Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Derek Hough, Jonas Brothers, ‘Bat Out of Hell,’ and more Vegas showbiz news

Derek Hough

Virginia Trudeau

Derek Hough recently visited the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre.

The cast has been revealed for the upcoming arrival of the Jim Steinman-Meat Loaf musical “Bat Out of Hell” at Paris Las Vegas and two of our all-time favorite Vegas voices are among the stars. Travis Cloer, known for playing Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” will assume the rule of Falco, and Anne Martinez, who has performed in “Jubilee!,” “Fantasy,” “Baz” and many more Vegas shows, will play Falco’s wife Sloane when the 25-member ensemble hits the stage at the Paris Theater on September 27. Other locals and national artists cast in the show include Alize Cruz, Mecca Hicks, Je’Shaun Jackson, Freddy Lealoukoula Pomee, Mikayla Agrella and Jared Svoboda. An eight-member live band will power the production, including musical director and conductor Flint Hawes, local stage percussionist Alex Stopa and “Rock of Ages” and Original Chaos guitarist Chris Cicchino. Produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith and David Sonenberg with executive producer Julian Stoneman and Base Entertainment, “Bat Out of Hell” is set to play at 7 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays, and at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket info can be found at Ticketmaster or batoutofhellvegas.com.

In other entertainment event announcements this week: Beloved electronic acts Orbital, The Crystal Method, Hyper, Stanton Warriors and Robert Oleysyck will perform as part of promoter RVLTN Events’ Vegas97 concert on September 24 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center; Rapper and TV personality Action Bronson plays Brooklyn Bowl on October 15; Jeff Beck’s U.S. tour will land at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on November 4; The Jonas Brothers will be back on the Strip for another special three-concert engagement, picking up again at Dolby Live at Park MGM November 10-12; R&B favorite Keith Sweat will play the Theater at Virgin Hotels on November 18; And rock acts Five Finger Death Punch and Brantley Gilbert are teaming up for an arena tour that includes a concert at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on December 17.

Derek Hough, whose “No Limit” production at the Summit Showroom at Venetian continues this week August 17-20, dropped in to visit the students and teachers at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre on Saturday morning, August 13. Hough danced with the students and took time to answer their questions about his professional career. His Strip show is scheduled to run through September 17 with ticket info available at Ticketmaster.

The Silk Sonic boys continue to make the rounds in Las Vegas. On August 13, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak made a surprise visit to the Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails at the Cosmopolitan and jumped onstage to sing a few covers, including “Last Resort” by Papa Roach and “Roxanne” by The Police. And on August 14, .Paak took his family to see “Jabbawockeez” at MGM Grand and was invited to join the dance crew onstage for a quick karaoke rendition of Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin’.” They continued their residency show at Dolby Live at Park MGM Tuesday night and will play again on August 18 and 19 to wrap up this month’s performances.

“Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino is ready to make up for the “Chippendales” gigs he had to postpone due to COVID. He’ll be back onstage at the Rio for another guest-starring residency in the wildly successful male revue starting over Labor Day weekend on September 2, and will stick around until October 9. Find ticket info at Chippendales.com.

Linq headliner Mat Franco is once again teaming up with Sunny 106.5 for a pet supply drive benefitting the Animal Foundation, an event that kicked off earlier this week and continues through September 11. Visit any local PetSmart tour to purchase and donate a minimum of $20 worth of items from the nonprofit’s wish list or a gift card of equal value and you’ll get one free ticket to see “Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly” at the Mat Franco Theater at the Linq. This is the fifth year the magician has collaborated with the Animal Foundation.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff” continues to roll right along at the Magic Attic at Bally’s and recently celebrated 800 performances on the Las Vegas Strip. The show also announced it has extended its run, already lasting three years, through January. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or caesars.com.