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There’s a kitschy poster of Las Vegas framed outside Wayne Newton’s dressing room at the Tropicana. At the center of the poster, surrounded by Vegas landmarks, is a portrait of a smiling Newton.

It’s not the chubby-cheeked, boyish Newton who came to Vegas as a teen in 1959 to perform six shows a night, six days a week with his brother at the Fremont Hotel & Casino. And it’s not the charcoal-haired teddy bear of today. It’s the lean, mid-career, pencil moustache Newton, circa the late ’70s – early ’80s.

Wayne Newton performs at the Flamingo hotel in 1965. Photo courtesy the Las Vegas News Bureau.

As Newton this year celebrates 50 years of entertaining Vegas audiences, it’s really not all that surprising that some version of Newton’s face would grace a vintage poster of Vegas icons. He is as much a symbol of this city as neon signs and all-you-can-eat buffets. With tens of thousands of shows under his belt — and even a Wayne Newton Boulevard named after him — he has earned the nickname Mr. Las Vegas.

In his limited engagement production “Once Before I Go” at the Tropicana, Newton provides a glimpse at the highlights of his iconic career, from his arrival in town at 15 years old and his mastery of 13 instruments to his role as chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle and his recent stint on “Dancing with the Stars.”

While there’s speculation, based on his show title, that the entertainer is planning to retire, the word itself doesn’t seem to be in Newton’s vocabulary. He skillfully dodges a question about retirement in order to explain the thought behind his show’s title, which is based on a song by Peter Allen.

“I don’t want to look back with regrets,” says Newton, sitting comfortably on a leather couch in his dressing room before his show.

Wayne Newton performs at the Sands hotel in 1978. Photo courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau.

“I made mistakes, nothing too serious, but I made them, and I didn’t repeat them. So, I’d like to think maybe I’ve paid that back.”

Newton took two-and-a-half months to write the show, enlisting help in the form of think tank-like discussions with people he respects to determine what to include. “Trying to fit in everything was an impossibility,” he explains, “but sometimes I was too close to the trees to see the forest.”

A consummate performer, with a steadfast determination to entertain and tailor his show to his audience, he has yet to end his 90-minute show at the Tropicana on time.

Off stage, much like on stage, Newton exudes an air of familiarity and geniality. He has a commanding presence at 6 foot 2 inches tall, but his demeanor is welcoming and inviting. He greets guests with a kiss on the cheek and genuine concern for their well being. 

His daughter, 7, plays with her jump rope in an adjoining room backstage, while his wife sits nearby. Though Newton is close to his first daughter, 32, he said his less hectic schedule has afforded him a lot more time to spend with the second. He’s a breeder of championship Arabian horses, and his daughter has already been in two horse shows.

“She’s a mini me,” he says. “Luckily for her, she looks like her mother. But she got my legs.”

One of the toughest lessons Newton wants to instill in his daughter is that of the importance of hard work and discipline. While Newton had guidance from many mentors throughout his career, including legends like Lucille Ball, Jack Benny and Bobby Darin, he says many of the young entertainers he encounters these days thumb their nose at personal growth and expect to get what they want without putting in any work.

“There’s this condition that exists in the younger generation today of entitlement: ‘Iwant it now,’” he says. “Sometimes it’s best to have it next week, instead of now.”

Although Newton’s own teen and young adult years were consumed with hard work, he doesn’t feel like he missed out on his youth. He fondly remembers running the streets of Las Vegas with friends, partying hard in their hotel suites, sowing his oats (”and praying for a crop failure”).

“But the one thing that was consistent,” he says, “was the fact that I knew I had to get up the next day and go to work. It’s that kind of responsibility … that will make the difference whether you’ll survive [as a performer in Vegas] or not.”

Newton lives with his family on a 52-acre property on the southeast side of Las Vegas, Casa de Shenendoah. He originally owned only 5 acres of the land, but made deals with all the elderly homeowners on the contiguous properties. “I said, let me buy your homes now, and you can continue to live in them until you die,” he explains. “I didn’t want their homes, I wanted the property. Now we have 52 acres.”

His face lights up when he talks about Casa de Shenendoah. Newton, who is half Powhatan on his mother’s
side and half Cherokee on his father’s side, says the land is rich in Native American history. He has even found arrowheads on the property. “Evidently, at some point, this was a watering hole,” adds Newton, explaining that there is an underground river and three ponds on the property, one by the guest house, one near his house and one for his Arabian horses. (Read more about Wayne Newton’s residences in Vegas).

“There is a tranquility about the Shenendoah, a magic, that anytime I’m at my lowest or think
the world is coming to the end, I walk around and all the [worry] is gone,” he says.

And so it’s safe to say that Mr. Las Vegas has no plans to leave his home or the city that shaped his long career. “They may move me,” says Newton. “But I won’t move.”

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KISS performs at the Palms

 Your turkey isn’t the only thing getting stuffed for Thanksgiving. This weekend, Vegas is busting at the seams with activities for guests of all ages.

Take a stroll through one of the holiday attractions or laugh until your sides hurt with comedy headliners including Bill Cosby, Jay Leno and David Spade. Basketball fans can spend the weekend at the Las Vegas Invitational College Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena while partiers gear up for a wild night on the dance floor with Paul Oakenfold spinning inside Rain at the Palms. Music fans can rock and roll all night with a performance by legendary music group KISS at the Palms.

Attractions

Experience the North Pole at the Excalibur

Take a magical journey to the North Pole with Polar Express 4-D Experience on Excalibur’s Fantasy Faire level.

Based on the popular movie, Polar Express 4-D Experience is a multi-sensory adventure complete with faux snow. Open daily through Jan. 6, 2010, hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. – Thu.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun. Cost is $15.

Magical Forest will enchant guests

Experience the sights and sounds of the holiday season with a stroll through the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village, located at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd.

Enjoy an enchanted forest, photos with Santa and entertainment by local performing groups. Take in the sights on foot or hop on the Forest Express, a train that winds its way through the two-acre display. Kids of all ages can delight in a ride on the Enchanted Carousel. The Gift Box Café offers tasty treats. All proceeds benefit Opportunity Village.

This attraction is open daily through Jan. 2, 2010 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sun. – Thu.; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Fri. – Sat. Tickets start at $7.50 for children (ages 3 – 11) and $9.50 for adults (ages 12 and up). For more information, call (702) 225-XMAS.

Mystic Falls Park is a winter wonderland

Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town transports guests to a winter wonderland. Located in the hotel’s 25,000-sqaure-foot indoor park, this festive attraction features various scenes with animated animals and a light and water show choreographed to holiday music.

The free 15-minute show takes place at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily, but the display can be enjoyed throughout the day until Jan. 2, 1010.

Sports

Nothing but net at this basketball tournament

Basketball fans won’t want to miss the Las Vegas Invitational College Basketball Tournament live at Orleans Arena. The field of eight teams includes Seattle University, Presbyterian College, Wofford College and Southern University. The tournament is Nov. 27 – 28 with each team playing both days of the event and the championship round taking place on the final day. Games start at noon.

Nightlife

Kick up your cowboy boots at Stoney’s

Thanksgiving night Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, located on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, is treating ladies to $1 admission and $1 drink specials. Get ready for some boot scootin’ boogie with free dance lessons starting at 7:30 p.m. On Nov. 27 Stoney’s will host legendary American country music band Reckless Heart at 9 p.m. Guests who arrive early can enjoy free well wine and draft beer from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10.

Perfecto at the Palms with Oakenfold, Pavo

Electrifying beats by famous DJ Paul Oakenfold and Pavo provide the perfect opportunity to work off that Thanksgiving feast on the dance floor at Rain Nightclub at the Palms on Nov. 28. Doors open at 11 p.m.

Ask yourself, ‘Are you the next Miss Playboy?’

Head to Playboy Club at the Palms on Nov. 29 as gorgeous women compete to be Miss Playboy November. Pop sensation Matt Goss and creator of the world-famous Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin, will judge. Doors open at 11 p.m.

Zowie Bowie does Vintage Vegas

Stay classy on Sunday nights at Cufflinks and Cocktails at Brand Steakhouse at Monte Carlo, featuring cast and crew from the Zowie Bowie Vintage Vegas show. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Pure Fun with Scott the Engineer

On Nov. 28 dance off that pumpkin pie to beats by Howard Stern’s Scott the Engineer spinning at Pure inside Caesars Palace. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Shows

Headliners take the stage in Vegas

Bill Cosby performs at Treasure Island

From Bill Cosby to “America’s Got Talent Live,” these headliners give audiences a change to experience some of their favorite television moments live.

David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear — watch him perform his larger-than-life illusions at MGM Grand Nov. 26 – Dec. 2 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. nightly; plus 4:30 p.m. Sat.

Audiences in Vegas can experience all the fun and excitement of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” live at Planet Hollywood. Hosted by celebrity talk show host Jerry Springer, the production features this year’s top performers including million dollar winner Kevin Skinner. See it Nov. 26 – Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., Wed. – Sun.

Barry Manilow performs audience favorites in “ULTIMATE MANILOW: The Hits” at Las Vegas Hilton Nov. 27 – 29 at 8 p.m.

Out of the television and onto the stage – Jay Leno’s jokes resonate even more with the crowd in person. See the Emmy Award-winning talk show host live at Mirage Nov. 27 – 28 at 10 p.m.

Comedian and actor Bill Cosby is no stranger to the spotlight. See him at Treasure Island Nov. 27 at 7:30 and 10 p.m.

Funnyman David Spade delights audiences with his sarcastic, sharp-tongued brand of humor in his show at the Venetian on Nov. 27 – 28 at 9 p.m.

Cher delivers a parade of hits and stunning Bob Mackie-designed costumes in her show at Caesars Palace on Nov. 28 – 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Renowned Psychic John Edward crosses over Vegas for a show at the Flamingo Nov. 28 at 11 a.m.

Rock and roll all night long with legendary rock band KISS live at the Palms Nov. 28 at 8 p.m.

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As America prepares to sail into another decade, it’s more than fair to say that things are changing.

It’s not just health care or civil rights or anything debated in the halls of Congress — it’s also the American dream.

Based on the wealth of reality programming being beamed to the nation’s televisions, it’s clear that for an increasing number of people, the new American dream is to show the world their skills, their talents. It’s to stand in front of audiences, thundering applause echoing in their ears.

With that in mind, it’s plain to see the draw of “America’s Got Talent Live” — the Las Vegas stage version of the popular television show, hosted by Jerry Springer.

The stage version features acts pulled from the finalists of Season Four of the television show (including the $1 million winner, Kevin Skinner) performing their myriad skills in front of a live audience, five nights a week at Planet Hollywood.

Rolled all together, the acts make up the kind of variety show Vegas audiences love best — one that leaves them in awe — but the show has a little something extra.

It also gives the crowds a glimpse of a life that could be theirs. It’s not hard to leave the showroom thinking, “That could be me.”

For the acts in the production, it’s been a quick transition into Sin City stardom. And although millions watched them on television all summer, it may not have hit home just how normal the stars are.
The Texas Tenors, a group of three friends, from, yes, Texas were just trying to get by when auditions for the show were held in Houston earlier this year.

Jerry Springer arrives at the opening night after party for "America's Got Talent Live" at Planet Hollywood Casino Resort. Photo by Denise Truscello

The three had all sung individually before and when the auditions came up, they put together their group to grab at the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families, Marcus Collins, one of the Tenors, said.

Collins was on unemployment, “doing whatever odd job [he] could do,” while JC Fisher and John Hagen were also plugging away at life.

“We got together to try to make something happen for our families, to try and survive this economic disaster,” Collins said.

Fast forward a few months and the three are singing their hearts out for Vegas audiences with just a little bit of luck and a lot of talent.

“We’ve gone from zero to a million,” Collins said.

The Tenors aren’t the only act with an everyman appeal. Before each section of the show, an introduction video is shown, explaining where they came from (both metaphorically and literally).

There’s a young dancer, Hairo Torres, finding his own style and way, and Lawrence Beaman, who could be your neighbor, save for a voice like Barry White. There’s Recycled Percussion, energetic young guys, making music from garbage cans.

And it’s hard to overlook Season Four’s winner, Kevin Skinner, who was a chicken catcher before playing his guitar right into stardom.

Opera singer Barbara Padilla struggled with cancer before finding her way to the show and Las Vegas. Although she was told the treatment would affect her vocal cords, Padilla made it through and is living her dream.

“This is what we want to do as singers,” Padilla said. “We want to sing, and the opportunity to sing every day is priceless. It’s definitely like a dream come true.”

Padilla was a stay-at-home mom before her life changed course and although she said she misses her daughter, homesicknesses hasn’t quite set in because, “I’m just having such a good time,” she said. “It’s just such a different experience, an experience I would have never had if I hadn’t been [on the show].”
If the Tenors or Padilla don’t strike a chord, consider Grandma Lee — a 75-year-old grandma who tells jokes with the timing and pace of some of today’s hottest (and youngest) comics.

When her husband, a Marine, died in 1995, Lee went after her dream full bore. Although her husband only saw her perform once, Lee says in her introduction video that she thinks he’d be proud — and with good reason.

While on the phone for an interview for this story, Lee was momentarily held up as fans clamored around her for pictures and autographs.

“The audience is awesome,” Lee said. “It’s unbelievable, I’m still getting used to it.”
Because the performers were on television before making it to Sin City, audiences, to some extent, are built in.

“They recognize and were fans of these people all summer long,” said Andy Felsher, senior vice president of FremantleMedia, which produces the show.

Padilla said she sees this in the response she gets from the audience.

“Some of them are huge fans and they come to see us because they were actually waiting for something like this, to come see us,” she said. “And they actually go to see what they saw on TV, but this is so much better, live is so much better. They have an idea of what the space is, they see the lights and everything that happens.”

But why Vegas? First, the Vegas show was part of the prize package for the winner. “It’s the entertainment capital of the world, the perfect spot,” Felsher said.

But, according to Felsher to as well as many of the performers, it’s also just a good fit for Sin City. “There are all kinds of acts in Vegas and we’ve just melded them into one variety show,” Felsher said.

Fisher, from then Texas Tenors, sees it similarly. “It’s the ultimate variety show, dancing, singing, banging on drums and Jerry Springer, in a little over an hour, it’s fun,” he said. “It gives people a chance to see one show, with a variety consistent with the Vegas variety, but also the chance to see people you voted for or rooted for in the show.”

And if you take just a little bit further, beyond Vegas, back to what the show represents, there’s that bigger, dream-fulfilled appeal.

As Collins, one of the Tenors put it, “I think ‘America’s Got Talent Live’ represents the dreams and the hopes of everyday people and gives people a chance to see a show where we’re just like them, but we gave it a shot,” he said. “We took a chance and here we are and we made it happen and they can do it, too.”

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