Plaza singing ‘Viva Las Vegas’

A pioneering afternoon show is no longer homeless, while the star of an even more historic show refuses to become a streetwalker.

Producer Dick Feeney reopened "Viva Las Vegas" this week at the downtown Plaza. It may be the first case of a casino offering a show in the afternoon but not at night. However, Feeney says with a laugh, "I can't surrender my title of 'Las Vegas' longest-running afternoon show.' "

"Viva" opened at the Sands in April 1991. It moved to the Stratosphere in late 1996, where it stayed until the end of last year. Along the way, the revue was instrumental in establishing the "free for the price of a drink" promotion that became a standard practice for matinees.

The Plaza will be able to do any promotion it wants. Feeney says the casino cut an old-fashioned deal, paying a guarantee for "Viva" instead of making him rent the room and work for ticket revenue. Tickets will sell for $10 (pre-tax) or $12.88 in a buffet combo.

The new edition includes comic mainstay Bruce "Big John" Mickelson, singer Laurie Caceres, and two magicians: the single-named Katalin and Max Clever, who got a makeover last year on the cable series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

Meanwhile, "Bottom's Up" producer Breck Wall (and former business partner of Feeney) says he pulled the burlesque-flavored revue from a lamentable run at the Harmon Theatre. "It was the worst experience you could ever possibly imagine," he says.

The small cast of the blackout revue -- which has played up and down the Strip since 1964 -- endured small crowds and a dressing room jewelry theft, Wall says.

But the real deal-breaker was being asked to perform out front on the theater sidewalk to drum up business, like the little people in the "Little Legends" revue. "I just won't do that," Wall says.

"Fashionistas" moves back to the Harmon Theatre Oct. 16, after finding the grass wasn't greener at the Empire Ballroom. The erotic dance show's producers know the venue's challenges even if they haven't worked with new management, which came on board in August and announced ambitious plans for five shows. ...

Feeney also reports working with theatrical agent Steven Schnepp of the Broadway Booking Office to get his two Greek Isles productions, "The World's Greatest Magic Show" and "The Rat Pack is Back," into legitimate theaters. "Magic" is already booked Oct. 25-28 at the Fisher Theater in Detroit.

"There really aren't any magic touring shows right now," Feeney says. David Copperfield is the biggest-selling magician who tours, but he commands such high guarantees that presenters can't include him in packaged seasons. ...

Las Vegas entertainers may end up with less representation on "Phenomenon" than they had during the summer with "America's Got Talent" and "The Next Best Thing."

As reported before, the NBC series launching Oct. 24 auditioned several local magicians recently. But their participation posed awkward conflicts for future Luxor star Criss Angel, who hosts the show with Uri Gellar.

Now, the talent contest is again restricted to "mentalists," who occupy a space somewhere between "psychics" who predict the future, phone up the dead, etc., and "illusionists" who jam tigers into boxes, saw up women, etc.

That could be good news for Gerry McCambridge, who just happens to perform as "The Mentalist." McCambridge says he can't comment on whether he made the cut of 10 contestants until the names are announced.

However, entertainment listings sent out by Hooters Casino tout him as being part of "Phenomenon." And if you need any more mind reading clues, his show there will be on break from Saturday through Oct. 26. That lines up perfectly with the Oct. 24 TV show, which will air live on the East Coast.

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