Columnist Joe Delaney: A tip sheet on show successes, failures and changes

SUMMERTIME, and for some Strip production shows, the living -- and in a few cases, surviving -- is far from easy. ... "Spellbound," starring Joaquin Ayala, a longtime resident at Harrah's, has been given its notice as of the end of this year. ... A call to Harrah's entertainment office revealed that the hotel was keeping its 1999 options open; star policy is not a given here.

Showroom crowd counts are down approximately 20 percent this summer. ... Siegfried & Roy (Mirage) is one of the few exceptions; likewise, "Mystere" (Treasure Island). ... With Siegfried & Roy doing well, Penn & Teller holding their own at Bally's, and consistent winner David Copperfield (who just closed at Caesars), a $34.95 show like "Spellbound" has to suffer.

Lance Burton's Monte Carlo numbers continue to be a model of consistency. ... Other competition includes Caesars Magical Empire, and lower-priced shows at the Boardwalk, Lady Luck, Maxim, San Remo and Tropicana.

Another change

Bonnie Saxe's "Showgirls of Magic" does fair business early and good business with a late adult show, a strong draw for the San Remo's Asian clientele. ... Personnel changes have resulted in Saxe being given an Aug. 16 closing date. ... "Broadway -- Off Broadway," recently closed at Debbie Reynolds Hotel, is scheduled to open there a few weeks later.

Reynolds' hotel has a dire prognosis. ... Debbie is off making another film. ... "Broadway -- Off Broadway" apparently dumped out to avoid costumes and scenery being caught in a foreclosure proceeding.

Kenny Kerr's show is still being performed in Debbie's showroom at 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. ... Kerr is sure to be shopping around as well. ... "Broadway -- Off Broadway" will have to scale down considerably to fit in the tiny San Remo showroom. ... We understand the San Remo may go to a cigar nightclub if the show doesn't work.

Other factors

Two new shows in town have also affected attendance elsewhere, with Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" averaging 90 percent attendance at New York- New York, and Stratosphere's "Tap Dogs" reportedly over 70 percent and picking up. ... Danny Gans (Rio) is another summer doldrums exception, selling out more than two weeks in advance.

The Riviera is offering special dinner deals with "Splash," "Crazy Girls" and "La Cage," while the Tropicana's ads have $10 off tickets, good for two people, for the "Folies Bergere."

The Trop's ads for illusionist Rick Thomas' afternoon shows have a $5 off coupon, bringing the price down to $7.95, tax included. ... The Stardust now has Dorothy Hamill, starring in "Enter the Night" for $29.95, which includes tax, gratuity and one drink, plus early family shows. ... All of which indicates these shows are doing less than capacity at present.

There's hope

Star-policy results have been spotty, depending upon performer, price and showroom capacity. ... Hotel risks in most cases are minimal, with stars assuming the financial responsibility via four-wall lease deals. ... One other recent arrival, "History Of Sex" at the Golden Nugget, has had mixed reactions, although it has that genre to itself downtown with the closing of an "X-rated" revue at the Union Plaza.

Steve Wynn's new entertainment company, headed by Los Angeles' Sandy Gallin, is a hopeful note, as are the efforts of entertainment director Joel Fischman for Circus Circus Enterprises and the Thomas & Mack's Steve Sonnier joining Caesars World Entertainment as director of entertainment.

Recent polls now have entertainment replacing gaming as the primary reason for visiting Las Vegas. ... For entertainment to be successful once more, it needs to be independent or, at least, co-equal with marketing.

In conclusion

Returning to "Spellbound" and its departure from Harrah's, it could mean that magic and illusion productions have peaked and other weaker shows may be in trouble. ... If so, where are the entertainment people to come up with new stars and viable fresh production concepts? ... Certainly, not in today's LV hotel marketing departments. ... See you next Thursday.

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