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Tzazz! '68' Opens at Las Vegas Hotel BY JOHN L. SCOTT Times Staff Writer LAS VEGAS ?╟÷"Pzazz! '68" dazzled a gala invitational throng of show business notables, Las Vegas hotel executives and press when it opened over the weekend at Howard Hughes' Desert Inn. Producer Frank Sennes and Donn Arden, who staged and directed the spectacular revue, have outdone themselves in this stage creation, which is a new climax in their long association. As its title suggests, "Pzazz! '68" deals in high camp, with beautifully costumed ensemble numbers based on the film capital's most glamorous periods. The opening scene focuses around three noted femmes: Mae West, Carmen Miranda and Julie Andrews, with costumes reflecting today's mod style. Lainie Nelson portrays Miss West; Lillian D'Honau, Miss Miranda; and Janice Hague, Miss Andrews. Psychedelic lighting plays its part in this sequence, which climaxes with "Miss Andrews" flying through the air on an ingenious device provided by Peter Foy. It's a smash opening, setting the tempo and flavor for what follows. Fine Flashback Second outstanding production number is a delightful flashback to the Fred Astaire films, with a swarm of talented dancers and singers performing against a background of mirrors. Show girl models are seen in a high-style iashion parade. The musical medley accompanying the number includes "The Continental," "Cheek to Cheek," "Change Partners," "Let's Face the Music," "Dancing in the . Dark" and other timeless melodies from the "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," film era. It's enough to make an old movie fan cry a tear into his martini. "Boomtown T o d a y," backgrounded by an oil well which "burns" in the finale, brings the scene strictly up to date with today's wild ones, the leather jacket crowd, riding their motor bikes on stage and engaging in a frenzied whip dance. During the action a man on a spindletop is shot and drops to the ground. Bing and Bob , Bing, Bob and Dorothy (Crosby, Hope and Lamour) are glorified in another spectacular production number called "P o 1 y n esian Paradise," complete with background waterfall. "Polynesian Paradise" lives up to its title; it's a beautifully staged, gorgeously costumed segment using songs made famous by the three "Road" stars, and vice versa. The parade of native girls carrying colored tropical birds is a delight to the eye. Final spectacle is a salute to "Beau Geste" with the entire company participating. Of individual acts, the Snyder Brothers emerge with top honors. On opening night the Vegas-press crowd, which has seen just about everything in the show business line, gave the two boys a rousing reception. Ken Snyder, the singing member, accomplishes some terrific mimicry of reigning pop singers, including Eddie Fisher, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, etc. His partner Bob came on stage as Frank Sinatra during the ,M a r t i n impersonation. When he gingerly felt his front teeth, the Desert Inn's plush Crystal Room exploded with hilarity. Comedy Routine A winsome singer, Bam- bi McGormick, reveals a fine voice; Gala Shawn does amazing things on a trapeze, Rudy Cardenas proves he's one of the world's best jugglers, and Frank and Denise Agosti- no please in an acrobatic adagio act,:'?╟≤' ?╟≤ A last minute addition, comedian Jeremy Vernon, presents his amusing, if familiar, routine of what happens on various international airlines. Harvey Warren, long associated with Sennes and Arden, deserves a big hand for his fine production design and art direction; while Bill Campbell's costume design rates with his best, which is praise, indeed. Jim Harbert pro- v i d e s appropriate and laudable music and arrangements, and Leonard Adelson contributes lyrics. Musical backing is in the very capable hands of Carlton Hayes and his orchestra. "Pzazz! '68" is a worthy contribution from all in volved, including the hard working male and female ensembles, and should enjoy a long,, successful run . at the Desert Inn. Dl 'PZAZZ'HAS MOD OPENING A whole new world opens on stage when "Pzazz! '68" bursts forth into the Desert Inn's Crystal Room this week with a brilliant show that's mini, mod and mad. New spectacular was created, staged and directed by Donn Ar den and produced by Frank Sennes. Costumes, designed by Bill Campbell and executed by Ber^ man of Hollywood, are "keyed to dazzle the eye with spectacular fabrics, beads, stones and s- parkling jewels," Sennes said. Exotic materials include elastic- ized cloth for tights and pants, which came from London; specially woven brocades and chiffons, from Paris; satins of glowing hues chosen in Italy; sparkl- j ing silks from the Orient; and I (Continued on Page 2) y ..e??u u.. u nimu. u-iiu uuiUUVCi ?√ßUUJUX'n j acme trayiw . . . Local Harold Smith tells about the lady Who walked into the D-I's Cactus Room and asked the hostess for "one of those 68 cent pizzas you have advertised on that large sign in front of the hotel." The hostess patiently explained that "Pzazz '68" had no connection with the edible, heartburning delicacy. Dl 'PZAZZ' OPENS WITH I MOD THEME | (Continued from Page 1) ostrich plumes brought in from I South Africa. ^^^^