While Broadway shows are notorious for not doing real well in Las Vegas, "Mamma Mia" at Mandalay Bay may be the exception. People come to the "Entertainment Capitol of the World" to have fun, be happy and get crazy. "Mamma Mia" is totally uplifting and a show for everyone.

The plot is simple with some clever twists and the ABBA music grabs you. The story has Sophie getting married on the Greek island where she lives with her mother Donna. Her one big wish for her wedding day is to have her unknown father walk her down the aisle. She narrows the possibilities down to three men after secretly reading through her mother's diary and invites all of them for the big day.

Probably the most amazing thing is how the creators could take 22 of the Swedish pop group's hit songs and string them together into a musical story that works.

"Mamma Mia" is less than four years old and it already has eight productions worldwide. The ninth one at Mandalay Bay has an open-ended run.

The Andy Warhol exhibit of celebrity portraits at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art features more than 50 pieces of art and will run through Sept. 3. The showing crosses three decades of his career beginning with early works like "Troy," a black-and-white silkscreen ink and pencil portrait done of film star Troy Donahue in 1962, through pieces done during the last seven years of his life like the series "Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century."

The audio tour has his dear friend Liza Minnelli doing the narration and one room shows a timeline of his life. The nearby gallery store sells an illustrated catalog of the exhibit and Warhol-themed gift items such as light-switch plates that look like Campbell's tomato soup cans and bite-size chocolates with an image of Marilyn Monroe.

Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Tickets are $12 and $15, call 702-693-7871 for information.

Imagine the excitement on Dec. 24, 1959, when the world famous "Folies Bergere" made its American debut and opened at the Tropicana. Lou Walters, father of news correspondent Barbara Walters, was the hotel's entertainment director and responsible for bringing the stage spectacular to town.

As the longest current running production show in Las Vegas, it maintains a freshness by periodically making changes. The new 18th edition of this classic show features the evolution of women as its theme and unveils new scenes, several added sexy numbers and a different finale.

The very first new addition is the opener, The Dressing Room. This routine gives the audience a behind-the-scenes feel of how the showgirls prepare for their nightly appearance on stage. The next scenario is La Vedette, meaning "the star," with male dancers presenting a stunning showgirl who materializes through smoke with giant butterfly wings on her back.

If you've seen the "Folies Bergere" before, the one thing that is a surprise is how early in the show the famous can-can number is unveiled. This traditional piece reveals how athletically inclined the dancers are doing their splits and flips. The hard working cast, strong male and female lead singers and fabulous adagio dancers carry the majority of the production except for near the end when the specialty act is introduced. The special guest is Wally Eastwood, a master juggler and comedian, who started his career at age five and traveled with the circus doing a little of everything: wire walking , trapeze, teeterboard, unicycle and acrobatics.

Eastwood's signature bit is his musical medley juggling act involving a custom-made keyboard. He stands right above the keys that are on the stage and bounces three and later five balls off of them at rapid speed creating recognizable tunes. He's made television appearances doing this stunt and his established record routine of juggling seven ping-pong balls with his mouth at one time.

The "Folies" is still a wonderful show to experience. Tickets are $44.95 for table seatng and $54.95 for a booth plus tax and surcharge, call 702-739-2411.

Here's a couple fun trivia notes associated with the "Folies" show. Singing star Bobbie Gentry made her Las Vegas debut at age 17 as a Folies showgirl, along with French singer (and former wife of Andy Williams), Claudine Longet.

"Bravo" starring Charo at the new Sevilla restaurant and nightclub has eliminated dinner with the show. Drinks may be purchased in the showroom and guests are welcome to dine before or after the show in either Sevilla's Terrace Steakhouse or Tapas Patio.

The new prices for "Bravo" are general admission $59, preferred reserved seating $69 and VIP tickets $79. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the price also includes a VIP pass into the Latin Nightclub. For more information, call Sevilla 702-938-7777.

The upscale $170 million Ritz-Carlton is open at Lake Las Vegas where it is seen as the centerpiece for the $500 million, 50-acre Mediterranean-themed MonteLago Village.

Room rates for Nevada's first Ritz-Carlton, which include use of the spa and fitness center, are about $250 a night.

George Carlin, who was awarded the "Comedian of the Year" title at the first Las Vegas Comedy Festival last year, will take center stage at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre from March 6-19. Tickets are $60 inclusive, call 702-891-7777 or 800-929-1111.

Carlin is known as one of America's keenest social critics, using razor sharp humor to point out hypocrisy in people's actions and words. For more than four decades, he has been on the cutting edge and regularly integrates taboo subjects into his performances. He has also starred in 12 critically acclaimed one-hour HBO specials.

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JW's Tavern, which opened at the Rio last year, is currently closed for renovation and expansion. The restaurant will re-open within the next six weeks with a new name, theme and entertainment-based concept.

The Tropicana has introduced a new benefit for members joining their free player reward program called The Winners Club. All new members are receiving two free tickets to the hotel's afternoon magic show, "The Magic of Rick Thomas," after playing slots or table games for one hour or more within the first 24 hours of joining the club. If members play for two hours or more, they receive two free tickets to the "Folies Bergere."

In addition to the show tickets, new Winners Club members also receive twice the cash back bonuses for all play incurred in the first 24 hours after joining the club and a free Tropicana T-shirt after the first 30 minutes of carded play.

Harrah's is holding a corporate wide promotion celebrating the benefits of their Total Rewards program. Harrah's Las Vegas and the Rio are giving players a chance to win a variety of prizes at daily qualifying drawings and a sleek new BMW Z4 at the Monopoly "Own It All" Grand Prize Event on May 27.

Through April 12, guests have a chance to earn Monopoly drawing tickets in many ways including playing games, signing up for a new Harrah's Total Rewards Gold Card, betting at the Racebook, purchasing a show ticket, enjoying a meal, checking into the hotel or buying a Coca-Cola product.

Each day qualifying Monopoly drawings are held to select finalists. Harrah's picks three people at 3 and 7 p.m. drawings and the Rio chooses six at 5:30 p.m.

Each Monopoly finalist receives a sponsor logo item and a Harrah's tote bad. They also draw from a deck of Monopoly "Chance?" cards and win the indicated prize. "Chance?" cards contain one of the following prizes: a grand prize, two night complimentary accommodations in Las Vegas and one entry into the "Big Day" event on May 27; a $50 gift certificate for their choice of select restaurants at either property; or two free show tickets to select Harrah's Las Vegas and Rio shows.

Winners must be present to win, and 21 years of age or older. For more details contact the Total Rewards Center at Harrah's Las Vegas.

The real Celine Dion is launching her new show, "A New Day," at Caesars Palace on March 25, in a new $95 million. 4,000-seat Colosseum showroom. On the same day, her Celine Dion perfume will hit the stores.

Meanwhile, Dion is shooting a video of her new single, "I Drove All Night." The song is affiliated with another campaign she has going for Chrysler. Additionally, her new studio album, "One Heart" will coincidentally arrive in stores on March 25.

Over at the Imperial Palace, the mufti-million-dollar live celebrity impersonation show, "Legends in Concert," will incorporate a Celine Dion tribute artist into the show from March 24 through May 25. Brigitte Valdez, who began her career at age 13, will portray Dion and sing hits such as "Love Can Move Mountains," "That's The Way It Is" and "My Heart Will Go On." Valdez has done back-up vocals for The Pharcyde, Benny Mardones and Johnny Angel and in 1996, recorded and released her own pop album, "Brigitte," in Asia.

Adult tickets for the "Legends" show are $39.95 inclusive with two drinks included and $24.95 for children 12 and under. Buffet dinner and show packages are available, call 702-794-3261 or 888- 777-7664.

The MGM Mirage has introduced an in-room magazine called "M Lifestyle" that will be distributed to guests at all of the company's resorts in Las Vegas and at its Beau Rivage property in Biloxi, Mississippi. "M Lifestyle" will include features, fashion spreads and profiles of property attractions.

The Second City improv troupe at the Flamingo is showing more signs of being successful in their Las Vegas digs. The intimate showroom is getting a name change from Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre to the Second City Theatre and a price increase of $2 per ticket making the cost $29.95.

Craig Shoemaker will headline at the Riviera Comedy Club for three special nights, March 14-16. He's known for his signature comedy persona, "The LoveMaster." Shoemaker wrote, co-produced and starred in the independent feature of the same name starring Farrah Fawcett, George Wendt and Courtney Thorne-Smith.

"The LoveMaster" CD is now being followed up by a new performance record, "Son of LoveMaster," which is mostly Shoemaker's standup act, recorded live at the Ice House in Pasadena, Calif. Tickets to see Shoemaker are $17.95 plus taxes, call 702-794-9433.

The Holiday Inn at 325 E. Flamingo Road near the Strip has changed its name to Clarion Hotel & Suites - Emerald Springs. This is the only Clarion hotel in Nevada and it has upgraded room amenities in the 150-room property.

Liberace's former mansion at 4982 Shirley Street near McCarran Airport and the university is on the market for a minimum of $3 million. The flamboyant pianist's property will be sold via sealed bids and opened on May 15.

When the home was completed in 1967, it measured about 10,000 square feet. The current owner purchased it in 1989 from the Liberace Foundation and converted it into a catering and banquet facility with two industrial kitchens and a 4,500-square-foot banquet hall that can host 600 guests.

Las Vegas Villa as it is now called is lavishly furnished and includes several themed rooms like the Moroccan Room and the "Eternal Hallway," with 2,000-year-old Grecian marble pillars, Baccarat crystal chandeliers and etched floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

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