Celebrity Gossip From Las Vegas With Robin Leach | Luxe Life Digest

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Venus may well be the 2nd planet from the sun -- but we know her much better as the Goddess of love and beauty. Venus is also known as a bikini fashion company and for an international swimsuit beauty contest. Well all those planets are about to collide when the cutting edge Pure nightclub operators at Caesars Palace take over the resort’s pools on weekends promising the most dynamic pool club in town aptly named Venus! And they’re already claiming the best-looking bartenders and waitresses and cabana attendants in town!

 

In what’s going to be a growing trend here this summer, the garden pool of Caesars will be European – i.e. topless.  The challenge is immediately met at The Venetian where the topless thrust will also be timely at TAO’s takeover of the resort’s private pool for weekend afternoons and evenings when club goers at the TAO nightspot will be able to climb a short staircase to toe-dip their burning dance feet or splash around to cool down! Whoever imagined that night time disco dukes would be running daytime pool parties?

 

Summer has suddenly become saucy, sexy, scintillating and maybe scandalous. -- and probably the hottest action will be at Skin in The Palms. Two new pools are rapidly being completed -- one tipped to be topless and another atop a two-story complex overlooking the old pool which has been expanded and now includes a permanent fashion runway into the center for super models to strut and rock bands to blast. Many big palm trees have been added to add a lush tropical feel to all of the new bed-cabanas and Jacuzzis dotted round the edges. Watch for pools to open around town as of next Friday, April 28 and then the torrent of topless and slew of silicone will commence as of Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29!

 

Sure gonna be a summer of fun -- and I’ll tell you all about what mischief and mayhem Jeff Beacher has up his sleeve for the opening of the new $15 million Beachers Rockhouse bar at Imperial Palace as of June 15 as we get closer, read on Macbeth!

 

Summer Funnin'

There are other new and more dressed up attractions coming for the summer.  First, the Broadway invasion continues with confirmation of our Luxe Life exclusive two months ago that Mel Brooks (pictured) theatrical adaptation of his 1967 movie The Producers will open at the Paris hotel, part of the Harrah’s empire.  Mel, now 79, nodded to me recently that he will be very involved with the production and wants to add a live band to the resort’s 1400 seat theater to spruce up the “Springtime for Hitler” theme music. On Broadway the show that won a record 12 Tony Awards celebrated its 5th anniversary last night. No inside word yet as to whether Nathan Lane or Matthew Broderick who starred in the original version will reprise their roles even as short-term guests.  Harrah’s is also launching two other new shows in its quest to dominate the Strip with live entertainment.

 

My friend, producer Greg Thompson, will shut his topless Skintight show after a near 6-year-run on May 10 and reopen as the country-themed “Bareback” on May 19 -- more in keeping with the country music fans who flock to Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill! Greg will have Toby’s music playing in the show along with other country stars and both the boys and the girls will go topless this time around!

 

But first, next Tuesday (April 25) comes the afternoon live stage version of The Price is Right TV show complete with interactive wireless keypads for the audience to play along with contestants who can win cars and big money prizes.

 

E! News Live and All New Press Your Luck MC Todd Newton hosts the show along with a Bob Barker bevy of beauties -- many of whom auditioned right here from Vegas.  The show, which has a guaranteed two-year-run, will use the main Jubilee showroom at Bally’s and feature all the fan favorite games of Plinko, Cliff Hangers and The Big Wheel.

 

There’s no question that The Producers will be going head to head against Hairspray at Luxor and Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay -- but more specifically competing with the near $50 million Phantom of the Opera which opens at the Venetian June 24 with previews starting June 4. With the Vegas run of Avenue Q at the Wynn about to end, the jury is still out on whether Vegas audiences want Broadway shows and are willing to pay their high-ticket prices. Meanwhile, Eric Idle still has to bring in Monty Python’s Spamalot to the Wynn next year -- so the future still looks optimistic! I say “the more, the merrier.’ Cheaper ticket prices though will probably help The Real Greg Brady, Barry Williams, succeed with his one-man multimedia show of songs, dance, stories and audience participation at the Riviera May 6-20.

 

The Lake Las Vegas Resort has just announced its Grammy-studded lineup for the 4,000 sq. ft. floating stage with Heart opening the summer series under the stars May 12. Top talent includes Hall & Oates (June 24), Christopher Cross (July 3), Michael Feinstein and Linda Eder (Sept 8), jazz king Chris Botti (Sept 16) and Seal (Sept 30).

 

Meantime Mandalay Bay launches its “Concerts on the Beach” series at its 1.6 million gallon wave pool on May 5 with Cheap Trick. Followed by Sugarland (May 21), REO Speedwagon (June 10), The Go-Go’s (June 23), Styx (June 24), Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band (July 1), Beach Boys (July 2) Miranda Lambert (July 7) Pat Benatar (July 22) and The Doobie Brothers (Sept 1). Tickle your toes in the silky sand while lying back on a blanket!

 

The Dream

Some of you know I am obsessed with fun facts trivia when I get to go behind-the-scenes backstage at our sensational shows on the Strip. Last week for a future Luxe Life video episode, we took our AOL Vegas Video cameras to Le Reve at tthe Wynn -- and my breath stopped when I climbed 82 feet up to the high grid above the pool. That’s where one amazing incredible high-diver propels himself off the grid twice nightly into just 27 feet deep water of the 68 feet wide stage pool below -- and one false fall could mean disaster! The depth in the outer shallow area is a mere 9’5”. The 86 degree 1.1 million gallons of water is filtered four times daily. It’s not easy doing a show half-submerged in water- even the performer’s shoes have holes drilled in them to drain the water! But underneath the water are 16 scuba divers for each show to assist the performers with one of the 300 regulators needed to provide air while below surface.  There are ten miles of underwater lighting cable in the pool along with 3 miles of control tubing. It takes ten pumps to move 13,180 gallons each minute for the water effects of this spectacular. Nothing lasts for long in the water: costumes are replaced every two weeks, the chin straps on wigs only last five shows, the 24 pairs of synchro shoes have to be repainted and soles re-glued daily. They go through more than 800 towels a day with 2,000 ounces of soap used each week for the 95 daily laundry loads. Le Reve,‘Enter The Dream,’ is an extraordinary spectacle that’s attracted such stars as Janet Jackson, Sting, Usher and Martha Stewart. Backstage all have complimented the cast on its brilliance and expressed fears for their amazing stunts, however both Janet and Usher wanted to go in the highflying harnesses.  Insurance regulations prevented their requests. I wouldn’t risk it for a split second even if insurance did allow it!!

 

Scenes & Herds

No sooner did Luxe Life tell you that adult film star Sunset Thomas was settling in Vegas as our newest resident to write her autobiography than HBO signed her to a contract for its new Cathouse series where she’ll return to the infamous Dennis Hof Bunnyranch near Reno. “Let me make it clear,“ she said. “I’m returning for the TV cameras only to discuss the issues we had when I worked there but in no way am I going back. Those days are behind me. I’m going to bury some old baggage.”Sunset’s filming began yesterday for the series that will air this fall. … Sir Elton John doesn’t think twice about shelling out $2000 for elaborate Japanese meals when he’s entertaining large groups of friends after his Caesars Palace show. Three times last week he ordered “take out” from Sushi Roku in the Forum Shops -- except that for that size check the restaurant delivers!! ... Look over the new May Marie Claire magazine with gorgeous NBC TV Las Vegas actress Molly Sims on the cover because inside you can see photos of her being levitated on stage by magician Lance Burton who will celebrate his 10th anniversary there this summer.

 

Tonight’s Tip: Thursday, April 20

Those fresh-faced Philadelphia kids, Boyz II Men are celebrating their 15th anniversary with the first of four consecutive nights singing at The Orleans. Incidentally, we’ve got to watch them because hotel-casino mogul Donald Trump just signed them to manage entertainment at his properties when they aren’t out on a summer tour promoting a new double CD.

 

Under water or on water, we’ll always be fresh-faced to read your communiqués so unhook the clasp and email us at robinsvegas@aol.com.

 

Meantime we’ll be back tomorrow with an eagle eye on Pamela Anderson and Britney Spears – and the men in their lives! Is romance heating up for one and in danger for the other? You wont want to miss a single edition so click here or at the 'Alert Me' uptop if you’d like to know the moment the new edition of Luxe Life is posted.

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