Cirque neon will be flashing ‘Viva Elvis’
Cirque du Soleil will make official today what ticket broker sites have been banking on for months: The name of the Elvis show at CityCenter will be “Viva Elvis.”
Cirque, I hear, is still shooting for previews to open Dec. 16, which is the opening night of Aria, the hotel tower where the 1,800-seat Elvis theater will be housed.
An announcement is expected soon on when tickets will be available.
The date of the premiere has not yet been announced, but there’s speculation it could be as soon as Jan. 8, which would have been The King’s 75th birthday.
Type “Viva Elvis” into Internet search engines, and a handful of glitzy ticket broker sites show up bearing the title. The rogue sites encourage Elvis fans to buy their tickets early. One site says tickets could cost upwards of $190.
In mid-September, Vegas Confidential revealed that the main Elvis role will be played by Leo Days, a former Elvis impersonator who grew up in Michigan.
There will be a young Elvis as well as members of his family portrayed at various ages. Many will have speaking parts, a rarity in Cirque shows.
Vincent Paterson, who will be directing his first Cirque show, directed and choreographed Michael Jackson’s “Bad” tour and Madonna’s “Blond Ambition” tour. Paterson also conceived of and wrote “Viva Elvis.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Another recession-related media casualty: Richard Abowitz, one of the first bloggers hired by the Los Angeles Times, wrote the final entry Wednesday in his Las Vegas-based “The Movable Buffet.” The Times is discontinuing the weekday blog after a four-year run but will continue to feature his print column in the Sunday Calendar. Abowitz’ wit and keen-eyed observations on the local entertainment scene will be missed. Also affected: photographer Sarah Gerke. ...
Mario Lopez is returning as host of the 2010 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort. Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela is meeting, greeting and signing today from 10-11 a.m. at the resort’s Extra Lounge. It’s open to the public. ...
Correction: The contract extension for Flamingo headliners Donny & Marie, mentioned here Wednesday, should have stated they are splitting a guaranteed $125,000 per week, not per show.
DEAL OF THE DAY
Military members and their families get 20 percent off for “Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits” Nov. 11-22 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Tickets start at $51. They can be purchased at the Hard Rock box office or any Ticketmaster outlet with a valid military ID or at Ticketmaster.com, password VETSANT.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, Northwest pilots are napping, or Web surfing when they fly.” — From David Letterman’s Top Ten Least Popular Musical Standards Presented By Michael Buble
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
