Performers collaborate on show

It could be exhausting to plan, execute and star in your own show, but Will Roya is young and full of energy.

At 27, he is the youngest producer in town. And at least this time around, he has full control of his operation. Roya, who was responsible for such productions as "V," the "Ultimate Variety Show" at the New Frontier, has now spawned yet another hybrid of his original variety show vision. "Spotlight," shown at the Bourbon Street Hotel, is a finely tuned collaboration between Roya and Michael Johns, a comedian whose resume consists of performances at places such as Bally's, Paris Las Vegas, Caesars Palace and The Venetian.

Johns, who plays host in the nightly show that's dark only Fridays and will offer two show times as of the end of July, said his and Roya's plans of someday producing a huge show on the Strip are just beginning. For now the duo hosts a steadily increasing 80 to 120 people per show.

The pair's initial meeting took place when Johns was seeking a producer for a show he was involved with. Roya's name was mentioned over and over as the person to know.

"I met (Roya) last year," Johns said. "When he did 'V' at the Frontier, he mortgaged his house to try to keep it going. You just don't find that every day."

Thus began a thriving partnership. Bourbon Street handed the two a room, which they had to fill it with their own equipment, staff, which consists of themselves and Roya's wife, Jessica, who Roya says is the glue that holds everything together.

Next came the search for well-respected performers. Despite the fact that Roya occasionally crawls on the floor in order to fix a sound problem or other minor issue, the show goes off without a hitch.

He could easily dominate the new show with his comedic antics, but Johns prefers to let the performers, new ones each week for the most part, please the crowd. Roya often comes in for the last act as "Silly Willy," sometimes for damage control. Because Bourbon Street covers the gamut in terms of an audience, their reactions to some of the acts could go either way.

"I draw a young crowd usually, and this is more of a mixed one," Johns said. "I call Will the hammer because although different people respond differently to different acts, we get a solid performance from him. Sometimes I think without him we wouldn't have a show."

Roya takes audition tapes and resumes from performers all over the country, many of whom he already knew as a performer, to star in shows for weeklong periods.

Magicians, contortionists and many other specialty acts grace the stage each night. Many have asked if they could return for more than a week. That's how Johns and Roya know they made the right decision.

"I was sick of promoting ungrateful entertainers," Roya said. "We were worried about having our own show at first. I decided if I want to have more control, I have to be in it."

Johns said he and Roya also feed off of each other, both on stage and off. They can be found judging each other's performances behind the scenes and interrupting each other during their introductions.

"We have absolutely no problems critiquing each other backstage," said Roya, who's performed in more than 2,000 shows. "That's how people get better."

Although both partners have big plans for their futures in Las Vegas, Roya said he doesn't necessarily want to be a star.

"I'm just trying to make a living doing this," he said. Johns, on the other hand, is chomping at the bit.

"We're making traffic here," he said. "If we do that at Bourbon Street, imagine what we could do at a bigger venue."

Tickets for "Spotlight" are $39.95. Children age 12 and younger are free, one for each adult admission.


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