Iliza Shlesinger and family truly ‘gifted’
THE gifts Iliza Shlesinger receives from fans have evolved. That makes sense because so has her life. Shlesinger and her husband, the expert chef Noah Galuten, have a baby daughter named Sierra Mae. Shlesinger also has a new pooch, a skittish rescue named Tian Fu, who was found in the back of a meat truck in China.
Shlesinger’s devotees have long presented the star comic with presents at meet-andgreets after her shows. The family shares the wealth.
“Now it’s a lot about my dog because she’s this whimsical thing,” says Shlesinger, headlining in “Aces of Comedy” at the Mirage Theater at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. “We have ugly bras and full loaded armadillos, all kinds of creatures. And now it’s gifts to me and Noah and also Sierra. Somebody even gave Sierra’s baby nurse a gift.”
Shlesinger this week issued her second book, “All Things Aside,” and heads the Netflix comedy sketch series ideally dubbed “The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show.” During the COVID lockdown, Shlesinger and Galuten created “Don’t Panic Pantry,” a cooking series for Netflix.
Shlesinger’s podcast, “AIA: Ask Iliza Anything,” helped set the tone for her essay-driven book. Shlesinger revealed during a broadcast that she’d suffered a miscarriage in 2021.
“I have access to, quote unquote, excellent health care. I’m of a certain tax bracket and I’m white and I still got this,” she writes. “So, can you imagine how awful this is en masse for the bulk of women?”
Shlesinger says she is distributing these thoughts “just through my lens, on a range of topics.”
“I’m talking about all the things in our lives that are scams; nostalgia, which is super-huge in my generation; to my miscarriage; to the first boy you ever fall in love with,” the 39-year-old Shlesinger says. “I even have a fake court transcript, where I take myself to court, asking myself, ‘Am I an annoying person?’”
The author offers suggestions for those who are interested in the new book.
“It makes the perfect stocking stuffer,” she says. “Or it makes the perfect regular gift or for any holiday.”
Just don’t give her one. She’s covered.
Future of The Mirage
On the topic of the famous Strip resort that is home to “Aces” …
As previously noted, the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat plans to reopen Oct. 22. The popular attraction co-founded by Siegfried & Roy shut down Sept. 24 after the death of the bottlenose dolphin K2. No plans have been made public for how the animals will be dealt with if and when the attraction closes as the Hard Rock Hotel takes over the property. But the animals’ health is a top priority for both companies.
“We and Hard Rock are on the same page in terms of focusing on the well-being of the animals,” MGM Resorts International spokesman Brian Ahern said in a statement. “We’ll continue working with them to keep the animals healthy, safe and comfortable following the closing as well. Any future decisions will be based on what’s best for the animals.”
The reference to closing refers to the transaction closing for the purchase of the Mirage property.
Addressing questions about the Beatles/cirque du Soleil show “Love” and activity at the Mirage Theater (including “Aces” and headlining magician Shin Lim), a Hard Rock International spokeswoman said, “‘Love’ is a wonderful show within the many worldclass entertainment productions Cirque offers globally.”
Otherwise, the company is withholding comment as the Gaming Control Board conducts its licensing process for the sale.
He’s ‘Bat’ crazy
This might be the most combustible moment at the Paris Theater since “Inferno” hauled out.
Lunchbox, the affable cohost on the “The Bobby Bones Show,” appeared in both “Bat Out of Hell — The Musical” performances Saturday night. The sidekick (legal name of Dan Chappell) was presented the opportunity after he failed an audition for a Hallmark movie. He’d been bemoaning that event on the air. Tanesa Medlin of the promotions agency Mixed Media Entertainment was following the Lunchbox travails.
Medlin quickly contacted the show to see if Lunchbox would be interested in taking a shot at “Bat Out of Hell” in Vegas.
Swiftly, Bones informed his on-air companion that director Jay Scheib would be interviewing him for an ensemble role. Lunchbox won the spot (shockingly) and performed an unbilled role as a member of The Lost, riding a motorcycle at the start of the production.
At the end of the second performance, the cast shouted “Mister Box! Mister Box!” as the burgeoning thespian exited the stage.
Tony Award buzz? Maybe. But certainly an artistic success wrapped in a publicity stunt. This coverage, coupled with the upcoming visit by a shaman to rid the theater of its evil spirits, should help make “Bat” a hit.
Cool Hang Alert
Maxan Jazz Sushi & Jazz (so serious about jazz, the term is twice in the title) welcomes Jason Corpuz Trio, with Nick Schmitt and Jeremy Klewicki. The trio are all former members of The Lique, so there’s your artistic cred. Corpuz is on keys, Schmitt on bass, Klewicki on drums. The special guest is the wildly talented vocalist and trumpet master Max Von Roderick. Showtime is 7 to 10 p.m. Friday; go to maxanjazz.com or call 702-485-3926 for info.