Frank Marino, a Las Vegas fixture for the past 30 years, achieved major star status impersonating the late, great Joan Rivers. Marino, who has been dubbed “ the most beautiful female impersonator in the world,” was a longtime friend of Joan, and in a recent interview described her as the hardest-working person in show business and that her work ethic could not be matched. When I came to Las Vegas, Frank was one of first entertainers to welcome me and helped me get started here. He can currently be seen at the Linq (formerly the Quad), where he has been starring in “Divas.”
Wonderful writer/producer/directer Troy Heard is opening his new show at Ron Decar’s Event Center. Joni & Gina’s Wedding Show can be seen on Oct. 2nd, 16th and 30th. This hilarious show is about the wedding of two gay girls and the reactions of their respective families. Troy, who has won various awards, recently worked with ”Pawn Stars Live” and is currently hard at work writing the screenplay for my upcoming movie.
More news: Jan Rouven’s Illusions show moving to the Tropicana on Nov. 1, Murray Sawchuck leaving on Oct. 30 when his contract expires, and Raiding the Rock Vault moving to the Tropicana as of Nov. 28th. Murray is reportedly looking for a new venue for his late afternoon comedy/magic show. He has been performing at the Tropicana for the past 2 1/2 years. Rumors are also flying about possible legal action, regarding the “Rock Vault’s” departure from the Westgate. This leaves the large Westgate showroom vacant and fills the Tropicana Theater with the first new show since the closing of Mama Mia. The Tropicana Theater hasn’t had a hit since “Dancing With The Stars-Live” and the hotel could use a few new restaurants.
As a columnist in Las Vegas, I hunt around for interesting news, both local and national. Some news is not so interesting, such as the cast changes at The View. The new team just doesn’t seem to work as there is little chemistry among the hosts. Maybe, after a little more time together, they might be less boring. We long for the verbal fireworks of the past – and there is news that there was a recent dustup between Whoopi and Rosie O’Donnell during a commercial break. Rosie reportedly doesn’t like wearing an earpiece and Whoopi had to cut Rosie off mid-story because producers were telling her to go to commercial. Rosie puffed up and verbally attacked Whoopi and whined until Whoopi allegedly blasted Rosie. Word is that they kissed and made up later. Stay tuned to see if there are any cat fights while cameras are rolling.
“America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” have also lost their luster. Only “The Voice” remains really entertaining. iHeart Radio was definitely not up to par, and the Jay Z/ Beyonce tour show was a bore on TV. Too many special effects during Beyonce’s numbers took away from her performance, however, Jay Z came across well.
How about Jennifer Lopez taking a vacation with her ex, Casper? Seems like being a cougar works for our Jenny from the Bronx.
Happy 80th to Nelson Sardelli. He was brought on stage by Gordie Brown at his show at The Golden Nugget and they sang “My Way” together. Gordie’s show is still the highlight of downtown entertainment. The D and the Grand, along with many new restaurants, are reportedly getting together to do a heavy promo campaign for downtown expansion.
The preshow media-night reception for “Georgia On My Mind” was held at dbBrasserie at the Venetian. If the finger food served is any indication of the quality and taste of their regular menu items, they have a giant success on their hands.
Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn feel that internet gaming would not be good for the gambling industry in general. they both expressed this at the Gaming Global Expo here in Las Vegas. Adelson also pointed out that with internet gaming you don’t know who the gambler is and could very well be a minor. Wynn also feels that internet gambling in the U.S. could result in a public relations crisis that would trigger additional gaming regulations. The slot machine industry also feels that the recent mergers will work for them and they feel the need to come up with slots that will create interest for gamblers both young and old.
Good news for Atlantic City-The failed Revel has been purchased by a Canadian company and will reopen in the not- too- far future after several details are ironed out. Hopefully this will be the start of a turn around for the the city.
Another opening-another show—Eric Jordan Young, dancer, choreographer, and all around performer has opened his new show “Shaken” at the Sin City Theatre in Planet Hollywood. Young has performed in many major productions including 4 years in Vegas! The Show. They will be doing hit songs in a way they haven’t been seen in the past 15-20 years. Sounds like there’s a new hit in town.
The rev. Monti, as always, wishes you only the best.
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