The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 64

BE The Time Leader, Wilk9-Barf PA, Sunday, February 11, 1996 Travel NEW YORK (AP) Broad 6200. same number as Tele- laE taste of Texas 1 1 ill way ticket availability as of Feb. 9. Ticket supply is Indicated as Difficult or Available. Credit card holders can order tickets by phone or by calling Telecharge orTlcketmaster.

"Beauty and the Beast." the stage version of the Walt Disney cartoon classic. Palace. 730-8200. Tlcketmaster. Available.

"Bus Stop." Mary-Louise Parker. Ron Perlman and Billy Crudup star in a revival of Wil-lian Inge's 1955 romantic comedy. Now in previews, opens Feb. 29. Circle in the Square, 239-6200, same number as Telecharge.

Available. Limited engagement through March 17. "Cats," musical based on T.S. Eliot's cat poems, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Winter Garden, 239-6200, same number as Telecharge.

Available. "Defending the Caveman," Rob Becker's one-man show about the relationship between men and women. Helen Hayes. 944-9450. Tlcketmaster.

Available. "Grease." JeffTrachta of soapdom's "The Bold and the Beautiful" and Joe Plscopo star in a revival of the high school musical set in the 1950s. Al Jarreau play Teen Angel through March 31. Eugene O'Neill, 239-6200. same number as Telecharge.

Available. "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," John Stamos stars in a revival of the 1961 Frank Loesser musical about getting ahead in corporate America. Richard Rodgers, 22 1 -1 2 1 1 Tlcketmaster. Available. "Les Mlserables," a musical retelling of the epic Victor Hugo novel.

Imperial, 239- ALL PACKAGE TRIPS charge. Available. "Master Class." Zoe Caldwell is opera star Maria Callas in Terrence McNallys play. Golden. 239-6200.

same 4 number as Telecharge. Aixzil- able. j. "Miss Saigon." the big London musical hit, a modern of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." Broad- way, 239-6200, same number as Telecharge. Auctilable.

"Moon Over Buffalo." Carol Burnett and Philip Bosco star in a comedy by Ken Lud-wig about a husband-and-wlfe acting team touring Bie country. Martin Beck. 239-6200. same number as Telecharge. Available.

Jane Sell Trese plays Burnett's role on Tuesday evenings. Burnett leaves the show March3. "Show Boat." Harold Prince directs a lavish revival of the Jerome Kem-Oscar Hammersteln II musical clas- sic. Gershwin, 586-65 10. Tick- etmaster.

Available. "Smokey Joe's Cafe." a musical revue featuring the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike i Stoller, the team that wrote such pop hits as "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," "Stand By Me" and Takety Yak!" Virgin-ia, 239-6200, same number as Telecharge. Available. "Sunset Boulevard." Betty Buckley is Norma Des- 1 iU A I T1 I uiuiiu uic miuicw iiuyu Webber musical version of the Billy Wilder film classic. Win-ner of the 1995 Tony Award for best musical.

Mlnskoff, 869-. 0550. Tlcketmaster. Available. "The Father." Frank -Langella stars in a revival of the Strindberg classic.

Round- about Theater Company, 869-8400. Difficult Closes Feb. 25. INCLUDE AIRFARE, "'-Jigw Texas Gambling Hall and Hotel northwest of the strip In Las Vegas, New hotel and Vegas version By KATHRYN STRAACH Dallas Morning News LAS VEGAS Big is Texas' image, and Texans are mighty dam proud of it. So why in a town known for "big" home to the worlds largest hotel, the MGM Grand, with 5,500 rooms is thT" hotel themed after the Lone Star State one of its smallest? Don't worry too much.

Size is the only stereotypical ingredient missing from the Texas Gambling Hall Hotel, which opened here last July. That is. if every Texas stereotype you can imagine is of the boot-scooting Fort Worth Stockyards variety. The Wild West image and all it entails can be found here in this 200-room hotel and casino. The Texas twist has been so successful that the casino began a expansion in November, a mere four months after opening: it is scheduled for completion this week.

From the longhom-decorated Cadillac (complete with Holstein-pattern interior) to the 200-pound mirrored armadillo not to men an upscale version of an economy motel but with a good interior decorator and spacious bathrooms. Running the length of one wall in the casino is a Disneyesque Western-city setting, including the likes of a blacksmith shop, boaidinghouse and a post office, with fake facades Here you'll find six restaurants (a seventh, Chinese Express, is across the casino): The Stockyard Steakhouse, which offers juicy mesquite-grilled steaks. The Laredo Can Una Cafe, for Tex-Mex and margaritas. Galveston Bay Seafood Co. San Lorenzo Italian Restaurant.

The Yellow Rose Cafe, open ACCOMMODATIONS AND HOTEL TAX What to know before you go $301 i $399 $292 $232 $182 $174 DL DL US CO US US CO CO UA UL iLua coJLdl ua JLua dl UA Getting there Texas Gambling Hall Hotel is at North Rancho Road and Lake Mead Boulevard. From the airport, head north on Interstate 15. Exit to the west at Rancho Drive or Lake Mead Boulevard. Even if you don't stay at the hotel, you might consider visiting it if you have a car or a big win in a casino. The facility is about 2 miles north of downtown and about 5 miles north of The Strip.

Taxi fare from the airport to Texas Gambling Hall Hotel runs about $26. Non-stop Departures From Newark! Nassau 4- Days $299 Cable Beach a Days $369 Paradise Island A- Days $465 PHILADELPHIA Departures Available At Slightly Higher Prices Spectacular Savings Available for 7 Night Saturday Departures! Longer and Shorter Length Stays Available! casino offer of Wild West tion the nonstop country-western music piped throughout public areas this is the Texas most people north of the Red River believe is the real thing. Sure, Texans perpetuate the stereotypes. In fact, the concept for the new Las Vegas hotel and Oc.asino came from Frank Fertitta originally from Galveston. He sold the operation to Station Casinos.

His native roots and a lot of research have made for a fun and somewhat authentic version of the Lone Star State. The building is made of Texas limestone. More or less. "It's a cast production," says James Muir, president of the hotel and casino until three weeks ago. "I defyanyone to tell me it doesn't look like Texas lime- stone." An oil derrick is at the entrance to the parking lot.

A giant bronze statue of four cowboys riding horses greets folks before they enter. Mesquite trees are carefully worked into the landscape. The slate-floor lobby features cow skulls on the wall and leather seating. The hotel, a six-story structure, is on one end. The rooms are $227 CO US UA $260 CO DL US $187 DL $259 DL US $356 DL CO US $360 DLUS United ExpreM US- US Air 1-800-FLY-4-LESS letauueys CANCUN Air From Philadebhia FROM Days7 Nights Hotel $A7fl Transfers ft Taxes Blue Bay All Induce 939 SAN DIEGO Air From Avoca FROM Days3 NiShts Hotel SjflO Transfers Taxes ITALY-ROME HOLIDAY Air From New York OM Days5 NiShts Hotel 99 Transfers ft Service Charges Ask About Our All-inclusive CARIBBEAN Honeymoon And Anniversary Vacation Book Early And Save Money.

YWTlS $409 UACO US DL $409 UACO DLUS UA codl US UAj csasa $109 $172 $226 CO iiq UAUS Ub I DLCO LAS VEGAS 3Days -i' KRT PHOTO Is located about five miles Nev. 24 hours a day. The Rio Grande Buffet, which serves up brisket, ribs, barbecue chicken and other such cuisine. In fact, barbecue "chef" John Reaves of Smokey John's in Dallas trained folks here to the tricks of deep-pit barbecuing. In addition to the restaurants, the casino offers six bars.

Most notable is the Central Bar, featuring a 1976 Eldorado convertible suspended on a hydraulic lift and sporting 7-foot longhoms across the hood. And then there's the 150-seat Armadillo Honky Tonk lounge with the armadillo, an idea taken from Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. It's made from 3.000 plexiglass pieces. Casino When the expansion is completed later this month, the casino will offer 1 ,950 slot machines (including plenty of nickel slots), 35 gaming tables, a keno lounge, a larger poker room and a 175-seat race and sports book. It is open 24 hours a day.

Room rates Midweek rates start at $39 a night. More information For reservations and more information, call 1-800-654-8888 or (702) 631-1000. SPECTRUM SEATS MAR. 2. S72 DAYT0NA BEACH SNOWBALL EXPRESS: FEB.

24-MARCH 3 and APRIL 13-21 ($420 $428 APRIL) The deluxe La Playa on the beach, a kitchen in OHF.nAY Tniinci MARCH LONDON A rapfy? WEEKENDER toys 'TTOZ. JAMAICA riil HAWAII It's True! Spring is around the corner! PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW Forget the groundhog! Spring begins with this annual show. DAILY TRIPS FEB. 25 THRU $226 UACO USDL CANCUN NoiHtce ton MmrarK AvatoMtatLowttrPifc A 4 Ony 1111 Round trip fares from Wilkes-BarreScranton International Airport are based on availability and may be subject to change. Most require advance purchase, Saturday night stay over and are nonrefundable.

Other restrictions may apply. Forlnformatlon call your local travel agency or 1-800359-4537. MARCH daily INDOOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 4 Days 7 Days KILLINGON, VT $419 LAKE PLACID, NY $455 PURGATORY, CO $515 STEAMBOAT, CO $615 LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED SEMI-FINALS: THE NEW TOUR! LOWER LEVEL CALL FOR THESE MULTI-DAYS! Lowwxt Pric Proittkw suvOrvNewlni'345 7 Day Alaska ttXiyNassau'439 uta 799 ftrty Cruras BIC RED BOAT Bahamas Cruise ZKS Orlando Theme from New York Park Vacation! 699 Cal)in. amhwI ssh every room! Hooray! PARK PLACE, ATLANTIC CITY MARCH 17-19, $138 at Park and the casino's rebate. MYRTLE BEACH: Gatlin Bros.

Theatre, Ronnie Milsap 5now and other country music features! Oceanfront hotel, Bropkareen Gardens, 8 meals MARCH 30-APR. 5, $599 NASHVILLE MAY 29-JUNE 3 Luncheon Cruise on the General Opryland. Grand Ole Opry, reserved seat to the "Lost Stardust Theatre, much more! Airfares Furnished By: ORLANDO Air From Avoca 3 Niqhts4 Days Transfers Taxes $279 WALT DISNEY WORLD-OHSITE All Star Resort tj 4 DW3 Night, ilA Hotel i Taxes FLORIDA BEACH Air From Avoca 4 Days3 Ni3hts $OHO Hertz Car ft Ay Taxes JUT LAS VEGAS Air From Avoca 4 Days3 hUts, Hotel $479 Transfers Taxes PHOENIX ARIZONA Air From Avoca FROM 4 Days3 Niqk Hotel S.AA Transfers Taxes NASSAU Air From Newark 519 8 Davs7 Nisrtrs wTransfers S. Ocean Golf ft Beach Resort 8 4 6 CALL FOR THFSF Pnd CI Low vet fa 9n Sho Cm. Otnrym) 0.

GROTTO BAY BEACH HOTEL 4-7 DAYS 4 Days 7 Days ORLANDO 299 .379 MIAMI 339 SARASOTA '389 FT. LAUDERDALE '399 .599 ST. PETERSBURG BEACH KEY WEST 469 Above Packages Include Hertz Midsize Rental Car GOGO Sun 12-6 pm with Over 1 ,000 Travel Professionals FLORIDA 4 DATS '233 NIC AT NETS BASKETBALL FEB. 1 7 "$49 "LES MISERABLE" FEB. BROADWAY: "SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE" FEB.

SANDS CASINO: SHOW AND 24, $44 BASKETBALL FEB. 25, $55 ORLANDO AT NETS BASKETBALL FEB. ALLMAN BROTHERS CONCERT MARCH DUTCH APPLE DINNER THFiTRF. and th thow "Fortvw MARCH 2, $45 AIRLINE: TICKETS PACKAGE VACATIONS CRUISES ALL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME 1 tr BRtTBLL MARCH BROADWAY: "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST" MARCH ELLIS ISLANDSOUTH ST. SF1PORT Ve BROADWAY: "LES MISERABLE" Mon-Frl Sat bULinariT irmiiuitWtST POINT: Maa MARCH 26.

$64 BR0WWAY: "SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE" MARCH 30, $89 RCMH EASTER SHOW: 1PR1L in lti itcnV PEDDLERS VILLAGE May 4 Strawberry DINNE THEATRE: WlN' ON THE RITZ" frjckvill Schuylkill MjII 874-0012 Strotxhburg Stroud Mall 476-9O90 Whilfhill lehieh Villey Mall 2M-7583 Wyomin Villey Mill 125-3500 hm mm ml cX imHn Mull tw wn XK iuwIiim WW mmpmnUM M' mm WwwnMhVItkmnMlnMi CvMMki M1 NutohtiiCiwatHirtliMaiWiarki ImiMlto, ilii wt mm pfM mmi mam maMm itupi mtnm hmhmtmkmlll Mmiimii PKialittM XMiatiplllMMiimtntlHiri NMiiiiiMilnviwttntaniitM iHHkMim iih mi im mmm) Tr'r "i -i mtn I MCAL MAT BASEBALL YES, BASEBALL! YANKEES AND PHILLIES HOME SCHEDULES AVAILABLE NOW! METS AND ORIOLES HOME GAMES AND OUR POPULAR BASEBALL WEEKENDS COMING SOON! 1 80 Company Owned Stores, 8.