Graham witnesses orgy-fication

Heather Graham plays a stripper who is a single mom in the new Las Vegas-filmed comedy "The Hangover" (opening in theaters today). Pfff, what kind of fiction is that? Vegas strippers aren't single moms!

Uh, that's a joke. What would our school system be without single-mom strippers?

Anyway, during a break in filming, Graham went to see one of my favorite Vegas shows, Cirque du Soleil's hot and naked-y "Zumanity," with co-star Bradley Cooper and director Todd ("Old School") Phillips.

Every night, for the finale of "Zumanity," cast members toss unsuspecting audience members onstage for a sexless orgy. On that night, they slipped Cooper into the orgy, took off his shirt and rubbed him all over, Graham says.

But check this out. Cooper was not only truly unsuspecting, but before the show, Cirque workers assured him, Graham and Phillips they would not be orgy-fied.

"They were like, 'We're not gonna take you guys up onstage,'" Graham says. "We were like, 'Oh good' -- and then they grab Bradley, take his shirt off, and he's like, 'Ohhh!' Really freaking out."

But they laughed it off. No harm, no foul, apparently.

The movie is a broad comedy: A bachelor party comes to town, the dudes lose track of the groom-to-be and retrace their wacky night to search for him. Cast members talk to film critic Carol Cling in today's Neon section.

JUST DON'T CALL THEM STRIPPERS

If you're looking for a spot to people-watch, a good candidate is The Orleans, host of the annual Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. To take part, you have to be registered or hold tickets for such events as tonight's poker tournament, "Texas Tease 'Em IV: Nice Pair!"

But you can buy tickets to today's "Reunion Show" (8 p.m.; $35); Saturday's "Best of Burlesque 2009" ($45); and Sunday's "Closing Gala" starring El Vez, the gay Mexican Elvis (8 p.m.; $35). To do that, click burlesquehall.com or call the box office (365-7070).

WEEKEND PLANNER

Check out today's Neon for more on the weekend shows by Gavin Rossdale (that's Mr. Gwen Stefani to you), Brad Garrett with Ray Romano, David Brenner, Richard Lewis, mentalist Luke Jermay, Bette Midler (Sunday is her 100th show at Caesars) and Julio Iglesias.

And if you watch Sunday's Tony Awards broadcast on CBS, look for a performance by Rick Faugno, who stars as Frankie Valli in "Jersey Boys" at the Palazzo, during an ode to road shows.

What do you think? Tell me at delfman@reviewjournal.com, or post your reviews and rants at reviewjournal.com/elfman. My column appears Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.