Goldie Paletz and "Big Elvis" share some fun at the Barbary Coast in this photo from Feb. 25, 2005. Photo by Jeff Scheid.
Paul McCartney loved, loved, loved it.
His only regret after experiencing "Love" for the first time?
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"He said, 'I wish there was more time between acts so we could applaud the cast,'" said Scott Sibella, president and CEO of The Mirage.
McCartney "was singing along, clapping his hands. He said it was beautiful, inspiring. He said he loved it."
That's music to the ears of everyone involved: co-partner Cirque du Soleil, 60 cast members, 120 technicians, and the suits at MGM Mirage.
And add Las Vegas to that list, Sibella said. "It's great for Mirage, but we're just as happy for what it's going to do for Las Vegas. It's going to have long-lasting legs."
McCartney, who "looked great and was in great spirits," according to Sibella, was delighted backstage with Michael Moloi of Johannesburg, South Africa, the gumboot-stomping dancer in the "Lady Madonna" segment.
McCartney told Moloi, "You'll have to teach me that."
McCartney, who left for London after the show and dinner, saw Cirque's interpretation of more than 30 Beatles hits interwoven through more than 100 bits from the Fab Four's musical library.
He saw Sgt. Pepper come alive. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" dazzles, and the closing scenes based on "Hey Jude" and "All You Need Is Love" captivate. And who can forget the coolest Volkswagen Beetle ever?
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Vince Vaughn, in an interview the other day with Mark and Mercedes on KMXB-FM, 94.1, masterfully skirted a question about rumors that he and Jennifer Aniston have broken up (but maintain the appearance of a relationship to promote their new film "The Break-Up." ) As to rumors that she's pregnant, Vaughn said, "That would be news to me." ...
Lonnie Hammargren, a former lieutenant governor and a certified pack rat, is cleaning house -- well, a wing or three. He's putting 1,000 items up for sale, half of them for less than $5. The mother of all yard sales runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Sunday at 4300 Ridgecrest Drive. He's making room for the latest addition to his eclectic collection, the Stratosphere's "High Roller" roller coaster. ...
Sad news: Goldie Paletz, a peach of a gal and a lounge fixture around town for years, recently died, according to Greg Smith of the Smith Brothers band. "She would go see 'Big Elvis' (Pete Vallee) every day and come out and see us that night at a Coast Casinos property. She actually became part of our show. We did little routines with her, and fans loved it." The last time I saw the red-haired Goldie, about 16 months ago, she was leaving Vallee's birthday party at the Barbary Coast and heading, she said, "for some dancing" at The Orleans -- in her walker.
SIGHTINGS
McCartney, dining at Fin, the high-end Chinese restaurant at The Mirage, after "Love" on Thursday. A vegetarian, he was offered everything from veggie wraps to veggie potstickers to veggie "chicken" nuggets and shiitake mushrooms in a sweet vinegar sauce. ... Hal Prince, the many-time Tony Award-winning director of "Phantom of the Opera," and associate director Arthur Masella, attending Clint Holmes' show (Harrah's) on Thursday. ... Hugh Hefner's "Girls Next Door" stars Kendra, Holly and Bridgette, along with almost a dozen Playboy playmates, celebrating Kendra's 21st birthday on Friday at the Palms' Kingpin Suite, Sky Villas, N9ne Steakhouse and Rain, with camera crews in tow.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Yesterday, San Francisco had a 4.7 earthquake. Barry Bonds tried to fit under a doorway, but his head was too big." -- Jay Leno
