Despite last year being a brutal one for headliners on the Strip, Wayne Brady’s show at the Venetian seemed an exception. A variety show based on his humor, Brady managed to provide an update to old school Vegas entertainment without a hint of nostalgia. He also seemed to be drawing good numbers, too.

Late last year, I had planned to do a feature on Brady and arranged access. Then, suddenly,  there was a lot of back and forth and confusion from his management who seemed to willfully misunderstand that they had agreed to grant access for an in depth story. I wound up with a lunch interview with Brady after a short dance rehearsal for his show. That was followed up by an offer to watch him train at his gym (which I declined). In short, I got the feeling his people really did not want to do the feature. Something had changed from when we originally discussed the project.

This was all just before Brady began his new job as host for “Let’s Make a Deal,” which tapes regularly at the Tropicana and began airing on CBS in October. When “Let’s Make a Deal” started at the Tropicana, Brady postponed his October shows at the Venetian due to vocal strain. I am told he had a doctor’s note. Then as he continued taping “Let’s Make a Deal” he canceled the remainder of his 2009 shows, again, to rest his voice. At that time, a press release was sent out announcing that Brady would make all the Venetian shows up in 2010.

But as of now the Venetian website has no shows scheduled for Brady. I checked with the public relations firm that represents the Venetian show and was told: “All is the same. Show is still on hiatus due to vocal issues, but we should have the first show date soon!” Meanwhile, Brady has been seen around town at clubs, and according to “Let’s Make A Deal” site is planning to host five weeks of the show in Los Angeles starting on March 18. So, when in 2010 will the Wayne Brady show return to Venetian? There are still advertisements for Brady in the casino and around town.

Brady does not seem to concerned. I am not sure how you rest a voice; but I am guessing a night on the town yelling over music in Vegas hot spots like Blush at Wynn (followed by a trip to the Palms) is not going to help. And, that is just reported Brady sightings from this weekend.

I am honestly confused. First off, Wayne Brady’s fans for his variety show at the Venetian are probably not too fussy how much he sings. That always seemed a strange reason to put a successful show on hiatus. Yes, he has released music, but Brady’s draw does not come from his talent as a singer. There are other cast members who can sing on stage with Brady. People come to Brady primarily for his humor. Regardless, a versatile talent like Brady (and he has an amazing range of stage talents), I am sure, could limit his singing and compensate with his other skills to create  a show every bit as good and entertaining. Yet, there seems to be no thought to offer that approach.

So, what is going on with Wayne Brady’s show at the Venetian? (Photo: Sarah Gerke)