Breaking news: Toni Braxton show canceled

Toni Braxton's show at the Flamingo has been canceled. The show was first interrupted by health problems faced by the singer before an April 7 performance. The show, which opened in August 2006 to mixed reviews, was set to run until August of this year. According to the press release just issued:

“Upon learning several weeks ago of Ms. Braxton’s health concerns, our first and foremost consideration was her well-being,” said Don Marrandino, president of Flamingo Las Vegas. “We have truly enjoyed having her as our resident headliner and continue to wish her a full and quick recovery so that she may resume doing what she loves best, entertaining audiences.”

Braxton's show never really caught fire in Vegas. On the other hand, the wraparound advertisement on the Flamingo promoting her show was a sensation and has inaugurated a tradition of familiar but inferior wraps at the Flamingo and other properties.

Braxton's lasting contribution to Vegas may be this marketing technique of covering billions of dollars of architecture with cheap advertising. That long shot for Braxton worked. In fact, the Flamingo was said to get frequent request for rooms with windows at strategically placed body parts of the singer.

(Photo by Sarah Gerke)