Stage

Showstopper

‘Record-smashing’ Rickles still a necessary comic catharsis

Etched in entertainment lore as “Mr. Warmth”—or our favorite endearment, “The Merchant of Venom”—the 86-year-old insult comic was heralded atop a recent press release for headlining in Vegas for “a record-smashing 54th year straight year” after inking a deal to appear for two weekends (April 13-14, Sept. 28-29) at the Orleans. Read more »

Stage

A Stand-Up ‘Jackass’

The Original Pranksters of comedy try to grow up

At the Riviera’s Starlite Theatre January 17, Steve-O kicked off his Original Pranksters Comedy Tour performance with “Who has two thumbs and loves blowjobs?” as he ripped off his shirt to show the tattoo of himself inked on his back. So. That should give you an idea of how the rest of the set went. Read more »

Stage

Sirc du Soiree

While throwing a bloody party every weekend at Evil Dead the Musical, Sirc Michaels plots his Strip takeover … and he’s only half-kidding

Impresario of Evil Dead the Musical 4-D and a local theater presence only since 2011, he engineered a Vegas entertainment first in June when that shock-schlock show migrated from the modest Onyx Theatre in a Sahara Avenue fetish shop to Planet Hollywood. Voila!—the first successful crossover of a community theater production to the Strip. Read more »

Stage

Singer, Songwriter, Stripper

Absinthe’s Green Fairy makes her own melody

On this weekday morning in the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Melody Sweets looks like a rocker chick with an incongruous interest. Her black-leather jacket contrasts with the feathery pink puff adorning her hair, long dangly earrings and glamorous makeup. As she flits from display to display, a graceful elfin enthusiasm reveals this fan of the art to also be a participant. Read more »

Showstopper

Coco Austin brings more than breasts to Peepshow

Searching for acting in Peepshow is like looking for a Monet at a paintball match. That said, adding Coco Austin and those twin planets between her neck and navel lend this sex-tease-on-steroids the sense there’s a person inside Bo Peep’s corset, not just marquee mammaries. Read more »

Stage

Vegas Loves Coco

Holly Madison’s replacement brings bigger curves, dance experience and an exhibitionist personality to Peepshow

Coco Austin would like to set the record straight about something. And no, it’s not her butt for once. “Listen, I don’t go to the grocery store with a bikini on,” she says in her sweet, breathy chirp of a voice, which has the endearing, little-girl quality of sounding awestruck by every word that tumbles out of her mouth. “I’m not, like, completely naked walking down the Strip!” Read more »

Stage

Come On, Feel the Noise

Broadway’s Rock of Ages, undaunted by its eponymous Hollywood flop, gets ready to melt faces at the Venetian

The Helen Hayes, nestled deep in the marquee maze of midtown Manhattan, is Broadway’s smallest theater. With just less than 600 seats, delicate 1920s molding and blood-red walls that seem to close in like velvet drapes, it looks like the perfect setting for a ragtime revue, or maybe a children’s puppet show. Read more »

Stage

Nostalgia: The Musical!

These peans to pop culture—some already onstage, and some just twinkles in the eyes of savvy producers—would kill in Vegas. Just sayin.’ Read more »

Showstopper

Phanning the flames of showmanship at the Plaza

Thrice-weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) in the modest Plaza Showroom now dwells The Phat Pack, the standard-setter for Vegas variety entertainment, throwback division. Featuring a tag team of talents, they couldn’t put more ya-ain’t-seen-nuttin-yet verve into pleasing audiences if they were all Al Jolson reborn. Read more »

Stage

Clown Jewel

An appreciation of Jerry Lewis—flaws and all—and a plea to see his missing movie that became an unsolved Hollywood mystery

Anyone requiring a refresher on the career of one of America’s signature comedians can find it Nov. 18 at the Orleans Showroom, where the 86-year-old Las Vegas resident will reminisce about his life and work, aided by video clips and music, and answer audience questions. Titled An Evening with Jerry Lewis—Live from Las Vegas! (yes, with an exclamation point!), it will be taped by PBS for a special in March coinciding with his 87th birthday. Read more »

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