Woman makes striking entrance

A theatergoer provided a new definition of "hit" show during Frank Marino's drag show on Saturday.

Minutes into his monologue on Saturday, Joan Rivers impersonator Marino saw a woman on a scooter for handicapped people crash through the entrance at Henderson's Freedom Hall and speed to the front of the theater.

In the darkened theater, the scooter, which had a large headlight, "looked like a train coming down the tracks," Marino said.

The woman parked the scooter near the front row and pulled out the key, making it clear she wasn't going anywhere.

"She wasn't able to get a ticket and she wasn't taking no for an answer. We let her stay," said Marino, the longtime headliner for "An Evening at La Cage."

Marino has been shopping the show, which features many of his former "La Cage" cast mates since it closed earlier this year after a two-decade run at the Riviera. Marino and company attracted three sellout shows in a row over the weekend, a first for the 300-seat theater.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Deven May of the Las Vegas "Jersey Boys" show is reportedly performing patriotic songs with members of other "Jersey Boys" groups at the traditional Fourth of July concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. May has the role of Tommy DeVito, who founded the singing group The Four Seasons. "Jersey Boys" is based on the group. The concert and show will be followed by a fireworks display over the Washington Monument ...

Correction: Kristi Holden is the female lead Christine in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" at The Venetian.

RED CARPET RUCKUS

A longtime Las Vegas entertainment reporter had his CineVegas credentials revoked Sunday after an interview with actor Dennis Hopper.

Pete Allman, who provides celebrity interviews for Internet sites and various publications, was asked to leave the Brenden Theatres media area at the Palms after asking "an offensive, inappropriate, and unprofessional question," according to Kelly Frey, marketing and public relations manager for the film festival.

Allman, 61, said he apologized to the two-time Oscar-nominated actor, "but he didn't appear to accept it."

Allman said Hopper didn't initially react negatively to the question when asked for his thoughts on the movie industry "being controlled by Jewish producers."

"Whether it was a stupid question or not," said Allman, "they were wrong in taking away my rights."

Frey said Hopper, 73, is known for being media friendly and has served for several years as chairman of the festival's creative advisory board.

SIGHTINGS

At Palms Place on Sunday: soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, at the pool after brunch at Simon; actor Willem Dafoe, also at Simon for brunch; "Peepshow" co-stars Kelly Monaco and Mel Brown at the pool. ... Ronaldo, with his posse at Encore's XS nightclub on Saturday. ... At Tao on Saturday: New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden, NBA player Corey Maggette and NBA Finals great Robert Horry, actor Mekhi Phifer and former "Apprentice" winner Bill Rancic and his wife, Giuliana, of E! Entertainment Network. ... At Moon (Palms) on Saturday: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens, Sanchez, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips, superbike racer Johnny Rock Page and the Deftones rock band. ... Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody, who wrote "Juno," celebrating her 31st birthday with stops at Tao Asian Bistro, Tao Beach and Lavo. ... Dennis Hopper, making it a family night at "Love" (Mirage) on Saturday. He was accompanied by his wife, children, and granddaughter. He told the cast and crew during a backstage visit that John Lennon wrote "Come Together" after seeing "Easy Rider," the motorcycle classic featuring Hopper, Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson. ... Palms entertainment director Michael Greco, huddling with up and coming blues singer Sarah Todora after her performance Saturday at E String Bar & Grill in Henderson. ... Actress Amanda Righetti, who grew up in Las Vegas, hosting the DVD release of "Friday the 13th" at Tabu Ultra Lounge on Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Karl Rove called the New York Times' Maureen Dowd a "'bitter, twisted, deranged columnist,' and a 'dour, downbeat liberal' -- and more -- a 'nasty, snarky person.' Hey, get a room!" -- Jimmy Fallon

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