Las Vegas Weekly

December 10, 2008 · 2:46 PM

Siegfried & Roy to display career memorabilia as part of benefit reunion show

By Robin Leach

Siegfried & Roy wave to the crowd.

Photo: TVT

We might be only days away from the official Siegfried & Roy press conference that will reveal many of the details surrounding their Feb. 28 reunion highlighting “A Moment of Magic.” After a five-year retirement, they have agreed to perform together again for one night only at the Keep Memory Alive gala being held at the Bellagio to benefit Alzheimer’s research and patients at the downtown Lou Ruvo Brain Institute designed by master architect Frank Gehry.

However, I can tell you in advance that the two illusionists are excited about displaying for the first time all of their career memorabilia at the event. They’ve personally selected the souvenir pieces from their collection.

It traces their extraordinarily unique history all the way back to their early days in Europe until they landed their first slots here on the Strip, and then when hotel tycoon Steve Wynn agreed to their manager Bernie Yuman’s vision of their record-shattering, 14-year run at The Mirage where they sold $45 million in box office tickets annually.

When I walked two miraculous miles with Siegfried & Roy in the Great Santa Run over the weekend -- click HERE for that photo report -- they told me they’ve been through their workshop studio and warehouse. They’ve reviewed all their props -- some of which also will decorate the Feb. 28 gala performance.

They’ve narrowed down their many illusions and are now confident with what they’ve selected. They’ve even begun some early rehearsal routines but will officially get those underway in January.

Tickets are now on sale for the Keep Memory Alive charity gala, and people from as far away as Britain and Germany are flying over for the special event. It will be the first time since the tiger injury on Oct. 3, 2003, that the two men will perform again.

“We are so excited to be doing this for just the one-night special occasion,” Siegfried told me.

Roy added: “We are now almost ready, and it will truly be wonderful.”

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