Las Vegas Weekly

February 8, 2010 · 1:01 PM

Paul McCartney to lead stars at Feb. 19 premiere of Viva Elvis

By Robin Leach

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Plans are well underway for the star-studded VIP celebration for Viva Elvis’ premiere in 11 days -- Friday, Feb. 19 -- and I’m reliably told that Cirque du Soleil is expecting Paul McCartney and members of The Beatles Love family at The Mirage to attend.

Cirque officials also are hoping for Ringo Starr with Barbara Bach, Yoko Ono with Sean Lennon and George Harrison’s widow Olivia. All of them are fans of Elvis’ music, and both John Lennon and George have admitted that the King of Rock and Roll inspired the two Brits.

Additionally, Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley are scheduled to attend next week’s premiere at the Elvis Theater in Aria at MGM’s CityCenter. Other musicians and Hollywood stars have already accepted invitations, and we’ll reveal those identities as we get closer to Feb. 19. It will not be a red carpet gala, per se, but in fact a blue carpet celebration paying tribute to Elvis and those blue suede shoes.

As the spectacular $100 million production nears its official unveiling, I’ve learned that Viva Elvis is still undergoing creative fixation by Cirque’s top producers. This past week, the production suspended four nights of previews, including Saturday night’s late show, for continuing rehearsals as segments were deleted and numbers added.

I am told that this is all normal and part of Cirque’s creation process, as the colorful, action-packed musical nears its premiere. Priscilla herself has shuttled back and forth from her Malibu, Calif., home watching over and approving the changes as the Elvis show takes its final shape.

“Nothing is wrong, and it’s all going to be absolutely incredible when it’s really seen for the first time. The exciting audience responses through previews have been phenomenal and wonderfully enthusiastic with supportive suggestions,” my theater source said. My observation that the Elvis character on stilts had been dropped from the show also was confirmed.

For those who want to witness the star turnout, the blue carpet starts at 6 p.m. A post-premiere gala is planned for the night, and plans also are in place for that to continue past the midnight hour.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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