Like magic, Thomas and tigers are back at the Tropicana

It’s full circle for magician Rick Thomas, who plans a holiday run at the Tropicana Dec. 9-31.

Thomas is the latest in what has become a surge of Christmas shows to the Strip, all of them late to either close a deal or to announce their plans.

I have written more than Thomas enjoys being reminded of one of the more ironic twists of Las Vegas entertainment: The magician gave up his long-running afternoon show at the Trop in 2005, amid widespread talk that the hotel would be imploded. So he moved to the Stardust. Which was imploded instead.

Thomas and his tigers have since toured the town, most recently playing the Saxe Theater, a stint that was termed temporary while the Riviera’s classic showroom was being remodeled.

The Riviera has seen many improvements in recent months, but the showroom isn’t among them. Thomas says investors balked at the Riviera wanting the entertainment tenant to foot the bill for expensive, long-delayed upgrades. Understandable, since you usually don’t take the upholstery with you if the show closes.

The magician says he has no quarrel with the Riviera, but knows "hotel theaters come like winning the lottery. It just doesn’t happen very often. You have to take that opportunity wherever a theater opens its door for you."

Thomas will offer afternoon shows at the Trop at 4 p.m., moving into the evening slot to add a performance when Recycled Percussion goes on vacation starting Dec. 26. He hopes to "continue the relationship" next year. "I know what I can do for their hotel," he says, after a seven-year run there.

Thomas is self-financing the Tropicana venture without John Stuart, the producer who was involved with Thomas’ run at the Sahara and who was trying to get the Riviera venture off the ground.

Elsewhere, Terry Fator and "Legends in Concert" both theme for the holidays. But at the V Theater, "Santa’s Magical Circus" may turn out to be the oddest Christmas gathering since the Island of Misfit Toys. It gathers comedian Tiny Bubbles, comedy-magician Bruce Block, magician Max Clever and the marionettes of Anthony Rais to grant Santa’s wish of having his own show in Vegas. It runs Nov. 24-Dec. 31.

"Cat whisperer" Gregory Popovich also brings his "Comedy Pet Theater" back to the V Theater for the holidays, Tuesday through Dec. 4 and Dec. 17-29. …

Cirque du Soleil’s "The Immortal" Michael Jackson tribute is touring all over the real world, so why not promote it in cyberspace? Cirque teams with social game titan Zynga to visit the virtual "CityVille," but there’s a key departure from past ventures with Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias. Instead of resurrecting Jackson himself as an avatar, it will be Bubbles, his chimp, who helps players build a stage and unlock an exclusive tour video.

"We were working closely with Cirque du Soleil and the Michael Jackson estate on this, and that was a creative direction we decided upon," says Scott Koenigsberg, general manager of the game with 65 million players per month. Bubbles is in the show, and so are other game elements such as robot soldiers, the "giving tree" from Neverland and a hot air balloon. …

The "Fantasy" calendar has been a sharp marketing move for the Luxor topless revue, giving a generic show a brand and its performers the star treatment. The calendar makes its official debut Saturday. Those who go to Saturday’s show get free admission into the LAX club to party with the cast. …

This will teach Marty Allen to let us come watch him work out at the gym and write about it. The 89-year-old comedian injured himself on the treadmill and missed his shows at Palace Station last weekend. Promoter Joe Sanfelippo is trying to reschedule them for Dec. 10 and 11.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.