Las Vegas Spotlight  

Solid Gold

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.

The Las Vegas Strip is sizzling with headliners this month. Jay-Z and special guest Ciara play the Pearl Concert Theater while Jamie Foxx jams at The Joint on the same night (July 3). Grammy Award-winning entertainment duo Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. celebrate their more than four decades in show business at the Suncoast Showroom (July 3-5), and former boy band New Kids on the Block show that they're still hangin' tough at the Pearl Concert Theater (July 11). Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban hits the Mandalay Bay Events Center July 18, and just for laughs, check out D-lister Kathy Griffin at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (July 3), Politically Incorrect comedian and political commentator Bill Maher at The Orleans Showroom (July 3-5), Saturday Night Live alum Dana Carvey at the same venue (July 24-26), or a post-Tonight Show Jay Leno at the Terry Fator Theatre (July 17).

There's a gang problem over at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, at least for a few weeks, when the Jets and Sharks show up for the Super Summer Theatre production of West Side Story (July 8-25). Presented by Stage Door Entertainment, the timeless musical version of Romeo & Juliet will feature Eddie Gelhaus and Janay Bombino as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria. The classic score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim includes songs like "Something's Coming," "Maria," and "Somewhere." And what better place to enjoy the romantic "Tonight" than under a blanket of stars at the Spring Mountain Ranch?

It may be summertime, but school will be back in session when the Las Vegas Little Theatre hosts The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (July 10-26). The sweet and very funny musical is about six youngsters dealing with the difficulties of family, popularity, and puberty while competing in the annual bee, which is run by school administrators who have problems of their own. The students are joined by four 'guest spellers' from the audience, adding a little spontaneity to the proceedings. An Off-Broadway hit that went on to a successful Broadway run, Spelling Bee was conceived by Rebecca Feldman, has a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and music and lyrics by William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain).

If you're looking for late night laughs and drinks, head over to Town Square Las Vegas, where there will be FREE BEER on Friday and Saturday nights at 10pm. Just don't take that too literally. FREE BEER is actually the name of Great American Theatricals' new improv show, held in the Shear Madness Theater, and featuring the talents of Second City's Paul Mattingly and Michael Hartnett, Terrence Williams, Matt Donnelly, Lloyd Ziel, Denda Brink, Jenni Caruso, and many more comic talents.

 

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