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Murray SawChuck to be Roastmaster for The Showbiz Roast of Oscar Goodman at The Stratosphere July 23

Comedy Illusionist and Tropicana headliner Murray SawChuck takes on the role of Roastmaster at The Showbiz Roast of Oscar Goodman at The Stratosphere on July 23. Murray will run the show as a dozen or so Las Vegas celebrities Roast (all in good nature, of course) former Mob lawyer and Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman.

Murray remarked, “I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to be the ‘Roastmaster’ for Oscar Goodman’s roast! He is an Icon of Las Vegas and has really made a big difference in Sin City. I’m a huge fan of the Mob and the Old School history of Las Vegas. It’s going to be a wonderful night of good laughs with a GIANT of Las Vegas!”

The Roasters include Mac King (The Mac King show, Harrahs), Chef Carla Pellegrino (Bravo Top Chef ), Clint Holmes (The Smith Center), The Amazing Johnathan, Zowie Bowie (Red Rock Casino), Heidi Harris (790 Talk Now), Lola The Showgirl (aka Penny Wiggins), Chet Buchanan (98.5 KLUC), The Phat Pack (The Plaza Casino), Norm Clarke (Review Journal), impressionist Rich Little and actress/singer Pia Zadora.

Asked how he’ll control the Roasters when they start ‘telling it like it is’, Murray explained, “Some things have changed this time. The show will be shorter and much tighter than the first roast. Everyone is being given a 3 minute time limit and if they exceed that the podium will actually come to life and make sure you are done at 3 minutes. It’s important to keep the show moving and really make this entertaining from start to finish!”

Murray continued, “This will definitely be one night not to miss. Everyone who is the ‘Who’s Who’ of Las Vegas will be there!”

The Showbiz Roast of Oscar Goodman will benefit Oscar Goodman’s charity of choice, The Miracle League of Las Vegas. President Tim McGarry started this local branch of the nationally known organization that enables children with cognitive and or physical challenges to play baseball on a unique cushioned field at its facility The Miracle League Engelstad family park in Las Vegas.

Oscar Goodman was born and raised in Philadelphia, graduated from Haverford College and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He and his wife (current Mayor of Las Vegas) Carolyn Goodman have four children.

During his career as a defense attorney he represented defendants accused of being some of the leading organized crime figures in Las Vegas, such as Meyer Lansky, Nicky Scarfo, Herbert “Fat Herbie” Blitzstein, Phil Leonetti, former Stardust Casino boss Frank ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal, and Jamiel “Jimmy” Chagra. One of his notorious clients was reputed Chicago mobster Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro, who was known to have a short and violent temper. In the semi-factual 1995 movie Casino, the character of Nicky Santoro was based on Spilotro and portrayed by actor Joe Pesci. Goodman had a cameo appearance in the film as himself while defending “Ace Rothstein”, a character closely based on Lefty Rosenthal and played by Robert De Niro.

Goodman was elected mayor of Las Vegas on June 8, 1999 and re-elected to a second four-year term in 2003. On April 3, 2007, he was re-elected to a third and final term. Las Vegas law prevents the mayor, who has been called the town’s “most popular mayor” from serving more than three terms.

What is being called “The Show before the Show“, the pre-Roast party will be an extravaganza of entertainment in itself with many strolling look-a-like performers bringing classic Vegas showbiz legends back to life including Sammy Davis and Dean Martin, Elvis and, of course, Liberace will be there playing his piano. There will be showgirls, puppets, artist Jimmy Mulligan painting a large scale portrait of Oscar Goodman, a Red Carpet comedy troupe, a Vegas entertainers-themed photo booth, a DJ and even a Vegas showbiz-themed Robot. The Pre-show party takes place in the Stratosphere Theater Lobby area.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TIME: Red Carpet 9:30pm, Pre-show party at 9.30pm, Roast at 10.45pm, after-party immediately following show at the Level 107 Lounge.

RED CARPET: 9;30pm–10:40pm In addition to the roasters, many local celebrities are expected to walk the red carpet and be guests in the predominantly show business industry audience.

TICKETS: Tickets are $30 and $40 VIP plus tax. Visit the Stratosphere’s Ticket Center, phone 702-380-7777 or click here.

MORE INFO:  Visit the Showbiz Roast Official Site.

VENUE: Stratosphere Theater, on the second floor of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. Please use the escalators near Roxy’s Diner and Ticketing. For more information about the Stratosphere, visit StratosphereHotel.com, call 702-380-7777 or 800-99-TOWER (998-6937).

AWE Andy Walmsley Entertainment. Emmy award winning Andy Walmsley has production designed some of the biggest shows on Television: American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and The Biggest Loser to name a few. In Las Vegas Andy has designed Terry Fator, Human Nature, Divas, Nathan Burton, Jeff Civillico, America’s Got Talent Live and many more. Andy previously produced the Showbiz Roast of Zowie Bowie and is currently preparing for the third roast which will take place at the Stratosphere on Oct 4. The subject of the third Roast will be announced at the end of the Roast of Oscar Goodman.