show Thursday at the Stratosphere. ... Judging by the 8 and 10:30 p.m. starting times, the producers have already tightened the show, tailoring it for the more intimate Images Cabaret.

Here comes Norma

Norma Miller is a talented ageless wonder. ... Her "Swinging At The Savoy" production is slated to play the Gold Coast showroom July 27-30. ... "Savoy" refers to Harlem's famed Savoy Ballroom, home of swing bands and swing dancing, where the Lindy Hop, Truckin', Suzi Q and other national dance crazes originated in the 1930s.

Miller was one of those originators. ... She promises the people four solid days of non-stop dancing and swinging. ... Norma and her dancers will be backed by the 17-piece Gold Coast Orchestra and feature Maria Teresa & Angel, plus the world famous Jivin' Lindy Hoppers from London, among many other dance specialists.

Also featured: The Nicholas Sisters, granddaughters of the famed Nicholas Brothers, Fayed and Harold. ... The July 27 performance will include a tribute to the great performer, Leonard Reed.

Thursday addenda

Breck Wall and Patrick Maes' production of "Aireus" at the Reno Hilton was voted "Best Casino Show," "Best All-Around Entertainment Value," and "Best Billboard for a Show," while co-producer and star Wall, a Las Vegan, was voted "Favorite Eccentric," in a recent edition of the Reno Gazette Journal. ... Please support the Sun Summer Camp Fund. Send every possible youngster to camp this year. ... See you Friday.

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