New venue, voices for impressionist Brown
Life is The Cabaret for Gordie Brown. The long-running Vegas impressionist is back onstage, on the Strip, at The Cabaret at Planet Hollywood. Brown opens the show, titled simply “Gordie Brown Live,” at 7 p.m. May 9.
Brown’s production is the most adventurous in the short history of The Cabaret, which is being expanded from 115 seats to 185. He’d been performing corporate shows since ending his seven-year run at Golden Nugget in November.
The Canada-born impressionist has played Planet Hollywood before, for eight months in 2008 at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops. Brown also previously headlined at The Venetian, in what is now Sands Showroom, from 2006 to 2007. He arrived in Las Vegas in 2004, spending two years at the Golden Nugget and becoming known as “Downtown Gordie Brown.”
But Brown is done with downtown.
“Being on the Strip was something we were very serious about,” said Brown, who enlisted Chip Lightman as his manager the day he was told his show was closing at Golden Nugget. “We had interest right away, which lessened the and promotion of UNLVino each year.
The event raises scholarship funds for the UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. The event continues through the weekend, capped by the Grand Tasting at Paris Las Vegas honoring David Hoenemeyer, president of that hotel along with Planet Hollywood and Bally’s. THE LEWIS EFFECT
On Sunday, the day after Jerry Lewis caught Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak” show at Luxor, I asked the entertainment legend what he thought of the production. His response: “It was one of the best magic shows I have ever seen.” COMEDIC CONFAB
Amy Schumer in town to promote the upcoming comedy “Snatched” at CinemaCon, surprised Carrot Top with a visit to his show at Luxor on Wednesday night.
“She said she loved me and has wanted to meet me. Very cool, very sweet,” was C.T.’s take on the backstage visit. John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.