Friday, November 15, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Norm!

Flatley completes tricky dance around claim of $250 million deal

Britney Spears showed her mettle behind the wheel Wednesday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. COURTESY OF LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Michael Flatley tap-danced around the question: Could he provide numbers to back a claim that his "Lord of the Dance" show at The Venetian is a $250 million deal?

That would make it, by far, the biggest entertainment deal in Strip history, but there are doubters.

I caught up to Flatley after Wednesday's opening-night performance and mentioned that many longtime local showbiz observers say the claim is malarkey, considering it would be more than double Celine Dion's record three-year, $100 million deal.

"I can't go into details," said Flatley, but he told of a five-year deal that soon will go to 14 shows weekly from nine. But he said he's confident the show, which ran at 84 percent occupancy for four years at New York-New York until July, has lots of legs left.

The Venetian's 1,000-seat showroom, the same size as New York-New York's, can be expanded by another 400 seats. But with tickets at $75, history suggests it will be a tough nut to crack, even with The Venetian reportedly coming on board in a big way to help market the show.

That's news in itself. A feud between The Venetian and Richard Heftel, who has a long-term lease on the showroom, had risen to where The Venetian was doing little to boost acts in the room.

Heftel declined to shed any light on the "$250 million deal." He referred questions to Flatley's PR company but added, "I think we're all getting along well, and I'm very optimistic about hotel support. I think we should see some positive synergy. "

Fast Britney

Britney Spears' life in the fast lane topped out Wednesday at 118 mph during four hours at the Richard Petty Driving Experience on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval.

That's the word from our spies after the recording artist showed up to prepare for another big-screen venture. She will play the daughter of a successful, modern-day NASCAR team owner.

Spears, who turns 21 on Dec. 1, burned up the 1.5-mile track in No. 36, a yellow Winston Cup stock car with M&M decals on it.

Hey, the kid can drive. She didn't stall the car once while exiting the pit area. She took 30-some laps, about 20 solo.

Managing the Green

Tiger Woods has mastered the game of money management.

The golf gazillionaire was gambling at $10,000 a hand Tuesday at the MGM Grand's Mansion when a cocktail server brought drinks to him and his girlfriend.

Woods fished in his pocket, came up with a $5 bill and placed it on the server's tray. Then his girlfriend pointed out he already had tipped her.

Without a word, he reached over and took back the tip.

The Scene and Heard

Marriage rumors are all the rage: Hilton headliner Sheena Easton reportedly tied the knot Saturday with local plastic surgeon John Minoli, and there's a buzz out of Los Angeles that Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal is eyeing a Las Vegas wedding. ...

With the Rolling Stones at a private party Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel, and the Palms celebrating its first anniversary, it will be celebfest weekend. Plus there's the star-studded event at Light (Bellagio) being hosted by supermodel Naomi Campbell. Invitees include Leonardo DiCaprio, Benecio Del Toro, J.C. Chasez of 'N Sync, and the cast of "That '70s Show." Sunday night: DJ Hurricane from the Beastie Boys.

Sightings

DiCaprio and his posse, celebrating his 28th birthday with a memorable bash Thursday night in the "Real World" (high roller) suites at the Palms. First they dined at N9NE, the Palms' steakhouse. ... LaToya Jackson, back in town after spending almost a year in Los Angeles and Europe working on an album.

The Punch Line

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." -- Woody Allen

Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can reach him at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.