Future of ‘Donny & Marie’ still uncertain
THERE is a moment in the Donny & Marie show at the Flamingo when Donny Osmond sings “Happy Birthday to You” to an audience member. A video is played with the guest’s name, produced on the spot, and Donny soars through the song.
He then strides into the audience to find the celebrant and says, “After the show, see one of our ushers, and they’ll take you back for a meetand-greet.”
He pauses, then adds, “And I’m taking you to dinner!”
The crowd cheers. But as he walks off, Osmond says off-handedly, “I’m just kidding about the dinner.”
The line kills, as it’s a unique glimpse into the Osmond brother’s cagey sense of humor. His family and friends recognize his edge even when his fans don’t.
It’s now important to note that same person announced, three weeks ago and totally out of the blue, that Donny & Marie were closing their hit stage show at the end of next year.
Not so fast. Hold those dinner plans, fans.
Caesars Entertainment, which holds the contract for the Donny & Marie production, has offset Osmond’s comments by saying through a company spokeswoman: “Our partnership with Donny & Marie started as a six-week engagement and has grown into 11 successful years at Flamingo Las Vegas. We continue to work with Donny & Marie regarding future developments.”
What that means, simply, is there has been no official confirmation from the company that the superstar siblings will halt their show after the current contract expires. The production is running at least through Nov. 16, 2019.
As a matter of business, the show can’t change terms of its contract unless Caesars Entertainment signs off on the agreement — regardless of what one of the performers says on TV. Until further notice, this show is status quo.
To recount, D&M’S future was thrown into uncertainty when Osmond appeared on KTNV Channel 13’s “Morning Blend” show Oct. 19. That morning, he told the evidently stunned co-hosts J.J. Snyder and Shawn Tempesta, “We’ve been talking about it for quite a while, but definitely, our countdown has started.” Osmond also said the same thing to KTNV “Midday” host Dayna Roselli as Roselli recorded the moment on an Instagram story.
Marie Osmond, meantime, was not involved in any announcement, nor was the company. In a backstage chat at the Flamingo after Tuesday’s performance, Donny Osmond offered no further official comment.
In a separate conversation, Marie joked of the show’s future, “It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings, and I’m on Nutrisystem.” She otherwise shrugged off any follow-up on the matter, referring questions about the episode back to her brother.
This is not the first time a loose comment has created confusion around the D&M show. Donny Osmond has been known to joke that the upcoming year of the duo’s residency would by “our last,” whatever year it might be. But he’s usually made such comments at personal appearances or charity events, or even during meet-and-greets, not on a major network affiliate in Las Vegas.
It’s also possible that Osmond anticipates a major career move in the show’s final year that would forge the end of the residency. With their powerful entertainment brand, Donny & Marie frequently field overtures about outside projects. They co-hosted a talk show in the late 1990s, and Donny hosted the syndicated game show “Pyramid” in the early 2000s, before the duo opened at the Flamingo.
The siblings can be reassured, as usual, that the show remains a hit on the Strip. Performances have been selling out — even before Osmond’s comments that its end is in sight — and has been revamped with several new numbers. The duo perform as effectively and as energetically as ever.
No show lasts forever, though, and when Donny & Marie finally shut down at the Flamingo, we’ll have a serious celebration. Maybe a big dinner party.
Our Phil of tradition
The Las Vegas Philharmonic is bringing in a couple of Vegas favorites — one current and one who has moved away — to its two “Classic Holiday” performances Dec. 1 at The Smith Center.
Ex-“phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular” and “Million Dollar Quartet” cast member Kristen Hertzenberg and Travis Cloer (we met him in the days of “Jersey Boys”) will join the performances. Hertzenberg moved to Houston a few years ago but returns occasionally to sing and smile and reconnect. In August, she joined her former “MDQ” castmate Ben Hale at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz.
Along with singing Yuletide classics, Cloer will also narrate “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in both shows.
The Las Vegas Master Singers are in the program. The shows are set for 1 and 6:30 p.m.; tickets start at $30 and are available at lvphil.org.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Friday:
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