Las Vegas Weekly

September 24, 2008 · 9:33 AM

Manilow debuts “all new” show with “all old” hits

By Robin Leach

When songwriting pianist genius Barry Manilow kicks off a whole new series of shows tonight (Wednesday) at the Hilton, it will be nothing but his hits!

His old Music and Passion show has been replaced by Ultimate Manilow: The Hits. He’s got a whole new set, a whole new staging extravaganza and an entire new song list.

Hilton executives confirmed that the previous show featured both other people’s songs and some of his hits. Now they tell me the new show primarily features all his hits: “I Write the Songs,” “Mandy,” “Weekend in New England,” and the list goes on.

Barry plays here through Saturday night, then returns for four days next week starting Wednesday and again from October 22 through Halloween. Yes -- he’s still commuting back and forth each night by private plane to his Palm Springs home.

Photo: Las Vegas Hilton

A real show-stopper: Barry Manilow takes a break to mark No. 62.

I’ve known Barry for decades back to early New York days when he was a piano teacher and before his fame exploded as Bette Midler’s backup pianist in the gay Continental Baths on Manhattan’s upper west side. I won’t have the opportunity to chat with him on Friday evening, when he hosts a gala media night for the new show, so be sure to check my fellow super-scribe here at LasVegasWeekly.com over the weekend. Intrepid writer-editor-broadcaster John Katsilometes will be at the Hilton, while I’m busy getting first night reaction to Criss Angel’s debut Believe preview show at the Luxor. Check right here on Saturday for both our Criss and Barry stories.

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