Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Louie Anderson in Las Vegas in 2018.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 | 2 a.m.
I got a little choked up the last time I spoke with Louie Anderson. He often had that effect on people. It was 2018 and the instantly recognizable comedian was about to perform a few shows at the South Point, and we were discussing his role on the TV show “Baskets,” how it was inspired by his mother, and how he had gained a new understanding of her and himself through writing a memoir-ish book called “Hey Mom: Stories for My Mother, But You Can Read Them Too.”
“I wrote it as this long letter to my mom and that was almost a book in itself, or at least it felt like it,” he explained. “Then people read it and thought it would make a beautiful book. It was the most enjoyable one because I was talking to someone I dearly loved and also telling her about what happened since she left this earth. It’s also an older man asking his mom who brought him into this world what the hell she was thinking in certain situations. But I think it’s some of the best work I ever did.”
Anderson passed away January 21 in Las Vegas and so many fans and fellow performers have been sharing their affection for the Minnesota-born performer in recent days. This one memory of mine is a great example of his openness and thoughtfulness, a simple but powerful anecdote that also showcases how relatable he was as an entertainer and a human being.
Comedy buddy Carrot Top posted: “I am devastated and beyond words … He was not only [one] of the sweetest humans ever to walk this planet … he was my mentor and hero and most importantly my friend. He will always be in my heart … always.”
Entertainment photographer Erik Kabik wrote: “Louie was a very beloved friend to many in our Las Vegas community, a place he made his home in 2006. I loved him on ‘Baskets,’ a role which earned him an Emmy and multiple nominations as well.”
Producer Adam Steck posted about Anderson and Meat Loaf, who passed away a day earlier. “Louie was one of the sweetest human beings on the planet, not to mention how incredibly funny he was. He was always cracking jokes … and had the best outlook on life. Lots of wisdom. He will be missed by many and will go down as one of the greatest comics of all time.”
And now let’s return to our regular Curtain Up showbiz news:
Still no word on new dates for Adele’s Las Vegas Strip residency show, infamously postponed just one night before it was set to launch on January 21, but the Colosseum at Caesars Palace has moved on. This week Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment announced additional dates for Keith Urban’s Colosseum residency, some of which were formerly held for Adele. Urban was already scheduled to return for three concerts in May and now tacks on shows on March 25, 26 and 30, and April 1 and 2.
The When We Were Young festival, announced last week for the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in October, also added two more days of epic emo-rock and punk performances. It will now happen October 22, 23 and 29. Same goes, sort of, for Silk Sonic, the duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak that announced a special engagement at Park MGM’s Dolby Live recently. They’ve added a dozen new dates running May 4-29.
More new event announcements this week: Priscilla Presley will perform at the South Point Showroom on April 8-10; Comedian Hasan Minhaj visits the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan on April 23; R&B favorites Kem and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds bring their Full Circle Tour to the Theater at Virgin Hotels on May 13; R&B group Durand Jones & The Indications will play Brooklyn Bowl on May 28; Steve Martin and Martin Short, who have previously performed their acclaimed comedy show at the Colosseum, will play Encore Theater at Wynn on June 24 and 25; Brian McKnight returns to Encore Theater on July 22; And Bad Bunny, who is already slated for a concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 5, will take over Allegiant Stadium on September 23 during his World’s Hottest Tour of stadiums across the country.
Two musical legends return to their residency shows this week. Wayne Newton performed live on the Strip for the first time in nearly two years Monday night, reopening his “Up Close and Personal” show in its new home at Bugsy’s Cabaret at Flamingo Las Vegas. He continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Monday. And Carlos Santana and his incredible band are back at the House of Blues starting Wednesday night. The guitar great had to cancel some shows due to a health issue but is ready to bring back “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live” at 8 p.m. tonight, January 28-30, and February 2 and 4-6.
MGM Grand headlining dance crew Jabbawockeez will perform at halftime at the NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 6. The game will be televised on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ABC, and tickets to the game are available at probowl.com.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race Live” at Flamingo Las Vegas is adding four new queens to the cast starting on February 3. Eureka O’Hara, Jaida Essence Hall, Plastique Tiara and Trinity K. Bonet will join the show’s rotating cast that also includes Asia O’Hara, Derrick Barry, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls and Vanessa “Vanjie” Mateo. The latter group has performed in the Strip production since it opened in January 2020. The newcomers also come to the Vegas version from TV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” currently in its 14th season. The live show runs Thursday through Monday at 9:30 p.m. at the Flamingo Showroom.
