Legendary comedy

Caesars Palace is a special place for Jeff Dunham, and not just because he’s one of the rare comedy acts to conquer the stage there. “Edgar Bergen was probably the most famous ventriloquist we’ve ever had—he was as big on the radio as Seinfeld was on TV—and his very last show was at Caesars Palace,” says Dunham, who returns to the Colosseum on June 20. “He announced his retirement and said, ‘Every good vaudeville act has an opening and a closing, and it’s time to pack my friends and say goodbye.’ He died in his sleep that night. It doesn’t get more poetic than that.”

Dunham, who has been credited with rejuvenating ventriloquism over his stellar career, met his idol Bergen just once. “There are plenty of pitchers or quarterbacks you can look up to as a young player, but not many iconic ventriloquists.”

Soul power

Brooklyn Bowl at the Linq Promenade is known for bringing a wide array of musical genres to the heart of the Strip. This week the comfortable concert hall launches its Neo Soul Series exploring the sounds of R&B from varied eras, kicking things off with Baltimore-born quartet Dru Hill on June 22.

Marilyn the new musical

Marilyn the new musical

Influenced by Guy and Jodeci, Dru Hill’s debut album was co-produced by another of the group’s idols, Keith Sweat, and spawned hits including “Tell Me,” “In My Bed” and “5 Steps.” And there’s a Brooklyn Bowl bonus: Catch this show and you’re sure to get a dose of lead singer Sisqo’s 2000 solo smash, “Thong Song.” Don’t pretend you don’t remember that track.

Quick hits

Magic Mike Live has been getting rave reviews since its debut last year at the Hard Rock Hotel, and now the Channing Tatum-created show is ready for more exposure. The sexy, modern male revue will open in The Theatre at the edgy Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November. Hopefully the Brits are ready for this.

Interactive off-Broadway comedy favorite Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding has found a new home at the Buca di Beppo restaurant at Bally’s. The show originally opened in 1988 in New York City and has toured the world, including more than 3,000 shows in Vegas at various venues.

Celine Dion

Celine Dion

Marilyn! The New Musical celebrated a blockbuster grand opening this month at the Paris Theater and talented entertainers from several Strip productions turned out to support the new show on the block. Among the names strutting the red carpet were Penn Jillette, comedy stuntman Jeff Civillico, hypnotist Anthony Cools, magician Xavier Mortimer, bombshell Claire Sinclair, Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie, Jennifer Romas of Sexxy, Human Nature and cast members from Baz—A Musical Tour de Force, Chippendales The Show, Cocktail Cabaret, Inferno and “X” Burlesque.

Long live the queen: Celine Dion recently announced additional dates for her Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace into 2019. Tickets are on sale now for 24 new performances: Oct. 30-31; Nov. 2-3, 6-7, 9-10, 13-14 & 16-17; Dec. 28-29 & 31; and Jan. 2, 4-5, 8, 11, 15-16 & 19-20.

Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000, and interviews key movers and shakers on his All The Vegas podcast, available at allthevegas.com.