LAS VEGAS -- "Chicago" failed to ignite the town, "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" was quickly sent off into orbit, and "Notre Dame du Paris" never got any ooo-la-la's from Vegas crowds. But that isn't stopping two more tries at permanent, big-budget, Broadway-style musicals on the Las Vegas Strip.

Officials at Mandalay Bay confirmed rumors that "Mamma Mia," the Broadway hit featuring tunes from disco-era super group ABBA, will take up residence at the hotel in February of 2003. The show, a collection of short love stories enhanced by ABBA hits like "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," and "Knowing Me, Knowing You," has played to sold-out audiences in London, Toronto, and New York, with touring companies filling in the gaps around the United States. The Mandalay Bay version will be a new company of actors and musicians, culled mostly (according to the PR types) from local Las Vegas talent.

"Mamma Mia" replaces the current song and dance extravaganza Storm, which will close at the end of July.

Meanwhile, it's possible that another big Broadway-style musical may finally make its way to town, with rumors that "Miss Spectacular," a new show by the legendary Jerry Herman, is close to landing a Vegas venue.

Longtime readers of this column may remember that the show, about a wide-eyed Midwest girl who dreams of being a Vegas dancer, was originally slated to go into a new theater at the Mirage. Instead, impressionist Danny Gans took up residence alongside Siegfried and Roy and, with the subsequent sale of the hotel, "Miss Spectacular" seemed to lose her way.

Now the New York Post is reporting that Herman, author of such classics as "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame," has struck a deal with a couple of high-powered New York producers to get the new musical up and running on or near the Vegas Strip. No one is commenting officially until a formal contract is signed, but its possible that "Miss Spectacular" could be hoofing her way into your hearts by early 2004.

All of which begs the question: "Are Vegas audiences ready for these types of shows?" As mentioned, past attempts at permanent Broadway-style shows have failed, although many will argue that "Chicago" and "Men Are From Mars ... " are decidedly different in both theme and tone from the singalong familiarity of "Mamma Mia."

But "Mamma Mia" has more than a few downsides of its own when it comes to doing a Vegas version, not the least of which is its two-and-a-half-hour running time. That puts it a solid hour longer than most shows in town. Even with an intermission, one wonders if audiences will be able to pay attention that long when the lure of the slots, tables, volcanoes, roller coasters, and strip clubs is calling.

By the time the show debuts, it will have been on Broadway for more than a year and touring companies will have hit more than 30 major U.S. cities. Will Vegas audiences spend their show budget on something that has already played in or may be coming soon to their town, or would they rather see an "only in Vegas" spectacle like Siegfried and Roy or Mystere?

As always, the story behind Vegas shows may wind up being more entertaining than the shows themselves. Stay tuned.

This Week's Trivia

Q. The following hotels opened in July of their respective years. Which opened first? The International (now the Las Vegas Hilton), Stardust, Bonanza (replaced by MGM Grand/Bally's), The Landmark (torn down in 1995), or the Holiday (now Harrah's). ANSWER

The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.com

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In Next Week's Column

Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.

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Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors

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