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|4 Part IV-Tues., May 5,1970' %q$ attgrte^ tltttttg * STAGE REVIEW 'Pourqu BY JOHN Ls SCOTT Timts Staff Writer LAS VEGAS ~~ "Pourquoi Pas?" which opened over the week-end at the Stardust Hotel, is an extravaganza in the best Lido de Paris tradition. It cost more than $1 million to produce and will run for two years. This ninth edition of the granddaddy of Las Vegas superspectaculars ?╟÷' the first was "C'est Magni- fique" in 1958 -?╟÷ must stand as a tribute to the energetic aui smooth- working team associated with the show since inception: producer Frank Sennes, director - choreographer Donn Arden, scenic designer Harvey Warren, composer Jim Har- bert, costumer Folco, and French Lido producers Pierre - Louis - Guerin and Rene Fraday, and Madame Bluebell. International Motif "Pourquoi Pas?" (Why Not?) continues the successful format of eight other Lido shows at the Stardust: glamour, pageantry, dazzling sets and lighting effects, excellent choreography, top- notch specialty acts and, of course, a stageful of beautiful girls. Production numbers re^ fleet the show's international concept. Perhaps the most eye-popping JL JL ?Θ╝4u?║ CJl%*? \ segment is "Theft of the Mona Lisa," which details how three men and a girl steal the painting from the Louvre in Paris and escape in a helicopter while two other police choppers fly over the audience with lights flashing and sirens screaming. This is a triumph of complex lighting, space-age1 electronic devices and ingenious mechanical contrivances. Taking part are Jennifer Pierson, Johnny Ritsko, Dan Parker and Gig Gallion. Raymond Fost designed the decor. Practically on a par is "Symphony of the Sea," which deals with discovery of a Greek island buried underwater by a shipwrecked couple. They find the Temple of Athena, gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus, mermaids and giant seahorses, using the latter as transportation. A dramatic transition from modern to ancient Greece climaxes' the scene. Jillian and Ron portray the tourists. Marya Linero, held over from the eighth edition, is Athena, and Tom Allison, Hermes. "Rhapsodie Espagnole" turns into a lively ensemble number ending in The Red Bordello, which even- ; tually becomes a flaming inferno in its spectacular climax. Dancing in this segment is fast and furious. )t3I(iUS The show opens with "La Nuit Est a Nous," which effectively introduces the cast and features a dazzling mirrored ball- room, and ends with "London is London," winding up in Picadilly Circus with the famed Bluebell Girls and entire company taking part No Lido show would be complete without an ice- skating interlude. This time it's Heather Belbin who whirls around the ice stage with great style. Dominique, the amazing p i c k p ocket, illusionists Siegfried and Roy, and juggler Rudy Cardenas provide their astonishing specialties between production numbers. Each is a master at his craft. The Volantes have fun on wheels. A special accolade should go to the 50 malt and female singers and dancers who are such a special part of this Lido revue. And also-to conductor Eddie O'Neil and his orchestra, who do yeoman duty in their crow's nest; and to Eddie White, who masterminds the lighting and sound. S3. p|rt!V??Fri.,May],]97T) %til ftttttl** Ctm*# * IJM # pourquoi oasf LAS VEGAS IN LOS ANGELES* RESERVATIONS* PHONE 272-8301 OR CALL YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL AGENT