The story was about the creation of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas by Benjamin Siegel 1946-1947. The scenery and props were sparse, but the whole thing worked beautifully because of good lighting, projected images, well dressed people, and lively stage action. There were good songs, big headdresses, and luxuriant feathers. All the players had proper volume and clarity. I was especially impressed with the song by Tiffany Lawrence after Ben was shot.

This story is of particular interest to Las Vegas residents. Many of us consider Ben Siegel to have been a visionary. From the Court TV website: "Modern folklore has it that Ben saw a vision in the desert in the days following World War II, that he kicked aside some rocks a few miles outside of town ... and decreed that here would be the Monte Carlo of the Americas, the place where high-rollers and penny-ante operators alike would come to strike it rich..."

Flamingo Hotel

Life isn't simple. I know that Ben was a gangster who hurt people. I would not do much of what Ben did, but I like him anyway. I wish he had been able to control his adventure a little better so that he could have lived at least long enough to see Las Vegas in the time of Caesar's Palace. I think he would have been very proud.

I enjoyed this play even more the second time. Las Vegas is Cheyenne, Dodge, Tombstone, Silver City, and the Barbary Coast all rolled into one. The quintessential distillation of the Old Wild West. Nothing has been lost!

On the set

Director Doug Baker

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