Poker News

Len Butcher

As I may have already told you, Las Vegas has gone Broadway, with a number of top shows from the Big Apple now playing, or about to play here on a continuing basis. One that is here for a limited engagement, but has been drawing rave reviews is Toxic Audio, now on at the Luxor until Nov. 16.

I know it’s a strange name for a production, but don’t let that throw you. Toxic Audio features the varied talents of five unique world-class vocalists who use no instruments other than their voices to create complex sonic textures, rhythmic drumbeats, thumping bass lines and searing guitar-like solos. Their performances, so say the producers, “are an eclectic mix of contemporary pop songs, timeless classics, jazz-scat and vocally orchestrated original compositions.” I can’t disagree.

Others can’t either as the show was rated the No. 1 audiencerecommended show in the Wall Street Journal Zagat Theatre Survey. Not too shabby. During its seven-month off-Broadway run, it won the 2004 Drama Desk Award for “Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience,” so this is no fluke. They have performed at Gracie Mansion, Shea Stadium, and the Tribeca Film Festival as well as many other venues.

Early this year, they released their fourth CD, “Word of Mouth” a compilation of recordings from their first three CDs, including “Chemistry;” the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for Album of the Year.

It really is a unique show, so if you happen to be in town between now and Nov. 16, try to catch it. Tickets are $41.49. Show time is 8 p.m. daily (dark Thursdays).

Also in Las Vegas in November is one of America’s sweethearts — Debbie Reynolds. Still going strong at 73, this Texas native can still belt out a tune and keep you in stitches with her sometime bawdy humor. She’ll be appearing at The Orleans Nov. 17-20.

I first met Debbie in the early ’80s when I requested an interview with her. She agreed and said, “Let’s do it at the house.”

When I arrived, there she was, curlers in hair with a scarf covering them, casual slacks and top, no makeup, and she looked great.

We sat out at the pool while we talked and sipped our ice tea. Not one to hold anything back, she told me about her life and the tough times that she’d had, particularly financially, when her husband Harry something-or-other, a shoe guy, had spent all their money and when they divorced, found herself $9 million in debt.

“I was devastated,” she recalled. “My name had also been on the loans, so I was just as responsible. My accountants and lawyers told me to claim bankruptcy, but I said, ‘No way, a lot of this money was owed to people I knew. I wasn’t about to screw them out of it.”

So for the next number of years, Debbie worked her ass off to clear those debts, and she did, never complaining, although she had little left for herself. I guess this is why she has survived so long in one of the toughest, most competitive fields in the world. As they say in the fight game, pound for pound, she’s the best. I could go on and on about her film, stage and recording career, but don’t take my word for it, get over to The Orleans and see her for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Another group of entertainers who are certainly survivors are the Rolling Stones, who once again will grace the stage at the MGM Grand on Nov. 18 as part of their latest tour. These guys remind me of that annoying Energizer Bunny who keeps crossing our television screens banging on his drum.

But ya gotta hand it to Mick and his crew of merry men. With the lifestyle they’ve led, it’s a wonder they’re alive, never mind still acting like teenagers on stage and able to fill showrooms and stadiums around the world some 50 years after they first broke onto the music scene. Good for them. I think I just may be a bit envious, as most guys are. Let’s face it, how many of us have groupies at our age?

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