Rio heeding ‘Duck’ call?

Dick Feeney, producer of the roommate tribute shows “The Rat Pack is Back” and “MJ Live,” said Thursday he is closing both shows running in the Rio’s Crown Theater at the end of the year, with final performances on New Year’s Eve.

However, Feeney said that decision was already made, after his inability to come to new contract terms with Caesars Entertainment, before he heard anything about a “Duck Dynasty” show as a possible replacement.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that “The Duck Commander Family Musical,” produced with the approval of the Robertson family seen in the A&E reality series, “hopes to open” in February at the Rio.

However, the Times piece broke ahead of a signed contract and was said to have even surprised some executives at Caesars Entertainment, which has been preoccupied with its third-quarter earnings report of a $908.1 million loss.

Caesars Entertainment redirected questions about the show to Dave Kirvin of the independent firm Kirvin Doak Communications, who said the producer and property are “in discussions.”

The “Dynasty” musical does have a legitimate Broadway creative team behind it. The producer is Michael David, whose monster hit “Jersey Boys” runs at Paris Las Vegas, also a Caesars property.

Feeney says he has offers to move “Rat Pack” and the Michael Jackson tribute show. Feeney has a producing partner in Darin Feinstein, who leased the Rio venue and named it the Crown Theater before the Rio took it back under hotel control in 2012.

Feinstein is now a partner in Red Mercury Entertainment, which operates show venues at the Riviera, suggesting at least one likely home for the two titles.

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