Las Vegas Weekly

June 2, 2009 · 8:30 AM

Photo Gallery: There’s no place like Planet Hollywood for Oz and Holly Madison

By Robin Leach

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, a new exhibit has opened for a four-day run at Planet Hollywood. Holly Madison will unveil and host an event tonight.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Long, long ago, before Playboy beauty Holly Madison was born, The Wizard of Ozmade its movie imprint on the world. Come to think of it, and it might be difficult to believe, but that’s even before my time!

Tonight, Holly will host a party as she unveils the Ruby Slipper Collection, a celebration of high fashion and fine art. Nineteen top fashion stars and 15 respected artisans designed this dual exhibit to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. The exhibit has traveled to Milan, London, Berlin, Dubai, Honk Kong and Sydney, and now this is its brief first and only local showing.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue got the sneak photo preview. The exhibit is here at Planet Hollywood through Thursday night and includes Judy Garland’s original Dorothy dress. The designers offering interpretations of the famous ruby slippers include Betsey Johnson, Gwen Stefani, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. The artists include Romero Britto and Todd White, who will escort Holly on the red carpet tonight.

Meantime, Holly will be starting her Peepshow rehearsals next week, and she has begun watching the cabaret production regularly. To date, she’s seen it four times, twice in the past few days.

“I’m getting the feel of it. I love the costumes, and the cast is so nice,” Holly told me. “I’ve met Mel (B), and she is the greatest. I haven’t taken part yet in her nightly prayer huddle backstage, so I am looking forward to that. I am so happy now living in Planet Hollywood.”

“I start rehearsals next Monday. The opening night for me is June 22, and then a couple of days later, we will have the premiere and party. I am really excited. I am not nervous at all. After doing Dancing With the Stars with 22 million people watching, I’m just going to have fun with the 1,500 people we get nightly. They all come to have fun, too.

“I’m loving Vegas. So much fun! It’s the best thing I ever did coming here.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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