RuPaul stands in for Jimmy Kimmel; hi-jinks ensue

A groundbreaking resistance queen, and eye-catching Las Vegas Strip amusement brand, commandeered “Jimmy Kimmel Live” this week.

We talk of RuPaul, who took Kimmel’s spot Wednesday and Thursday arsenic the big was connected summertime break. Ru has brought the unbridled “Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live!” to Flamingo Showroom this period (performances are 9:30 p.m. Thursdays done Mondays).

The laminitis of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” was the past successful a bid of impermanent hosts filling successful for Kimmel, who grew up successful Vegas. He’s backmost arsenic big of his late-night ABC speech amusement aft Labor Day Weekend.

Over the two-night stint, RuPaul eschewed resistance regalia. Instead, Ru was delightfully attired successful a sky-blue suit Wednesday; and a splashy, multi-colored fig connected Thursday.

Ru’s jabs included a bid of rules for unruly hose passengers:

“You should ne'er person much drinks than determination are formation attendants connected the plane.” And, “Keep your carry-on baggage successful the overhead compartment, and support your affectional baggage to your ain damn self.” And, “You don’t ain the plane. You don’t marque the rules.”

Iliza Shlesinger, headlining Mirage Theater this weekend, was a impermanent Wednesday. She showed up successful a matching light-blue dress, saying, “We look similar a mates astatine Gay Prom.” RuPaul answered, “But it works! It works!”

RuPaul commented connected Lil Nas X being named Taco Bell’s Chief Impact Officer.

“Representation matters,” Ru said successful his monologue from Thursday. “Yes. I mean, you know, achromatic cheery men merit to get indigestion from a chickenhearted chalupa conscionable similar everybody else! That’s called equality, ladies and gentlemen!”

The amusement besides staged a “Ru Paul’s Plain Clothes Drag Show” satire of “Ru Paul’s Drag Show.” As a Kimmel staffer took the runway, the resistance prima announced, “Meet our archetypal model, Mike. He’s successful a polo and sweats, and baby, I’m sweatin’, too! Is that a drawstring, Miss Thing?”

Ru knows however to dress, yes, but the wit drives the show. I really similar Ru amended extracurricular the gowns, but what bash I know? I tin archer you the “Live!” accumulation has been a blistery summons since it returned. Funny sells.

Heavy mental

The different time I mentioned to a person that Banachek had opened astatine The Strat, and helium said, “George Peppard?”

Google it.

Banachek is the award-winning mentalist and caller headliner astatine The Strat Theater. The grant of which we notation is Mentalist of the Year by The International Magicians society. They are known arsenic the Merlin awards, handed retired to the mainstays of magic since 1968. The enactment boasts much than 57,000 members. Not each are mentalists, but it is simply a large woody and surely a boost to Banachek.

The seasoned entertainer is taking connected his archetypal headlining show, successful the 4 p.m. slot (dark Fridays) aft moving implicit the years to make acts with Penn & Teller and Criss Angel. Angel himself was astatine Thursday’s VIP show, arsenic was chap mentalist Colin Cloud of Shin Lim’s headlining amusement astatine The Mirage and Notoriety Live astatine Neonopolis headliner Vinny Grosso.

Around the room, formed members from “Thunder From Down Under” astatine Excalibur and”Fantasy” astatine Luxor were successful the mix. “Fantasy” creation skipper and subordinate producer, Mariah Rivera, was called onstage (randomly, we deduce) to prime a connection from a book. Banachek guessed that word, “Lotion,” which — arsenic it turns retired — is disposable successful each country astatine The Strat.

The edifice is blessed to instrumentality connected the mentalist headliner. The Strat Vice President and General Manager Stephen Thayer, on with SPI Entertainment Senior Vice President Alex Schechter welcomed Banachek to his caller residency. The amusement is helping capable retired the theater’s wide-ranging schedule, which includes a caller amusement mentioned successful the adjacent point …

‘iLuminate’ turns on

The brainchild of choreographer and machine coder Miral Kotb, “iLuminate” premiered Thursday nighttime astatine The Strat. The amusement runs 10 p.m. Wednesdays done Sundays.

We person caught a conception of the luminous production, performed successful the acheronian by a creation troupe successful LED-trimmed suits. It’s a spot similar the flashing costumes utilized successful the “Billie Jean” fig astatine “Michael Jackson One,” with a splash of much colour and, of course, a longer presentation. The amusement invokes LED acceptable pieces and a precocious complement of humor, from Vegas drama mates couple Matt Morgan and Heidi Brucker Morgan.

There is thing rather similar “iLuminate” successful town, adventurous and dazzling but besides a situation to market. It’s a amusement that needs to beryllium seen to appreciate, and volition request to find an assemblage mostly done word-of-mouth. That process starts starts … astir now.

Kennedy passes

Vegas mislaid a subordinate of its aureate epoch past Saturday with the passing of Mike Kennedy astatine property 82. His wife, Carole, was astatine his side. Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday astatine Desert Spring United Methodist Church successful Las Vegas. Kennedy was an histrion of large merit, who won a Lone Star Film & Television Award for Best TV Supporting Actor for the 1995 TV movie “Texas Justice.” His is besides the begetter of Vegas TV shaper and file fave Marklen Kennedy (“Gigolo,” “Texas Rising” and “Labor of Love”).

Kennedy’s large movie credits see “JFK,” “Nurses Betty,” “LA Confidential” and “Nixon.” He besides appeared connected “Dallas,” “Bonanza,” “ER” and “Matlock” and was a engaged commercialized and voice-over actor.

He moved to Vegas successful the ’60s, and was a “shill” for Rat Pack performances, planted successful the assemblage to laugh, clap and play on with each the hi-jinks. He would sing, too, erstwhile not moving astatine the Max Factor outlet astatine the Stardust.

Kennedy besides played the “role” of starlet Kim Novak’s regular steady, truthful her matter with Sammy Davis Jr. could beryllium kept a secret. He should’ve won an grant for that one, too.

Kennedy’s last show was a movie called “Big Life,” alongside Rich Little and Robert Davi, scheduled for merchandise successful 2022. The task was changeable successful Vegas.

“Dad loved Vegas,” Marklen says. “He rode the hellhole outta this beingness till the wheels fell off.”

John Katsilometes’ file runs regular successful the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast tin beryllium recovered astatine reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him astatine jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats connected Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 connected Instagram.