Go Gans Go
Danny Gans Turns Obstacles into Assets and Triumphs

Showbiz Magazine
By Hilary L. Green

Steve Wynn has always had an eye for talent. It doesn’t seem so long ago that he and Frank Sinatra were appearing in television commercials for the Mirage; it isn’t uncommon to see names such as Paul Anka on the resort’s marquee.

With a roster of hit shows that includes “Mystere,” Siegfried & Roy and “O,” it isn’t surprising that Wynn has picked another winner: Danny Gans. Wynn recently welcomed Gans to the luxurious new Danny Gans Theater – a $15 million custom-built theater for the Mirage’s new star. Gans has come home.

The journey home has been filled with ups and downs for Gans, who had planned a career in baseball. It was his childhood dream to play third base for the L.A. Dodgers. He and his dad practiced all the time, believing that effort would culminate in a professional contract. It did. When Gans was signed to play in the minor leagues, he was on his way to making his lifelong dream come true. Then, the unthinkable happened: Gans injured his Achilles tendon and a lifetime of aspirations came to a screeching halt.

With his abiding faith, words of encouragement from a stranger, and the love and support of his family, Gans shifted gears and poured his energy, heart and soul into pursuing a career as an entertainer. He spent 15 years on the road creating a nightclub act comprised of stand-up comedy, impressions and singing.

Gans’ efforts and focus produced results. He became the most sought-after performer in the prestigious area of corporate entertainment. International mega-corporations such as Heinz and IBM raved about his show, which he frequently performed in stadium-sized arenas.

But the pivotal moment in Gans’ career came when he saw Sammy Davis Jr. perform.

“That’s what I’m going to do,” Gans said to himself as he realized he could build a career by acting, dancing, singing, performing impressions, telling jokes and playing musical instruments.

Since then, Gans has risen to the top of his profession. He had his own one-man show on Broadway. He appeared in the hit movie Bull Durham as short stop Deke Rivers. And he has made numerous television appearances. But to Gans, finally settling down with his family and not having to travel means everything.

Gans had just released his first album, Brand New Dream. In a matter of weeks it had zoomed up the charts, prompting Gans to include numbers from the album in his act at the Mirage. In addition, Gans is in development with producer Aaron Spelling to shoot a pilot for a television show. Gans’ advance ticket sales topped the $1 million mark weeks before his show debuted in early April. He is thrilled to have found his new home at the Mirage, a company he refers to as “the premier name in the business.”

Every seat is a good seat in Gans’ new theater: all 1,260 of the stadium-style seats are within 75 feet of the stage, allowing every audience member an uninterrupted view of the show. Adding to the optimum view, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems ensure that each showgoer will enjoy a concert-quality experience.

When you see Danny Gans, “The Man of Many Voices” at the Mirage, expect an evening of entertainment that you will long remember.