We asked our best sources and most had heard variations on this rumor. There's a general consensus that Manilow will leave the Hilton when his contract is up. Where he’s headed is another matter.
A couple of people in the know are of the belief that Barry’s destination is not Mandalay Bay but Paris-Las Vegas, which has a large theater that’s been standing empty since the demise of The Producers. Put Manilow in there and it will start to produce money.
The Mandalay Bay rumor seems to have arisen from an item in the Sept. 9 issue of Variety. Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks’ Playtone Productions has commissioned an as-yet-untitled musical comedy, to be shot at Mandalay Bay. Variety synopsizes the movie as follows: "a character-driven romantic comedy with intersecting storylines involving Manilow fans who are all arriving in Las Vegas on a weekend where Manilow will headline at the Mandalay Bay. His music will be heard throughout the movie. Manilow will also perform a song or two in the film."
So, in other words, Manilow will be performing at Mandalay Bay for cinematic purposes only. Also, the very notion of a Manilow transplant to the Bay raises another question: Where would they put him? The main theater is already spoken for, hosting The Lion King, House of Blues would seem a ludicrous mismatch, and the former Forty Deuce space is not only small but is expected to be converted to a nightclub.
As for the Hilton, its shows have had a high casualty rate in recent years, although Sin City Bad Girls, which seemed an unlikely fit, is so far staying the course.
