Saturday, July 24, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Look for a gay casino near you
Stage producer Norbert Aleman prepares for a grand entrance Thursday with contestants from The World's Most Beautiful Transsexual Pageant at the Riviera.
Photo by K.M. Cannon.
|
It's only a matter of time before Las Vegas has a gay casino, says Norbert Aleman, the French-born producer of the Riviera's long-running "An Evening at La Cage" and "Crazy Girls."
"It's not sex, it's business," said Aleman, the organizer behind The World's Most Beautiful Transsexual Pageant, which ends tonight.
Aleman unveiled plans Thursday at a news conference to offer the eight winners a show of their own, and another gay-themed "Show Boys" show is in the works as well, he said.
Aleman hinted that the first gay casino is in the works. The travel industry and other segments are tapping into the gay market, he said, noting the recent success of gay cruise ships.
Tonight's finals will be at the Royal Pavilion at the Riviera's Convention Center.
Horn photos
The first public photographs of illusionist Roy Horn have surfaced, showing what appears to be a splint on his paralyzed left arm and raising questions that he might have had recent surgery.
That's not the case, Siegfried & Roy's manager, Bernie Yuman, said Friday.
"He has had absolutely no procedures done since he returned in December. He's in great spirits and absolutely doing terrific," said Yuman.
"Entertainment Tonight," the syndicated weeknight program, ran the photographs during Friday's show.
Horn's arm was shown in a sling, but the splint was not mentioned during the show. Horn was photographed in an electric-powered wheelchair outside a physical therapy center in Las Vegas by an unidentified photographer sometime this week, according to "Entertainment Tonight."
Horn is working six-to-eight hours a day, said Yuman, and he continues to be the focus of almost-daily filming of the 90-minute NBC special "Siegfried & Roy -- The Miracle," which chronicles his recovery.
The Maria Shriver-helmed special will air in October on or near Horn's 60th birthday, the anniversary of the tiger bite that brought an end to the long-running Las Vegas production.
NBC's new computer-animated series "Father of the Pride," starring Siegfried & Roy and their cat family, kicks off Aug. 31.
The Scene and Heard
Film legend Tony Curtis will be the 2004 inductee into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV on Sept. 14. The award honors the late George Sidney, who directed "Viva Las Vegas," "Showboat," "Bye Bye Birdie" and many other musicals. ...
They're still buzzing at the ritzy Stirling Club about the schnockered heiress who climbed atop the piano, a la Michelle Pfeiffer in "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and bared more than her soul. Two words: Full Monty.
Sightings
"American Idol" Ryan Seacrest, turning heads when he showed up at the Little White Wedding Chapel, where Britney Spears got hitched in January. Seacrest was there with his girlfriend, but it was a false alarm: He was shooting a segment for his TV show. ... Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, in town for the annual hockey weekend involving the Hollywood crowd and NHL pals. ... Wayne Newton, swarmed by fans Friday while boarding a US Air flight to Philadelphia with wife Kathleen, their 2-year-old daughter and nanny. ... Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Alan Thicke (not together) at the Hard Rock Hotel sports book on Thursday. ... Star chef Bradley Ogden, checking out Diego, the MGM Grand's new Mexican eatery. ... Golf great Doug Sanders, in town to celebrate his 70th birthday, appeared on the Dennis Bono variety show on Thursday.
The Punch Line
"Normally we end the show with `Desperado,' but tonight we'll end with `Viva Las Vegas.' " -- Linda Ronstadt, at her concert in Livermore, Calif., on Thursday night.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
