Las Vegas Spotlight: February 2010
Jason Alexander, that “Master of His Domain,” hits Sin City in a decidedly un-George Costanza role, starring in The Donny Clay Experience at Planet Hollywood (February 11-March14). Here, Alexander plays Donny Clay, “the world’s fourth-best motivational speaker.” In Clay’s world-famous seminars, expect comedy, music, self-help, and some partial nudity, all in an uproarious attempt to help you “discover the YOU inside of you.” Interactive, partially improvised, and fully hilarious, The Donny Clay Experience is a multimedia romp as only the talented Tony Award winning actor can deliver.
Fans of musical theater have a reason to stand up and shout “Hallelujah!” The Onyx Theatre and Off-Strip Productions are bringing the Off-Broadway sensation Altar Boyz to Las Vegas, starting February 4. Winner of the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, Altar Boyz is the tale of a struggling Christian boy band from Ohio, and is directed by the Onyx Theatre’s newest Artistic Director, Mike Scheneman. The Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents Douglas Carter Beane’s The Little Dog Laughed, at the Judy Bayley Theatre (February 26-March 7), the story about a Hollywood agent trying to keep her client out of the press, and in the closet.
The Las Vegas Little Theatre’s Fischer Black Box presents Tracy Letts’ Bug, directed by Joseph Hammond (February 12-21). Set in a seedy Oklahoma City motel room, the play is the tale of cocktail waitress Agnes, who’s hiding out from her crazed ex-con ex-husband Jerry, and gets involved with Peter, a possible AWOL Gulf War vet. Oh, yeah, and they’re also dealing with a bug infestation. On the theater’s Mainstage, Michael Cristofer’s The Shadow Box, directed by Brian Scott, runs February 19-March 7. The Tony Award-winning play tells the tale of a group of terminally ill patients, each living in a separate cottage at a hospice. Surrounded by loved ones, each person is trying to face and make sense of death… as well as life.
Some heavy hitters in every musical genre are gracing Las Vegas this February. “The King of Country” George Strait is joined on tour for the first time by that first lady of country music herself, Reba McEntire, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on February 6. And though he may have left his heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett is bringing his jazz vocals to the Las Vegas Hilton Theatre on February 19-20. And pop superstar Mariah Carey brings her “Angels Advocate” tour to Caesars Palace on February 27.
America’s Got Talent winner Neal E. Boyd & Friends are showing up at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 14. The popular singer is joined by several of his Talent finalists — singer/songwriter Eli Mattson, impressionist Steve Bridges, and singer Queen Emily. Other musical highlights this month include Richard Marx at The Orleans on February 13-14; Motown Legend Smokey Robinson at Green Valley Ranch on February 13; and country music star Brad Paisley at Mandalay Bay on February 20, with special guests Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore. Also, fans of blues rock have a couple of great options this month: Kenny Wayne Shepherd is at the Orleans (February 26-27) and George Thorogood is still bad to the bone and playing at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (February 27).
Las Vegas has plenty of comedy this month to win your heart, as well. Political satirist, Daily Show host, and stand-up comic Jon Stewart brings his acerbic wit to the Mirage (February 5-6). Drew Carey and the Improv All-Stars stop by the MGM Grand from February 4-7. The Harlem Globetrotters will score some amazing trick shots and big laughs at The Orleans on February 10. Over at the Mirage, “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” alumnus Ron White serves up his scotch drinking, cigar smoking comedy (February 12-14). “Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean” Lisa Lampanelli lets loose at The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms (February 13). “The Merchant of Venom,” Don Rickles himself, brings out his arsenal of insult humor at The Orleans (February 20-21). And Las Vegas’ Impressionist of the Year Larry G. Jones kicks off a run at the Royal Resort on February 2.
