Comedy scene gains one, loses one

Louie Anderson is leaving, but not before Brad Garrett opens a new comedy club, ensuring audiences won't miss a single joke on a comedy-choked Strip.

Anderson bows out of the rat race on Aug. 1, closing his "Larger Than Life" residency at the Excalibur.

The comedian had talked since February about phasing in a more focused, autobiographical format for the stand-up showcase that opened in early 2006, possibly one with a theatrical set.

Producer Adam Steck says he and casino executives also discussed either a dinner show format or moving Anderson from the "Thunder Down Under" venue to an enclosed lounge on the casino floor.

The answer turns out to be "none of the above." Steck says management decided not to add another show venue to those already in the three connected casinos (Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay).

Anderson did not return calls, but Steck says the comedian has been doing well with his "Stand Up Boot Camp" workshops for aspiring comics across the country, and wanted to devote more time to them.

Garrett turned out to be right when he said his Tropicana comedy club would open June 28. The hotel is no longer denying the fact. A press release says Garrett will do the first week as headliner then make "additional club appearances, some scheduled and some unexpected," and sometimes serve as door greeter.

The comedy flood may explain why one club, Bonkerz at Palace Station, is going from new headliners each week to more of a resident formula. Hypnotist Don Barnhart will headline through July 3, followed by the indefatigable Grandma Lee from July 5 through Sept. 4. ... ...

Does the Greek Isles count? Apparently not. Antonio Restivo impressed the "America's Got Talent" judges with his fire illusions on Tuesday's show. He told them his "big dream" is to have a show "on the Vegas Strip." Apparently "Strip" is the operative word, since he produced and starred in "Ignite" at the Greek Isles for six months last year.

In backstage footage, he reiterated the goal of a show "where people were coming to see me in Vegas." Emphasis added. ...

The "Broadway in Vegas" trend leveled out to where you don't hear about it much anymore, but that could change. There's talk of the campy musical "Rock of Ages" replacing Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo. The salute to '80s rock had a test run at the Flamingo in 2006 before it went on to become an unlikely Broadway hit.

On the other hand, it sounds like "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" may give way to a new Broadway title next year. Hopes are fading for a lifeline in the form of the "Phantom" sequel "Love Never Dies" opening on Broadway. The sequel could steer interest back to the original, but it received lukewarm reviews in London and a November opening on Broadway has been delayed. ...

"Matsuri" at the Imperial Palace salutes the troops with a free show at 4 p.m. Sunday for military personnel, offering as many as six tickets per ID.

Additional ticket sales for $25 benefit Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Ticket requests and questions go to Matsuri4Military@gmail.com. ...

I know what you're thinking. With Louie Anderson closing, there just won't be enough comedy to go around, with only seven resident headliners, six club formats and big-name headliners every weekend.

Fear not. Saturday brings "Laughter Hours Comedy," a midnight offering in the House of Blues' restaurant courtyard area. "We created it late enough so that no (working comic) would ever feel threatened," explains organizer and host Brandon Scott Williams.

He calls it "invited mic" rather than "open mic," a place "for the up-and-coming comics." A $5 cover gets you in starting Saturday. ...

Veteran show people may have once danced for Dorothy Dorben, the veteran dancer and choreographer whose Dorothy Dorben Dancers were part of the scene for years. Dorben (born Dorothy Bentler) died May 13 in Los Angeles, just weeks after her 96th birthday.

Much of her 40-year career involved the Strip, from the Last Frontier in 1943 and the Flamingo while Bugsy Siegel was still alive to the Aladdin's "Jet Set Revue" in 1966.

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