May '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 05-16-09

Comeback gigs booked at bar

Sarah Todora, who went from the brink of homelessness to Las Vegas headliner and back to the mean streets, is making a comeback.

The 21-year-old blues singer from Louisiana is booked for four consecutive Saturdays, starting May 23, at the E String Grill & Poker Bar, 2031 W Sunset Road, in Henderson.

Todora and her father, Phil, moved here in 2005, after leaving Louisiana the day before Hurricane Katrina hit. Their plan was to settle in Las Vegas and get her music career established.

Shortly after arriving, their 20-year-old car was stolen and they had to join the food lines for the homeless.

A guest appearance at the Bootlegger Bistro put Sarah and her talent on the radar. After locals held several fundraisers for the Todoras, they landed in a multi-million condo at Turnberry, thanks to an anonymous donor later identified as Bill Fry.

"Bill saved us from being homeless," Sarah said.

Eight months after arriving here, she landed a gig in the Sahara's Casbar Lounge. Two months later she was booked to open for Al Green at the House of Blues here.

Then came the fall. A friend introduced her to crystal methamphetamine and her career disappeared.

When we caught up to her last July, she had been drug-free for almost a year. To make ends meet, she was working at M&M's World, greeting visitors while wearing the M&M costume in 100-degree heat.

At her first rehearsal on the comeback trail, she said she had a combination of "nervousness and goosebumps."

DARIN BENEFIT

Former Bobby Darin band member Bill McCubbin, who organized this Sunday's "Music From the Heart" benefit that honors Darin's music, hopes to turn it into an annual event.

The 2004 film "Beyond the Sea" sparked a resurgence in interest in Darin, said McCubbin, who played bass for Darin for three years before his death in 1973 at age 37.

Darin was the complete package, said McCubbin.

"He had it all across the board: the humor, comedy, music ability, he played 6-7 instruments and danced," said McCubbin, adding, "Sammy Davis Jr. once said Bobby was the only performer he never wanted to follow on stage."

Darin's last Las Vegas performance was at the Hilton in 1973, McCubbin said.

Proceeds go to the Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada. Doors open at 5 at the South Point showroom, with the show at 6 p.m.

The Scene And Heard

The Abba tribute group Abbacadabra has a June 12 through 14 weekend engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton. The group is managed by Mirage Tribute Bands, a company formed by Jerry Greenberg and James Elliot. Greenberg's involvement completes a circle. He was president of Atlantic Records in 1974 when he signed Abba to its first U.S. deal. ...

Steve Schirripa's life after "The Sopranos" continues to sizzle. The former Riviera entertainment director is hosting a new prime time Las Vegas-set poker show for NBC, called "Face the Ace," beginning in August. He's landed a role in "The Irishman," which co-stars Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer. Meanwhile, he's on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" with Molly Ringwald and recently shot his 44th appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Sightings

At the opening night of "The Lion King" on Friday: composer Quincy Jones, Siegfried & Roy and many from the original creative team, including creator/director Julie Taymor; choreographer Garth Fagan; book writers Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi; scenic designer Richard Hudson; and Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theatrical Group. ... George Clooney and director Jason Reitman, at the "Up in the Air" wrap party at Rare 120 Steakhouse (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday. Clooney was seen shaking hands with fans on the casino floor. They were also seen at Caramel Lounge at Bellagio. ... Famed director Taymor, taking a break from "The Lion King" to attend the 9:30 p.m. Thursday performance of "Love" (Mirage). She was accompanied by composer Elliot Goldenthal.

Sunday 05-17-09

'Lion King' breaks Strip time barrier

The main hurdle "The Lion King" will have to leap will be the test of time: 2 ½ hours of it, to be precise.

A full hour longer than the long-held preference in this city for 90-minute shows, "The Lion King" may be the rare exception, and associate director John Stefaniuk has a quick response for doubters.

"It's shorter," he said, "than 'Mamma Mia!"

The ABBA-inspired musical hit lasted almost six years at Mandalay Bay, a run that covered 2,200 performances and sold 2 million tickets.

Fifteen minutes already have been cut from "Lion King's" Broadway edition, Stefaniuk said Friday at the opening night after-party.

One got the impression that Disney has dug in its heels at further trims.

SONG PROJECT

Danny Gans' band is going back to work.

They are joining Elvis tribute artist Paul Casey in a recording studio this week to work on a Casey-penned song he hopes will rival Elvis' "Viva Las Vegas."

Casey said he wrote "Only Las Vegas" about eight years ago but didn't get the inspiration to record it until the recession hit the city.

He described the song as "a high energy tune with horns that throw you back like a ride in a Ferrari. It's the essence of what Vegas is all about."

"Kermit the Frog could sing it, and it would be a hit," added Casey, who recruited many of the town's top musicians, including Gans' band, for the project.

Casey wrote the theme song "The Traveler" for the 2006 "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Collier & Company," starring John Schneider.

The Scene And Heard

Art Manteris, Station Casinos' vice president of race and sports book operations, has installed Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra a 3-2 favorite over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. ...

The NHL is branding a Toronto Globe and Mail report as "entirely fictitious" that the Phoenix Coyotes could be heading for Las Vegas in a couple years. The scenario involves an escape clause that eventually would allow the team to be purchased by movie and TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Harry Sloan, CEO of MGM studios, and be moved to Nevada. ...

Bridesmaids at the wedding of ex-Chippendale Bryan Cheatham and Lauren Smith sashayed down the aisle to Beyoncé's hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It") on Saturday at the International Church of Las Vegas.

Sightings

Tiger Woods, with a group in the private dining room Friday at Charlie Palmer Steak in the Four Seasons. In the main dining room: tennis star Lindsay Davenport. ... Actress Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, with friends Friday at Rain (Palms). ... At Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday: cast members of "The Hangover," in town for a celebrity poker tournament at Caesars Palace. Among the group: Heather Graham, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Bradley Cooper. ... Crooner Tony Bennett, singing his greatest hits today at Sheldon Cloobeck's 76th birthday party at XS nightclub (Encore). Stephen and Chantal Cloobeck hosted the party for 100. ... Home run king Barry Bonds, having lunch Saturday at Simon at Palms Place. ... Shannon Elizabeth with boyfriend and "Dancing with the Stars" partner Derek Hough, having a cocktail Friday in Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn). ... At opening night of "The Lion King": cat lover Roy Horn, wearing a jacket featuring the face of a lion on the back.


Monday 05-18-09

'Lion' child lead shows big talent File this name away for future reference: Ruby E. Crawford, one of two actors who play young Nala, the child lead, in the first half of "The Lion King." She's the latest child-star-in-the-making represented by Philadelphia agent Nancy Carson. Crawford, 11, plays the young lioness and childhood pal of future lion king Simba in the new Disney production at Mandalay Bay. Two years ago Crawford made her Broadway debut in "The Color Purple" with "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino. During her 10 months with "Purple," she also appeared with another "Idol" alum, Jennifer Hudson, in the "Sex and the City" film. She's already scouted out the scariest roller coaster in town. "New York-New York, 203-foot drop," she gushed. Given Carson's track record when it comes to young talent with sky-high potential, Crawford will no doubt soon appear on the radar of Hollywood talent scouts. Carson, who owns New York-based Carson-Adler Agency, represented Britney Spears, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Ben Stiller when they were kids. Crawford's big personality doesn't shut down off stage. Within a few minutes after our introduction at the opening night after-party at Mix, the North Carolina youngster offered to introduce this columnist to her co-stars. Off we went, weaving through the large crowd, with Crawford making introduction after introduction, including leads Kissy Simmons (Nala) and Clifton Oliver (Simba). Simmons bursts onto the scene early in the second half, with a stunning athleticism that made her a Florida state champion in track. Oliver said the chemistry between Nala and Simba has pleased the production's brain trust. "They said we light up the stage and they've added more (to the characters)," said Oliver, who played Simba in the Broadway production. The Scene And Heard Donny Osmond told Entertainment Tonight, in segments that aired Friday and Sunday, that ailing "Charlie's Angels" icon Farrah Fawcett recently called and requested that a clip of her appearance on the very first episode of ABC's "Donny and Marie" show in 1976 be sent to her. In the clip, Fawcett is seen dancing onstage with Donny and Marie. Fawcett is battling terminal cancer. ... Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical ("The Lion King"), took time off from her next big Broadway project -- the musical "Spider-Man" -- to attend opening weekend of "The Lion King" in Las Vegas. The buzz is building over "Spider-Man," in part because it is being scored by U-2's Bono and The Edge. It opens in February. Sightings At Tiger Jam on Saturday at Mandalay Bay: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson, and NBA standouts Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning. Roethlisberger later made an appearance at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) and Wade was with Gabrielle Union at Rain (Palms). ... Also at the Palms: Retired NHL star Adam Oates, at Nove Italiano; slugger Barry Bonds, with friends partying at the Playboy Club on Saturday and later at Moon; former University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian at N9NE Steakhouse. ... At Shecky Greene's performance Saturday at the Suncoast: Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and Lorraine and Dennis Bono. ... At The Bank (Bellagio) on Saturday: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, with Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass, sharing a bottle of Rumplemintz. ... Sean "Diddy" Combs, at Sapphire men's club on Saturday with a group after earlier hosting at Wet Republic at MGM Grand. ... Baseball great Greg Maddux, at the Vinter Grill in a foursome on Friday.

Tuesday 05-19-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 05-20-09

This could be it for local dancer

Danielle Rueda-Watts, a former "Zumanity" dancer, has landed one of the 12 coveted spots on the dance troupe for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" comeback.

The past two years, Rueda-Watts has won the Pole-A-Palooza, a cabaret-style acrobatic pole dance competition at The Bank at Bellagio.

She might be a popular subject with the British tabloids. After winning Pole-A-Palooza 2009, she listed her occupation as a dancer at The Penthouse Club.

A former resident of Somerville, Mass., Rueda-Watts took dance at The Boston Conservatory and studied aerial acrobatics in Canada before moving to Las Vegas to join "Zumanity."

Jackson chose his 12 dancers from more than 5,000 applications. Eight of the 12 live in the United States. Besides Rueda-Watts, there's Charles Klapow, Ricardo Reid, Tyne Stecklein, Misha Hamilton, Mekia Cox, Nicholas Base and Christopher Grant.

Klapow, a Grammy-winning choreographer for "High School Musical," formerly danced in Celine Dion shows. Stecklein, of Colorado, has performed in Las Vegas, and Cox had a role in CBS' short-lived musical dramedy "Viva Laughlin."

The cast of Cirque du Soleil's "KA" (MGM Grand) has high hopes that castmate Noriko Takahashi, former world champion baton twirlist, might be hearing from Jackson or his reps.

When he lived in Las Vegas, Jackson had raves for Takahashi during his numerous visits and backstage chats.

"He was infatuated with her," a spy told me, and he even inquired about flying her to Los Angeles.

Jackson launches his comeback at London's O2 Arena on July 8.

VIVA LA SAHARA

Sahara management took issue with my perception in last Friday's column that the Sahara "you once knew" is on its last legs.

Bill Tremper, vice president of sales and marketing, said the rumors are "false."

The Sahara, he wrote in an e-mail, "is not now, and nor in the near future planning a property closure. In fact with our recent updates to the Nascar Café and full list of casino events and promotions including multiple cruise giveaways, and a sold out slot tournaments, the Sahara is as alive and active as ever.

"Just as in all hotels, some outlets have received brief scheduled down time when regularly planned maintenance and updates are performed to prepare for upcoming busy periods.

"While investments are continually being made to keep a full list of exciting events lined up for the Sahara, including participating as an official sponsor hotel for Bikefest 2009, the hotel is proud to have the full support of its senior management and has experienced relatively no turnover."

The Scene And Heard

Kiefer Sutherland, the star of the hit show "24," is rumored to be the front-runner to emcee the 2009 NHL Awards at the Palms' concert venue, The Pearl...

Happy birthday to Cher, who will mark No. 63 tonight at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Sixty three years ago, the revival of Kern & Hammerstein's "Showboat" had Broadway abuzz, and in Memphis, Tenn., a young blues singer named B.B. King was starting his career. Also born on May 20: first lady Dolley Madison, 1768; French novelist Honoré de Balzac, 1799; actor Jimmy Stewart, 1908; Israeli war hero Moshe Dayan, 1915; singer Joe Cocker, 1944, and NASCAR star Tony Stewart, 1971. ...

An "American Idol" viewing party hosted by "Peepshow" singer Josh Strickland, an "Idol" alum from Season 2, will be held at 8 p.m. today at the Extra! Lounge at Planet Hollywood. He will be accompanied by several "Peepshow" Girls for the season finale.

Sightings

Six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Layne Flack and fellow poker ace Gavin Smith, celebrating Layne's 40th birthday at Sapphire on Monday night.

Thursday 05-21-09

Fans to pay tribute at Gans memorial

Speakers for Danny Gans' memorial today will run the gamut from Steve and Elaine Wynn to Mayor Oscar Goodman to entertainers Donny and Marie Osmond.

The 3 p.m. service will be held in the 1,600-seat Encore Theater, Gans' former showroom.

The celebrity vocal impressionist will be remembered for his grit that lifted him from a career-ending baseball injury to a 13-year headliner run as one of the top acts in Las Vegas.

He died at his home of unknown causes on May 1. He was 52.

The Clark County coroner has not released an official cause of death and said it could be weeks before toxicology reports are made public.

Originally announced as an invitation-only gathering, the memorial will include some fans, firefighters and police who were offered complimentary tickets this week.

The Web site Showtickets4locals.com, co-owned by Gans and his manager Chip Lightman and other partners, offered the tickets several days this week via e-mail.

DUKING IT OUT

Annie Duke has recruited 20 Joan Rivers impersonators to go head-to-head with poker players in a charity event next week at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Before beating Duke in Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" earlier this month, the trash-talking Rivers raised the hackles of the poker nation by referring to poker players as "white trash" and "mafia."

The event, which will feature Duke and longtime Rivers impersonator Frank Marino together on the red carpet, will benefit Duke's pet project, Refugees International.

Rivers sued Marino, the lead of "An Evening at La Cage" for 20-plus years, for $5 million in 1986 for impersonating her.

The case was settled out of court. "The only thing she was able to copyright was 'Can we talk?" said Marino.

The red carpet begins at 5 p.m. with a lineup of top poker pros.

The public can participate in the $200 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold 'em tourney.

The Scene And Heard

A very public, high-profile spat in the casino at Wynn Las Vegas has the staff on edge this week. It happened Monday night, in front of shocked employees. ... Michael Jackson's comeback readiness came into question Wednesday when it was announced that a number of his opening-week concerts in London have been postponed until next year.

Producers are saying Jackson's health is not an issue; they say it's a case of needing more time to put the show together.

Sightings

Sports broadcaster Bob Costas, at George Wallace's show (Flamingo) on Wednesday. They're old friends from their New York City years. ... Holly Madison, in the crowd at the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and her partner Mark Ballas won the competition. ... Disney's "Cheetah Girls" Kiely Williams and Sabrina Bryan, at the 7 p.m. performance Wednesday of "Criss Angel Believe" at Luxor.

Friday 05-22-09

Family never knew of any health woe

Danny Gans' family never had an inkling that he had a serious health problem.

Not once?

"Never!" his son, Andrew, 19, said firmly, after Thursday's memorial for his father at the Encore Theater. It came as a complete shock, said Andrew in the first interview granted by a family member since Danny Gans' death.

"We knew he had high blood pressure but was taking something to control that, and he had to watch what he ate."

So what about the reports that his father wasn't feeling well prior to his death and seemed to be sending signals to close friends that he was aware something was seriously wrong?

"There are some bad..." he said, searching for the right word, "rumors out there."

Meanwhile, the family awaits toxicology results, hoping for medical answers.

During our 10-minute walk from the theater to the reception area, Andrew disclosed that his father was pleased with a career decision his son had recently made.

Andrew told his dad he was going to acting school this summer in Hollywood. He started taking acting lessons about three months ago.

"He was really happy for me and told me 'Do whatever you want to do and go wherever God takes you," said Andrew, who, like his father, was drafted by a major league baseball team.

The Gans family wore black and red to the memorial, Gans' favorite colors and the combination he wore on stage through most of his 13 years as a Las Vegas headliner.

Wife Julie also wore her late husband's wedding ring over hers and a dog tag-like necklace with the initials "DG," a gift she had made for him.

They had met in college at San Luis Obispo, after she noticed Gans staring at her while she was hanging out with friends.

"We named him 'Joe Ferramina' because he looked Italian," said Julie, in between being greeted by well-wishers.

After they met, he told her he noticed her because of her laugh. "He said that I would be a good audience."

They got married four years to the day after they met. Over the years, he called her "Jo" and she called him "Joey," as in Joey Ferramina.

Their oldest child, Amy, 21, wore a red sash with a black dress. She's enrolled at UNLV's hotel school, majoring in meetings and events, with a minor in entertainment.

Emily, 14, wore red cowboy boots with her black dress. Andrew was in his dad's signature black-and-white shoes, known as Spectators, along with the red socks his dad wore every night.

All three went to the stage to talk about their father. When they left the stage, Andrew hung back.

"I wanted his shoes to be the last ones to leave the stage," he said.

The Scene And Heard

The massive 75,000-square foot "Transformers 2" wrap that covers most of the east side of the Luxor might be just the beginning.

The Luxor is in talks with a major film studio to rent the surface for a year to promote multiple new films.

Millions of airline passengers annually view the Luxor from McCarran International Airport.

Luxor President Felix Rappaport said his vice president of marketing, Brad Goldberg, and Luxor partner Sky Tag "continue to use Luxor as the ultimate marketing and advertising 'canvas.' " He added, "As Brad always says, 'If you've got the cash, we've got the glass.' "

May I Recommend...

The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has unveiled its summer tribute. The features: sunflowers, a lemonade stand, a 42-foot-high Ferris wheel and an aviary with exotic birds.

Sightings

At Gans' memorial: entertainers Donny and Marie Osmond, Siegfried Fischbacher, Rita Rudner, Criss Angel, Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton, Earl Turner, Carrot Top, George Wallace, and The Scintas. Spotted at the reception held by the family in the Margaux room at Wynn: KVBC-TV, Channel 13 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, former Gov. Bob Miller (Andrew Gans attended Bob Miller Middle School), entertainer Gerry McCambridge, and Mitch Fox, host and producer of Nevada Week in Review. ... NBC sportcaster Bob Costas, dining with his wife at Wolfgang Puck's Postrio (Venetian) on Wednesday night.

Order Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales

Norm Clarke's newest book, Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales ($12.95, Stephens Press, February 2008), dishes up a feast from Sin City's Ace Insider on celeb's club hopping, spending sprees, outrageous behavior, feuds and meltdowns, and the best (and worst) tippers.