Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 | 7:06 a.m.
John Del Prado likens himself to a cat clinging to a limb as a flood rushes below. In fact, one of Del Prado's favorite photos is a postcard depicting that very scene.
Del Prado is clinging, no question. The family business, Del Prado Jewelers, is losing money as one of four businesses operating in the tomb known as Neonopolis. His six-month lease expires March 1 and he can only afford to pay the power and phone bills. He can't likely move because that would cost $60,000 in money he doesn't have. A conversation Thursday afternoon with property developer Rohit Joshi, whose history of defaulting on projects has shaken Las Vegas' confidence in his plans for reviving Neonopolis, has not changed the landscape: Potential customers approach the latent retail center, take note of the inactivity and turn afield.
Yet Del Prado has a faith in Neonopolis that borders on the unbelievable. On Thursday he took a break from hawking baubles to recite his favorite pep talk, saying, "I remain optimistic that Neonopolis will be the gateway to Fremont Street; it will be thriving. People see it as the black sheep of the family down here, but I honestly don't. I know my personal situation is difficult, but I have a strong following, and it's just a matter of getting some businesses in here."
But how that would happen is still unknown. Joshi is said to be interested in several development plans, but the property remains distressed, home only to the same four anchor tenants - Jillian's, Galaxy Theatres, Poker Dome and Del Prado - that were in place six months ago. Twenty spaces sit empty.
"I will stick it out as long as I can, I promise you that," said Del Prado, aware that March 1 is fast approaching, but still gripping that limb.
NoteMart
UNLV associate professor of theater Bob Benedetti is directing the Bertoldt Brecht play "Mother Courage," starring Broadway veteran Barbara Tarbuck, which opens tonight at the Black Box Theatre and runs through March 11 (general admission tickets are $25, student tickets are $20). Benedetti is also awaiting final word on the future of "Dynamite and Roses," his made-for-cable-TV film centering on the relationship between Lucy and Albert Parsons, leaders of the American labor movement in the late 1800s. HBO Films President Colin Callender is reviewing the script, and Benedetti should receive an answer within two weeks. If it's a go, production would start in the fall. ...
On Tuesday, "The Chippendales" celebrate their fifth anniversary at the Rio, (an event that should thrill body oil retailers throughout the city). In a somewhat related event, last Friday the Chippendales touring troupe - not the Vegas crew - was arrested for violating a city ordinance during the first of three sold-out shows at Jake's Sports Cafe in Lubbock, Texas. The dancers did not shed their leather dungarees. However, they were apprehended when they bounded off the stage and one dancer (who had his pants open) performed what Lubbock Police Chief Claude Jones described as a "pelvic thrust." At that point it was everyone-out-of-the-pool time, as the club did not have the proper permit for that flavor of adult entertainment. The eight dancers were hauled off to jail, with dozens of female fans following in protest, but on Thursday the Lubbock County district attorney's office opted not to press charges. Thus, the case has been zipped shut. ...
It's not often you can catch a Broadway star for $15, but you can tonight at the Las Vegas Academy's "Variety Night." Brent Barrett (who swaps the lead in "Phantom - Las Vegas Spectacular" with Anthony Crivello) headlines the program scheduled for 8 p.m. at Las Vegas Academy Theater at 315 S. 7th St. ...
On that "Phantom" tack, Sierra Boggess - who alternates with Elizabeth Loyacano as Christine - will leave the production at the Venetian in May to star in the Broadway version of "The Little Mermaid." No word yet on who, if anyone, will replace Boggess when she heads east. ...
We might have a sighting of that rare Iron Maiden fan: Plate on a light blue Hyundai Accent, IRN MDN.
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