Casino Player December 2022

A Dinner, A Show and An Assault I like surprising people, especially my wife Dorene. I was able to get twoVIP tickets to Lionel Richie in Las Vegas on July 2. I also booked reservations for two at the award-winning SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas. My wife knew about the dinner but not about seeing Lionel Richie. The dinner at SW Steakhouse was outstanding. SW is known for prime aged steaks and a curated selection of certified Japanese and domesticWagyu are the stars at the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star seakhouse.ThinkA5 Japanese Wagyu, dry-aged tomahawk chops and a chile-rubbed dou ble rib eye, featured on Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate .Main courses like pan-roasted sea scallops with English pea risotto and black truffle sauce are crowd favorites, as is the prime view of the nightly shows on the Lake of Dreams. Our server Chris was outstanding.Our entrees of Roasted Branzino and 12-oz. fillet were delicious. But the surprise was revealed in the dessert. A cake was brought to our table with the words“You’re Going to See Lionel Richie”written on it.Dorene was very surprised. Lionel Richie is known for his mega-hits such as “Endless Love,”“Lady,”“Truly,”“All Night Long,”“Penny Lover,” “Stuck onYou,”“Hello,”“SayYou, Say Me,”“Dancing on the Ceiling,”and co-wrote one of the most important pop songs in history,“WeAre theWorld,” for USA for Africa,which closed the show before an encore. Richie also included his early work withThe Commodores,where he developed a groundbreaking style that defied genre categories, penning smashes such as“ThreeTimes a Lady,”“Still”and“Easy.” He is an amazing performer.The show was fantastic but not without the most bizarre incident I personally have ever encountered in Las Vegas. I’m not psychic but I can spot who will be a problem at a concert or event just by looking at them.While in line for the show I see a man acting up and obviously a bit tipsy. I pointed him out to my wife saying,“This guy is going to be trouble.” Guess where his seat was? Right behind me. During the concert he is constantly kicking the back of my chair. I’m 73 and this guy is a monster.He was at least 6’ 5”and 280 pounds.Note to self—avoid a physical con frontation at all costs. I turn around and give him the evil eye stare.Things are calm but not for long. He then starts slapping me on the back of my head and neck for no reason several times. I left and contacted security,who moved us to different seats.The showroom manager then came to our seats and asked me if I wanted to press charges but I declined. I’m sure this would have led to an ugly confrontation and probably ruined the concert for a lot of other people. They allowed the unruly guy to stay but kept close tabs on him.You could hear him being vocally loud the rest of the show. I was upset at this incident but I did not let it ruin the concert for me. I guess the saying,“Discretion is the Better Part of Valor”applied to this incident?

ONStage Before Hamilton or In the Heights there was Freestyle Love Supreme F rom producer Lin-Manuel Miranda and fresh from Broadway, Freestyle Love Supreme brings hip-hop improv to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which re cently opened insideThe Summit Showroom on Nov. 10. Recipient of a 2020 Spe cial Tony Award, Freestyle Love Supreme , directed by Thomas Kail, is a non-stop blend of hip-hop, improvisational comedy,music and vocal stylings.The cast of tal ented performers will provide non-stop action throughout the 90-minute show, spinning suggestions from the audience into humorous bits, instantaneous songs and riffs, and fully realized musical numbers.No two shows are ever the same.The electrifying vocals of the performers—from singing to rapping to beat-boxing with harmonies and freestyle flow—are backed by tight tunes from keyboards and human percussion. Conceived by Anthony Veneziale and created by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale, Freestyle Love Supreme pays homage to John Coltrane’s“A Love Supreme,”with a nod to musical roots in jazz, soul,blues and hip-hop. Performances runWednesdays–Sundays. Donny Osmond Extends Award-Winning Las Vegas Residency

L egendary entertainer and music icon Donny Osmond has extended his award-winning solo residency inside Harrah’s LasVegas Showroom at Har rah’s LasVegas into 2023.Osmond’s show is a dynamic, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in the world. Fans are treated to engaging performances throughout the show including the fan favorite and show stopping

“Auto-rap-ography”—a rap song accompanied by milestone photos and videos from his impressive career of six decades. Donny also does a full Broadway production of his classic Disney hit from Mulan ,“I’ll MakeA Man Out OfYou.” New show dates include: Jan. 24–28, 31; Feb. 1–4, 14–18, 21–25, 28; March 1–4, 7–11, 21–25, 28–31; April 1, 4–8; and May 2–6, 9–13, 16–20, 23–27.

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