Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Tap Dogs' prepares for its final number

HARD TO BELIEVE that the Stratosphere brass would close a class show like "Tap Dogs," doing reasonable business in a make-shift, mini-showroom, to put in a sports and race book. ... A better explanation would have "Tap Dogs" opting to leave for another Strip destination, or Atlantic City, or to go back on the road.

With "Tap Dogs" leaving on Oct. 25, it makes sense to put a sports and race book in that area. ... When first announced that "Tap Dogs" was opening at the Stratosphere, we thought "American Superstars" would relinquish the main showroom and move into that downstairs location. ... This would have made more sense for a long run engagement.

Louie Anderson is staying on a second week in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, closing on Oct. 21, with Tom Jones to follow, Oct. 22. ... Anderson's move from Bally's is now official.

More moves

Anne Murray, another Bally's regular, may be moving to the Orleans Hotel, as rumored. ... She is still set to play one more week at Bally's, starting Oct. 29. ... Richard Sturm, vice president in charge of entertainment at the MGM Grand, is the reason so many Bally's Celebrity Room acts will be making the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, half the size of the Celebrity Room, their new LV home.

Englebert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, The Four Tops, and Gladys Knight, now with MGM, previously performed for Sturm at Bally's. ... We understand Penn & Teller will also be moving to the MGM Grand shortly.

Singer Buddy Greco, who started the Starlight Theatre renaissance at the Desert Inn a few years back, in town for a few days, has a new CD, hies back to London this week, and has a January date at Bellagio. ... Look for a rash of Frank Sinatra would-bes to play Las Vegas.

Here they come

Brian Evans is the first, "recapturing the Sinatra style," currently appearing in the D.I.'s new Starlight Theatre, with 9 p.m. performances through Nov. 29. ... The next arrival will be Steve Lippia who will perform in a revised lounge at the Rio, starting Oct. 31, under the aegis of Tino Barzie and with Vincent Falcone as musical director and arranger.

Barzie represented the Sinatras, Sr. and Jr., for nearly two decades. ... Falcone served as Sinatra Sr.'s musical director for a 10-year period. ... Lee Solters, Sinatra Sr.'s publicist for more than a quarter-century, operates in that capacity for Lippia.

Orleans Hotel lounge entertainment honcho Cork Proctor will once again emcee the annual "76+4 Trombones" Scholarship Benefit Concert at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 in UNLV's Ham Hall. ... Carl Fontana, Bill Tole, Jim Fitzgerald and Si Zentner protegee, will be featured soloists.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); Caesars and the D.I. are both dark this weeknd; a Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Louie Anderson (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Neil Sedaka (Orleans); Kenny Kerr Show (Plaza); Danny Gans (Rio) and Celine Dion in concert Friday only at 7:30 p.m. (Thomas and Mack).

Penn & Teller will tape two more "Sin City Spectacular" TV shows Friday and Saturday at 6:45 p.m. (LV Hilton). ... Their programs air on FX (Cox Cable 12) at 9 p.m. on Mondays.

Las Vegans, The Dunhills are the stars of a "Sugar Babies" company, now in a six-week run in the Hudson, Fla. Showplace Theatre. ... Former Las Vegas lounge star Kaye Wade and her Riverstreet Ramblers perform 5-9 p.m. Sundays at Chadney's in Burbank, CA. ... Wade is one of Hollywood's top film and TV stunt women as well.

Thursday addenda

If you're in Laughlin this month, catch Las Vegan Chuck Diamond and his Royal Dixie Jazz Band. ... They're playing the two-beat standards plus Oom-Pa-Pa music for Oktoberfest in that city's Flamingo-Hilton. ... Las Vegans should take advantage of the two-for-one ticket deal for the "Broadway Cabaret" show at the San Remo Hotel.

Maxim Gorky's "The Summer People" opens tonight at 8 p.m., for three weekends in UNLV's intimate Black Box Theatre. ... You should support local community theater. ... See you Friday.

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