I’m sure by now you have heard the rumor that the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, on Paradise Rd., will be presenting a well known off-Broadway hit in the Shimmer Showroom? Oh, you say, you hadn’t heard that rumor? Well, then you’ll have to read on to find out exactly what, when, and who will be performing in the play.
I will not keep you all tensed up waiting to find out the name of the play: “Nunsense,” has been a tremendous hit for more than 25 years in New York, and has spawned off a number of franchises across the country since its debut on Dec. 12, 1985, in the Cherry Lane Theater. After opening it was soon moved to the Douglas Fairbanks Theater where it ran for a solid 10 years. During those 10 years it performed 3,672 performances, becoming the second longest running off-Broadway show in history (after The Fantasticks). The show also went to London in 1987, where it played in the Fortune Theatre at the West End.
The play was first conceived by Dan Groggin as a series of greeting cards (yes, Nuns offering tart remarks with a clerical slant), before becoming a play. It has also been made into two television productions, starring the late Rue McClanahan as Mother Superior.
Now just who will be performing in this laugh filled romp depicting five Nuns in Hollywood? Well, first off, will be a personal favorite of this writer and one hell-of-a-funny lady who can sing her butt off, Kelly Clinton as Sister Mary Amnesia. Joining Clinton will be Janien Valentine, who at one time worked as a featured singer with Kelly’s husband, Clint Holmes, and who is currently also featured in the production of “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood. Valentine will continue to work in both productions, by the way.
Others cast for the 4 p.m. production, which will have a soft opening (that means no VIPs, Media or party) on Wednesday, Sept. 15, are Michelle Johnson, Diane Ellis, Kathy Arianoff and Robin Vincent.
Directing this version of “Nunsense” is Nancy Gregory (also responsible for the choreography) and the producer is Jay Harvey.
This should be a tremendous boost for the Hilton Hotel, which let “Menopause—The Musical” get away and land at the Luxor Hotel (where it is doing SRO business by the way). I predict “Nunsense” will be a huge hit, and will stay at the Hilton as long as it wants to!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Good news for those who have been going to Bob Kephart’s Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel for the past year. When the Stop first arrived at the hotel, with a 9 p.m. starting time (which it was able to maintain easily), it was booked into the Congo Room upstairs near the now closed buffet. After closing the buffet, hotel management asked Kephart if he would mind moving downstairs to the 800-plus-seat showroom, with regular starting time of 9 p.m. Well, as many of our regulars learned, it was hard to predict exactly when the Comedy Stop would be ready to seat its audience, as the preceding show would consistently run over its allotted time. Well, gang, those days are gone.
Beginning this Monday, August 30, the 9 p.m. show will be on time and in a new location within the Sahara Hotel. Kephart has agreed to move to the newly renovated Casbar Lounge, Also, for the first time, 18-year olds will be allowed to attend the Comedy Stop without an accompanying adult. The room is being designed to accommodate a wee bit more than 150 in comfortable seating.
Opening the Club, in its new location, will be local favorite Cork Proctor, along with Hal Spear and the always crazy antics of Steve Shaffer. Local residents, with proof of residence, can still purchase a special ticket at the Sahara box office for $19.95 plus tax and fees. Regular ticket prices begin at $24.95 plus tax and fees.
This coming Sunday, August 29, The Corner Gallery in Boulder City will hold an Art Swap, where anyone is welcome and where you can
buy, swap, trade or sell anything art related, beginning at 10 a.m. and going until about 2 p.m. If interested in selling you can reserve a table for $10. For further information contact Chris Frausto at 702-501-9219.
This Sunday (Aug. 29) the Flamingo Library, 1401 E. Flamingo, will host the wonderful singing duo, Ron & Lisa Smith, performing their fabulous, “Back to Broadway,” starting at 2:00 p.m. Tickets at the door will cost $15.00, and I consider that a terrific bargain considering this is a top caliber presentation by two dynamic singers. We gladly recommend this show.
Well, gang, that’s about it for yet another week. I’m outa here!