Chicago's famed comedy troupe, The Second City has opened in the 200 seat Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre at the Flamingo with nine performers rotating five slots on performance nights. The Second City has played all over the world since it began in a tiny theatre in Chicago in 1959.

Unlike most comedy clubs where individual comedians take turns in the spotlight, the group concept has three men and two ladies ensemble playing and performing sketches. Some of the routines are vintage Second City, tried and true.

Then there's new material built around Las Vegas. One skit, for instance, has master illusionists Leopold and Ray making flamingos disappear all the while vigorously asserting their heterosexuality.

The show begins and ends with songs incorporating facts provided by an audience member, thus demonstrating the group's ability to think on its feet. Fast pacing and diversification keep Second City shows flowing and interesting. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax, call 1-800-221-7299 or 702-733-3333. Shows are Tuesday-Sunday at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

The Scintas (pronounced Shin-Tahs) close at the Las Vegas Hilton tonight and open an indefinite run in the 750-seat Copacabana Showroom at the Rio on April 12. Seemingly out of nowhere, this close-knit Italian family, arriving from Buffalo, New York just a year ago, has taken Las Vegas by storm.

The family-foursome is comprised of Joe Scinta, the eldest brother who does a fabulous Joe Cocker impression, and plays the bass. He's also the comedic foil to younger brother Frank Scinta, who plays virtually every instrument, self-taught no less, and does a range of impressions. The only non-Sicilian Scinta is drummer Peter ODonnell. The younger sister, petite Chrissi Scinta surprises and delights audiences with her incredibly powerful soprano vocal stylings.

By moving to the bigger room at the Rio, the Scintas will take their show to the next level with a whole new look, better sound, lighting and staging elements. Ticket prices will be $35 plus tax, call 702-252-7776.

The multi-talented Harrah's Las Vegas headliner Clint Holmes recently revamped his ever-evolving show to offer new songs, new arrangements and new material. He also added new female lead Janien Masse, who most recently starred at the Flamingo Las Vegas in "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus," as well as a guitarist and drummer.

Holmes is accompanied by a 12-piece band including a five-piece horn section, under the musical direction of Bill Fayne, whose credits include more than 50 musical theater productions, operas and television shows.

Holmes has just completed a DVD of his live performance at Harrah's. It will debut nationwide this summer. Tickets for Holmes' shows are $44.95 plus tax, call 1-800-392-9002.

The Casino Legends Hall of Fame at the Tropicana recently held one of its induction ceremonies in the afternoon and attracted many past inductees. These ceremonies become a real beehive for celebrity watching and a few hundred seats are open each time to the public free of charge.

The most recent inductees were Clint Holmes who headlines at Harrah's, comedian Bernie Allen, comedian Pat Cooper, the late great Nat King Cole with his daughter Casey accepting, and Tony Orlando. They join 55 other names in the following categories: builders and visionaries, headliners, Las Vegas in the movies, "good guys," gamblers and showgirls.

The Liberace Museum at 1775 East Tropicana Ave. will break ground on a major expansion and renovation on Liberace's 82nd birthday celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 12. Over 100,000 loyal fans visit the museum every year and after 21 years a new look is anxiously anticipated.

The new look will have grand and overscaled design elements to physically capture the virtuosity of a Liberace musical performance. A cylindrical glass entrance foyer surmounted by an oversized pink piano and a giant rendition of Liberace's famous signature will evoke the late entertainer's flamboyant style and musical accomplishments.

The exhibit space will be increased to accommodate traveling exhibitions for the first time. An outdoor entertainment plaza and cafe will be added, The Museum Store will be expanded, and a "Walk of Honors" comprised of Bronze plaques that mark Liberace's career highlights and achievements will be created. Completion is anticipated in late summer.

The Liberace Museum will remain open during construction, Monday -Saturday from 10 am. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Minimum tax deductible donations are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, age 60 and over, and students. Children under 12 are admitted free. Visit the website: www.liberace.org.

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Fans can never get enough of world famous illusionists Siegfried and Roy and their famous White Lions and White Tigers. Now there's an opportunity to enjoy them in book form. "Siegfried & Roy's Gift for the Ages" captures in photos and words one of the world's foremost animal preservation efforts.

Two decades after acting on Roy's dream, the duo's animal family has grown from three White Tigers to 58, and from a pair of Magical White Lions to 19 of the majestic creatures. The scope of the miracle can be found in the numbers. Today there are only about 200 White Tigers and 25 White Lions worldwide.

The 90-page coffee-table-quality book includes photos of the animals in the Magicians of the Century's record-breaking show at The Mirage, at their home called Jungle Palace, at a wooded retreat known as Little Bavaria, and at the Secret Garden at The Mirage. The bond between Roy and the animals is also captured especially when the mothers have given birth to their cubs and then placed them in Roy's lap.

"Siegfried & Roy's Gift of the Ages" costs $14.95 plus $5 shipping and handling if order through the mail. It can be ordered through the publishers at M*M Graphics, 7521 Crystal Forest Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89117. The hardback edition is $34.95.

Legendary funny lady Rita Rudner is scheduled to open a new 426-seat Cabaret Theatre being built at New York-New York on April 20. Since this gig is open-ended, Rudner plans to relocate her family to the Neon City. Rudner received numerous offers after proving her worth last year performing for six months at the MGM Grand's Cabaret Theatre to sold out audiences.

Ticket prices for Rudner's show will range from $35 to $40, call 702-740-6815 or visit www.nynyhotelcasino.com. Show times will be Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m.

The Stratosphere will open Lucky's Cafe, a 24-hour, 300-seat coffee shop in May with a distinctive "vintage Las Vegas" decor. Lucky's Cafe will offer American-style cuisine with a European flair and a separate Chinese dinner menu It will be located on the casino floor level adjacent to Images Lounge.

This new dining experience will be one of the first venues to open as part of the Stratosphere's new $74 million tower expansion project. More venues will include 1,002 rooms with 100 suites; a 67,000 square-foot resort-style pool and recreation deck; and an amphitheater with more than 3,700 seats.

The Passion Play of Las Vegas will use local residents to re-tell the historical story of the final days of Jesus Christ's life on earth. Over 100 cast members will be comprised from numerous ethnic and church backgrounds. The spectacular sets, period costumes and professional level cast will create a memerable pageantry as the audience is transported back to Jerusalem 2000 years ago. This is the fourth year the production will be housed at the Riviera in the Grande Ballroom. Tickets are free at the Riviera's Main Box Office on a first-come, first served basis.

Look at the calendar and you'll notice that April 13 falls on a Friday. The Riviera is letting people know that the world's largest lifecast statue, "NO, Ifs ANDs or_," attached to the front wall of the hotel will offer free help to friggatriskaidekaphobes (those who fear Friday the 13th). The 1,777-pound bronze statue features seven of the "Crazy Girls" posed with their "butts" as the revealing trademarks. Like the tradition of Aladdin's Lamp and the Fat Buddha in Japan, you can rub the ladies' butts to ward off the evils of Friday the 13th. Good Luck!

As a note, "Crazy Girls Fantasy Revue" at the Riviera has cancelled its Saturday midnight performances. Showtimes are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax, call 1-800-634-3420 or 702-794-9433.

Tonight at The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana, a winner will be picked at the Ninth Annual Las Vegas' #1 Fool Contest. Eight weekly winners will compete at 7 p.m., prior to the first show. The grand prize winner will be announced after the 8 p.m. show, crowned "Las Vegas' Number One Fool," receive $1,000 cash and win the opportunity to perform on stage at The Comedy Stop on a Saturday night.

Summer hours will begin April 2 for the Buccaneer Bay Sea Battle in front of Treasure Island. Show times will be every 90 minutes from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. nightly.

The letters spelling out the Showboat name at the top of the Fremont Street hotel-casino have been removed, paving the way for the property's Castaways name. The Showboat opened in 1954, and was sold by Harrah's Entertainment to VSS Enterprises in March 2000 for $23.5 million.

The Wildfire Casino is being built just southeast of Texas Station and the Fiesta on Rancho Road in northwest Las Vegas. The casino is slated for completion in late October. Once completed, it will replace Ernie's casino, which first opened on Rancho Road in 1962. Ernie's will be demolished after the Wildfire is completed.

Mpress, a hot new singing trio hitting the music scene, are performing a limited engagement at the MGM Grand's Studio 54 nightclub, April 4-7. The ladies will perform hits off their debut album, 'Suddenly," including their hit single "Not Because of You." The album is scheduled to be released online and in stores soon.

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