Labor costs force show closure at Sahara

Magician Brett Daniels has closed his "Wohscigam" afternoon show at the Sahara, citing "a serious dispute over the labor bill" for union stagehands fees.

Daniels put the show on hiatus last week. On Tuesday, he met with Sahara officials, and on Wednesday said he had agreed to a settlement offer from the Sahara that will include a confidentiality agreement, barring him from further comment.

Last week, Daniels said the Sahara had passed along bills for overtime costs adding up to $33,000 per week from Local 720 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, though his contract called for advance notification and approval of any stagehand costs exceeding $8,000 per week.

Daniels was attempting a larger production than most afternoon fare, which tends to be of the "front of curtain" variety. "Wohscigam" was heavy on backdrops, props, video and levitation effects.

"My crew were hard workers and did a great job. They were very supportive," Daniels said Wednesday. "My dispute is with the union stewards and the hotel." ...

Yet another comedy club arrives, but this one is downtown at Fitzgerald's. Comedy After Hours is an expansion of an Austin, Texas, club and opens May 22. There will be two "road" comedians and a local host for a $29 ticket. "Country Superstars Tribute" will share the room and keep its 7 p.m. time slot, but won't have shows on Fridays or Saturdays.

Fitzgerald's spokesman Gene Sagas says the real carrot is the club's plan to film each Tuesday show and distribute it for late-night cable TV viewing around the country; a free plug for the casino each time the show comes back from a commercial. ...

The Las Vegas Tenors have been one of the cheerier success stories of late. Four relatively unknown but well-liked singers came up with a winning spin on the "popera" format and now periodically play the big room at the Las Vegas Hilton (albeit at their own financial risk).

It seems an odd time to risk a change. But Mark Giovi has left the group to concentrate on his own career and not leave his family for travel, says Bill Fayne, who helms the group. His replacement for the short term (while the others decide whether to carry on as a trio or quartet) is Chris Coyne, lead singer of "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana.

The group also features Teddy Davey and Bobby Black, and returns to the Hilton June 1. "The potential for us is great and we're building," says Fayne. But the group can't grow without pursuing cruise ships and other out-of-town opportunities. ...

Trini Lopez is the latest entertainer to get a sidewalk star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. He will celebrate with a private ceremony today at the Flamingo Las Vegas; the actual star won't be installed for another week or two. Lopez is still recording too. His new disc "Ramblin' Man" is produced by occasional Las Vegas performer Ron Dante, best known as the human singer of The Archies. No wonder Lopez remakes "Sugar, Sugar" on the new album. ...

Acts that "four-wall," or rent their performance space, usually aren't the ones you give the best odds for success. But once he scaled down expectations, Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell looks like he will do fine today at The Orleans.

The singer best known stateside for his eight PBS specials -- the latest is "At Home in Ireland" -- originally thought he would fill the Orleans Arena. But he wisely moved today's show into the cozier showroom, where advance sales of around 500 tickets will look make the room look two-thirds full rather than nearly empty.

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