“Mama
Mia” Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
After
2,500 performances, “Mama Mia,” the musical based on the songs of Abba,
celebrates its fifth year running at the Mandalay Bay Theater on the Las Vegas
Blvd. Strip.
The
uplifting musical, originally scheduled to close its engagement in August, will
now run through Jan 4, 2009. Never before in the history of Las Vegas has a
musical been so successful—playing to 2 million guests.
I spoke
to two of the cast members—Robin Baxter (Rosie) and Ron McClary (Bill).
“It’s
been a grand time here in Las Vegas,” said McClary. “This musical plays to all
segments of our society, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely,” he added.
Baxter,
who plays a comical character excellently, said this musical gives her a chance
to express herself freely. “It allows you to bring out the best in yourself and
do some of your own antics.”
“Mama
Mia” has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide, and with three companies
currently playing North America, the smash musical has more productions playing
around the world than any other Broadway musical.
The
celebration had a cake cutting ceremony at the House of Blues and a reunion of
old cast members.
“Mama
Mia” was inspired by the storytelling magic of Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’
songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendships
unfolding on a Greek island.
On the
eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father
brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20
years ago. Abba’s mega-hit songs, “Dancing Queen,” “Winner Takes All,” “Money,
Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” are featured in the remarkable musical.
“Mama
Mia” is being adapted for film and being produced by Judy Craymer and Gary
Goetzman. Release date is set for summer, and it stars Meryl Streep and an
all-star cast featuring Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard,
Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried, and Dominic Cooper. Tickets
for the musical are available by calling 800-632-7000.
Joe
Jackson Expands Past Music Dynasty
Check
this out, friends. I called Joe Jackson—patriarch of the family of Michael,
Janet, Jermaine, and the rest of the singing and dancing dynasty—to see how
things were going health-wise for him. Joe’s sugar level was up recently. I also
invited him out to dinner.
Instead, Joe said he’s taking me to dinner after I get out of the hospital.
Hospitals have their
good and bad points, but you can’t go wrong with UCLA in Torrance, especially
with Dr. Roma Konijeti.
Fortunately, Joe is busy these days. He has a clothing line coming out next
year—casual jeans, that is. And he’s working some business deals in oil and
diamonds. “Pete, I’m going to South Africa and Thailand. I’ve got some heavy
business deals, and you know the record business is bad: Records aren’t
selling.” I then said to Joe, “What about Michael? He’s recording a new CD over
at the Palms Hotel in their studio.”
He
briskly answered, “Pete, how many Michael’s are there in the world?”
He’s
right. Only a few recording artists sell records; I mean big time. You know the
names: Usher, Nelly, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and other dynamos. Just
think of all the people who are not selling records. Like Joe says, you make it
on your personal appearances.
I must
admit that this conversation with Joe was for another reason. You see, I got a
call from the legendary agent Ruth Bowen, who currently handles Aretha Franklin
and has booked just about everybody, including Michael Jackson in his early days
with the Jackson 5. In any event, Bowen, who also handles the Aruba Music
Festival, which I believe starts the end of November. She asked me to find out
who books Michael and to contact Joe for her, so I called him to ask him, and
Joe said, “Michael doesn’t want to be found by anyone.”
So here
we are looking for Michael Jackson’s agent to offer Michael $750,000 to play a
concert in Aruba, with his own private jet and villa, and for him to select the
charity of his choice to receive the proceeds of the fundraising concert. That’s
unfortunate that no one wants to cooperate in negotiations, because $750,000 for
a concert would suit just about anybody these days.
I even
put a call in to George Maloof, owner of the Palms. His executive assistant said
he wasn’t available. That’s also unfortunate, because I’ve known George and his
family since they built their first hotel-casino, the Fiesta, on North Rancho.
Well, the moral of this story is that money doesn’t buy everything, even when
it’s for a good cause.
Pole
Position Raceway — a Winner
The
new indoor go cart raceway, Pole Position Raceway, located on Arville, just
south of W. Flamingo held its grand opening recently. It was attended by
heavyweights from the racing industry, including brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch,
Al Unser Jr., Paul Tracy, Robbie Gordon, along with ESPN sportscaster
Jamie Little, who was born and raised in Las Vegas. Steve Harwell from the group
Smash Mouth also attended.
Little,
who is one of the stockholders, along with Kurt Busch and Bryan Kroten, was very
enthusiastic about the facility.
“This is
a great way for kids to use their energy in a positive environment,” said
Little.
The
gorgeous sportscaster also said that this is the third facility in the country
that has all-electric cars. That means no gas fumes, and the carts go up to 45
mph.
Al Unser
Jr., who had his son with him, said he was impressed with the safety procedures
of the track and the electric carts. According to Kurt Busch, Pole Position
Raceway is one of the few companies that have electric carts in an indoor
facility. In fact, these particular carts are controlled electrically so they
can be shut down at any given time for safety precautions.
The cost
for 12 laps is $25, and the track is open from 10:00 a.m. until midnight from
Mon. to Thurs. and until 1:00 a.m. Fri. and Sat. For info call (702) 227-7223.
Photo Credit Bennie E Palmore II
Biz
Pictures Releases Love*com DVD
Viz
Pictures, an affiliate of Viz Media LLC, focuses on Japanese, live-action film
distribution and has announced DVD release of a romantic live-action comedy,
“Love*com the Movie.”
San-Francisco-based Viz Pictures is retailing the DVD for $24.98. The movie
(short for Lovely Complex) centers on two high school students. Risa Koizumi (Ema
Fujisawa) is the tallest girl in the class, and the last thing she wants is the
humiliation of standing next to Atsushi Otani (Teppei Koike), the shortest guy.
But fate and the whole school have other ideas, and the two find themselves cast
as the unwilling stars of a bizarre romantic comedy duo.
As their
friendship blossoms, so do Risa’s feelings toward Otani. “Love*com” examines the
common, yet often complicated, feelings and comedic moments of the experience of
people of different heights dating. A girl rejects Otani because of short
stature, and he thinks he looks peculiar with a taller girlfriend.
The
original “Love*com” series author, Aya Nakara was awarded the prestigious
Shogakukan Manga award in 2004 and sold over 10 million copies in Japan. The
website for more info is www.Lovecomthemovie.com.
Photo:
Ema Fujisawa and Teppei Koike in “Love*com, The Movie.”
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My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
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