State Theatre presents Wayne Newton

Whether you know him as Wayne Newton or "Mister Las Vegas" there is only one Wayne Newton. The illustrious performer, who rarely leaves the Las Vegas strip, will make a rare appearance at the State Theatre, Friday, January 26, 2007 at 8pm. Tickets are $35-90. Wayne Newton is co-presented by Undercover Entertainment.

Newton will perform songs from a selection of his record hits, including: "Heart," "Danke Schoen," "Red Roses For A Blue Lady," "Summer Wind," "Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife," "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast," "Years," "She Believes In Me," and "While The Feeling's Good."

Newton set the entertainment world on fire as a precocious, big-voiced six-year-old. He was already playing Las Vegas and appearing on the Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball Shows when the Beatles were still scrambling for their early Liverpool gigs.

Naturally musical, Newton learned piano, guitar and steel guitar by ear with the help of a few lessons, and by the time he was six, he was doing a daily radio show before school. At age eight, he and his brother Jerry appeared with Grand Ol' Opry road shows that came through their town. He was in first grade when the two boys performed at a USO show for President Harry Truman and eight years old when they entered a local contest, winning the chance to audition for the nation's biggest amateur show.

Toward the end of his junior year in high school, a Las Vegas booking agent saw the boys on a local Phoenix TV show and asked them to audition. Their try-out led to a two-week job that lasted for 46 weeks, and the Newton Brothers had a foothold in Las Vegas.

They did six shows between 5pm and 11pm, so Newton had to find creative ways to keep the workload from taking its toll. "I kept learning to play new instruments simply to give my voice some relief," he explained. A multi-talented instrumentalist, Newton plays 13 instruments, many of which are worked into his shows.

Wayne went national when Jackie Gleason, for whom he performed at a Phoenix luncheon, took him to New York for an appearance on his network television show. While in New York, Newton would also appear at the legendary Copacabana nightclub. He performed on Gleason's show 12 times in two years.

For many years running, Newton has been voted "Entertainer of the Year" by both Nevada Magazine and Casino Player Magazine just to name a few. In 2006, he is continuing to wow audiences at the Flamingo Las Vegas, and as the resort states, "You haven't seen Vegas until you've seen Wayne Newton. As Vegas as Vegas Gets!"

Newton's charisma and talent have also translated well onto the screen. Some of Newton's film acting credits include hits such as Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase, Ocean's Eleven, the James Bond thriller License To Kill, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, and The Dark Backward, among others. Newton's television acting credits include, NBC's Las Vegas, According to Jim, Kingdom Hospital, Roseanne, Ellen, LA Law, and the HBO series Tales from the Crypt, just to name a few. He is frequently asked to appear on such popular shows as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ,The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Entertainment Tonight, and others.

One of Newton's biggest honors was announced in October 2001 when Bob Hope passed the torch naming him the "Chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle." This new role prompted President George W. Bush to honor Newton at a private White House reception. In less than four years, he has taken 14 USO tours overseas, and was the first performer to entertain U.S. troops in Afghanistan, (December 2001) and Iraq (June 2003, November 2003, and November 2004).

All of this-the wide appeal, the longevity, the patriotism, and the selfless service-has made Wayne Newton a favorite of his many fans. He is one of the most widely acclaimed and honored entertainers in history and he will be at the State Theatre for one show only. For the best seats, be sure to purchase tickets now. -- www.statetheatrenj.org