McCartney lights up special ‘Love’ show
Paul McCartney went backstage after Wednesday's five-year anniversary of "Love" show to personally thank the jazzed cast and crew for a special night.
Danielle Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, had an explanation for the rousing performance.
McCartney's presence in the theater, Lamarre said, "lit a fire under the stage" and the cast, half of whom had not performed for The Beatles legend.
Minutes earlier, an exuberant McCartney ended his post-show address with a fist-pumping "let's hear it for The Beatles!"
Later, he was spotted ordering a margarita at a public bar -- instead of the very V.I.P. section -- and chatting with invited guests at the after-party at The Mirage pool.
In a bow to England, the after-party menu reflected British fare with a twist, including miniature shepherd's pie, banger sausage tator tots with smoked ketchup, and English pea soup shooters with mint crème fraiche.
Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss put into perspective what The Beatles mean to a Brit.
"They're like fish and chips -- the food of the nation," said Goss, while taking in the after-party.
McCartney attended the poolside soiree with fiancee Nancy Shevell, a New York transportation executive.
Gilles Ste-Croix, artistic guide of Cirque du Soleil, stopped by McCartney's cabana at the end of the night to point out that it was 10 years ago that Cirque founder Guy Laliberte approached George Harrison about doing a show built around The Beatles' music.
After seeing McCartney warmly patting Ste-Croix on the back, I asked the Cirque exec what the Beatles icon was saying.
"He said, 'It's a great thing that we've done together,' " Ste-Croix said.
The magical evening could not have ended on a more perfect note for Brianna Ruvo, who celebrated her 16th birthday by attending "Love" with her parents, Larry and Camille Ruvo.
As they were leaving the party about 10:30 p.m., they ran into McCartney near his cabana.
During their farewells, Camille mentioned it was her daughter's birthday.
McCartney made her day/month/year by breaking into a "Happy Birthday" serenade.
MAY I RECOMMEND
Crowds continue to embrace "Love" at the five-year mark of The Beatles-Cirque du Soleil's mesmerizing production at The Mirage. Check Cirque's pick-a-pair for $100 summer deals at: cirquedusoleil.com/summer.
SIGHTINGS
On the "Love" anniversary red carpet on Wednesday at The Mirage: McCartney and Shevell, Olivia Harrison and son Dhani Harrison, Yoko Ono Lennon and Sean Lennon, Beatles producer, arranger and mentor Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin, Lamarre, "Love" director Dominic Champagne, Ste-Croix, The Killers, Rita Wilson, Gayle King, singer Mark McGrath, singer-songwriter Joan Osborne, Mike Dirnt of Green Day, actors Rosanna Arquette and Patricia Arquette, Marcia Gay Harden and Elijah Wood and local entertainers Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Goss, Robin Antin, Terry Fator and wife Taylor Makakoa, plus chef Kerry Simon.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Donald Trump said Anthony Weiner is a psycho. So look for him on the next season of 'Celebrity Apprentice.' " -- Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
