1999-2010

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Danny Gans' manager Chip Lightman and Steve Wynn book big stars into his theatre


Events are moving rapidly at Steve Wynn's Encore Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, close to one week after the sudden and unexplained death of its headliner Danny Gans at the age of 52. The Encore Theatre where Gans performed his musical impressions will be the site ofan invitation-only memorial service at 3 pm on Thursday, May 21st, followed by a roll-out of big stars.

Robin Leach reports on his Vegas Deluxe blog today that:

"Wynn and Encore executives confirmed our Vegas DeLuxe exclusive that Whoopi Goldberg will be playing the Danny Gans Theater this month.

"Tickets have just gone on sale at the two resorts for Whoopi’s first two dates -- May 22 and 23 -- as part of the Memorial Day weekend activities we reported.... It’s also believed that Whoopi will return for additional performances.


"Whoopi becomes the first guest artist to perform at the Encore theatre since the unexpected death of resident entertainer Danny Gans last week...

"Steve is busy working with Danny’s longtime manager Chip Lightman (right) to add weekend star appearances at the theater."

Leach reported yesterday, May 6th, that Beyonce will be playing the 1,500-seat Danny Gans the in August.

(On May 5th, Las Vegas papers reported that Wynn Resorts Ltd. reported a first-quarter loss of $33.8 million, 30 cents a share, on revenue of $740 million for the quarter ending March 31. That compared with earnings of $46.7 million, 41 cents a share, on revenue of $778.7 million in the same quarter a year ago.)

On May 4th, Leach reported "the most extraordinary turn of events at the Danny Gans theater.

"Less than 96 hours after the death of longtime Strip entertainer Danny Gans, CNN talk show host Larry King has confirmed that he will star at the Encore venue June 19 and 20. The deal was wrapped up about four hours ago by owner Steve Wynn and Larry while he was visiting Las Vegas over the weekend.

"Larry, 76, who describes it as 'good news,' also has confirmed that his wife,
Shawn Southwick, will open for him..."

On May 1st, in reporting Gans' death, Leach wrote:

"The staff at the Wynn and Encore resort hotels is in shock, but rumors are already rampant at the Wynn hotels this morning.

"It’s said openly that Danny was not happy about Steve’s decision to sign Beyonce to four concerts this summer -- and Steve reportedly has signed a lineup of other major stars to the Encore theater, including Liza Minnelli and Whoopi Goldberg.

"Danny’s show was reportedly experiencing sluggish ticket sales, and that was blamed on deteriorating economic conditions on the Strip and Terry Fator, who had moved into Danny’s former theater at The Mirage and was experiencing sell-outs nightly."

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