STRIP SCRIBBLES
*It’s only taken eight years but congratulations are in order for Anita Mann, the producer of the Fantasy topless cabaret revue at the Luxor because Britain’s most famous theatrical impresario, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom, Cats, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) selected her musical Imagine This to open in London’s West End this fall as the replacement for Trevor Nunn’s Gone With the Wind musical. Anita told me she’d begun work on the unique and unusual love story set in Warsaw, Poland back in 2000. They were ready to roll with it on Broadway but the attacks of 9/11 halted her plans. It’s taken all this time for them to get back into the rotation and even now Lord Webber jumped her show over five others competing!
Meantime in other musical notes The Musical Journey of Oz Composer Harold Arlen makes its debut at the Green Isles casino hotel just off Strip this Saturday for a one month run. American Idol music producer Nigel Wright has teamed with Arlen’s son, jazz saxophonist Sam Arlen who provides the narrative and anecdotes of his father’s life and my neighbor George Bugatti’s Three Crooners who sing the songs of Arlen’s prolific songbook. Harold Arlen was one of the 20th Century’s most significant songwriters responsible for “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “ Stormy Weather,” “Old Black Magic,” “One for My Baby” and “Come Rain or Come Shine” amongst a thousand others! Go support this show because its something very unique to our Vegas entertainment landscape.
*Happy 1st Birthday to the baby dolphin at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret garden at The Mirage and the marine-life staff there ensured all the toys were on hand for a special celebration.
The legendary illusionists will unveil another new animal surprise later today (THURS) and you’ll be able to see them starting Friday, also at The Mirage! Meantime, in this special “animal story wrap-up,” the killer komodo dragon, sometimes hailed as the world’s most dangerous animal makes its deadly debut at the Sharkreef exhibit at Mandalay Bay.
I only have one question: who is the unlucky staffer who has to feed it?
*Flair bartender extraordinaire Rodrigo Delpech was crowned champion at the Ultimate Flair Bartending Championship held at Harrah’s Carnival Court. Last year he wound up third in the contest but this year he beat out 60 other bartenders from around the world to win the $25,000 grand prize.
*From the Surveillance File: Upcoming Flamingo headliners Morris Day and his group The Time have arrived at the resort casino and began checking out the attractions there with a first stop at the midnight topless cabaret revue show of the “X” Burlesque dancers. … Celebrity turntable twister DJ AM celebrated the birthday of his best pal, Tabu’s Rok Box resident DJ Scotty Boy who took the night off but still hit his ultra lounge for the “Happy Birthday” sing along and Dan Henderson, former Olympic wrestler and current Mixed Martial Arts fighter joined in the fun.
*Elvis Presley look-alikes were the center of attention at the Fremont Street Experience party to closeout the 40th annual Travel Industry Association International Pow Wow.
The five-hour long party stretched out over four-city blocks with tribute bands and performers, including a Tina Turner artist, a stunt show and the tribute to rock’s supreme royals Queen. It was the first time in 19 years that the 6,000 world travel delegates had returned to Vegas and they were wowed by the dazzling 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen.