Las Vegas Weekly

May 27, 2009 · 11:41 AM

Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Liberace, Smashtime and Bullfighting

By Robin Leach

Liberace and Robin Leach.

Photo: ABC TV

Liberace: The Musical could be headed for Broadway. The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, founded by the legendary showman to promote arts in future generations, will collaborate with producer/lyricist Barbara Carole Sickmen for the rights to create, produce and present the first Broadway musical based on the life and career of the Las Vegas icon.

It’s the first endorsement by the foundation of any Liberace-based musical, and the creative team could include composer Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line) and playwright Roger O. Hirson (Pippin). Barbara has written the original concept and lyrics.

Wicked whispers & racy rumors

Our Fire Department and Health Department officials have ordered increased monitoring of our swimming pool clubs because of huge crowds and water health concerns. One pool operation received three closure orders over the weekend with guests waiting in line as long as three hours for entry, and despite multiple surprise visits to another jam-packed pool club, no warnings were issued. … Which No. 2 guy at a major Strip hotel hasn’t told his bosses that he’s jumping ship to become No. 1 at a smaller boutique operation? … Which hotel owner had his new girlfriend enjoy dinner in his favorite restaurant with his best male friend and then hid her in the best suite of the property to avoid an unpleasant meeting and altercation? … Can it be true that one troubled hotel on the Strip has decided to go time-share as a way out of its financial difficulties?

*Bullfighting of the bloodless kind is headed to Las Vegas, marking the first time in more than 50 years that the sport has played here. The world’s best bullfighters will perform their mastery, but instead of the traditional banderillas and steel harpoons, they will use a harpoon with an adhesive Velcro pad. Although it’s dangerous for the matadors to show their skills, the toros remain to fight another day! Sponsored by Don Bull Productions, the bullfighting will be held at South Point and features Antonio Barrera, Jorge Garate, Federico Pizzaro and El Zotoluco Lopez. They’ll fight on the ground and on horses! The first fights will be Sept. 14-15 to tie in with Mexican Independence Day and again Sept. 27-30.

Star surveillance

When the guys from E! Entertainment’s Daily Show throw a party at the Hard Rock Hotel, they really draw in the stars. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on hand when Ben Lyons, Sal Masekela and DJ Clinton Sparks threw down the red carpet. Singer Toni Braxton arrived quickly, followed by hip-hop ace Nelly, hip-hop star and producer Jermaine Dupri, who also jumped on the wheels of steel as an unexpected guest DJ, actor Tyrese Gibson who debuted his new single, young rapper Asher Roth who is the MTV buzz artist of the month and Stephanie Pratt of The Hills. … San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis was joined by six friends at a private VIP table in Ghostbar at the Palms, while over at The Playboy Club, musician Mark Farina was with a small group, and former NFL player Jamie Sharper arrived solo to play blackjack over Ketel One and Red Bull. … ESPN’s Kenny Mayne wrapped a shoot with a Tiger Woods impersonator at the Flamingo. In the segment, “Tiger” plays blackjack while his caddy jumps on his chair and tries to wave off the casino “eye in the sky” cameras. It’s poking fun at Tiger’s real-life caddy who always shoos photographers from the golf course. The segment will air on Sports Center next month.

Tonight’s tips

In addition to Carlos Santana’s premiere at the Hard Rock, there will be a first-night party at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space. … Former truck driver and dockworker Rocky Laporte, who worked his way up to Tonight Show appearances, is at the Improv through Sunday night. The Best Male Club Comedian of the Year has Pam Mattison and Frazer Smith opening for him at Harrah’s. … Hunt down the Leor coin at Revolution in The Mirage, and the winning lady gets a $2,000 shopping spree at Jewelers of Las Vegas.

Tomorrow’s teases

We go backstage with Suzanne Somers after she receives standing ovations at two sold-out lectures about “Good Sex, Good Health and How to Live to be 100,” and our exclusive and hysterically funny interview with comedian Richard Lewis as he heads to Las Vegas for his shows. … Iron Chef and PBS star chef Mario Batali gets ready to open the first-ever farmers market inside a Strip hotel. … And 100 of the Tuff-N-Uff mixed martial artists get ready to duke it out in a weekend fight fest at The Orleans Arena -- and the women are part of the ring action, too!

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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