Broadway To Vegas
SHOW REVIEWS CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS GOSSIP NEWS
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Copyright: July 29, 2001
By: Laura Deni
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A DIAMOND AND HIS ZIRCONS
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Neil Diamond should feel honored. The guy doesn't
have as many impersonators as Elvis Presley, but then again Presley is past tense, and Diamond
has just gotten his second wind. There's a new CD. Tomorrow tickets go on sale for the first
nights of Neil's three months cross country tour. And, last night there was that marvelous A&E
live concert, the concept of which was the brainchild of Tony Bennett, whose son Danny serves
as one of the executives. Diamond is white hot.
We discovered at least 100 Neil Diamond impersonators or tribute groups. They all have a lot in
common - they seem to genuinely like, respect, and admire both the man and the music that is
Neil Diamond. They tend to view their performances as Neil Diamond as a sincere tribute to him
as opposed to attempting to attach their bank accounts to his coattails.
Diamond, who has sold 150,000 records, recorded 60 albums and during the 1990's was the top
grossing artist in the country, is flattered by the attention.
"I love it. I've always loved it, because in a sense they keep the music alive, and in a way it's
flattering. I guess I'm flattered. You have to have a sense of humor about it. It is a little weird,"
said Diamond about his impersonators and tribute bands.
Diamond has attended many of the impersonation shows and met even more of the artists who
take to the stage as him.
Tom Sadge as Neil Diamond
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Tom Sadge had the honor of meeting Neil Diamond in December, 1999. Currently Sadge is in
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the Memories Theatre where he is performing as Neil Diamond.
Other impersonations include Linda Ronstadt, Tom Jones, Kenny Rogers, Rod Stewart and, of
course, Elvis.
There is also a hilarious monologue by a Barney Fife impersonator.
Diamond fans have extended their love of the real Diamond to include the carbon copies. Sadge
called it "an honor to perform, and visit with, some of the world's best Neil Diamond fans who
traveled up to twelve hours to see the show."
A veteran of more than 5000 performances, Sadge commented, "Nothing matches the thrill
of having a group of audience members approach you after a show and tell you that your
impersonation is so good that they got the chills while watching you on stage. It makes it all
worthwhile. No one can sing or look exactly like Neil Diamond except the great legend himself.
But, if for a few fleeting moments I can convince the audience into thinking they are watching
the real Neil ... then all the hard work, practice and persistence has been worth it."
Tom's voice has been described as so Diamond like that he has performed his vocal
impression of the great legend on CDs, radio, and, during one instance, even auditioned
successfully for a major network's daytime talk show when he sang Sweet Caroline and
Cherry, Cherry over the telephone.
Popular Atlantic City radio personality, the late Sonny Schwartz, once challenged listeners to tell
the difference between Tom's voice and Neil's. He's appeared with major headliners such as
comedian Jackie Mason and Engelbert Humperdinck.
JAY WHITE as Diamond
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Since 1982 Jay White's performances have astounded more than three million people around the
world, including Rose Diamond, Neil's mother.
During the 90's, Jay was Legends in Concert's longest running act ever to perform at the
Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Overall he's performed 4000 shows for some six million people
since 1984, and his travels across America, Europe and Asia, led Jay, who grew up in Detroit, in
1998 to produce his own interactive tribute.
"October is the start of my 20th year performing full time, re-creating the work of this
exceptionally gifted singer/songwriter," related White who has an uncanny resemblance to
Diamond. "I thank Neil for having the opportunity to share his talent with so many appreciative
fans, many of whom I consider part of my extended family. It's a joyous career that could not
have been "unplanned" any better."
In December of 1996 Jay finally met his mentor at the MGM-Grand in Las Vegas. It was a thrill
he had looked forward to for a long time and it could not have turned out better. "Neil was
pleasant, gracious, witty and complimentary," said Jay. "We chatted a bit and he autographed a
photo taken from his 1976 Vegas show at the Aladdin." Upon seeing the photo, Neil exclaimed
"Is this me or you?" Then he signed: "Jay, only Memorex can tell."
Neil Diamond with Superdiamond
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Constantly selling out is the super group Super Diamond. Over the past seven years, Super
Diamond has sought to spread the word with their own interpretation of Neil Diamond's material.
They are not impersonators as much as a tribute band.
As a child Randy Cordero - Surreal Neil - grew up listening to Neil Diamond along with his
parents. After assembling a band of truly kindred spirits, Surreal Neil and Super Diamond began
to perform regularly in San Francisco then branched out to points east. This show is dedicated to
Neil Diamond with love and thanks.
They performed last Friday in Scottsdale, AZ and open Aug. 3 in Seattle, WA at the Showbox.
The next night they perform in Portland, OR in the Crystal Ballroom followed by engagements at
the House of Blues in Hollywood with August gigs in San Jose, San Diego and San
Francisco.
The real gem came to see Super Diamond perform at the House of Blues in Hollywood CA.
Neil came backstage to meet the band before the show, then not only attended the performance
but jumped up on stage and sang I Am, I Said. The crowd went wild. Said Super
Diamond "It was an amazing moment. Thanks Neil!"
Tony Rossini is from Memphis, Tennessee and was discovered by Scotty Moore who played
guitar for Elvis in the early years. This led to an audio test at Sun Recording Studios and
ultimately Rossini's first major contract. He's performed with Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee
Lewis, and Charlie Rich and then developed his own Diamond tribute.
Rob Garrett was born and grew up in New York City. In 1974 he moved to Las Vegas along
with his parents and younger brother.
In 1995 Rob took to the stage as Neil Diamond after being hired by John Stuart and Paul
Revere (of The Raiders) to portray Diamond in the Legends In Concert show in
Honolulu, Hawaii, that city' s biggest theatrical show and most popular "impersonation" type
show in the world.
Rob's portrayal of Neil leans towards the 1976-1982 era because of the obvious age difference. "I
figure the only advantage I have over him is that he can't be that Neil anymore." What was to be
a two-month "trial" engagement for Rob had turned into 3 years and two months. His opinion of
Neil Diamond? "He's the last of the breed that I refer to as minstrels, the performers who get on
the stage for 2 hours plus with just their guitars and backup band and can still bring an audience
to it's knees. He's still got it."
In August of 1998 Rob decided to return home to Las Vegas where he owns his own
entertainment company, Rock 'n' Roll Heaven Ltd, and continues to perform as Neil Diamond.
Pete Nabarro as Neil Diamond
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Diamond copies are not confined to America.
Pete Nabarro as Neil Diamond in The Diamond Experience is a show that travels the world.
Pete was born in Preston of Italian/Irish parents and joined his first group at the age of sixteen,
working at the Tower Ballroom, Winter Gardens, Floral Hall and North Pier, Blackpool. He as
worked with such names as Adam Faith, The Moody Blues, Gene Vincent, Them, Manfred Mann
and Dave Berry.
Tributes to Diamond even include a new musical based on the music of the prolific composer and
hit maker.
Last April Syncor Entertainment Inc. opened a new musical production, Cracklin' Rose
at The Grand Palace Theatre in Branson, Mo.
Cracklin' Rose is a full stage production, with an orchestra and dancers with
magnificent costumes. It features the songs made famous by Diamond including;
Kentucky Woman, I Am I Said, Song Sung Blue, Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon, Solitary
Man, Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, Heartlight and, of
course, Cracklin' Rosie.
The production also includes songs from the movie, The Jazz Singer. Although the movie
was panned by the critics the Diamond soundtrack sold more than six million units,
providing Diamond with a zero-enhanced APRA check.
Songs in Cracklin' Rose from that movie include Love On The Rocks, Hello
Again and a big closer with America!
Cracklin Rosie, produced by Roberta Copeland, continues though Labor Day
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DECEASED ENTERTAINMENT
ICONS BOOST CITY REVENUES
Lucille Ball and Louis Satchmo Armstrong. Two American icons. Both born in August, both
deceased, whose talents live on, are being celebrated this week with elaborate festivals in their
respective hometowns.
In addition to honoring their memories and enormous accomplishments, the city fathers are not
blind to the economic benefits that result when a city can stake claim to a celebrity - even
if that hometown wasn't kind in childhood to that future marquee name.
It's been thirty years since Louis Armstrong joined that Great Jazz Band in the Sky Yet, his
importance both as a musician and as a Black born in New Orleans, grows with each passing
year. This week would mark the jazz legend's 100th birthday and officials are making it known
that Armstrong put New Orleans on the map. (See Broadway To Vegas column of March 12,
2000)
Louis Armstrong
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Armstrong, who spent much of his adult life in Chicago and New York, was born in New Orleans
August 4, 1901. He always said his birthday was July 4, 1900, which is why Armstrong centennial
festivals around the world began in earnest last year.
To not only honor the art and artistry of "Satchmo," but also the musical mentors that are part
of New Orleans musical heritage, the University of New Orleans will host the Louis Armstrong
Centennial Conference, August 2-4, at the Louisiana State Museum, in the historic French
Quarter.
The conference offers a rare combination of rigorous scholarship and mainstream cultural
education. Jazz scholars, Armstrong biographers and musicians from around the world will take
part in the conference.
A welcome will be offered by Dr. Connie Atkinson of the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies
at the University of New Orleans, and Michael Cogswell, Director, Louis Armstrong House and
Archives, Queens College, New York.
A session on Louis Armstrong: American Icon will be taught by Dr. John Edward Hasse,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. An overview of the extraordinary life and legacy of
Armstrong, providing the outlines of his life and career, pointing out his musical and
professional highlights, and assessing his place in American history. The talk will be illustrated
with slides, recording excerpts, and video clips.
Harry Connick, Jr.
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On Saturday, August 4, an evening of jazz featuring Branford, Wynton, Delfaeayo, and Jason
Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. will star in a benefit concert, Satchmo to Marsalis: A Tribute to
the Fathers of Jazz at the Keifer UNO Lakefront Arena. Proceeds from the
concert will endow the Jazz Studies Program at the University of New Orleans in Ellis Marsalis'
name. Marsalis is the father of the four jazz greats named above and one of Harry Connick, Jr's
mentors.
Only once before has Ellis Marsalis, who's planning to retire from teaching, played publicly with
his four musical sons -one brother does not play professionally.
The family thought it would be ideal to celebrate both the father's career and Armstrong's birthday
together, Wynton Marsalis said, adding that Armstrong "is the one who taught all of us how to
play. He taught the whole world about jazz."
Wynton Marsalis and his father Ellis
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The concert is a highlight of a full weekend of panel discussions, lectures and other events that
will bring together jazz scholars from around the world and musicians who once played with
Armstrong. Also planned: a jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church, the nation's oldest black Roman
Catholic church.
''He was the most widely known New Orleanian in the world and certainly has been more
instrumental than many in making New Orleans the popular and familiar place that it is,'' said
Jackie Harris, director of the New Orleans Music and Entertainment Commission.
Once Armstrong left New Orleans, he seldom returned because he resented having to play in
segregated bands or for segregated crowds. The place where he was born, along with the
building he lived in as a child, have long since been razed -- and no plaques mark the
spots.
But with New Orleans' population decreasing and a depressed economy ever more dependent on
tourism, the city has realized that Armstrong is their natural resource - a cultural export and icon.
Celebrating Armstrong is a financial high note for the city.
''They should recognize him because of who he was and what he did for New Orleans,'' says jazz
star Wynton Marsalis, a New Orleans native. Organizers of the four-day Satchmo Summerfest
will open the events with a ceremony renaming New Orleans International Airport for ol'
Pops.
On July 5th the New Orleans City Council unanimously approved Mayor Marc Morial's
proposal to rename the New Orleans International Airport to the "Louis Armstrong New Orleans
International Airport."
Public Radio Tribute: the NPR radio show American Routes will air a "Louis Armstrong
Centennial Celebration" during the week of August 1. The Satchmo tribute features interviews
with members of Armstrong's All-Stars band, Arvell Shaw (bass) and Joe Muranyi (clarinet), and
also New Orleans trumpeters Nicholas Payton and Kermit Ruffins.
''His music, his walk, his talk, his entire being spoke New Orleans. It's something he couldn't
luckily get rid of and something he didn't want to get rid of,'' said New Orleans researcher, Tad
Jones, who will lead one of the seminars. Jones is the man who discovered baptism records that
proved when Armstrong was really born.
Satchmo
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In 1980, the city named a park for Armstrong just outside the French Quarter at an area also
known as Congo Square -- where jazz is thought to have originated. The grounds are now home
to a small jazz historical park and a dignified 11-foot bronze of Armstrong holding a
trumpet.
Armstrong's likeness also appears on a large mural, painted in 1998, depicting a handful of jazz
greats at the airport now being named for him.
The city is trying to raise money to build a jazz walk of fame on the Mississippi River levee at
Algiers Point, across the river from the French Quarter. This year's New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival was presented as a tribute to Armstrong. He was featured on the official poster,
which has sold out 14,000 prints.
Jamestown, New York, where Lucille Ball was born on August 6, 1911, is staging a three-day
birthday bash - August 3-5 in honor of their most famous daughter. On hand to help blow out the
candles will be Ball's two children Desi and Lucie. Ground zero is The Fenton History Center, a
local history museum housed in an 1863 mansion built by New York State Civil War Governor
Reuben E. Fenton. Offerings include period rooms and exhibits of local interest, including a
permanent display about Lucille Ball.
Lucille Ball
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The festival is kicked into high gear with a proclamation and mural unveiling on Friday.
Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi does the honors proclaiming the official start of Lucy's
Birthday Celebration and unveil the third in a series of I Love Lucy wall
murals created by Jamestown artist Gary Peters, with the cooperation of CBS, Worldwide and
Desilu, too, LLC.
The festival will include the 3rd Annual Visions Of Lucy Art Exhibit, where the walls of Kaldi's
Coffee House are decorated with visions of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel, thanks to the talents of
Jamestown area artists and a few from across the nation. All original artwork will be on display
until August 5, when it will be shipped to Burbank, California and incorporated into an auction at
Loving Lucy 2001.
The Downtown Jamestown Loves Lucy Scavenger Hunt has been ongoing throughout the
summer.This year, images from the classic I Love Lucy series are offered at 25
downtown businesses. Participants record their findings on the scavenger hunt entry form
in hopes of winning one of $500 in I Love Lucy prizes.
Then there is the Lucille Ball TV Guide Exhibit at Bro Laines Bridal. Lucille Ball holds
the record of appearing on the cover of TV Guide more often than any other celebrity.
A Here's Lucy Film Festival, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, will showcase several of Ball's
films and back-to-back commercial free episodes seldom seen in the 1970's sitcom, courtesy
of The Estate of Lucille Ball.
RICCI MARTIN, DESI ARNAZ, JR and BILLY
HINCHE
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Melody Thomas Scott, star of The Young & The Restless, will host a Books & Breakfast
forum where she'll interviews several Lucy-Desi authors including Tom Gilbert, Rob Edelman and
Audrey Kupferberg.
The climax of the festival involves Lucy's family. Lucille Ball's hometown welcomes her son,
Desi Arnaz, Jr. and fellow musicians, Ricci Martin and Billy Hinsche, for a special "unplugged"
evening of music and conversation. They have a new CD, recorded live at the MGM
Grand.
Desi lives in Boulder City, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas, where he and his wife, Amy,
manage the nonprofit Boulder City Ballet Company. They recently acquired and remodeled the
Boulder Theatre, which will stage a variety of musical and community productions.
Lucie Arnaz, who just moved back to New York with her husband, actor Larry Luckinbill (see
Broadway to Vegas columns of March 1, 1999 and March 6, 1999), after
making her London stage debut in The Witches of Eastwick, joins her brother, Desi Jr. for
a special Lucy-Desi Museum Gala.
LUCIE ARNAZ
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An Afternoon With Lucie Arnaz will feature the Emmy Award-Winning Documentary,
Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie. Arnaz shares her Emmy Award-winning documentary that
examines the lives of her parents and includes family home movies. Ms. Arnaz will introduce the
film and return to the stage after the screening for a question & answer seminar
You can't have a birthday party without games and cake and this party has both.
On Sunday Melodie Thomas Scott will host a Lucy Trivia Contest. There will be nine rounds in
which 35 names will be randomly drawn from those in the audience. They'll step on stage and
prove their I Love Lucy knowledge.
The Egg Stuffing Contest is inspired by the 1957 I Love Lucy episode, Lucy Does The
Tango, this unique Lucy contest will bring new meaning to the words "scrambled
eggs."
You can't have a birthday without cake and Lucy's Birthday Bake-Off will take the cake.
Local bakeries, supermarkets, and caterers enter the third annual competition celebrating the
birthday of The Queen of Comedy. Birthday cake for everyone!
SWEET CHARITY
TONY BENNETT will be honored for
his 75 years by RPM Music at a gala this Thursday at the Metropolitan Museum in New York
City. The event benefits the Tony Bennett Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. The singer/artist has
donated a Limited Edition Lithograph to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
BETTY BUCKLEY performs July 29
at the Provincetown Town Hall in Provincetown, MA in a Fund raiser for
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater.
OTHER PEOPLE'S
MONEY
THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE has met requirements for a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge
Foundation, putting it over the top of its $16.5 million capital campaign.
The IRT qualified for the challenge grant by raising $1.937 million for its Great Theatre Is Good
Business campaign from September 2000 through June 2001 The money will be used to renovate
the theater's three stages and create a $10 million endowment. The renovation and restoration
project, done in four stages, included redoing the Upperstage and Cabaret lobby and stage area
and restoring the Grand Lobby to its original opulence as a 1927 Moroccan-style movie
palace. The IRT Cabaret was turned into a rehearsal hall and meeting space. The restoration of
the Mainstage auditorium completes the project. It will be finished by the beginning of the
2001-02 season in the fall. The building includes two working theaters, rehearsal spaces,
administrative offices and scenery and costume construction shops.
APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE
JULIE WILSON is having a new
cabaret room named in her honor. Denis Carey and Van Pano, owners of The Hideaway
Restaurant in NYC change the venue's entertainment direction from big band and jazz to
"elegant cabaret" come September. In conjunction with that, the restaurant will be renamed The
Hideaway Cabaret and Supper Club, and its main performance space will be christened The
Julie Wilson Room in honor of the legendary lady who is studied by other cabaret artists. With
grace and grandeur Wilson is a spellbinder that is the essence of cabaret class and talent.
The room will offer shows by rising cabaret stars as well as established names. Wilson will
be attend the gala opening on September 5; she will also perform there on September 6, 7, and 8,
along with Dave Frishberg, Barbara Carroll, Margaret Whiting, and other greats, in a benefit for
the Susan G. Kormen Breast Cancer Foundation. These performances will be dedicated to the
memory of the cabaret and jazz singer Susannah McCorkle, who ended her own life earlier this
year.
Performers set to appear in The Julie Wilson Room in upcoming weeks and months
include KT Sullivan and Larry Woodard, Amanda McBroom, Wesla Whitfield, Mark Murphy,
Kristin Chenoweth and Tom Wopat.
DO I HEAR A WALTZ?
(Left to right) Anthony Crivello, Alyson Reed and
Carol Lawrence star in the Los Angeles revival of Do I Hear A Waltz?
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Book
by Arthur Laurents, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Music by Richard Rodgers. The
production of this rarely staged collaboration between composers Richard Rodgers and Stephen
Sondheim is being directed by David Lee, one of the creators of the TV series
Frasier.
In Do I Hear A Waltz? an American tourist from the Midwest, Leona Samish, spends her
life savings on a trip to Venice, for what she hopes will be a romance-filled vacation. Once in
Italy, she discovers that the residents of her hotel are finding more romance than she is. Leona
finally does meet the man of her dreams, a local antique shop owner named Renato di Rossi. He
sweeps her off her feet and promises to be the love her life has lacked -- until she discovers a
secret that could tear their relationship apart.
This bittersweet 1965 romantic musical was based on Arthur Laurents successful 1952 play,
The Time of the Cuckoo.
Anthony Crivello, Alyson Reed Benjamin Sprunger, Jack Riley, Elmarie Wendel, Alyson Reed,
Annie Wersching and Carol Lawrence are in the production with Lawrence playing the pension
owner, Signora Fioria. It's not the first time Lawrence has been in a Laurents-Sondheim
collaboration. She was the original Maria in West Side Story
The talented performer, who lived in Las Vegas when she was married to Robert Goulet, has
boned up on her Italian accent. The production run through August 19 at the Pasadena
Playhouse.
THE ODD COUPLE will star Pat
Sajak as fussy Felix Unger opposite old friend Army buddy, Honolulu newscaster Joe Moore
who will play the slovenly Oscar Madison. The production runs Sept. 27-30 at the Hawaii
Theatre in Honolulu.
HAIR The first Broadway
musical to feature rock music, opened July 24 at the Wilshire Theatre
in Los Angeles for an engagement through September 2.
STAND BY YOUR MAN - THE TAMMY WYNETTE
STORY will star Nicolette Hart as Wynette. She was handpicked
by Tammy's widower, George Richey, after he heard her sing. Nicolette starred opposite Larry
Gatlin in a touring company of Civil War, and starred in Always Patsy Cline in
Rochester, NY. Stand By Your Man - The Tammy Wynette Story runs Sept. 13-Oct. 28
at the Ryman in Nashville.
IF YOU EVER LEAVE ME, I'M GOING WITH YOU the comedy by Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna opens August 6 at the Cort
Theatre, NYC, the same night the couples their 36th wedding anniversary. Renee and Joe have
been married 35 times - to each other. Every year on their anniversary they get all dolled up and
get re-hitched. We're not sure if this year's vow taking will be an on stage event.
Meanwhile, Renee is so busy she doesn't have time for wedding or opening night jitters. Taylor,
who played Fran Drescher's mom on The Nanny, has taken over from Rue McClanahan as
the host of the all gay-version of Family Feud. The raunchy show plays every Wednesday
at the Chelsea club Blu. Taylor is there through August 1.
DIVORCIADAS, EVANGELICAS Y VEGETARIANAS -
Divorcees, Evangelists and Vegetarians
Divorcees, Evangelists and Vegetarians
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The divorced one is
Puerto Rican, the evangelical one is Dominican and the vegetarian is Venezuelan. On a subway
platform, the suicidal Latina meets the scandalous one.
They become fast friends and descend on the third at work in a Manhattan multiplex; then
proceed to Central Park for a marvelous encounter with their own selves.
The production features Dominican actress Xiomara Rodriguez and popular Puerto Rican
television actresses Olga Sesta and Yvonne Caro. Presented by Raul Mandez Productions, Inc;
this comedy played to critical acclaim in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Argentina
and Puerto Rico.
Gramercy Arts Theatre August 16th through 26th
COMPLETING DEHLIA
continues through September 1 at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI. World premiere of
Annie Martin's comedy about a modern woman seeking satisfaction in the new millennium.
Directed by Anthony Caselli. Recommended for mature audiences. Officials of the Purple Rose
Theatre are: Executive Director actor Jeff Daniels, Artistic Director Guy Sanville, Managing
Director Alan Ribant and Development Director Judy Gallagher
FATHER OF THE BRIDE July
31-Aug. 5 at Okoboji Summer Theatre, Spirit Lake.
FOSSE Tokyo, Japan on
Orchard Hall opening August 3 with performance through September4.
MISSISSIPPI LOVE
JERRY VAN DYKE
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an original
musical comedy, starring Debby Boone and Jerry Van Dyke, will have its premiere September 8,
at the Mark Twain Playhouse in Branson, Missouri.
The production includes over 30 entertainers who bring to life many of Mark Twain's colorful
storybook characters as they discover the attractions - and distractions - of Showboating, fishing
all night, young love, and the zany antics of the folks of Hannibal. Over 15 original musical
numbers are featured in Mississippi Love.
Debby Boone will perform the lead role of Aunt Polly during the months of September and
October. Jerry Van Dyke will star in the lead role of Duke from November 1 through December
15. Michael Jenkins is the producer and director.
WHO'S WHERE
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER July
26 at The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles.
SADE July 26 at the Coors
Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA.
AIR SUPPLY July 27 at the
Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO will play
the Zephyr Club, on Tuesday, July 31 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His new album
is Man Under the Influence.
TOM JONES opens August 2 in
Atlantic City, NJ at the Mark G. Etess Arena for a four night engagement.
DESTINY'S CHILD opens July 30
in Minneapolis, MN at the Target Center. On Wednesday it's center stage in Bonner Springs,
Kansas at the Sandstone Amphitheatre. Thursday finds the group headlining in Oklahoma City, OK
at the Myriad Convention Center. On Friday they're in Schertz, TX at the Verizon Wireless
Amphitheatre and on Saturday the spotlight is on them in Houston, Texas at the Compaq
Center.
MADONNA does a two nighter,
Thursday and Friday in East Rutherford, NJ at the Continental Airline Arena.
BRIAN SETZER '68 COMEBACK SPECIAL can be found Tuesday in Boulder, Colorado at the Fox Theatre and on
Wednesday in Beaver Creek, CO at the Vilar Center For The Arts.
JOHNNY MATHIS performs
Saturday and Sunday in Hyannis, MA at the Cape Cod Melody Tent.
TONY BENNETT sings July 31 in
Holmdel, NJ at the P.N.C. Bank Arts Center. On Friday he's center stage in Charlotte, NC at
the Verizon Wireless Amp.Charlotte and on Saturday he'll delight the crowds in Greenville, SC
at the Bi-Lo Center.
KATHY MATTEA and her band will
play with the Utah Symphony Friday in Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City and on Saturday at the
Deer Valley Ski Resort. This year Mattea is doing only 30 shows, instead of her normal
80.
BRETT BUTLER returns to the
Riviera hotel, Las Vegas August 3-4.
NATALIE COLE opens a Las Vegas
engagement at the Paris Hotel on August 3. The engagement runs three nights.
TONY DANZA on Wednesday takes
his charm and tap shoes to Muskegon, M for an engagement at the Frauenthal Center. On
Thursday he'll do it again then travel to Suttons Bay, MI for a Friday engagement at the
Leelanau Sands Casino.
BEN E. KING WITH THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
July 27 & 28. Navy Pier in San Diego, CA.
ALAN JACKSON July 27 at the
Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA.
PATTY LOVELESS July 27
Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay in Shelter Island, CA.
TIM MCGRAW at the Verizon
Wireless Music Center on Monday, July 30 Indianpolis, Indiana.
ROD STEWART is in and out of the
country this week. On Wednesday he entertains in Toronto, ON at the Air Canada Centre.
Thursday finds him in Montreal, QC at the Molson Centre Then on Saturday he's back on
American soil in Camden, NJ at the Tweeter Center At The Waterfront.
PIFFLE AND PROFUNDITIES
ROBERT GOULET
dropped the curtain on his show at the Venetian hotel, Las Vegas, saying he can't afford the
$15,000 nightly showroom rental. (See last week's Broadway To Vegas column) Goulet bowed
out after Monday's performance, four weeks into a nine-week run. The showroom withheld
box-office receipts on Tuesday. Rogo & Rove, the company he owns with his business-manager
wife Vera, was faced with an overhead of $200,000 a week after a backer dropped out at the last
minute. Goulet said they would have broken even with 50 percent attendance, but counts were
only in the 30-40 percent range.
ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
refuses to wear anything green or ride in a green vehicle. He thinks it is an unlucky color.
Next Column: August 5, 2001
Copyright: July 29, 2001. All Rights Reserved. Reviews,
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