Feb. 20, 2006

Radio, Radio

BY RICHARD ABOWITZ

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.

###