Estefan show will need star

Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson have good excuses for not performing on the Strip.

Gloria Estefan, I'm not so sure.

Granted, it's poor form to judge a show that hasn't even been announced. But a rare opportunity to set some ground rules comes from whatever production Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio apparently plan for the Tropicana.

Estefan said she would be doing "something really big in Las Vegas" at a Walk of Stars ceremony, but later pulled back on specifics. News services spread digest items -- which stem from reports by local journalist/blogger Steve Friess -- saying she would not actually perform in it.

The hotel isn't commenting. But here's a chance to talk about things before it's too late.

Las Vegas has gone through its phase of importing Broadway hits. Now Cirque du Soleil is into the branded spectacular, theming shows to the music of the Beatles, Elvis and, next, Michael Jackson.

How about we say this? For the real star to be absent, he or she should be either a) dead, or b) of respectable retirement age.

If the Estefan musical shows up without the 52-year-old star, would I be the only person to ask: "Why? She's busy that night?" And would I be the only person to suggest her song catalog doesn't stand on its own without her?

Elvis and the Beach Boys had a lot of great songs, too, but jukebox musicals based on them -- "All Shook Up" and "Good Vibrations" -- died quickly on Broadway.

Some of you might reply: "What about that little thing called 'Jersey Boys'? What if an Estefan musical turned out to be that good, Mr. Smart Guy?"

Hmm. That one's pretty awesome all right. And Green Day's new Broadway show "American Idiot" sounds pretty cool, too.

How about, for now anyway, we strike a truce with Broadway? They do the R&D on the more theatrical concepts, while we try to blaze some new trails with the performers themselves?

Some time back, AEG Live executive John Meglen shared that "one of my dreams is to marry some of the great movie directors together with great artists. Spike Lee and Prince. ... David Lynch and David Bowie."

But he wasn't ready to do "the Kiss show without Kiss" -- "Carnival of Souls" is being shopped -- or "the Pink Floyd show without Pink Floyd."

We could make an exception for "The Wall," which at least is coming in concert form with Roger Waters in November (tickets go on sale Monday). I've been throwing that idea out for free for years.

But "Conga" without Gloria? Already saw it. Anyone remember a show called "Storm"? If you don't recall that Mandalay Bay clunker, I rest my case. And if you do, don't forget it.

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