Phantom recalls former co-star

Sierra Boggess, the leading lady in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom sequel "Love Never Dies," left Las Vegas three years ago with the undying respect of her peers.

One of the biggest reasons why has been a well-kept secret -- until now.

Anthony Crivello, who might be her No. 1 Las Vegas fan, was playing the Phantom on the night when an accident sent her to the hospital while playing Christine in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular."

"She was seriously injured onstage," Crivello said Friday in an interview. "She continued on, until a stage manager came onstage in the middle of the performance and stopped the show for our safety. I will not go into details, but suffice it to say, the injury was such that she had to go to the hospital for emergency care."

A source close to the show said Boggess tripped in a fog cloud and broke two front teeth after a trapdoor malfunctioned and didn't close.

Crivello said he was relating the story because it speaks to her professionalism and "her gut-check ability to try to continue. That defines a big portion of who Sierra Boggess is to me, and I will always respect her for that. As we say in 'the biz,' that is 'old school.'"

Boggess left Phantom not long after the incident to take the high-profile role as the lead in "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway before joining Webber as the leading lady in "Love Never Dies," which opened in London last week and is scheduled to move to Broadway in the fall.

Crivello said he was an eyewitness on the night that Boggess captivated Webber with her performance.

"I was not privy to their conversation. I just saw the look in his eye, the expression on his face that led me to believe they would work together. I told her so."

Crivello's instincts were spot on.

"She confided in me that he told her he had plans for her."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Bellagio now has four master sommeliers under its roof. Darius Allyn, the new sommelier for Osteria del Circo and Sensi, joins Joseph Phillips of Michael Mina, Robert Smith of Picasso and Jason Smith, the resort's director of wine. ...

That was quick: Terry Fator unveils a new character at the show's first-year anniversary party Saturday at The Mirage.

MAY I RECOMMEND

There's more to Hussong's Cantina & Taqueria at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place than chef Noe Alcala's Baja-style fish, shrimp and lobster tacos, and killer margaritas. There's a kickin' mariachi band that mixes classic south-of-the-border songs with their version of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall." But the most addictive menu item just might be the grilled white corn on the cob brushed with mayo butter and sprinkled with cotija cheese.

SIGHTINGS

Jason Alexander, who stars in "The Donny Clay Experience" at Planet Hollywood Resort, with a friend at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris Las Vegas) on Thursday. ... ESPN broadcaster Kenny Mayne, a former quarterback at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on the casino floor at Palace Station filming an upcoming comedic segment with poker pros Daniel Negreanu, Erick Lindgren, Robert Williamson, Howard Lederer, blackjack pro Erica Schoenberg and Luxor headliner Carrot Top. ... Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable in 'The Bill Cosby Show' and tennis star Venus Williams at Criss Angel on Wednesday night, in separate groups. ... Justin Timberlake, with friends at Tao (The Venetian) drinking his 901 Tequila brand.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The Miami Herald is reporting that the city of Miami will host the next season of 'Jersey Shore' on MTV. If there's one thing the city of Miami has been lacking, it's half-naked idiots with spray tans." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.