Tuesday, February 04, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: MIKE WEATHERFORD

Dion coordinates several fronts for March 25 launch

The extent of the coordinated marketing plan for Celine Dion's new show at Caesars Palace became more apparent over the weekend, when the singer took part in a press junket at the hotel to launch her signature perfume.

The Celine Dion Parfums fragrance, body lotion and shower gel hit stores on March 25, which happens to be when "A New Day" debuts at Caesars Palace.

But wait, there's more. The singer's Web site (www.celinedion.com), reports that when Dion wasn't holding court with broadcast and print journalists about the Coty fragrance, she was using the rest of the weekend to shoot a video for her new single, "I Drove All Night."

That's the song affiliated with another campaign, for Chrysler, and the one already released to radio to pave the way for a new studio album, "One Heart," which arrives in stores -- don't all guess at once now -- March 25.

The singer told reporters that she had resisted previous overtures to have a signature fragrance. Even though "it's a dream for every woman to have a perfume," she had always thought it was something older celebrities did "when you can't think of anything else to do."

But she said she decided to celebrate a time when "I feel like I'm in the center of my life. ... I never knew as much in my life where I wanted to go."

Dion didn't spill many details about "A New Day," but did say what not to expect: A diva showcase, a la the recent Cher tour, where every song or two brings a new gown or costume.

The show is 90 minutes long, "which is short for me," she noted, "so I don't want to spend 15 minutes backstage trying to change."

She's also trying to figure out what's a sensible fashion choice when one is aloft, because director Franco Dragone "is trying to make me fly in the air." ...

The call to protect one freedom has been answered by a call to protect another in a recent petition drive concerning Penn & Teller.

A petition circulated by Al and Rita Cummins asserts that "one of our basic American Rights is freedom of religion," and that those who participated in a private roast last month of the Amazing Johnathan violated "the obligation to respect one another's faith, regardless of whether or not we agree with it."

The petition last week provoked the Riviera to announce it "certainly would have not allowed such an act to take place" had hotel staff received prior notice of Penn & Teller's lewd mockery of the crucifixion in the roast, which was part of a magic convention.

The drive cited Lance Burton by name in its call to "discontinue all support of those who participated or approved of this act."

The Monte Carlo magician's written response exercises "the rights of all individuals to express their beliefs even if I do not happen to agree with them."

Burton notes: "This event was a private function and was billed as a 'no-holds barred evening.' Everyone attending was warned that there may be offensive material."

But he goes beyond that to add: "Was Penn and Teller's presentation shocking? Yes! As a person of faith did I find it offensive? Yes!

"As a Christian what is my response? My faith teaches me to respond with love and forgiveness. Penn and Teller are my friends and I love them and God loves them. Other Christians may interpret the scriptures differently. That is their right." ...

The Lady Luck's teaming of former Temptations singers Glenn Leonard and Ali Woodson closed Friday. That's not a surprise, and neither is a lot of behind-the-scenes finger-pointing about who wronged whom.

After all, there were three degrees of detachment in a situation where one promotional team -- Geary Rindels and Steve Schirripa -- basically leased the entertainment venue from the hotel, then subleased it to the promoter of the show.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Sundays and Tuesdays.COMING WEDNESDAY