I've Seen Stars

17 August 2021

By Frank Scoblete

There so much more to do when you go to a casino or casino town than just gambling. In my over three decades playing casino games I have had the privilege of enjoying some of the greatest talent in the world; singers, dancers, comedians, opulent shows, and magic.

So much is offered at gambling locations that it seems like a waste not to experience everything there is to experience. Las Vegas has more shows than Broadway. They even have Broadway road shows!

But great shows are not just in Las Vegas, just about every casino venue offers its patrons terrific entertainment.

Here are just some of the performers I have seen (many of them multiple times!) throughout the years: the incomparable Danny Gans; the greatest of all magicians, David Copperfield, the most stimulating of voices, Tom Jones; Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton; the one and only Sammy Davis Jr.; the legendary Sid Caesar and Imogene Copa; Motown’s greatest: the Four Tops, the Temptations, Diana Ross and Gladys Knight; the sweet voice of Petula Clark, the dynamic Neil Diamond and the spectacular Cher.

I love comedians and I’ve enjoyed their shows. Here are some of them: George Burns, Bill Maher, Redd Foxx, Rita Rudner, Frank Caliendo, Carrot Top, George Kirby, and Rich Little.

How about some more magicians? Penn and Teller, the iconoclasts of magic; Melinda, the First Lady of Magic and the renowned Siegfried and Roy. Every time I had a friend come to Vegas for the first time, they would want to see Siegfried and Roy. I got to know which tigers were which!

Oh, yes, I saw some fights too. Tyson versus Holyfield (the ear fight!); Tommy Morrison and a host of other greats.

I played blackjack at the same table as Ray Charles (yes, he sweated even playing!) and some NBA players who told me not to mention them or they would get in trouble. They were too big to disagree with.

The greatest stage shows definitely come from Cirque de Soleil, a company from Montreal, Canada: Mystere, Love, O, and Ka. I’ve seen each about five times. They blow me away, as they blow most of the audiences away.

There are shows in the afternoon in Vegas and at some other venues. There are sexy shows and shows to which you can bring the kids (but why would you have kids in the casino world?). There are comedians and magic and small stage shows. The casinos can fill your day with entertainment fun.

Take my advice; take some time out from playing to enjoy the shows!

Frank Scoblete’s web site is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books and at bookstores.