Burger with Relish

If you have been hemming and hawing about making the 360-mile drive to the Flamingo in Las Vegas to see Donny & Marie perform, perhaps Mr. Las Vegas can help you make up your mind.

He'll be on the Strip, too.

Wayne Newton is in the midst of previews for his new show at the Tropicana Resort & Casino called "Once Before I Go," the biggest production that the man known as Mr. Las Vegas has ever been involved in.

"I've always worked with a few people," Newton said in an interview. "A light guy, a sound guy, a band and me. This is the ultimate."

Newton, 67, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary of performing, was recruited away from doing occasional shows at the MGM Grand by Tropicana's owner Alex Yemenidjian, a longtime friend, Newton said. After pouring $100 million into the Tropicana for renovations, Yemenidjian asked Newton if he wanted to have a showcase unlike anyone has ever seen.

"Here I go again," is what Newton recalled thinking about the offer, with glee in his voice.

The Tropicana holds a special place in Newton's heart, because that's the spot where he got his first high-profile Vegas start: opening a residency for Jack Benny more than 40 years ago. He had already toured with the comedian on the road for five years, but never in Las Vegas.

Newton, who has performed more than 30,000 shows in Las Vegas over the years, has seen its progression from a dusty town to America's playland, The 1960s was the era of big names, with the Rat Pack as headliners. In the 1970s, casino owners became obsessed with magicians and animal shows.

That era was replaced by the late Danny Gans, who inspired impressionists to hold court in nearly every theater in Sin City. Finally, Cirque du Soleil conquered Vegas, with six versions of the French-Candian circus troupe's spectacular-sized shows playing on the Strip. A seventh Cirque show, a tribute to Elvis Presley, is set to open in December.

Now, with the success of the Donny & Marie show -- which already has been extended twice -- Newton and the Tropicana believe the time is right for the return of the era of stars headlining Vegas-scaled shows. "It's come full circle," Newton said, calling the Osmonds the "epitome of entertainment."

The Tropicana enlisted the help of Production Resource Group, experts in theatrical production who are currently staging U2's wildly profitable "360°" concert tour. Before that, the group developed the lighting and sound systems for Donny & Marie's show.

"This is a different type of Wayne Newton show," said Joe Schenck, president of West Coast Operations for PRG and a 35-year friend of Newton. "You can see a side of Wayne Newton that has been somewhat hidden away." PRG updated the 900-seat, old Tiffany Theatre at Tropicana with an all-new sound system, updated lighting and projection video screens, Schenck said.
The show, which will include a 25-piece orchestra and choir, will feature photos and videos from Newton's archive culled by his wife and public-relations director. And, of course, there will be the songs and Newton's silky tenor.

"Once Before I Go" has been given a six-month run, and Newton said he will wait to see if there's interest in extending beyond April 2010.

What PRG always kept in mind, Schenck said, was Newton's insistence that the audience should come first. "He is a tremendous showman," Schenck said. "He has the ability to make it seem as if he is performing just for you. Now he's connecting even better."