Riviera 2003

Riviera

Riviera hosted her annual Super Bowl Party as usual. Riviera offered her �Super Buffet� with open bars, wide screen TV�s, autographed memorabilia and surprise commemorative gifts. Historically, the Riviera�s Super Bowl Party ranked among the best anywhere, according to football fanatics everywhere.

The lineup of former NFL greats that were on hand including Deacon Jones, Danny White, and Roger Craig. Deacon Jones, an original member of the Los Angeles Rams� Fearsome Foursome, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Danny White was an all-pro quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, and Roger Craig with the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl titles as one of the league�s top running backs.

Performances by the E2K Professional Cheerleaders round out the �Best Party In Town.� You can even put your own team together for a private gathering within the party in the Riviera�s famous high-tech Skyboxes.

No party was complete without a raffle. Drawings for valuable sports memorabilia included autographed helmets, jerseys, and photographs.

Doors opened to the Super Bowl XXXVII Party at 1:30 p.m. with an anticipated kick-off scheduled for 3:l5 p.m. Admission to the �Party Of The Year� is $135, inclusive. And, if you prefer, for an additional fee, you and 20 of your closest friends could've had your own private skybox. For tickets or more information on our special skyboxes, call the Riviera Box Office at (702) 794-9280.

In February of 2003, some trivia was given out about Jay White who portrays Neil Diamond at the resort:

White had performed his Neil Diamond tribute for more than 20 years and had preformed more than 6,000 shows. He was the longest running act in Imperial Palace's Legends In Concert before going out on his own in late 1997. February marks his one year anniversary at the Riviera.
Since he looks so much like Diamond, one day while out in public a woman once asked him to autograph her chest and he would happily do so again if asked.
White had Streisand impersonator Sharon Owens perform with him on weekends. They perform You Don't Bring Me Flowers and Owens sings a couple of Streisand tunes solo.
Since 1995, White has been making his own shirts for tributes, copying some of Diamond's elaborately beaded ones from the 1980's. White put all of the glass bugle beads on them by hand. He used to do his beading backstage at the Imperial Palace. The first shirt he made was red and took him eight months to bead. Then in 1997, he made a purple shirt. Each shirt weighs 8-10 pounds.
White has appeared on VH1's Ambushed, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Leeza Gibbons Show. White also performed for President Reagan and his wife Nancy.
White occasionally brings his teenaged kids, Neil (named for guess who) and Stephanie on stage to perform with him. Neil plays the guitar and Stephanie sings the Flowers duet with him.
White is the only entertainer in Vegas to play semi-pro ice hockey.
Neil Diamond said White was his favorite tribute performer. During his recent appearance at the MGM Grand, had White in for a private meeting before his concert for about 20 minutes. They had their picture taken together and Neil autographed it "Jay, keep on singing so that I can stay home and relax. Your friend in music, Neil Diamond"

In March of 2003, Riviera announced the line up of the 2003 Splash: Leading Man/Lead Male Singer - Smokey Jr.; Leading Lady - Olga Shalyganova; Madonna - Krisanne Malloy; Michael Jackson - Kenny Wizz; Janet Jackson/Lead Female Singer - Beyondka Fields; Tap Dance - Stephanie Kaye; Cabaret/Emcee - Homelani Kupau; Cabaret/Sally Bowles - Marina Vantskous. The dance numbers include: Grand Opening - Splash; MTV Beat Section - Vogue, Knowledge, Rhythm Nation, Billie Jean; Tribute to Broadway/Hollywood - Willkommen (Cabaret), Main Herr, Disco, Retro, Dirty Dancing; Grand Finale - Lady America. Splash specialty acts include: World-class Ice Skaters - National and international skating stars Mikhail Panin and Margarita Barber performing ice dance, figure and adagio skating routines on a custom-designed ice rink sitting center stage; Guinness World Record Holders Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome - Unadulterated motorcycle mania - four daredevil motorcycles racing at breakneck speeds within a 14-foot sphere of metal mesh; Los Latin Cowboys - Traditional Argentinean entertainers, commonly known as gauchos, Hugo Latorre and Eduardo Lome' are highly trained and skilled performers of the rhythmic drumming of bombos, swinging of bolos, and dance for which gauchos are known. Their fancy footwork fuses with quick wit and hilarious audience interaction in an unforgettable show-staling performance; The Richard Brothers - Third generation entertainers, Ricardo, Manuel and DAvid are juggler extraordinaire. Held over due to their tremendous appeal, The Richard Brothers' act includes juggling of clubs, rings, hats and boxes; as well as an unforgettable routine in which they juggle three clubs while cleverly moving a hat and cigar amonst them; The Scott Brothers - The leading practitioners of "popping" on the planet, Michael and "Spider" Rob Scott, elevate the art of dance to the extreme with their urban specialty act that is mesmerizing audiences with their dreamlike mime and orbotic movements.

Also in March of 2003, Riviera had a new chip to collect. It is the $5 chip with Steven R. Schirripa (Sopranos) on it.
From April 15 to April 20, 2003, Riviera will be once again hosting her Passion Play "He's Alive". There will be one show each evening at 7:00pm with a special 3:00pm matinee on Easter Sunday, April 20th. This is the sixth year the production will be hosted by the Riviera in their Grande Ballroom. There is no admission charge, however seats are on a first come, first served basis. Early seating is available by picking up your tickets at the Riviera's Main Box Office (702) 793-9433.

On April 22, 2003, Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll opened in the Le Bistro Theatre. Kentucky Rain has been thrilling crowds with their fast paced Rock Show for over 3 years, and has now brought their new show, Hail Hail Rock�n�Roll to the Riv. This show is a trip through the music that changed the world - from Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Tina Turner, The Blues Brothers, Blondie, Jim Morrison, Stevie Nicks, and others.
� We want people to see how accurate a show like this can be, our band and performers are well studied on the music and the characters , in fact only other scholars of the music and personalities will even realize how accurate we are. For example our 19 year old Elvis is really 19 years old. The Kentucky Rain Band is incredible and the stars are the best in the country. What more could you want?� -Greg Steffani, Show's Producer

The Mardi Gras Complex will be showcasing MEN, Male Revue, which opened on May 21, 2003. This show is produced by Collin Foster who scoured the world looking for the most gorgeous and talented men. Foster wrote and directed Men of Paradise which debuted in 1987 at Vegas World. Eventually Men of Paradise became Vegas Bad Boys and together they hold the record for the longest running male revue on the Las Vegas Strip. Custom layered and mixed music is an intricate part of the show including The Temptations My Girl, AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long, Will Smith's Men in Black II theme Nod Your Head, and an original mix of light rainfall with Sade that explodes into a Nelly/N'Sync mix. This show also features an authentic Marine Corp rifle drill team segment of which Foster commissioned the expert trainers of the current and seven-time national champion drill team to reproduce a brief, full dress USMC rifle handling sequence.
In May of 2003, it was noted that Neil Diamond impersonator Jay White's 25 year old step-son Jason, 25, is a Sergeant in the Marine and has been in Iraq for the duration of the war. Not expected back until the beginning of August when his wife is due to give birth to their first baby. Jason's job has been to guard the fuel for the U.S. Helicopters. In tribute to Jason and to troops everywhere, White is offering two-for-one tickets to his show for servicemen who show their I.D. at the Riviera Box Office.
In 2003, the Top Of The Riv will be showcasing Brett Butler (5/23-24).
The Le Bistro Theatre will be showcasing:
Dr. Scott Lewis - Outrageous Comedy Hypnotist, Monday Night Only, 10:00pm, $17.95 plus tax and fee;
America's Neil Diamond Tribute - portrayed by Jay White, 7:00pm Sunday through Thursday, $39.95 plus tax and fee;
Marlene Ricci - International recording star, 8:30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, $39.95 plus tax and fee (includes two drinks);
The Exotic Hypnotics featuring Genie & Richard, which opened on April 29th. Tuesdays through Sundays 11:30pm, $19.95 plus tax and fees.
Hail Hail Rock N' Roll - Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00pm, $24.95 plus tax and fee.
Lon Bronson's All-Star Band 12:15am Saturdays. Two drink minium.
The Splash Theatre is showcasing Splash, Suns & Mons 8:00pm; Tues, Wednes, Thurs, & Sat. 8:00pm and 10:30pm. $59.95 for reserved seating; $75 VIP Gold & booth seating;
Mardi Gras Plaza 3rd level will be showcasing An Evening At La Cage starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers, 8:00pm dark Tuesdays, $39.50 plus taxes, $44.95 Preferred Seating, $49.95 VIP seating plus Line Pass; dinner and show combinations available;
On May 21, 2003, Men, The Show Exotic Male Revue, opened 10:00pm dark Tuesdays, $32.95 plus tax and fee, $42.95 VIP seating plus Line Pass; Dinner and show combinations are available.
In memory of comedy legend Bob Hope, Riviera was the first resort on the Strip to change their reader board to say: BOB HOPE; THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES; 1903-2003; WE�LL MISS YOU! The readerboard had the message up and running by 9:30 am.
Mardi Gras Plaza 2nd Level will be showcasing Crazy Girls 9:00pm dark Thursdays, $34.95 plus taxes, 44.95 VIP seating plus Line Pass; dinner and show combinations available; and Comedy Club 8:30pm & 10:30pm nightly, $17.95 plus tax and fee; VIP seating and line passes available; dinner and show combinations available and will be starring:
1/20 - 1/26 - Alonzo Bodden/Gerry Bednob/Tony Dijamco
1/27 - 2/2 - Max Clever/Andy Kindler/Boris Hamilton/Jason Packham
2/3 - 2/9 - Marty Rackham/Jerry Miner/Martin Walsh
2/10 - 2/16 - Donald Dugar/Amy Barnes/Ryan Sperry
2/17 - 2/23 - Kip Addotta/Mickey Joseph/Patrick Candelaria
2/24 - 3/2 - Mark Schiff/Steve Seagren/Tommy Drake
3/3 - 3/9 - Lenny Clarke/Jim Dunn/Johnny Kay
3/10 - 3/16 - Steve Callif/Paul Lyons/Christian/Finnegan
3/14 - 3/16 - Craig Shoemaker/Paul Lyons/Christian/Finnegan
3/17 - 3/23 - Joey Kola/Chris Cannon/Tom Simmons/Costake Economopolous
3/24-3/30 - Emo Phillips/Joey Elias/Mo Amer
3/31-4/3 - Russ Rivas/Darryl Joyce/Wally Wang
4/4-4/6 - Jackie Martling/Darryl Joyce/Wally Wang
4/7-4/13 - Don Learned/Dean Lewis/Jeanie Terhune
4/14-4/20 - Jim David/John Ross/Andy Huggins/Chris Kerner
4/21-4/24 - TBA/Sean Rouse/Danielle Koenig
4/25-4/27 - Paul Gilmartin/Sean Rouse/Danielle Koenig
4/28-5/4 - Jon Manfrellotti/Craig Baldo/Hiram Kasten/Dean Napolitano
5/5-11 - Tony V/Barry Julien/Stefanie Silder/Michael French
5/19-25 - Vince Morris/Phil Palisoul/Andrew Norelli/Mike Schmidt
5/26-6/1 - Bob Zany/Joe Miller/John Walker
6/2-8 - Bruce Baum/Terry James/Frank Ovelton
6/9-16 - Kenny Rogerson/Bruce Clark/Brad Mastrangelo/Jim McCue
6/16-22 - Larry Reeb/Pete Gray/Brad Zimmerman
6/23-29 - Rich/Ceisler/Paul Gilligan/John Pizzi/Stackey Perma
6/30-7/6 - John Caponera/Bob Gautroan/Chrissy Burns
7/7-7/13 - Chhris Bliss/Rob Paravonian/Mike Ricca
7/14-7/20 - Stanley Ullman/Jon Manfrellotti/Tony Camin/Max Nelson
7/21-27 - Willie Tyler & Lester/Al Kaz/Harris Peet
7/28-8/3 - Johnny Dark/Ted/Heather Woodhall/Barry Marder
8/4-8/10 - Marty Rackhan/Kevin McTeague/Jerry Miner/John Pate
8/11-8/17 - Monty Hoffman/Hiram Kasten/Daniel Dugar/The Rosenbloom Twins
Tony V, appearing May 5-11, was the gorilla smashing that suitcase in the American Tourister commercial. Touring extensively in and out of his high-tech $45,000 yak hair gorilla suit, both Tony and his alter ego had many interesting engagements. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, V plunged into the world of show business winning Showtime's Funiest Person in Massachusetts in 1986. His film credits include Shakes, The Clown w/Bobcat Goldthwaite, Housesetter, By The Sea, and One Crazy Summer. V has opened for Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Steven Wright, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Beach Boys, and Joan Jett. With V are Barry Julien whose credits include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, Animal Crackers, Wallobee Jack, and The Little Lulu Show; Michael French whose credits include Pretty Woman, Beachers, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Grasshopper, Beckett, It's A Living, Empty Nest, Vega$, and Make Room For Granddaddy. Closed in 2003
Trent Carlini starring in The Dream King, 10:00pm, Tuesdays through Sundays, $34.95 plus tax and fee; (This show closed early 2003)
Tony Sacca - Live, 10:00pm, Sundays, $29.95 plus tax and fee; Long Bronson's All-Star Band, 12:15am Saturdays, two drink minimum (closed April 27, 2003).
Jim Le Boeuf & The Naturals, which closed on February 9th.

The Platters featuring Monroe Powell, Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays - 8:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:00pm; $39.95 beginning March 30, 2003.

Rock This Town - Rock tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, the Man from Memphis, Buddy Holly and others, 5:00pm Mondays through Thursdays, $19.95 plus tax and fee; (This show closed early 2003)

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