Friday, July 1, 2005 | 8:34 a.m.
The recent $7.9 billion purchase of Mandalay Bay Resort Group by MGM Mirage has had a trickle-down effect on the topless show at Luxor, which is part of the Resort Group.
"Midnight Fantasy" is changing some of its cast members -- out are comedian Carole Montgomery and tap dancer Lindell Blakewill -- and six of the 10 dance numbers.
"It's always sad when I replace people," producer/creator Anita Mann said. "It's the hardest part of being a producer, but a change was requested."
MGM officials requested that the production go for a younger demographic.
"They wanted a more edgy, hipper look to it," Mann said.
The revue will celebrate its sixth anniversary at Luxor's 350-seat Pharaoh's Theatre in November.
Mann was happy to accommodate the new owners.
"You always like to keep freshening things up," she said. "I like to make changes."
The renovated show should debut in mid-August.
"The hotel will pick a date," Mann said.
She brought in choreographers Cris Judd and Eddie Garcia to revamp the production.
Judd, formerly married to Jennifer Lopez, said the new show will have more up-to-date music and be sexier.
"We're making some dramatic changes in costumes -- there will definitely be a hotter vibe to the show," he said.
While most of the girls will perform some topless numbers, Judd said more will be left to the imagination, "instead of it being so out there with the topless parts."
Magic spectacular
Producers seem fascinated with rock concerts lately.
Earlier this year a topless show/rock concert ("Erocktika") debuted at the Rio.
Now a magic show/rock concert -- "As Worlds Collide" -- will make its first appearance in a two-day showcase at 8 p.m. July 22-23 at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The production has a storyline that takes advantage of spectacular illusions and rock music.
Tickets are $40 and $65. For information call 785-5000.
Magician/producer Paul Haynes, who also is the show's main character, SpellBinder the magician, said during an interview last year that this is the largest illusion show ever created.
"It's the biggest in terms of size and amount of illusions," Haynes said when he revealed the scope of his $8 million project.
He made the announcement in November. After several delays in finding an adequate venue for the large illusions, which Haynes designed, the Aladdin theater -- which boasts a 90-foot stage -- was selected.
Haynes, a Las Vegas resident and head of Creative Illusions and Production Stageworks company, has designed and built grand-scale illusions for such magicians as Siegfried & Roy, David Copperfield and Lance Burton.
He has been working on his own production for more than four years.
There will be 20 illusions in the show, which features a cast of 20.
The music is original, with elements of Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, "but in a much more modern way," Haynes said.
It will be performed by a five-piece rock band, SpellBinder.
The plot of the show involves a fight between good (SpellBinder) and evil (Blackthorn) for domination in their world.
Toddy Awards
Golden Rainbow will host an awards ceremony at midnight July 21 at Krave Nightclub to honor performers who recently helped the nonprofit organization raise more than $267,000 to help Southern Nevadans living with HIV/AIDS.
Money to operate the agency comes from a variety of sources, including grants, donations and several fundraising events throughout the year.
The largest fundraiser is the "Ribbon of Life," a revue staged by more than 250 Las Vegas entertainers.
The 19th annual production was held June 4-5 at the Rio's Penn & Teller Theatre.
The Toddy Awards show -- named for Golden Rainbow co-founder Peter Todd -- will honor performers from that show.
The last Toddy Awards ceremony was held 1995. The event is designed to be a party for the "Ribbon of Life" performers, but the public is invited.
There will be no cover charge, but donations will be accepted.
Leading the pack in awards nominations was the Hollywood musical revue "Steppin' Out" by the cast of "Jubilee!" The number earned eight nominations in all, including Best in Show and Audience Favorite.
"Steppin' Out" director Shannon Hardin was the single-most-honored individual, receiving three nominations for Best Dance Performance, Male; Best Vocal Performance, Male; and Best Choreography.
Foy and Baker Productions' ballet and jazz combo "Gershwin Suite" came in second, with a total of five nominations, including Best in Show and Audience Favorite.
Brown not down
Impressionist Gordie Brown returns to the Golden Nugget's Theatre Ballroom tonight after a brief hiatus (His contract ended recently).
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays, with a second show each Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
The show is dark on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Tickets are $45. For information call 386-8100.
Vegas views
Gary Anthony's "Tribute to Frank Sinatra" with Dennis Mellen premieres at 9 p.m. tonight at Sonny's restaurant, 4145 S. Grand Canyon Drive (at Interstate 215 and Flamingo Road).
Anthony is in the cast of "The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean" at the Greek Isles at 8:15 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays.
The Aladdin will be a busy place this weekend.
At 9 p.m. Saturday, Mike Epps (star of "The Honeymooners" and a comedian with "Def Comedy Jam") will headline in a show at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Joining Epps will be Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy's older brother.
Tickets are from $30.50 to $75.50.
At 8 p.m. Sunday, '70s super-duo Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina will bring their "Sittin' In Again Reunion Tour' to the Aladdin theater.
Tickets are $45 to $75, $55.
Jai & Rick will perform at the Jazzed Cave, 8615 W. Sahara Ave., from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. July 12.
Jai de Lavon was formerly with the house band at the House of Blues Foundation Room. Rick Nashe is with BluesStorm.
The Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival -- featuring Cristian Catro, Aida Cuevas, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and Mariachi Sol De Mexico -- will be at the Thomas & Mack Center at 8 p.m. Sept. 17. Ticket prices are from $49 to $119.
For two days this month the first winner of the Imperial Palace's "Legend of the Year" contest will join the cast of "Legends In Concert."
Lois Mahalia of Santa Barbara, Calif., will perform a tribute to Whitney Houston at 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday.
The "Legend of the Year" contest was the culmination of the hotel's "Be A Legend" Celebrity Impersonator Karaoke Contest held through 2004. The quarterly contest gives celebrity impersonators the opportunity to display their talents and win an audition with On Stage Entertainment, the company that produces "Legends In Concert."
The "Be A Legend" contest continues in 2005, with the next show scheduled for Aug. 18.
The Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Star Spangled Spectacular" Fourth of July concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Summerlin's Hills Park.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. For more information call 258-5438.
Bring a blanket or chairs to the event.
An official Centennial-sanctioned event, this year's concert will present a special tribute to Las Vegas' 100th birthday, including an original composition by Philharmonic Associate Conductor Richard McGee, with narration by Mayor Oscar Goodman.
A second original work, a Centennial march by local composer Bernard Baskin, will also premiere.
archive
