‘The Voice’ offshoot won’t play Hard Rock
THIS is a case of build it, and they won’t come. The construction at Hard Rock Hotel/virgin Las Vegas is actually deconstructing plans for “The Voice: Neon Dreams.” The show was scheduled to open Sept. 17. The circular metal frame near the corner of Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road was to be the production’s 700-seat theater. Base Entertainment officials cite widespread renovations across the property as the reason for the decision.
“The Voice” still could wind up performing in Las Vegas — Base Entertainment is reportedly investigating venues on the Strip to relocate the production.
Base and the Hard Rock Hotel continue to partner on the male revue “Magic Mike Live,” co-produced by actor Channing Tatum.
As for the highly anticipated “Voice” offshoot production, Hard Rock Hotel officials say the show’s producers made this call.
“We are the landlord,” Hard Rock President and Chief Executive Officer Richard “Boz” Bosworth said Wednesday. “This is not our decision.”
Bosworth, who is overseeing the hotel’s reformation through next year, referred further inquiries to Base Entertainment.
Company officials referred to a statement that had been sent to staffers explaining the decision: “In light of recent developments regarding the scope, timing and impact of the construction and renovation plans for the transformation of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino into a Virgin Hotel property and our unsuccessful
J. Keith Moyer • Chase Rankin •
efforts to find a way to adjust either the show or the construction plans to make both viable, the decision has been made to cancel the production of ‘The Voice: Neon Dreams.’”
“The Voice: Neon Dreams” was to showcase a series of singers who gained popularity on the TV series. The inaugural lineup was to be season 10 winner Alisan Porter, with Chris Mann (season two), Mary Sarah (season 10), Matthew Schuler (season five) and Matt Mcandrew (season seven). Season 13 winner Chloe Kohanski was to be the first of a rotating group of “Voice” champs to star in the show. It is expected that the cast will be shuffled if and when the show can restart its plans for Vegas.
Remembering Debbie, Carrie
When talking to Todd Fisher, it’s helpful to know that “Debbie” equals “Mom.” That’s because
Fisher’s mom, Debbie Reynolds, wanteditthatway.
“Debbie always reminded me, ‘When you are talking about me, not everyone knows I am your mom,’ ” Fisher says. “She was my mom, I loved her like my mom, but to the public it’s Debbie.”
Fisher is telling the story of Debbie, and his famous sister, Carrie Fisher, in his new memoir, “My Girls: A Lifetime with Carrie and Debbie,” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Blasco Event Wing of the UNLV Foundation on Cottage Grove Avenue and Maryland Parkway, next to the school’s Performing Arts Center.
A portion of proceeds from the book’s sale help fund the UNLV Debbie Reynolds Performing Arts Scholarship, established at the UNLV Entertainment Hall of Fame gala honoring the Reynolds family in February.
Fisher has long been the family’s foremost chronicler of anecdotes and history. He began assembling a book under the theme “My Girls” shortly
By mail:
after his mother and sister died on consecutive days in December 2016 (Fisher on Dec. 27, Reynolds on
Dec. 28).
The book is a complement to the documentary “Bright Lights,” which Fisher completed before his mother and sister passed away.
Of course, movies played a major role in Fisher’s life from the time he was little. The family found time for movie nights even as Reynolds worked a staggering schedule on the Strip, often performing two shows a night for 30 consecutive nights at the old Desert Inn.
“We had an 8 o’clock show, then a late show at 10 or 11 o’clock, and then we would have movie night,” Fisher recalls. “This was up in one of the old Desert Inn ballrooms. It ran late, but we always found time for these movies.”
Debbie picked the films and ordered popcorn, pop and wine. The movies ran a wide range of genres, leaning heavily toward musicals, film noir and comedies. She played such classics as “Casablanca,” “Key Largo,” “Holiday Inn,” “Mutiny on the Bounty” (the Clark Gable version), “Sergeant York” and, as Fisher says “anything with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”
“It was like Turner Classic Movies, but with Debbie in charge,” Fisher says. “It was Debbie’s Midnight Movies.”
But one famous movie star’s films were never played.
“Debbie never played her own movies,” Fisher said.
“She just wasn’t interested in watching herself. But she liked the movies that dreams were made of, and we watched them all.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
Life, entertainment
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Flooding hits Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Strip
A water main break at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday afternoon caused flooding in the resort’s south convention center, Clark County fire officials said.
2. Las Vegas police arrest suspect in death of Shadow Ridge student
Las Vegas police arrested an 18-year-old Tuesday in connection with a northwest valley shooting that left one teen dead and another hospitalized.
3. Clark County schools cut more than 560 jobs to erase deficit
The deficit, which required the district’s more than 300 schools to cut a collective $47 million from their budgets, reduced the district’s workforce by 400 licensed positions, 104 support staff positions and 59.5 administrative jobs.
4. Smith & Wollensky returning to Las Vegas Strip
More than a year after closing its stand-alone Las Vegas Boulevard location, Smith Wollensky has announced plans to return to the Strip.
5. San Francisco startup changing house flipping in Las Vegas
Eric Wu is a house flipper but, unlike other real estate investors, says he isn’t trying to land a profit by selling for more than he paid. The windfall, he said, will come from transaction fees. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Water leak at Mandalay Bay convention center
The convention center area of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas experienced major flooding Tuesday afternoon. 2. Police meet Jesus Campos after he was shot on 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas police meet Mandalay Bay security officer Jesus Campos after he was shot in the leg on 32nd floor on Oct. 1, 2017, during the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting. Police body camera footage.
3. Las Vegas police look for security at Mandalay Bay during Oct. 1 shooting
Las Vegas police enter Mandalay Bay during the Oct. 1, 2017, shooting at Route 91 Harvest festival and look for security.