Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Luke Bryan, the Vegas Room, ‘Bridesmaids’ and more Vegas showbiz news

Colte Juian at The Vegas Room

Wade Vandervort

Colte Julian performs the songs of Elton John at The Vegas Room in The Historic Commercial Center District, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.

One of the off-Strip entertainment venues that proved the show must go on during the most difficult days of pandemic restrictions will be closing down this month. The Vegas Room and the Nevada Room, the supper club-style complex operated by Tom Michel and David Robinson in historic Commercial Center on East Sahara Avenue, was something of a safe harbor for local and touring musicians and entertainers over the last two years. But now that shows and all sorts of entertainment are back in full swing in Las Vegas, these intimate spaces are not generating the traffic needed to survive, and closure is set for August 20. Tickets will be available for the final performances at VegasNevadaRooms.com, including the final installments of Kelly Clinton-Holmes’ Sit-In variety show on August 4, 11 and 18. A closing night celebration with comedian Tony Arias is set for the final evening. We expect more future Vegas fun to come from these operators, and we’ll be there to report on it.

One door closes and another opens for Clinton-Holmes, who’s been hired as director of entertainment at the Stirling Club. She’ll also perform at the private club at the Strip-adjacent Turnberry Towers, starting on August 19 in the Spirits Lounge.

The new showroom known as The Venue at the Orleans Hotel and Casino has emerged as a multifunctional spot hosting several productions that found themselves homeless coming out of the COVID shutdowns, including “Marriage Can Be Murder,” “Friends! The Musical Parody” and Adam London’s “Laughternoon.” Now it adds “Bridesmaids: The Unauthorized Movie Musical Parody,” based on the 2011 film starring Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph, opening for previews on August 19 and scheduled for a world premiere on September 22. Presented by Lynn Shore Entertainment and Ivory Star Productions, the female-driven musical follows a group of girlfriends who get into trouble while battling to be a bride’s best friend, just like the movie. Written by Valerie Witherspoon and directed by Sarah Lowe with musical direction by Chris Lash, the show’s cast includes Nicole Unger, Erin Baltsar and Caitlin Ary. It’ll play Friday and Saturday at 9:15 p.m. and tickets are on sale at bridesmaidshit.com.

More Vegas entertainment announcements this week include: Top podcaster Heather McDonald brings her “Juicy Scoop” production to the Summit Showroom at Venetian on October 22; Country star Gary Allan plays the Theater at Virgin on December 2-3; Funnyman Jim Gaffigan adds a date to his recurring role at Encore Theater at Wynn for December 7; And comedian Rodney Carrington is back for his regular rodeo-season performances at the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand December 8-10.

Circus Circus is kicking off International Clown Week — you didn’t have it on your calendar? — with a celebration on August 4 at 12:30 p.m. at its Midway featuring performances by Dave the Clown from the Ringling Brothers Circus, a veteran of three decades.

Resorts World Las Vegas resident headliner Luke Bryan will team with NFL superstar Peyton Manning to host the 56th annual CMA Awards in Nashville on November 9. “When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn’t hesitate,” Bryan said in a statement. “We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast. I know he’s been to the CMA Awards before, but he’s never been with me.” The show will be broadcast live on ABC.