by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Had an interesting lunch the other day with three friends of long standing, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme and Jim Seagraves of the Stardust Hotel. It's always a pleasure to run into those two wonderful entertainers, and this was double pleasurable because I actually did an interview with them for their appearance the end of April in the Wayne Newton Theatre at the Stardust.

It was also great to receive three albums of their music, especially the new one by Steve dedicated to The Man, Frank Sinatra. Steve told me that one Christmas a gift package arrived at their home containing copies of orchestrations of some of the best music ever written. It was a gift from Frank. The note that came with the gift read: "I know how much you love this music... So take it with you wherever you go and keep this music playing. Just tell everybody where you got it."

"I've used those arrangements in my new album `Steve Lawrence Sings Sinatra,' and it's one I'm very proud of," Steve commented. This writer must agree after listening to the album. Without question this is a work of art and love for Frank's music by a man who loves the music as much as the master. If you like Sinatra music (and who didn't) then be sure to get this new CD. It's worth every penny!

That date again for Steve & Eydie with a 27 piece orchestra conducted by the legendary Vince Falcone (he conducted for The Man for 10 years) is April 29-30 and May 1. And I'm not pulling your leg when I say if you want a ticket to this show you better order them now. They are honestly flying out the window and it's predicted the show will be sell-out by the end of March.

Went to the new Hofbrauhaus on Paradise Road, catty-corner from the Hard Rock Hotel for a Media, VIP dinner. I'm glad I got there early because it was filled to the rafters by 6 pm. Everyone who was anyone was there! PR Plus handled the party for the duplicate of the Munich Hofbrauhaus built in 1589. Now let me tell you a little secret, even the pretzel dough is flown in from Bavaria and baked on the spot. From what I've been told the lunch crowd is huge and the dinner crowd is growing. It opens up at 11 a.m. and closes around 11 pm. and offers all the good stuff you would expect, including a fabulous chicken sausage and two types of sauerkraut. Three types of beer are available in various sizes: I went for the light and loved it!

Following the feast above we headed over to the Tropicana Hotel to take in the three acts appearing at Bob Kephart's Comedy Stop. The opening act laterally killed. Kathleen Dunbar, who is fairly new to Las Vegas (she is now a resident) is funny folks. She has a little bit of Rosie in her routines, plus some of George Carlin and a lot of pure new stuff. Kephart has said he intends to use her a lot. John Knight is a deadpan storyteller with a real cutting edge. This particular evening it seemed to take him a little while to get with the crowd, but once he did his stand-up credentials appeared. The guy headlining the show, Evan Davis was the ultimate killer. He had me laughing from the moment he opened with his first remark to the last exit word. Each appearance by this gifted comedian is different. His comedy never unfolds exactly alike. You can tell that Davis is an act constantly under construction. He tailors his performance that particular show to please that particular audience, which of course is a rare gift few comedian truly have.

The Comedy Stop has two shows nightly, seven nights a week at 8 pm. (Non-smoking) and 10:30 pm. Tickets are $19.95 per person which includes tax, gratuity and two drinks. Thursdays are 2-4-1 nights for locals. It was SRO the night we went, which of course was a Thursday!.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Mark down the dates March 29-April 1 for converging on Harrah's Carnaval Court Bar & Grill to watch the world's best flair bartenders compete for more than $55,000 in cash and prizes and the title of "King of the Ring." This is the first competition for the title presented by Smirnoff Vodka and is the nation's highest paying flair competition to date... The Tropicana has added Heather Sato and Holley Dawson as "G-Force" to perform their amazing female flying adagio act in the free casino show, "Air Play"... The show based on the music of "Queen" has officially been announced for the Paris Hotel. "We Will Rock You" will open in September.... An all-new Greg Thompson produced show is right now going through its final paces for a Fall debut at the Rio Hotel replacing his "Showgirls" production. It'll be titled "Sex, Sweat & Rock n' Roll."... Don Rickles returns to the Stardust Thursday, March 25 through Sunday the 28th...

Well gang, that's about it for this week. I'm outa here!

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