As a legend once said, what a way to make a living.
Kelly Vohnn is delivering the image and message of the late beloved superstar Dolly Parton across Las Vegas. Friday is the key date, on 9/25, or “9 to 5,” from the 1980 comedy film co-starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Vohnn is performing as Dolly in several upcoming appearances through the weekend. She kicked off the series Thursday morning by being honored at the Italian American Club with a proclamation from Clark County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom that Friday is Kelly Vohnn Day.
Segerblom said the plan is to make 9/25 “Dolly Parton Day” across Clark County in perpetuity.
Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after what her family described as a brief battle with cancer. Her family is currently embroiled in a messy fight over her estate. Though, that dispute has nothing to do with Vohnn performing Parton classics across the city (and, yes, Clark County).
“The whole thing is really bittersweet,” says Vohnn, who has written a song about Parton’s legacy. “I do still cry. But I also feel we need to continue her kind and generous legacy. I’m honored to represent Clark County to carry the torch.”
On Thursday night, Vohnn is featured in “Buddy Holly & Friends” with famed Holly and Ed Sullivan impressionist George Trullinger and venerable Elvis tribute artist Harry Shahoian. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m.; show at 8.
Friday, Vohnn starts with country heartthrob Chase Brown at 6:3o p.m. Notoriety Live. At 9:25 p.m.(returning to the numeric theme), she is at Stoney’s North Forty at Sunset Station in the club’s “Denim and Diamonds” series. (Donate gently used denim at any Stoney’s location before the event for free entry and a drink ticket for every three items. All donations benefit the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.)
The capper is 6 p.m. Sunday at Starbright Theater in Sun City Summerlin, again with Trullinger and Shahoian.
In her Las Vegas career, Vohnn has portrayed Parton as a Dealertainer at Imperial Palace (now Linq Hotel), in “Vegas Gone Country” at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and headlining at IAC, Notoriety Live and The Composers Room at Commercial Center.
The Parton portrayal joins Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Reba McEntire andPatsy Cline in Vohnn’s arsenal.
Vohnn unwittingly was in the middle of a confusing CNN report about Parton’s death. A photo of Vohnn in her Parton persona on the red carpet of the Neil Diamond-themed feature film “Song Sung Blue” was used on “Laura Coates Live.”
“I couldn’t believe it,” Vohnn said as news of the misfire spread across the country. “I just didn’t want the family to think I am trying to fool anyone.”
Ryan calls it
Nancy Ryan, the popular comic who adds the funny to “X Burlesque” over the past 18 years, abruptly left the show Wednesday night.
Producers Matt and Angela Stabile let us know Wednesday evening of Ryan’s imminent departure, which they had just learned themselves.
Ryan is not just a fine comedian, but a fab portrait photographer. Her departure from the topless revue is a little more than a week after comic/magician/dancer Dani Elizabeth joined the cast to cover Tuesday nights.
Ryan thanked the Stabiles and the X family in a Facebook post. She said, “Curiosity sent me down the research trail. We found that after almost 19 years and 5,000 shows in one theater, I became the longest-running female/comedian host in Las Vegas history. Is it bragging? Possibly. Do I care? Nope.”
She went on, “I’ve worked hard, rarely took time off, had some really rough times but equally great ones. With that being said, I’ll still be performing around, also the photography and some other ventures.”
Ryan posted video of a standing O on her finale. Had we been there, we would have joined in.
Flowers takes the keys
Brandon Flowers sat down with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” Tuesday night and delivered a thoughtful and funny appearance. The Killers co-founder discussed the making of his new solo album, “Thrasher,” delivering a chill-inducing premiere of the album’s closing track, “An American Dream.”
Flowers also participated in “musical interview” improvising the answers while backed by Questlove and The Roots.
After Fallon asked about the next album from The Killers, Flowers sang a collaborative snippet revealing that ideas and titles are floating around for a record in ‘27. He also sang that his publicist would stop him if he gave away the final title, joking, “It’s too early in the game.”
Flowers debuts at Encore Theater for a pair of solo shows Oct. 5-6. Impress your friends, or not, that the venue opened as Broadway Theater, home of “Avenue Q,” in 2005, about a year after “Hot Fuss was issued.
Cool Hang Alert
A righteous twinbill is up Saturday night at Sand Dollar Lounge on Spring Mountain Road and Polaris Avenue. Eli & The Melomaniacs run from 6-9 p.m., followed by club vets The Moanin’ Blacksnakes at 10 p.m. Ages 21-over. Never a cover. As always, try the pizza.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.