Radio, Radio
07:11 AM PT, Feb 20 2006
Steve Friess is among the most successful freelancers in Las Vegas which explains why the podcast he does was able to land an interview with Steve Wynn. Part of the interview dealing with the closing of "Avenue Q" appeared on the Newsweek website. But what is drawing attention locally is the unexpurgated version on the podcast where Wynn takes some shots at "Mamma Mia," "Hairspray" and (the not yet even open at the Venetian) "Phantom of the Opera." Among the highlights is when Wynn juggles a bunch of numbers in the air to argue that "Avenue Q" was every bit as successful as "Mamma Mia." So, the implied spin(though Wynn denies it): "Avenue Q" didn't fail so much as Wynn requires greater successes than Mandalay Bay, for instance, is willing to accept. Wynn also says "Mamma Mia" arrived in Las Vegas late in the show's life. That life, by the way, will be a lot longer than "Avenue Q" 's existence which when it cloeses on May 28 will not have lasted a year in Las Vegas. "Mamma Mia" this week holds a media night to celebrate its 3rd anniversary.
Mandalay Bay owner MGM/Mirage must be furious with Wynn, because while their executives (following company policy) won't comment directly they hint heavily to John Katsilometes that Wynn's numbers on "Mamma Mia" are flat wrong. It sure helps their cause that Wynn clearly has some numbers wrong as when he says "Mamma Mia" offers 8 shows a week when the actual number is 7.
Back in terrestrial radio, I will be a guest on Ira Sternberg's show at noon today on KDWN (740 AM).
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Steve Wynn is a Vegas legend, but I think it will take time and the right production for a show to be successful in Vegas with the international tourism market. I am not sure that Hairspray will be successful, but is there anything more successful than the cirque du soleil's right now in Vegas?
Posted by: John | February 20, 2006 at 12:25 PM
Hey Richard -
Thanks for the blog entry. Just wanted to clarify that the URL for The Strip is www.thestrippodcast.com. The link given on this blog is incorrect.
All best,
Steve Friess
Posted by: Steve Friess | February 20, 2006 at 10:53 PM
KDWN, Jesus christ are they going to try to draw you into some debat eabout illegal immigration or something?
Posted by: Aaron | February 21, 2006 at 06:55 AM
Although Steve Wynn is the smartest investor in Las Vegas, he could make mistakes too. Unfortunately Avenue Q was a terribly cheap show to put at his 3 billion dollars property. Phantom of the Opera fits Wynn Las Vegas better than anything else. Now he is struggling to sell tickets of La Reve as well. The half of the Theatre is empty and he tries to advertise show by putting the advertisement tags on delaer's uniforms. La Reve is a nice show but has no chance comparing to Circe de Solail shows.
thank you
Las Vegas
Posted by: turk | February 26, 2006 at 05:12 AM