Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999 | 9:51 a.m.
With "Chicago" settling in nicely for the fall season at Mandalay Bay and "Cats," the longest-running musical in Broadway history, giving Tommy Tune and the cast of "EFX" a short rest through Sunday in the MGM Grand Theatre, Las Vegas may finally be moving toward making legitimate theater a viable part of the LV entertainment scene.
"Rent" is scheduled for a Oct. 27-Nov. 10 run in the Las Vegas Hilton showroom. ... UNLV and the various local community theater groups have announced ambitious fall and winter seasons, all at reasonable prices.
Please support local theater efforts; the more you do, the better each will become. ... It's starting, keep it going.
Rumors have been circulating about the fate of Caesars Magical Empire.
Our sources tell us it is operating at a profit but possibly at a rate of profit that may not satisfy the Park Place brass in the future. ... It is prime space but it would be sad to see the concept replaced with slots or a buffet.
Anent Earl Turner
Earl Turner has been one of the finest and most consistent lounge acts in Las Vegas in the 1990s. ... It is fitting that the Rio has made the RioBamba Cabaret Turner's home for the next year or more; Wednesdays through Sundays, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ... This is the policy that once made the lounges a vital part of Las Vegas entertainment.
If a strong lounge act fits the ambiance and marketing plan of a particular hotel, that act should become a permanent fixture in that hotel; another identification. ... The current policy of booking acts one or two weeks at a time is self-defeating. ... By the time one knows they're there, they're gone.
Sam Butera & the Wildest and The Treniers are two proven acts that could do a job for a hotel if allowed to sit and build an identification. ... Freddie Bell, Brendan Boyer & the Royal Irish Show Band, comedians Peter Anthony and Pete Barbutti are other possibilities.
Star-policy rundown
It's Tony Bennett (Caesars Palace); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Styx (LV Hilton); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Wayne Newton (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Richard Jeni, Friday and Saturday (Monte Carlo); Roger Whittaker (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Ruben Blades, Thursday, and Dwight Yoakam, Saturday, are at the House of Blues.
The ninth annual LV International Mariachi Festival with special guest star Vikki Carr at 8 p.m. Saturday, Mandalay Bay Events Center, starts the eight-day observance of Mexican Independence Day -- Sept. 16 -- in Las Vegas, culminating with the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad Welterweight Championship Boxing bout, same venue, on Sept. 18.
Station Casinos enter September with many promotions for seniors, "Entertainment 2000" coupon books, plus the annual Great Giveaway "Pick The Pros" football contest.
Local happenings
"Jazz On The Roof" will be a Wednesday and Friday evening feature in the Resort at Summerlin's Upstairs Market Terrace through Oct. 1. ... Outstanding singer-impressionist Bob Anderson, successfully performing in Europe this past year, will appear there, Sept. 18 and 19. ... On the 17th, Anderson will emcee the Nevada Art Council's annual Black Tie Gala, also in the Resort at Summerlin.
The Brooks and Dunn Tailgate Party, with special guest Trace Adkins, starts at 8 o'clock this evening in Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena. ... Pure Prairie League and Dave Mason will perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Sunset Station Outdoor Theatre.
Bird Man Clint Carvalho, Tiana Carroll, 10 beautiful models and Clint's trained birds perform daily in the Mandalay Bay's public areas. ... Clint, et al, appeared on CBS-TV's "Funniest Pets" special, Sept. 3.
Thursday addenda
Community theater: It's "Butterflies Are Free," weekends through Sept. 26 (LV Little Theatre); the Reid Shelton Theatre Co.'s "Calamity Jane, also weekends through Sept. 26 (Rainbow Library Amphitheater); and the Actor Repertory Theatre's production of Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing," this weekend and next (Summerlin Library Theatre).
Trumpeter Ray Anthony and his big band will play for dancing and good listening, starting at 7 p.m., in the Stardust Hotel Ballroom. ... There's so much to do, please do something. ... See you Friday.
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