Sunday, May 30, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Beatles spinoff headed for Mirage

Prince poses for photos on the red carpet at the Tiger Jam VII benefit on Saturday at Mandalay Bay. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

The deal is almost done: A Cirque du Soleil version of The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" will be dropping anchor at The Mirage in mid-2005.

"It won't be your typical Cirque show," said Bill McBeath, president of The Mirage, confirming months-old rumors that a spinoff of The Beatles' psychedelic 1968 animated film was heading for the former Siegfried & Roy Theatre.

McBeath wouldn't go into details, but my guess is: Think of a Cirque-centric musical, with a major name belting out "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

"The opening is at least a year away," he said, during an interview Friday at Cravings, The Mirage's stunning new buffet designed by Adam Tihany.

McBeath also dropped another bit of news: A two-story Jeffrey Beers-designed nightclub will open in December near the north valet entrance of The Mirage. Word is it will also double as a concert venue.

The club will be another MGM Mirage partnership with British-born nightclub owner Andrew Sasson and his partner, Andy Massey. Their operations include Light and Caramel at the Bellagio and Mist at Treasure Island.

Earl's big plans

Robert Earl is going public with theme plans for the Aladdin's transformation into Planet Hollywood.

"Every room will be themed," Earl told London Clubs International, a British magazine.

"You'll be able to sleep on the same mattress that Madonna slept on in her 'In Bed with Madonna' film and the same bed that Sharon Stone used in 'Basic Instinct' ... ice pick on request."

There will be an "Austin Powers" suite and a Cher suite.

Earl is waiting state approval to take over the Aladdin and rebrand it as the world's first Planet Hollywood hotel and casino. A mid-2005 opening is planned.

Earl launched Planet Hollywood in 1991 in a starpower collaboration with Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Don't be surprised if Tiger Woods joins Earl's stable of stars. Earl and Woods are next-door neighbors at a private lake in Orlando, Fla., and Earl has proven persuasive powers.

The Scene and Heard

I hear Dr. Phil, the syndicated talk-show psychologist, was suffering from selective amnesia during his visit last week. He forgot to tip.

Sightings

Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, delivering the commencement address at The Meadows School on Saturday. ... A glammed-up Sandy Murphy, spotted at the Palms' ghostbar on Friday night while she awaits her retrial in the murder case of boyfriend Ted Binion. ... Prince, bolting off the red carpet in his high heels after 60-some seconds at Tiger Jam VII on Saturday at Mandalay Bay. ... Australian singing star Kylie Minogue, buying herself birthday duds (Stella McCartney label) on Friday at Talulah G (Fashion Show mall). It was her 36th birthday. ... Dennis Rodman and entourage and Joe Francis of "Girls Gone Wild" at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel). ... Verne "Mini-Me" Troyer and NBA veteran Robert Horry at Tabu (MGM Grand). ... At Rain nightclub (Palms): NHL star Peter Forsberg; "The Apprentice" finalist Kwame Jackson; Joey Fatone and Lance Bass; and former NBA player Mugsy Bogues and Bonzi Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies. ... At N9NE Steak House (Palms): Rodman, Jeff Garcia of the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans defensive back Marcus Coleman.

The Punch Line

"He reeks of lavender. It turned me on, actually." -- Madonna on Prince

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.