Las Vegas Spotlight: July 2007

Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular has just celebrated its one year anniversary. Considering the tough time that many previous Broadway-to-Vegas transfers had, the fact that this Andrew Lloyd Webber favorite has made it to this milestone is a pretty big accomplishment. Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello and Broadway favorite Brent Barrett continue to alternate in the title role, while Elizabeth Loyacano and newcomer Kristi Holden share the part of the Phantom’s muse, Christine. (Sierra Boggess, the other original Christine, has moved on to the title role of the Broadway-bound The Little Mermaid.)

Sin City’s biggest Broadway hit, Mamma Mia!, undergoes some major cast changes on July 30. Libby Winters takes over the role of bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan, while Rob Sutton, Ron McClary, and T. Scott Cunningham will play the three guys who might be her father.

Las Vegas Little Theatre brings some summer relief to musical fans with its production of the smash Broadway musical Urinetown (July 6-22). Creators Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis took inspiration from Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill in telling their darkly comic story about the beleaguered citizens of a drought-ridden town where people must pay for the privilege to pee. This production is directed by Walter Niejadlik, with musical direction from Pat Demain.

Right around the time that Audra McDonald and company are closing up their Tony-nominated Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade in New York, the Harvey Schmidt/Tom Jones tuner will be getting a Vegas showing as the second installment of the Super Summer Theatre season (July 11-28). Mary Ellen Spann and Timothy Burris star as “old maid” Lizzie Curry and new guy in town Starbuck, respectively, in this charming adaptation of N. Richard Nash’s classic play The Rainmaker.

The Musical Actors Theatre serves up another 1960s favorite, Sweet Charity (July 26- August 11), the slightly twisted Bob Fosse-Neil Simon comedy about a girl who remains determinedly cheerful despite being burned by every man she loves at the Summerlin Performing Arts Library. Dancer Dana Moore, who appeared on Broadway in the Tony-winning revue Fosse and the hit revival of Chicago, is assisting on the production.

Lastly, for something a bit darker, Insurgo Theater Movement presents Shakespeare’s angsty masterpiece, Hamlet, with actress Katrina Larsen in the title role (Onyx Theatre, July 20-August 18).