Harrah’s may be done with Wayner

I really wasn't going to pick on Wayne Newton after learning he had a health problem.

No jokes about his singing from this corner, once it was announced that Newton had cardiomyopathy, a viral infection of the heart. The first reports said he would cancel his holiday run at Harrah's Las Vegas, as well as the "Dancing With the Stars" arena tour. Sounded like a good idea for him to stay home and take care of himself.

But, as Pacino said in "The Godfather: Part III," "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

It turns out, Newton didn't cancel the "Dancing" tour after all. Just the Harrah's shows that conflicted with the tour dates.

In other words, the ailing Mr. Las Vegas canceled the gig that's a short drive from his house in order to do the tour that involves flying all over the country, from Seattle to Tampa (including now, apparently, the Las Vegas show Dec. 30 at the Orleans Arena).

A news release from Newton's camp explains the condition "forced him to sideline scheduled Las Vegas performances but after consulting with his physicians the doctors have cleared Newton's participation" in the tour.

"I'm thrilled that my doctors have given me the OK to hit the road this winter and perform for all of my fans across the country," Newton says in the statement.

The release doesn't explain any of this, but I'll float some ideas. The "Dancing" gig apparently is just hosting; no singing or dancing. Easier on the heart for the time you're actually onstage.

Of course, he will be playing to audiences of thousands, not hundreds.

Here's another thought. Harrah's performers usually "four-wall" without a flat financial guarantee and pay their own production expenses (such as a band).

By contrast, I'm pretty sure the "Dancing" tour is a straight paycheck, with Newton working as a hired hand and someone else taking the risk.

How did all this sit with the Harrah's folks? I called general manager Don Marrandino. "We wish him the best. He was a great ambassador and performer."

Was? Does that mean he won't be back?

"This was the last part of the evaluation process, at the end of his two-year contract," Marrandino said. Then, to clarify, he explained every contract has an evaluation near the end to decide whether to renew it.

So, does that mean the decision has been made?

Just then, Marrandino was saved by the bell: a phone call from guitarist Nils Lofgren, backstage on the Bruce Springsteen tour. Marrandino's a big Springsteen fan. I haven't heard back, but I'm guessing we won't see Newton at Harrah's anymore.

Rita Rudner, the showroom's anchor tenant, will add shows to her schedule between Saturday and Dec. 29. All of the shows include a locals offer of $20 per ticket. ...

Reported as a probability in this column last week, the Beatles tribute "Fab Four Mania" is now confirmed to move from the V Theater at Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops to the Sahara, starting Tuesday.

A rival Beatles show, "Fab Forever," opened nearby last week, at the Four Queens' Canyon Club. The club also hosts concert acts and a residency by Tom Jones tribute act Harmik, who is on hiatus until Dec. 1. The two tribute acts will figure out scheduling then.

"Fab Forever" played the Riviera about this time last year, but was derailed when the family of one performer was seriously injured in a Los Angeles car wreck. The performer later left the group to work closer to home.

"I see downtown as a big plus," says producer Jerry Peluso. "I won't compete with either the Fab Four or Cirque (du Soleil's 'Love') on the Strip. I'm my own niche." Peluso has worked with both tributes, and says one big difference is that Forever changes out songs each night to include more obscure Beatles tunes.

David Saxe will continue to produce "Fab Four Mania" and operate the V Theater. He says things are up in the air there. Toxic Audio, an a capella group that has performed at Luxor, may replace the Fab Four. But a second performance space, a 300-seater above the current one, will open in January, offering more options. One of them appears to be headline engagements by comedian Andrew Dice Clay and a comedy club format bearing his name. ...

Has Crazy Benny got a deal for you!

He may sound like a used-car dealer, but the comedian, aka Benny Schapero, is trying to open a 300-seat freestanding theater at 167 E. Tropicana Ave., near Hooters Hotel. He wants to create opportunities for himself and like-minded entertainers who are tired of waiting for a hotel venue.

Performers who want in on a projected Dec. 1 opening should call Sandra Berkowitz at 895-7409. ...

Finally, it's good to be a Las Vegas headliner and have Jon Stewart name check you in front of a celebrity audience, right?

Unless the celebrities at last weekend's Planet Hollywood festivities -- Danny DeVito, Patrick Swayze, et al -- hear it as part of Stewart's routine about a viral video of a man having sex with a pinata.

When the joke didn't go big, Stewart came back with, "Only in Vegas does that not get anything. ... I forgot that you people can see that every night: Lance Burton!"

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 383-0288 or e-mail him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com.