“Nunsense,” the international hit musical comedy celebrating its 25th anniversary, has arrived inside the Las Vegas Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret. We, Nancy Barr and this reporter, attended a media/VIP opening the other night, and found it quite interesting.
It’s a funny show about a group of nuns putting on a fund raiser to bury four nuns, left over from an accidental poisoning of 52 nuns by another nun, who had prepared some very special soup. The production has entertained people around the world.
“Nunsense” is comprised of an outstanding cast of very talented musical comedy actresses. They work as a team, and each has their individual moments to shine—which they do beautifully. The ladies make the show a pleasure to watch. And, the Shimmer Cabaret is a perfect venue for the play.
Diane Ellis has performed with Don Rickles, and has done voice-over work for the Ice Capades, Carnival Cruise Lines, Tom Jones and Paul Anka. Michelle Johnson has been featured on HBO, TBS, MTV, and all of the major television networks, and has appeared with artists such as Elton John, Gladys Knight, Sheena Easton, Slash and Paul McCartney.
Janien Valentine (who is the swing girl: knows all the parts and is able to replace any performer at a moments notice) is standing in for Kelly Clinton who broke her foot. Valentine has appeared in “Hair,” “Starlight Express,” “Notre Dame De Paris,” “Men Are from Mars Women Are from Venus,” and Franco Dragone, of Cirque du Soleil cast her in the title role of the world premiere musical, “Carmen” at the La Jolla Playhouse.
Kelly Clinton-Holmes, who broke her foot rehearsing at home, was not in the production the evening we attended. We spoke to Kelly at the reception and she told this reporter, “I’m healing nicely, and expect to be back in the show within a few weeks.” Clinton was born in Palisades Park, New Jersey, and has been living and performing in Las Vegas since she was a teenager, first with her own band, then singing with Wayne Newton and Engelbert Humperdinck. Kelly has performed her one-woman show throughout the country, and hosts an open mic showcase every Monday evening at the Bootlegger Bistro. She also performs at the Turnberry Stirling Club Friday and Saturday nights.
Robin Berry Vincent has appeared as a leading actress in “Chess,” “Grease,” “A Chorus Line,” and “South Pacific.” Vincent has been an opening act for Lionel Richie and the Doobie Brothers.
Kathryn Arianoff has performed and recorded internationally, extensively in Europe, as well as Africa, Japan, Canada, Mexico and all across the USA. Natalie Carson started singing, dancing and acting professionally at age 10 when she was cast as the lead in the musical “Annie.” Her recent theater credits include “West Side Story,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Grease.”
These exceptional actresses are all under the talented direction of award winning director-choreographer, Nancy Gregory. The “Nunsense” production team includes Stuart Ditsky & Adam Ditsky, who are currently producing “The Addams Family” musical on Broadway, and veteran producer Jay Harvey, who produced “Love Letters” starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers at the Desert Inn and Sands Hotel.
Shows are daily at 4 p.m. (dark Tuesday). Tickets start at $39 (plus tax and service charge) and can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, online at www.lvhilton.com, www.vegas.com, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361.
Another show this reporter has been looking forward to seeing (I’ve been hearing rumors for a few weeks) is a new show producer Ed Matthews will be debuting, “Hit Parade the Show,” a fully-scripted book musical, at the Suncoast Showroom October 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. each evening.
Based on the old radio and television show formats, “Hit Parade the Show,” takes the audience on a journey through time, illustrated by music and dance made popular during the ‘50s and ‘60s. Snapshots of pivotal events such as post-World War II, and the progress of the ‘60s Civil Rights Movement, will be painted during the show, hopefully stirring up emotions of time passed by.
The producer will be utilizing performers regularly featured in his weekly matinee variety show, “Suncoast Hit Parade.” Performers include the Lionardo Orchestra, Carmine Mandia (Shades of Sinatra), Mark Giovi (previously with The Las Vegas Tenors), Genevieve Dew (“Lady Day”), Ronnie Rose, Ron Smith (Tournament of Kings), Fifth Avenue, The Swing City Dolls, the fantastic trumpet playing of Charly Raymond and the Andrea & Tim Dance Team (Jubilee!).
“This fully scripted production incorporates two decades of great music reflective of the times they were introduced; including the birth of rock, pop and soul,” said Matthews. “It is my hope that the production will turn out to be a living tribute to the past, and will bring back only the fondest of memories.”
Showtime will be 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $19.95, plus tax and convenience fees and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.636.7075 or visiting ” www.suncoastcasino.com. Save on convenience fees by purchasing the tickets in person at Coast Casinos.
Just a reminder, gang, that “Art in the Alley” will take place this weekend as part of Boulder City’s “Art in the Park.” The Corner Galley (where a couple of this writers sculptures are on display), located in the historic center of downtown Boulder City, will be set up with vendors selling their art, and demonstrations will be ongoing in front of the gallery.
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week. I’m outa here!
Thanks for sharing your insights. I question what the yet to come holds in regards to this.