Shows offering discounts to locals

Show bargains offer at least a glint of silver lining in a dire economy. Echoing the months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, locals have a buffet of discounts to choose from.

At least one deal isn't restricted to Nevadans. That one lets me say, "Told ya so," after opining that it's time to reel in prices that only drive customers to middleman discount vendors.

Comedian Louie Anderson seems to agree, offering a promotion through Nov. 26 celebrating his 30-year career with $30 tickets ($36.50 with tax and fees, compared to $62.90 before).

The other deals aim to stir traffic in the suburbs while preserving the tourist price until things turn around.

• "Stomp Out Loud" has two-for-one tickets for locals until the Planet Hollywood show closes Jan. 4.

• Cirque du Soleil has $49 tickets through February for "Ka," "Mystere" and "Zumanity." Callers must mention the magic word "local," and show a Nevada license upon pickup.

Take care, however, in making big plans to treat your Christmas/New Year's visitors. Tickets actually go up by $10 for "Criss Angel Believe" from Dec. 19 to 31, "Ka" from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, "O" from Dec. 24 to 31 and "Love" from Dec. 18 to 31.

• Lance Burton will have locals appreciation weeks at the Monte Carlo Dec. 2-13, with $35 tickets for Nevadans who buy them in person, $38 if you buy them online.

• "Tournament of Kings" has two-for-one tickets for Nevadans, with certain holiday performances blocked out, through Jan. 29. ...

"Raw Talent Live," the large-cast revue that opened to ho-hum reaction at the Sahara last month, is phasing in a new name. The show will be known as "Fuego Raw Talent" for a spell, then eventually shorten the name to simply "Fuego," reflecting its Latin leanings. Patrons also get a program labeled "The Story" to help explain that there is one. ...

Magician Jeff McBride will let his "Magic at the Edge" showcase run its course at Palace Station on Nov. 22. He and manager Tobias Beckwith were smart to label their Palace Station run a limited engagement, but of course there would be no rush to close a big hit.

"It's tough to make money there," Beckwith says. "We haven't lost money, but we haven't made what Jeff can make when he tours."

The two hope to continue "Wonderground," the club-like late show that followed McBride's regular show on weekends. They're looking at several potential venues to host it on a monthly basis.

When McBride opened at Palace Station, there was a real chance he would be the last act to play the Sound Trax Showroom in its present form. Now it sounds like the economy has put on hold, at least temporarily, an ambitious remodeling by a new outside operator. ...

Procrastinators also should remember Danny Gans closes at The Mirage on the same night as McBride, Nov. 22. He reopens in February at the new Encore sister property to Wynn Las Vegas...

In the '90s, RuPaul seemed posed to write his own ticket on the Strip as a drag queen who didn't scare your grandmother. But lackluster showroom tests revealed the act wasn't quite solid enough to back up the persona, and RuPaul proved no threat to "La Cage" star Frank Marino.

On Saturday, Krave Nightclub will have to be big enough to hold the both of them (and their makeup). The drag stars will be on hand to celebrate the club's fourth anniversary and Marino's birthday. Festivities begin at 11 p.m. ...

A lot of opinion on the new Criss Angel show seems to rest on what people think about the rabbits.

I found the bunny puppets to be one of the few bright spots. But magician Bruce Block isn't sure whether to be flattered or outraged about the emcee rabbit of "Believe," who has a brief moment as the show's comic host before he gets clobbered by a piece of rigging.

For years, the comedy magician's signature bit has been a live rabbit that makes its way to a microphone and talks with the help of Block's voice. He says Angel always proclaimed himself to be a fan of the act. Hmm. The bunny was set to introduce Review-Journal columnist Norm Clarke at a Palms party on Wednesday celebrating the release of his new book, "Sinsational Celebrity Tales."

Block got some air time earlier this summer on "America's Got Talent," but wasn't identified as a Las Vegas performer. Recently, the bunny has been introducing raunchy hypnotist Anthony Cools at Paris Las Vegas.

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