Beacher under new management at MGM Grand
In an eyebrow-raising move, MGM Grand has assumed the management of Jeff Beacher’s “Beacher’s Madhouse,” taking over for powerhouse Angel Management Group, it was confirmed Saturday.
The move comes about three weeks after the opening of “Beacher’s Madhouse” in the space formerly occupied by the “Crazy Horse” burlesque revue of Paris.
“I decided it would be best if MGM managed it,” Beacher said by telephone on Saturday.
Friction between Beacher and AMG was behind the split, I’m told. AMG’s last night was Saturday. AMG is the largest entertainment management company in North America and operates Hakkasan, the massive club at MGM Grand.
Beacher said the club, which operates Friday and Saturday, is still in the previews stage. On Feb. 14 it moves to five days a week, with early and late shows, he said.
Beacher employs about 70 performers in the 500-capacity venue, which features little people impersonating celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and superheroes.
THE POWER OF LAUGHTER
If laughter is indeed the best medicine, Steve Lawrence should be in good shape.
The legendary entertainer recently joined fellow jokesters Carl Reiner, Tim Conway and Garry Marshall on the set of the sitcom “Two and a Half Men.”
Reiner, a 12-time Emmy winner, reprises his role as wealthy TV personality Marty Pepper, who proposes to Evelyn Harper, the show’s snobbish and domineering mother.
Pepper’s friends attend his bachelor party in the Jan. 30 episode (KLAS-TV, Channel 8, 9:30 p.m.)
It marks the highest profile outing for Lawrence since his wife and longtime entertainment partner, Eydie Gorme, died last summer.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Tonight’s $1,000-a-plate Chefs to the Max fundraiser for hospitalized food critic Max Jacobson is on track to be a sold-out event. As of late Saturday afternoon, the number of tickets sold (87) was nearing the goal of 100. Many of the leading chefs in the nation and Las Vegas are donating time to the event. Proceeds from the eight-course dinner at Rick Moonen’s Rx Boiler Room above his RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay go to Jacobson’s family to help defray medical bills. Jacobson, a contributing editor for Vegas Seven magazine, has been in an induced coma since Dec. 23 when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street. Jacobson turned 64 on New Year’s Eve.
SIGHTINGS
Speaker of the House John Boehner, dining in the main room on Friday at Piero’s Italian Cuisine. Owner Freddie Glusman took VIPs outside for introductions during Boehner’s smoke breaks. Rich Little and Steve Rossi entertained him with nonstop zingers directed at President Barack Obama, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. ... Joe Jonas, having dinner with Beacher on Friday at Crush (MGM Grand). Jonas later showed up at “Beacher’s Madhouse,” where DJ Tiesto was celebrating his 45th birthday. ... Country star Mark Wills, taking in the classic rock tribute band, Yellow Brick Road, at The Railhead inside Boulder Station on Friday. He joined them for Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.” ... San Francisco Giants ace Matt Cain dining at Xavier’s (Aria) on Friday. ... Carlton Gebbia of “Real Wives of Beverly Hills,” with husband David at Surrender (Encore) on Friday after dining at Sinatra. ... At Andiamo (The D) on Friday: Adult stars Tori Black and Amy Anderssen.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Justin Bieber’s egg-throwing scandal is rocking the judicial world. If Justin is convicted of a felony, he could be deported back to Canada. American officials are hopeful they can get ‘deported’ changed to ‘catapulted.’ ” — Conan O’Brien
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
