Las Vegas Weekly

September 29, 2008 · 8:01 AM

Donny & Marie already looking at two years on the Strip

By Robin Leach

Donny & Marie, backstage at the Flamingo.

Photo: TVT

It looks as if Donny and Marie Osmond will be Strip headliners for at least two years! Luxe Life has learned that negotiations had already gotten underway -- even before Thursday’s official opening at the Flamingo -- to extend their original six-month contract to 18 months. It is the first time in 29-years they have been reunited for a special variety run!

There was an exhausting drama played out backstage at the same time as the successful show opened for the brother-sister act. In an ugly legal maneuver, Luxe Life learned that child custody investigators turned up

Backstage, just before the curtain went up, to interview Marie about the status of her youngest child -- all part of a bitter angry lawsuit filed by her former husband wanting a share of her earnings!

Photo: TVT

Donny & Marie look over a proclamation by Mayor Oscar Goodman, who set aside Thursday as Donny & Marie Day in Las Vegas.

“It was done solely to rattle her moments before going on stage. Her children are all fine being looked after and cared for perfectly. They are all happy with their mom and love being with her. This was strictly the worst kind of harassment. Can you imagine on an opening night to go onstage that waiting when you came off was an investigator to interview you over false accusations about your children? It doesn’t get any lower than that –- but Marie still turned in a great performance before being questioned by them! She’s that professional -- and that after spending an entire day in the recording studio working on her new album,” a longtime family friend told me.

Fans loved the show and gave Donny & Marie lengthy standing ovations and applause. I talked with current Mirage entertainer Danny Gans, who co-produced their show and asked him where he got the idea from to bring them to Vegas.

Photo: TVT

Flamingo President Don Marrandino with Donny & Marie.

“I am watching Dancing with the Stars, and I am mesmerized with Marie, falling in love with her all over again, “ he told me. “I have just seen a DVD on Donny and I have known them for 20 years, and it just came to me, Donny and Marie together again in Vegas. Give people another option other than a Cirque show. That started it. I called Chip Lightman, my manager, and said, “What do you think of Donny and Marie?” and he loved it too. The reason behind it is that its old-school entertainment. We don’t have enough of that on the Strip-except for that Danny Gans guy!” he laughed.

“There are no flying midgets on pogo sticks, there are no explosions, it’s Donny and Marie singing and dancing with a great band. They come at you with a lot of talent, energy, and charisma. You can bring kids to it. It is not an over the top sappy show, it is good entertainment.”

Photo: TVT

Donny & Marie onstage at the Flamingo.

Here’s the remainder of our conversation:

Robin Leach: They had a short window to get ready for the show. Marie describes it as feeling like just two weeks. Are you amazed at how well they clicked back together again after being apart?

DG:They have done some things together and we got a chance to say of all the material you have let’s look at the best of and we will put it together. This show will change. They may get tired of a number and bring something else in., it is not a set show.

Photo: TVT

Danny Gans, part of Team Donny & Marie at the Flamingo.

RL: Do you like wearing producer’s hat?

DG: It is fun, I really do. Previously here we had Gladys Knight.

RL: Marie will be - recording in the Palms this week with Gladys.

DG: She is a busy woman -with the dolls, and the eight kids. I don’t know how she does it.

RL: So they are happy here, you are happy with the show -- does that mean a long run??

DG: We are in negotiations right now; we are hoping it will go two years, with options.”

I took the opportunity to ask Danny about his upcoming November departure from the Mirage and a three-month break before he resumes shows under a new contract with Steve Wynn at the Encore.

RL: Are you looking forward to the move and a whole new production?

DG: Very much so, for many reasons, Steve Wynn being No. 1. Steve Wynn is the reason I went to the Mirage, I had a lot of other offers, but Steve Wynn gets it. That theater is phenomenal. You could put my current theater inside that new theater. I am working with John Featherstone right now who I have worked with for 15 years. We are coming up with good looks for the stage. My band and I are rehearsing new material right now. We are trying to go through what would be the best show. A lot of people are concerned saying you can’t take out this and this. If you had Bruce Springsteen and he didn’t do “Born in the USA” and “Glory Days.” We are going to keep the material people come back to see, and throw in some new things. My show is always changing -– but I cant do Donny & Marie just yet!!”

Among the first-night guests were magician Nathan Burton and comedy champ George Wallace who has a nightly 10 p.m. show following Donny and Marie in the Flamingo showroom:

Photo: TVT

George Wallace.

Robin Leach: So George, a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.

GW: It takes two baby, you and me baby.

RL: Are you happy they are in your showroom?

GW: I am very glad. They are great people. I met them a long time ago.

RL: You give them a warm welcome because they are like your warm-up act?

GW: It is true. They do the early show, I do the late show. It is a pleasure to have them in the Flamingo showroom.

RL: Do you love this excitement tonight?

GW: Everybody is in, everybody is enjoying it. All the other entertainers stopped in to say hello.

RL: This is not hip-hop and not rap. It is good old-fashioned wholesome pop music.

GW: It is throwback. All of those great songs they did, they are wonderful. I don’t remember most of those songs because I just turned 40.

RL: George, you are famous for your joke line of what did your momma say? So let me ask you what you think their momma said?

GW: She said, "You are two good kids keep it up.”

Photo: TVT

Jimmy, Marie and Jay Osmond, backstage.

Later in the week we’ll have my backstage conversation with Donny & Marie right after the official opening night.

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