Wayne Brady is, without question, a star. He can prove it too! You do not get your very own wax replica in Madame Tussauds World Famous Wax Museum, without becoming someone of importance. Last week Brady stood next to a large structure, covered with a red sheet, in the museum located in The Venetian Hotel, as a gang of media and VIPs gathered to see the unveiling of the Wayne Brady wax likeness. He stood across from the likenesses of The Rat Pack and next to an early replica of Tom Jones. Nearby stood a dynamic Muhammad Ali. Brady was in good company.
Brady has returned to The Venetian, where he headlined for a couple of years, along with his comedy/improv partner, Jonathan Mangum. “Making it Up,” produced by BASE Entertainment, will continue to do just that, “make it up” each and every night, as they go.
“Las Vegas and The Venetian have been a great home base these past three years, and I love giving audiences a show unlike any other on The Strip,” Brady said. “No two shows are ever the same, as my partner, Jonathan, and I stage a new form of old school showbiz and make each show a one-of-a-kind experience.”
“Making it Up” can be seen over select performance dates, including tonight through Monday, June 28, and July 1-5. To make a reservation or view the performance schedule, visit www.venetian.com. Tickets range in price from $49, $69 and $89 plus tax and fees. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available.
Alycia Cooper, a contestant on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” has made it to the semi-finals on the hit show, which will air next week. Cooper is currently headlining at The Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel, through Sunday, June 27. Producer, Bob Kephart, has also booked, Mike Winfield and Will Marfori, as part of his standard three new headline comedians each and every week.
Stand-up come
dienne, Alycia Cooper, wrote the “Top 10’s” for the No. 1 radio show in Los Angeles, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” and has written for the likes of Russell Simmons, of Def Jam fame. Cooper has penned a feature length screenplay and has worked on “Dr. Phil,” “Wanda Does It,” “Bands Reunited,” “The Magic Hour,” “The Grown Up” and “The Parkers.” Alycia has been featured in “Essence Magazine” as a comedienne to watch, and has been the warm up act for ‘Girlfriends” and “Wanda at Large.” Her stand up credits include BETs “Comicview,” “BET Live,” “Oh Drama” and of course, as a contestant on, “Last Comic Standing.”
Will Marfori knows what it is like to be disabled, having been born with Cerebral Palsy. But, Marfori does not allow his disability to keep him from doing what he loves best, entertaining an audience. Will shares his daily experiences and unique outlook on life during his hilarious time on stage. As he remarks so often, “I’m not a disabled person who is funny, I’m a funny person who just happens to be disabled.”
Mike Winfield is one of the fastest rising comedians on the circuit today. Not only has he appeared on just about every television show that books comedians, but he was also on, “Last Comic Standing.” Winfield is a first class story-teller, who uses his family life in many of his tales. Once you have seen Mike perform, you’ll realize why he has been called the next stand up star.
Tickets for the 9:00 p.m. show in the Sahara Theater begin at $24.95, with a special $19.95 ticket for locals, with proof of residence. For reservations call the Sahara Box Office, 702-737-2878.
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A good friend of this writer, Shelley Stepanek, has been re-elected as President of Destination Services Association, and will serve as such for the next two years. Stepanek, who owns Stagedreams, Ltd., was originally elected to the leadership position in November, 2007. Recently Shelley has been an entertainment agent and has been kept busy co-producing shows in Aruba and Macau, and produced and co-owned the show, “From Russia With Love” which did quite well at a local downtown casino. Congratulations friend.
Sammy Shore, one of the funniest stand up comedians working today (and he is no youngster, gang), will be doing his thing at the Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway, this Friday and Saturday, June 25-26. The show, “Sammy Shore’s Barking Mad Comedy Jam,” not only has Shore tossing out great stories and one-liners, but also features at least two of his comedy friends.
One thing about Sammy, and his show, is it is one of the cleanest shows you’ll ever see today. Yes, you heard me right. There is no use of the famous F word, or other words in that particular dictionary. Sammy, who worked as the opening act for Elvis for a number of years, and was one of the few who could make Elvis roll on the floor from laughing so darn hard, believes that comedy can be funny using words that are found in the regular American dictionary. I agree with him and I just happen to love his form of making people laugh. He’s old school!
A quick reminder that The Corner Gallery, in historic Boulder City (where my sculptures are on display), will host a First Thursday gathering on July 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wood cut artist, Rainer Bertrams, will be on hand to demonstrate his works of art, and hostess, Christina Frausto, will serve free wine and light fare.
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week. I’m outa here!