Battle of Strip rock shows fizzles

The head-to-head competition between two rock tribute shows turned out to be a short one.

"Rockstar: The Tribute" imploded after Feb. 14th's show, the same weekend "Masters of Rock" opened at the Riviera.

"Masters" was launched by producer Steve Rossi (not the veteran Allen & Rossi comedian), who was involved with "Rockstar" during a tenure at the Riviera.

Rossi says he formed the rival production after "Rockstar" producer Paul Christen didn't pay back cash loans Rossi made to cover payroll.

Now Martin Andrew, the Rod Stewart impersonator who followed "Rockstar" to the Harmon Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, says Christen's Crescendo Entertainment owes back salary to all the show's band members and tribute artists.

"There were so many assurances: 'You guys are going to get paid,' " says Andrew, who claims he drew the line and threatened to leave the show once he was owed $2,300.

Christen could not be reached for comment.

"Quite frankly, I'm a little surprised at what has transpired in the management side of it," says Roque Rodgers, who was involved in trying to raise venture capital for "Rockstar."

He says Christen was responsible for the direct management of the show. The two haven't been in touch since the show closed, and Rodgers says he is still trying to sort things out.

"Right now I'm in the process of seeing if there is some way to revive the show, bring it back up from the ashes," Rodgers said. ...

The Denny & Lee Magic Studio on Dean Martin Drive keeps local magicians stocked with gear, but also serves as a gathering point and cracker barrel for the trade.

The Internet and the economy have conspired to threaten the brick-and-mortar location. On the eve of the World Magic Seminar launching Sunday at The Orleans, several magicians will throw a fundraiser to help the shop through hard times.

"Even if you don't care about the magic shop it'll be a good show," quips Mac King, one of the performers scheduled to join Kevin Burke in his "Fitz of Laughter" venue downtown at Fitzgeralds for an 11 p.m. show on Saturday. Tickets are $25.

King says he and Lance Burton both worked behind a magic counter as teens. "Those kinds of stores are disappearing. There are big advantages to buying your magic in a retail place where you can maybe get some actual advice. That was one of the things I really appreciated." ...

The Joint, the Hard Rock Hotel's $60 million concert hall, was named Best New Major Concert Venue by Pollstar, the concert industry's trade bible, in its annual Pollstar Awards. Given the dearth of new construction lately, you wonder if there were enough nominees to field a competition. It turns out the only one within competing distance of Las Vegas was The Show inside the Agua Caliente Casino near Palm Springs, Calif. ...

First, "Jersey Boys" star Rick Faugno steps out to salute his song-and-dance inspirations with a show at South Point; it returns March 21 and April 25. Now Jon Peterson, a relative newcomer who followed a "Jersey Boys" cast member to town, offers "Song Man Dance Man" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Clark County Library Theatre.

Like Faugno, Peterson also is working with "Jersey Boys" musical director Keith Thompson.

Finally, a party note. The after-party for Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" opening night last week broke Cirque tradition with its budget-conscious move to throw the bash in Aria's Haze nightclub instead of letting Cirque designers create a custom ballroom environment.

One minor flaw in that plan: If you send journalists and opinion-shapers into nightclubs they don't otherwise frequent, they may be reminded these clubs are frequented by prostitutes.

Two people who don't know one another both told me of propositions. To paraphrase Claude Raines, I'm shocked, shocked to find that going on in Casablanca.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.