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ent000816-015
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    AM m angeles Berald-Examiner, Wednesday May if WO S?╜? lavish, costly and revealing costumes; massive and complex sets; glorious gageantry; beautiful, bountiful girls, and an array of specialty acts. "Pourquoi Pas?," however, lacks the gusto and steady stream of excitement of the past extravaganzas. The bright spots of the Frank Sennes-produced revue are the ingenious sets of Harvey Warren; the dazzling, colorful costumes by Folco; the original music and orchestrations supervised by Jim Harbert. The staging and choreography seem routine, but should improve in time. There are, however, stellar performances in these portions. There are five production numbers with the transition between scenes of the "Symphony of the Sea," "The Theft of Mona Lisa/' and "Rhapso- die Espagnole, From the Sacred to the Profane," all brilliant. The first magnificently shows an uncanny illusion of an ocean storm and the sinking of the two occupants of a ship to the bottom of the sea and into the lost Temple of Athena. Highlight of the number is the entrancing near- nude adagio dance by Jillian and Ron. IVs one of the most superb efforts of the entire show. "The Theft" features a trio ?╟÷led by voluptuous mastermind, Jennifer Pierson?╟÷and ?╟÷A their thwarted attempt to \? its predecessors, the new ) steal the painting. They try, to niSi eiLn of ^ido de Par-V depart from the museum's. Vat the Stardust has all the rooftop in a helicopter, but are quickly surrounded by two police whirlybirds, gunshots, sirens and other officers. Jullian returns for "Rhapso- die" (as a gypsy who attempts to halt a.wedding) and takes the groom to an inferno bordello. When her desire forsakes her, she engulfs the stage with fire. Weak finale starts with a fashion romp of classic British styling and then depicts Picadilly Circus today. Despite the display of fireworks, awesome fashions and bosoms, the interspersed acts steal most of the thunder. Three standout: Illusionist- pickpocket Dominque, with help from male members of the audience, delights the gathering with his quicker- than-eye heistings of watches, ties, money or anything else one might have in their pockets; The Volantes, crack comedy unicyclists, offer thrilling antics on one-wheelers of various sizes, and Siegfried & Roy, who mystify with their unreal magic tricks. The magicians , completely enthrall the patrons with their f a n t a s i c ending. Siegfried cages Roy and?╟÷like magic?╟÷a live tiger appears in his place. They also do a Houdini-type exchange that's unbelievea- ble. Other acts include top juggler Rudy Cardenas, ice skater Heather Belbin and the Argentine Devils. The production was staged, created and directed by Donn Arden with the Eddie O'Neil orchestra supplying excellent sounds. The show is bookec for two years. 1 MAY 8, 1970 THE VEGAS BAG PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT .. The all new "Lido de Paris" revue at the Stardust. As usual produce] Frank Sennes and the outrageously gifted DONN ARDEN and his staff have turned out a marvel of music, mechanics and exciting choreography. Th$ costumes1, by FOLCO, are outstanding, revealing and expensive!! The new lead dance team, JILLIAN & RON are extraordinary, talented and beautiful to watch. Specialty act SIEGFRIED & ROY are almost enough to make you believe in magic; they make doves appear and disappear with startling ease and as i closer Siegfried changes his partner into a live, full growr tiger! Amazing! Favorite production number is likely to be a little gypsy soap opera called "Rhapsodic Espagnole." It builds to- a dramatic, erotic and sensationally staged and choreographed finale; MARYA LINERO is the sensual & sinister fortune teller; RON WATSON & NICKY GORSKA are the wedding couple, and JILLIAN the gypsy hellcat (or horseback yet!) who steals the groom away and takes him to a wildly, bizarre bordello that looks like the bowels" of a mammoth cave. He strips her, she strips him, they dance - while an uninhibited orgy goes on around them - and are in a torrid embrace when discovered by the fortuneteller and the forsaken bride. Watson saves the bride from almost certain ravishment and Jillian in typical, good old fashioned gypsy spite sets the whole stage afire. It's wild! ....