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Andy Walmsley Presents The First Edition of ENTSpeaks with Las Vegas Performers

Andy Walmsley ENTSpeaks
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Andy Walmsley Presents The First Edition of ENTSpeaks with Las Vegas Performers

On Tuesday night, October 21, Emmy award winning producer/ production designer Andy Walmsley presented ENTSpeaks, the first in a series of one night only intimate evenings with the people that made Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world.

The event took place inside the Inspire Theatre in downtown Las Vegas and featured a Showgirl , a Cirque Du Soleil performer, a Producer, a legendary music star, a legendary comedian, and a magician that took their turn to walk onto an empty stage with nothing but a microphone.   Given 15 minutes to speak, each of the six entertainers offered up revealing insight about their career.

Singer Mary Wilson (best known as a founding member of The Supremes) kicked off the evening's event. Although Walmsley announced that there would be no singing or music, the delightful, vivacious and very talented Wilson used part of her allotted time singing a song about life and every joy it brings, before revealing some of the highlights of her 56 years in show business, that included her early years in Detroit, Michigan, rise to fame as a member of the Supremes, becoming an international star, touring the world and meeting Britain's Princess Margaret.

Mary Wilson ENTSpeaks 61914
Mary Wilson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Wilson was followed by legendary Las Vegas producer/choreographer and former dancer Jeff Kutash.  With a career that  began in TV, as dancer for The TV show Dancing Machine and led to working on the late night, Midnight Express with Wolfman Jack back in the 1960's, and then Vegas, where he worked with Steve Wynn and later as producer and creative director of the show Splash at the Riviera, the rest, as they say, is history. Besides being responsible for teaching John Travolta his dance moves prior to Saturday Night Fever, Kutash said his “joy was putting hundreds of street dancers to work”.

Jeff Kutash ENTSpeaks 61919
Jeff Kutash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Next was retired showgirl, former cast member of the world famous Crazy Girls, Shellee Renee. Originally from a small town in Washington state, Shellee began working in a hair salon before auditioning for a show in Seattle.  With no singing experience, she got her first real break in “show biz”  with Greg Thompson Productions doing a balloon striptease in “Ladies of Burlesque” before friend, Robin Leach advised her to go to Las Vegas, where she was hired as an opening presenter, in Jubilee. One thing led to another and the curvy, statuesque beauty became one of the original cast members of the topless revue, Crazy Girls. She is the  third showgirl from the left whose naked butts are showcased in the famous, scandalous Crazy Girls poster.  These days, Renee, no longer in that end of the business, has gone on to working in public relations.

Shellee Renee ENTSpeaks 61934
Shellee Renee
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Christina Jones, whose favorite past time as a young teen was choreographing dance routines with girlfriends in her living room, was eventually introduced to synchronized swimming and was so good it  that at age 20 she made the Olympic team that went on to finish 5th at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The award winning athlete spoke about what it is like to train 8 – 10 hours a day and being able to travel all over the world. Regarding her career as a featured performer in a major Las Vegas production, Jones said “When Cirque du Soleil’s “O” needed a swimmer, I was whisked away from San Francisco to Las Vegas to be part of the show where every move is choreographed in the synchronized swimming routines.” According to Jones, “Dad was happy his Vegas showgirl was in a full body suit.” Presently Jones performs in 10 nightly shows a week and goes to school as a full time student during the day.

Christina Jones ENTSpeaks 61940
Christina Jones
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Fifth to take the stage was legendary comedian,Marty Allen, who at 92 years of age is as sharp and as funny as ever. Beginning with self deprecating humor, he stated that at his age he finally got what he always wanted... “regularity”, then added he wanted an antique for his birthday, so his wife framed his photo. Allen went on to talk about his career beginnings, working with his comic partner Steve Rossi,  doing the Ed Sullivan Show where he met the Beatles and an array of famous entertainers he worked with through the years including Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, and  Frank Sinatra, whom he referred to as “superstars like we shall never see again.”One of Allen's happiest memories was when he was invited to the White House and he danced with First Lady Betty Ford.  Although he split from Steve Rossi professionally, they remained friends till the end of Rossi's life and “will always think of him with a great deal of love.”

Marty Allen ENTSpeaks 61945
Marty Allen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

In recent years, Allen has been performing with his wife, singer Karon Kate Blackwell, whom he met at Cyrano's in Los Angeles.  Blown away by her talent, he asked her to be his on stage partner/straight lady, and eventually when loved bloomed, she became his life partner/wife. Allen closed by stating,  “I will never retire as long as I can walk on the stage.” Why should he, as long as he has what it takes to make people laugh.”

Last to come on stage and talk candidly about his life and career was comedy magician, The Amazing Johnathon, who has been dubbed The Freddy Krueger of Comedy, a most fitting title for the edgy/dark performer.  Rather than stand with a mic, Johnathon sat on a chair throughout his allotted time spewing out what can only be called an acquired taste for those who like sardonic wit. He began by stating,”I am an alcoholic and drug addict. Let me start all over again.  My heroes were drug addicts. I am to magic as John Wayne Gacy was to clowning”, before actually going on to talk about how his career began.  “I wanted something to set me apart, so I wandered into magic.  It showed me the power of what magic can do.” Johnathon recalled working as a street performer and performing in nightclubs that led to appearances on HBO, The Thick of the Night, David Letterman, and Comedy Central specials before coming to Las Vegas and getting a gig at the Golden Nugget.  Whether it was meant to shock, in the manner he does best, or if he was actually revealing the truth about his health, Johnathan's tone turned serious as he stated he can no longer do shows because his heart is failing.

Amazing Johnathan ENTSpeaks 61959
Amazing Johnathan
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

With The Amazing Johnathan's sad announcement ending the event,  when all was said and done, the first in a series of ENTSpeaks most certainly worked as an enlightening, informative evening those in the audience will not soon forget.

Red Carpet Arrivals included:

Alicia Perrone Victor James ENTSpeaks 1 61749 edit
Alicia Perrone and Victor James of the electro pop dance band 'Fans of Jimmy Century'
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Amazing Johnathan ENTSpeaks 61747
Amazing Johnathan and his wife Anastasia Synn
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Andy Walmsley ENTSpeaks 61834
Andy Walmsley
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Andy Walmsley Samantha Ratcliff Mark Bennick ENTSpeaks 61829
Tina Marie Nathalia, Andy Walmsley, Samantha Ratcliff and Mark Bennick
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Antonio Fargas ENTSpeaks 61660
Antonio Fargas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn<

Brian Thomas ENTSpeaks 61770
Brian Thomas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Carmen Shortino Paul Shortino ENTSpeaks 61657
Paul and Carmen Shortino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chloe Louise Crawford Murray Sawchuck ENTSpeaks 61808
Chloe Louise Crawford and Murray Sawchuck
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Christina Jones ENTSpeaks 61782
Christina Jones
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Crazy Jay Bird ENTSpeaks 61728
Crazy Jay Bird
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Douglas Lefty Leferovich ENTSpeaks 61726
Douglas 'Lefty' Leferovich
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Eric Jordan Young ENTSpeaks 61800
Eric Jordan Young
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Erika Moul GagaTribute ENTSpeaks 61645
Erika Moul
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Geechy Guy ENTSpeaks 61774
Geechy Guy
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Gerry McCambridge ENTSpeaks 61877
Gerry McCambridge
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jasmine Trias Ben Stone ENTSpeaks 61627
Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jeff Molitz ENTSpeaks 61855
Jeff Molitz
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jerry Jones Janit Paige ENTSpeaks 61670
Jerry Jones and Janit Paige
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jim DArrigo ENTSpeaks 61831
Jim D'Arrigo
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jonathan Scott ENTSpeaks 61642
Carl John and Jonathan Scott
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Kelly Clinton-Holmes Clint Holmes ENTSpeaks 61887
Kelly Clinton-Holmes and Clint Holmes
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Lana Reiss ENTSpeaks 61640
Lana Reiss
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Liz Clark ENTSpeaks 61632
Liz Clark
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Louie Anderson ENTSpeaks 61701
Louie Anderson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Lydia Ansel Chris Phillips Zowie Bowie ENTSpeaks 61891
Lydia Ansel and Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Maren Wade ENTSpeaks 61794
Maren Wade
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Maria Gara Steven Lee August ENTSpeaks 61858
Maria Gara and Steven Lee August
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Marty Allen Karon Kate Blackwell ENTSpeaks 61677
Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Marty Romley Jeff Kutash ENTSpeaks 61661
Marty Romley and Jeff Kutash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Mary Wilson Andy Walmsley ENTSpeaks 61836
Mary Wilson and Andy Walmsley
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Mistie Knight Kyle Knight ENTSpeaks 61791
Mistie and Kyle Knight
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Onyx Muse ENTSpeaks 61872
Onyx Muse
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Paul Scally ENTSpeaks 61865
Paul Scally
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Penny Wiggins ENTSpeaks 61883
Penny Wiggins
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Peter Pavone ENTSpeaks 61743
Peter Pavone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Peter Pavone Jerry Jones Janit Paige Bill Fayne ENTSpeaks 61733
Peter Pavone, Jerry Jones, Janit Paige, and Bill Fayne
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Robert Nash ENTSpeaks 61716
Robert Nash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Shelle Renee ENTSpeaks 61849
Shellee Renee and Mistinguett
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Stephen Jacobs Carolyn Jacobs ENTSpeaks 61653
Stephen and Carolyn Jacobs
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Tim Molyneux ENTSpeaks 61765
Tim Molyneux
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Tony Felicetta ENTSpeaks 61787
Tony Felicetta
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Tony Sacca ENTSpeaks 61707
Tony Sacca
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Will Edwards ENTSpeaks 61710
Will Edwards
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Courtesy of http://www.lasvegasroundtheclock.com

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