Tag Archives: plays

A Bronx Tale Spins in Las Vegas

Chazz Palminteri was sitting on the front stoop of his parents’ apartment block, minding his own business, when shots were fired during a fight over a nearby parking space. A man was murdered right in front of him, and young Palminteri’s life changed forever.

Palminteri used the shocking event as an inspiration and wrote a screenplay called A Bronx Tale about his growing up in world filled with crime, gambling and gangsters. In 1993, the play was made into a movie, directed by and starring Robert De Niro.

Now an Academy Award-nominated actor himself, Palminteri revisits his checkered past in his one-man version of A Bronx Tale at the Venetian Showroom in Las Vegas.

The production sees Palminteri retrace his steps and navigate the rough streets of ’60s-era New York, as he is forced to choose between the law-abiding life of his father and the lifestyle of a local mobster.

Palminteri premiered his production at the Venetian last year, and he brings it back for a second 11-night running now through May 9. 8 p.m., $45.75, dark April 30 and May 7.

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Auditions for “Jack and the Beanstalk” in Las Vegas on April 17

Want an acting role in “Jack and the Beanstalk” for the award-winning Rainbow Company Youth Theatre in Las Vegas?   An open audition for roles is on Sat., April 17, at 1 p.m. at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Roles are available for ages 8 through adult. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably. No prepared material or advance reservation is needed.

In this last production of the season, Jack’s daring climb to the clouds is just the beginning of the suspense and fun as the hero outwits the socially challenged giant. Presented in a highly theatrical, stylized fashion with witty dialogue and entertaining antics, this re-telling of a favorite folktale promises to be entertaining for all ages. 

The play will be performed at the Charleston Heights Arts Center in Las Vegas from June 4 through 13. 

The nationally recognized Rainbow Company Youth Theatre holds auditions open to both adults and young people throughout the year. The award-winning staff offers classes in all aspects of theatre for ages 4 through high school at Reed Whipple Cultural Center and Charleston Heights Arts Center, and presents five productions annually that bring the magic of live theatre to family audiences. There also are spring break workshops and a summer conservatory. 

Rainbow Company is a program of the city of Las Vegas. For more information about the audition, classes, or tickets, please call 702-229-6553.

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Farrah Fawcett Planned to Reunite with ex-hubby Lee Majors on Stage in Las Vegas

According to Lee Majors’ manager Denny Bond,  the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ star – who lost her battle with cancer last June – had been in secret talks about joining Lee on stage in a Las Vegas production ‘Love Letters.’ 

The pair – who separated after six years of marriage in 1979 and had been estranged for two decades – would have played two ex-lovers who spend their entire lifetime trying to get back together. 

“We had many discussions with Lee and Farrah and we had planned on a Las Vegas opening and doing a Los Angeles charity performance for her soon to be established cancer foundation as the kick-off,” said Bond. 

The show would have been produced and directed by Craig Nevius, the controversial filmmaker who is currently being sued by Farrah’s estate over claims he leaked confidential information about the actress to the media. 

The filmmaker confirmed he was going to be involved with the play, and says Farrah was very “excited” about the possible reunion. 

“‘Love Letters’ was the perfect stage play for the two of them. Lee would have played a conservative, no-nonsense politician who had been in love with his childhood sweethear for decades.  Farrah would have played his childhood sweetheart who grew up to be an eccentric, free-spirited artist. Farrah had a lot of ideas. She was excited about the whole thing. So was Lee,” said Nevius. 

Although the pair never got the opportunity to work together again, Lee was in contact again with Farrah just before her death.

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“The Shadow Box” in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 7

The Las Vegas Little Theatre is presenting the Tony and Pulitzer prize winning play “The Shadow Box” through Sunday, March 7.   Michael Cristofer’s play, which debuted in 1975, tells the story of three people living on a hospital campus who are going through the often dehumanizing act of dieing.  

Brian, one of the characters, says “most of us spend our entire lives trying to forget we’re going to die’’.  However through Cristofer’s treatment of the living and the terminally ill, the audience is invited to do just that, remember we’re going to die.  And instead of moral conclusions and tragic endings, The Shadow Box encourages the audience to explore the gray morality and varying emotions surrounding death. 

The topic may seem too somber for a Sunday night out, yet we ask you to consider that for 30 years, critics have recognized this work for its insight and humor in dealing with what remains a highly controversial subject.  

Tickets may be purchased at www.lvlt.org or call 702-362-7996.

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Become a Playwright, Actor or Composer in Las Vegas

Insurgo’s No Shame Theatre in Las Vegas may just be the ticket you’re looking for to show you can write plays that people will flock to see. 

No Shame is a longtime national movement that has finally arrived in Las Vegas.  The first 15 written works arriving each week at Insurgo Theatre will be cast, rehearsed and performed- on the same night.

You can bring literally anything in to showcase- from avant-garde to music- or movement-based pieces to improvisational works, monologues and scenes.

Non-writers interested in acting can also show up and let the Insurgo staff know they’re ready to perform whatever’s thrown at them.  The only rules for actors and playwrights is that you can’t hurt yourself, the audience or the space.  And no breaking the law.   Anything else is fair game.

No Shame Theatre on Thursdays beginning Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m.  $5 for both general audience and participants.  Insurgo Theatre Movement, 900 E. Karen Ave., Las Vegas, 702-369-3692.  www.insurgotheater.org

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“A Bronx Tale” Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas Starting Oct. 7

Academy Award-nominated Chazz Palminteri and popular stage and screen actress Marilu Henner, left, will be celebrating the opening of Palminteri’s celebrated one-man play, “A Bronx Tale” at The Venetian Showroom in Las MariluHennerVegas with a post performance party at Lavo in the Palazzo on Wednesday, October 7. ChazzPalminteri

A Bronx Tale is a funny and touching memoir written by and starring Chazz Palminteri. In the celebrated play on which he based the legendary movie,  directed by and co-starring Robert De Niro (De Niro’s directorial debut), Palminteri brings 18 characters to life while vividly depicting a young boy’s rough childhood in the 1960’s-era Bronx and the unforgettable people he encountered. 

The classic coming-of-age story about reaching your true potential and trusting your heart play is directed by four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks and produced by GO Productions, LLC, a Las Vegas based production company. 

A Bronx Tale will be playing at The Venetian Showroom from October 7 through October 18. 

If your publication perhaps would like an article on the play or interviews with the cast, please contact Las Vegas Backstage Access by October 6. Just reply with a confidential comment to this article (all replies moderated) and we’ll promtly get back to you.

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“Reefer Madness: The Musical” in Las Vegas

“Reefer Madness: The Musical” is being performed at the College of Southern Nevada’s BackStage Theater in Las Vegas through October 4. 

Created by the Atlas Theatre Ensemble, the two-act, two-hour play is a raucous musical comedy that takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana. A satirical, political commentary, the play also contains adult content that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. 

Inspired by the 1936 documentary  film of the same name, there’s a 15-member cast and a five-piece band, performing musical numbers that range in style from Broadway to swing to Las Vegas-chorus line. 

Tickets are $15, $12 for students and seniors. For reservations, please call the CSN Box Office at 651-5483. The theater is located in the CSN Performing Arts Center at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue, North Las Vegas.

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The Bard Takes Up Sin City Digs

“A Taste of Shakespeare” – a new venture from the Las Vegas playhouse and Springs Preserve that presents  bite-sized 15-minute versions of the classic plays – is planned for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas on May 23-25.  shakespeare

The outings will also feature food, wine tastings and performances by the rejuvenated Henderson Symphony Orchestra.

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The Lion King Cast Announced

Casting has been announced for the new Las Vegas production of the Tony-winning The Lion King, which will begin previews at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on May 5 with an official opening May 15. lionking

The cast features performers who have triumphed in productions of Lion King around the world, including stagings in New York, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles, Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.  

Thom Sesma (The Times They Are A-Changin’) will play the evil Scar with Alton F. White (Ragtime) as Mufasa and Los Angeles native Marvette Williams as Sarabi. South African native Buyi Zama will play Rafiki.  The cast will also feature Kissy Simmons (Nala), Clifton Oliver (Simba), Damian Baldet (Timon), Patrick Kerr (Zazu) and Adam Kozlowski (Pumbaa). The three hyenas will be played by Keith Bennett (Banzai), Jacquie Hodges (Shenzi) and Robbie Swift (Ed). Duane Ervin and Elijah Johnson will alternate in the role of Young Simba, and Ruby Crawford and Jade Nelson will alternate in the role of Young Nala. 

Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor – who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical – The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe. The Elton John-Tim Rice musical has won over 30 major awards. Those include six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Outer Critics Circle Awards; two Sir Laurence Oliviers; the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event; and three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. 

Tickets will go on sale to the public March 14 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center at (702) 632-7580 or (800) 745-3000 or by visiting www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Wedding Postponed in Las Vegas

The very popular off-Broadway Las Vegas hit, “Tony n Tina’s Wedding,” will close at the Rio this Saturday, January tonytina31.  The show that spoofs Italian weddings plans to reopen on February 6 at Planet Hollywood at what was the London Club, a second-floor loft area that previously hosted high-limit gaming.  The move was done to update the script, provide greater marketing resources, and offer a larger venue.  Seating capacity will increase from 275 to 450.   The show plans to also feature a weekly guest star, a successful audience draw trend that started in New York.

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