Phan-tastic visuals await fans of the "Phantom." The Las Vegas version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic, which opens Saturday at The Venetian, may be framed with the most elaborate design elements seen on the Strip.
"In many ways, it's a dream production because of the finances involved," said Anthony Crivello, one of two performers who share the role of Phantom.
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No expenses have been spared in making the theater a star of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular."
Brent Barrett, who plays Phantom on the days Crivello is off, said he's amazed how quickly the space came together.
"Two weeks ago, you would have thought the show was not going to come off. But that's the magic of Vegas," Barrett said.
Some technology kinks are still being ironed out.
Meanwhile, the cast is taking extra precautions to avoid the infamous "Vegas throat," Barrett said.
"In this city, you're constantly walking out of air conditioning, going from 65 to 95. It's hard," he said.
With so much at stake, there are ongoing discussions about adding a humidifying system such as the one that keeps Celine Dion's voice safe in her Colosseum theater at Caesars Palace.
SIGHTINGS
Tennis great Pete Sampras, checking out Light nightclub (Bellagio) about 1:45 a.m. Saturday. ... Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson, Sean Lennon, Seagrams scion Edgar Bronfman Jr., (who wrote Celine Dion's "To Love You More" and Barbra Streisand's "If I Didn't Love You") and local music men Darryl Dorfman and Larry Pfeifer, at Marrakesh, after the group, minus Lennon, attended "Love." ... Business titans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, at Wynn on Friday. ... Dennis Hopper, Christina Ricci, Helen Mirren, Taylor Hackford, Christine O'Hara and Catherine O'Hara, on the red carpet at Friday's CineVegas party at the Hard Rock pool. Also there: part-time Las Vegas resident Scott Steindorff, executive producer of NBC's "Las Vegas," with his daughter, Jessica, counting down the last three hours to her 21st birthday. Steindorff produced "Penelope," which stars Ricci, who wears a pig-nose prosthetic in the film. ... Later, Hopper celebrated his 70th birthday party (the actual date is May 17) at Tao with sparkler-topped tiramisu cake with his wife and bodyguard, and CineVegas entourage that included Mirren, Hackford and Artie Lange of the Howard Stern show. ... Counting Crows, wolfing down Mexican food at Border Grill (Mandalay Bay). ... The entire Journey band, jumping on stage Friday night at Voodoo Lounge at the Rio for an impromptu set. Thursday, after dinner at rumjungle (Mandalay Bay), they sang happy birthday to maitre'd Korey Erra. ... At Rain (Palms): The Prince of Brunei, in a skybox; actor Clifton Collins Jr., celebrating his birthday. In the group: Jonathan Schaech, Christina Applegate's ex. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace): former "Saturday Night Live" star Chris Kattan, Caprice of ''Surreal Life" and ultimate fighter George St. Pierre. ... At OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars): Larry McCoy and local athletes Marcus Banks and Steven Jackson. ... Former heavyweight boxer Ron Lyle, lunching at the Fiesta on Saturday. Now a boxing trainer in Denver, he was in town for an amateur match against Richard Steele's team. The zenith of Lyle's career came in Las Vegas on May 16, 1975, when he met Muhammad Ali for the title. Leading after 10 rounds, Lyle lost after what many called a quick stoppage after an Ali flurry.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Mother of the year Britney Spears was on TV last night. She sat down for an exclusive interview with Matt Lauer for both the 'Today Show' and 'Dateline NBC.' Britney pleaded for privacy, and no better place to ask for privacy than when you're talking about your private life on television." -- Jimmy Kimmel
