Holmes’ shows at Smith Center getting attention
Clint Holmes couldn’t have dreamed where his entertainment career was taking him 40 years ago this week.
His novelty hit “Playground in my Mind” — featuring the lyrics “My name is Michael” — was soaring to No. 2 on the charts.
There’s a lot to celebrate.
A live CD is being recorded from his three shows this weekend at Cabaret Jazz. It’s a first for the hot spot at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
And PBS has three cameras coming in for the occasion.
Featuring Cole Porter and Paul Simon, it’s the same show that won Holmes a Bistro Award in New York City for “major engagement” during his three-week engagement at the Café Carlyle.
He’s taking the show to Michael Feinstein’s new club in San Francisco in May. Also in May, he’s performing on a Venice-to-Athens jazz cruise. In October, he returns to the legendary Carlyle Hotel for another three-week run.
REMEMBERING AN ICON
Former cast and crew members of “Hallelujah Hollywood” reunite tonight to toast a local icon.
From 1974 until the Nov. 21, 1980, fire that closed the MGM Grand, the opulent topless revue had tourists buzzing.
“It was the most expensive and extravagant production at that time,” recalled showgirl Michelle Palombi Guerin, whose father, Dick Palombi, was the musical director at the Riviera from 1971 to 1996.
Show business icons Donn Arden and Bob Mackie teamed up on the show; Arden as a producer/choreographer and Mackie for his costume design.
The legacy of Arden, who died in 1994, includes being credited with developing the Las Vegas showgirl image.
Siegfried & Roy had a stint in the show before their big cat magic act shot them to stardom.
One night, the cast was abuzz over a Cary Grant sighting. “We shared backstage with the showroom so we saw Mac Davis, Paul Anka, Helen Reddy,” Guerin said.
Faces in the reunion crowd at Bally’s (formerly the original MGM Grand) probably will include “Hallelujah Hollywood” principals Tricia Lee, Holly Kerr, Marlene Vincenti and Macarena, who went by one name. Other principals likely to attend, according to reunion organizer Jason Reddock, include Gary Marshall and Janet Spelman.
Fluff LeCoque, who was company manager of “Hallelujah Hollywood” from the start and continued in that role with successor “Jubilee” until a few years ago, may not be able to join the celebration because of health issues. She turns 90 in August.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Garth Brooks is back in town for his duets with George Strait on Sunday during the 48th Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden (KLAS-TV, Channel 8, 8 p.m.) I’m hearing they’ll team up on “The Dance” and “The Cowboy Rides Away,” the latter a nod to Strait’s plans to retire from touring. ...
The Miss USA competition returns to Las Vegas on June 16 for the sixth year in a row, with Planet Hollywood again serving as the host hotel. Former local entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs broke the story early Thursday. Donald Trump, who co-owns the Miss Universe/Miss USA franchises, later confirmed the report.
SIGHTINGS
Beth Chapman, the wife of Dog the Bounty Hunter, shopping at Carina inside Caesars Palace on Thursday ... Billy Idol, in the crowd Wednesday at Def Leppard’s show at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Yeah, Lindsay (Lohan) said she was pregnant but it was just an April Fools’ joke. Weirdly, no one was more relieved than that fake baby.” — Jimmy Fallon
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. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
