John Katsilometes

Story Archive

A Strip doubleheader in New York with ‘Vegas Nocturne’ and Cirque’s ‘Paramour’

Monday, Aug. 1, 2016

The Kats Report Bureau this weekend touched down in New York on a trip that was brisk for its pace and humid for its climate. …

On its birthday, innumerable reasons to love Caesars Palace

Monday, Aug. 1, 2016

Caesars Palace celebrates its 50th birthday on Aug. 6, marking its rich history as the Strip’s first truly “themed” hotel. To ably celebrate that milestone, we offer this list of 50 reasons to love Caesars Palace. There are doubtless many more than 50, but we’ll wait to ...

Chris Isaak no stranger to performing in Las Vegas — or admiring its icons

Friday, July 29, 2016

Singer Chris Isaak’s embrace of the Vegas vibe was inspired by some of the city’s real superstars. He recalls seeing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. during their …

The scene: Sweets’ raging band, Anderson’s odd Emmy nod, and a Vault-ian memory

Thursday, July 28, 2016

The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is MDV Entertainment rehearsal studios off West Oquendo Road in VegasVille. The moment caught is indeed a rehearsal, for the band to work it out in advance of …

Tony Bennett, Wayne Newton to help trumpet Caesars’ 50th anniversary

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Fireworks, food and fame — led by singing legend Tony Bennett — will be the order of the weekend as Caesars Palace celebrates its 50th anniversary Aug. 5 and 6.
Announced today is ...

Monday By the Numbers: ONJ, ‘Laverne & Shirley’ and Reba’s Twitter feed

Monday, July 25, 2016

This week, Monday By the Numbers tilts nostalgically to Flamingo Las Vegas headliner Olivia Newton-John and Cindy Williams.

Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds joins the parody-protest anthem, ‘Don’t Use Our Song’

Monday, July 25, 2016

As the frontman for the superstar rock band formed in Las Vegas, Reynolds appears with such stars as Josh Groban, Michael Bolton, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Usher, Cyndi Lauper, Sheryl Crow and John Mellencamp. Lyrically, Reynolds states, “Don’t use your song; it just seems wrong,” “Why would Reagan be playing…

‘Bathtub Boy’ makes a splash for Reba; Cab Jazz is freshened up

Sunday, July 24, 2016

During Friday night’s Reba and Brooks & Dunn show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Reba McEntire talked of bathing. Not herself, but a specific act she had just seen involving a boy and his tub. “You’re cute!” she called to Kix Brooks early in the show. “But you ain’t no Bathtub Boy in ‘Absinthe!’” She was referring to David O’Mer, who performs the aerial bathtub routine in the show, which she saw Thursday night ...

Review: Clint Holmes turns Palazzo Theater into a playground for grown-ups

Friday, July 22, 2016

Early this week, Clint Holmes made the off-handed remark, “Everyone’s shows are closing while mine is opening.”

Deepak Chopra set to headline Reynolds Hall; Cabaret Jazz stocks lineup

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Deepak Chopra is playing the big room at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 28.

Seeking a new ‘backyard,’ Santa Fe closes out run at South Point

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Monday night performance was the band’s final show at South Point after opening in the showroom Labor Day weekend. The reason for leaving is simple: Fan support for the band was not strong enough …

Monday By the Numbers: J.Lo’s dates, a legendarily rich magician … and puppets

Monday, July 18, 2016

This week, Monday By the Numbers hits on Jennifer Lopez (wait, that came out wrong) and her added added dates at Planet Hollywood, David Copperfield and his untrammeled wealth and some puppet action at …

Hot-selling ‘Absinthe’ plotting a move out of Caesars Palace

Sunday, July 17, 2016

The future of one of the Strip’s most successful and celebrated productions has spun into uncertainty.

'Steve Wynn's Showstoppers' to end run Sept. 30

Saturday, July 16, 2016

A project inspired by the great numbers of some of Broadway's legendary musicals, "Steve Wynn's Showstoppers" has abruptly set a closing date of Sept. 30.

Downtown Las Vegas takes on a Boston hue in rockin’ DLV show

Saturday, July 16, 2016

The night was a celebration of Boston’s 40th anniversary and DeYoung’s remarkable verve even as he is now DeOld — 69, as he happily told the crowd early in the evening.

In ‘Love’ celebration, Cirque plans for tomorrow and revamps ‘Yesterday’

Friday, July 15, 2016

Cirque’s stage shows opened 20 years ago with “Mystere” at Treasure Island, and with the most recent activity on the Strip completed, there is a feeling the company has finally settled on the right amount of “content” (or, shows) in Vegas.

Giles Martin reshapes, and protects, the Beatles’ legacy

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Giles Martin was seated on a director’s chair onstage at the Love Theater at the Mirage when he was unexpectedly upstaged by an underdressed interloper.

Review: ‘Baz’ opens with a little party — and now the real fun begins

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Stop me, or not, if you have heard this one: A terrifically talented show boasting an innovative concept and fueled by generous investment has opened on the Strip.

Mark Shunock makes The Space for 'Mondays Dark'

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Mark Shunock is ready for the next phase of "Mondays Dark," at least in terms of the “where” of it all. He has secured space at a place he’ll call The Space, a 9,000-square-foot multipurpose events center off Polaris and Harmon avenues …

Review: ‘Idaho! The Comedy Musical’ ain’t no rectangle

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

The musical production of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts has formally opened at Reynolds Hall and plows ahead to a Sunday closing.

Drai’s officials tell Chris Brown: We need to talk

Monday, July 11, 2016

In the face of published reports that Chris Brown has been ousted from Drai’s, officials representing the club say that first, they need a conversation with the oft-troubled ...

The Gossy run is set to end at Caesars Palace

Monday, July 11, 2016

Matt Goss is set to close out his Caesars Palace run in September. Rumblings around the scene are that the Gossy Room is to be redesigned and reopened under a famous nightclub brand specializing in live music.

More buzz about our new NHL team, and the end of a downtown era

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Principal owner Bill Foley is busy assembling his front-office staff for Las Vegas’ NHL team, which could be called the Black Knights. One focus of speculation around the scene happens to be a former …

Melody Sweets’ ‘Call of the Wild! Jungle Burlesque’ swings into Caesars on July 30

Friday, July 8, 2016

Having embarked on thematic treks through the Old West, a turn-of-the-century circus and Coney Island, Melody Sweets is taking to the wilderness for her next solo show.

Review: ‘Mindfreak Live!’ is Criss Angel saying, ‘Watch me now!’

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Criss Angel wants it. He wants it so badly. He wants to be the biggest, baddest, greatest magician in the history of recorded time, space and dimension.
He wants that so bad he can ...

Linking Vegas, Idaho and ‘Idaho!’ with a gem of a road trip

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The idea was not to spoof Idaho itself, but to parody the concept of theatrical convention. But it didn’t hurt to match some of the references in Idaho with “Idaho! The Comedy Musical.”

Steven Tyler’s life-and-limb show a great fit for Vegas

Sunday, July 3, 2016

As Saturday’s one-off performance of “Out on a Limb” opened, the appeal of Steven Tyler as a Strip headliner was evident in about seven seconds, as he arrived onstage with a showgirl on his arm. “This is how you do it in Vegas, right?” he said. I was half-expecting an Elvis impersonator to show up to duet on “Walk This Way,” but Tyler did invoke just enough Vegas flair. He should be recruited for a quick-shot run, if he hasn’t been already ...

Dividing line: Why Las Vegas city leaders aren't invited to ceremonies on the Strip

Sunday, July 3, 2016

The Strip’s location is unincorporated Clark County. Calling it the Clark County Strip would be accurate but not nearly as sexy. This is common knowledge for locals, an issue that’s not particularly pertinent until …

Moreno’s great audition ends its run at Planet Hollywood

Saturday, July 2, 2016

In his penultimate sendoff show at Planet Hollywood Showroom on Friday night, Frankie Moreno clasped a glass of Crown Royal over ice and said, “This is a new Las Vegas show …” Ooof. There was hearty laughter, loud and somewhat sarcastic, from …

VIP list at Criss Angel’s opening-night ‘Mindfreak Live!’ has eclectic Flavor

Saturday, July 2, 2016

To the right was Tony Orlando. Behind him, Andrew Dice Clay. A few rows below, actor Gary Oldman. This was the partial list of celebs who turned out for Criss Angel’s premiere of “Mindfreak Live!” at Luxor. Angel certainly …

Brad Garrett lets the cards fly at MGM Grand

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Brad Garrett’s annual Maximum Hope Foundation poker tournament is set for Saturday at MGM Grand, in the open area adjacent to the “Ka” theater and at the entrance of Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.

Angel’s retooled ‘Mindfreak Live!’ bows at Luxor

Thursday, June 30, 2016

We are set to experience the formal unveiling of Criss Angel’s "Mindfreak Live!” This is the magic extravaganza supplanting the long-running “Believe” at the Criss Angel Theater.

Frankie Moreno’s ‘Under the Influence’ set to close at Planet Hollywood

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

At once explosive and short-lived, Frankie Moreno’s “Under the Influence” production at Planet Hollywood Showroom is set to end after Saturday’s performance. Moreno himself said Tuesday night an end to the run is in the offing.

Siegfried & Roy ready to tell their story on the big screen

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Many years ago, Siegfried & Roy were the focus of the animated series, “Father of the Pride.” The problem with the series was ...

New gaming spaces, restaurants underline Cosmopolitan's ongoing transformation

Sunday, June 26, 2016

At this moment in his career, Bill McBeath at once looks up to Steve Wynn and down on his famous designs. “I think he is the modern-day Walt Disney,” McBeath says of Wynn from his perch in that Cosmopolitan office. So it’s a case of the pupil ascending to compete with the master …

NHL betting at T-Mobile is possible (there’s an app for it); no shakin’ in Elvis’ old theater

Saturday, June 25, 2016

The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Sully’s Bar at Bally’s, just off the hotel’s Flamingo Road entrance. A great place to hang for a bit before hustling across the street to Cromwell, because if your destination …

Review: Brooks brings the spectacle in Las Vegas return

Saturday, June 25, 2016

What happened to the guy who used to play Encore Theater a few years ago? The guitar-packing cowpoke who stood and strummed between a pair of potted plants? The guy who was music's version of “Between Two Ferns,” who laughed and sang and told his life story …

Las Vegas NHL chief Bill Foley: ‘This is not going to be a 10-year program’

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Bill Foley sidestepped a commemorative street sign reading “NHL Hockey Boulevard” to talk for a time about his hockey team. ...

Homegrown musical ‘Idaho!’ opens in Las Vegas with one eye on Broadway

Thursday, June 23, 2016

“The only reason we are here is because I couldn’t think of anything to rhyme with Wyoming.”

Even before talk of pro pucks, Las Vegas has been a major league city

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Eight years ago, almost to the day, a group of experts with a deep education of pro sports visited the Las Vegas Sun offices for a round-table discussion about the city’s potential as a big-league city. ...

The Stanley Cup: Still looking great at 123

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

At the after-party of the 2009 NHL Awards at Palms Pool, a fan who had succumbed to revelry leapt into the water and began swimming toward an object standing on a platform in the middle of the water. No ordinary object, this. It was ...

Monday By the Numbers: Bye-bye to Mermaids, Glitter Gulch, La Bayou and all that deep-fried yumminess

Monday, June 20, 2016

This week, Monday By the Numbers focuses on three famous but ill-fated businesses on Fremont Street: The Girls of Glitter Gulch, Mermaids and La Bayou. That Triumvirate of Regretful Decisions has been purchased by ...

Imagine Dragons’ charitable pulse still strong in Orlando benefit concert

Monday, June 20, 2016

Ben McKee was peacefully navigating the Rogue River in Southern Oregon on the night of the terrible shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. So he did not immediately learn of that tragedy and ...

Las Vegas’ hockey honeymoon must be precursor to a lasting marriage

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Novelty is fickle, and Las Vegas is a fickle city. This is especially true for locals and tourists figuring out how to spend their entertainment dollar. Las Vegas is unique not only as the largest metropolitan outpost in North …

EDC’s roots at LVMS planted 20 years ago; Tiesto takes a spot with The Who, Bon Jovi

Friday, June 17, 2016

The vision of the original architects of Las Vegas Motor Speedway is certainly a prominent reason for the success of the Electric Daisy Carnival. But this is maybe a coincidental vision, as LVMS was not built ...

Mark Shunock’s Mondays Dark to relocate and more from the VegasVille scene

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

South Point's newly-renovated lounge, new shows at Planet Hollywood and more.

‘Baz’ backs up its opening at Palazzo; ‘Showstoppers’ invokes Danny and Sandy

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

We begin with a great quote from Tala Marie, the lone remaining original member of Matt Goss’s dance troupe The Dirty Virgins at the Gossy Room in Caesars Palace. Marie is leaving the act because her hubby, Jim Yancey, and she are ...

Monday By the Numbers: ‘Cabaret’ and its rich history open at Smith Center

Monday, June 13, 2016

This week, Monday By the Numbers focuses on the legendary musical “Cabaret,” the touring version of which makes a stop at Reynolds Hall in the Smith Center ...

Tragedy sparks prayer vigil at centers in Las Vegas, Reno; Reno arch to go dark

Sunday, June 12, 2016

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada is holding a prayer vigil tonight at 7 at the organization’s headquarters, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. ...

Penn Jillette’s ‘Director’s Cut’ should carve cult following; Ron White hosts righteous hang

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Penn Jillette’s appearance at the Reason Rally last weekend didn’t go off without a hitch, or a Hitchens. An uncommonly long soundcheck on the Washington Mall kept Jillette in the grassy expanse for ...