Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

The biggest news is the opening of Hairspray at the Luxor with preview performances beginning February 6. The Media Divas got to attend a sneak peak at rehearsals on Tuesday, January 24 where the spirited cast teased the media by performing three knockout numbers from the show. If the rest of the production grabs us like those did audiences will have a great time. For those of you living in a cave, the play is based on the John Walter’s 1986 film of the same name starring Divine (best known as a John Water’s favorite Drag Queen) who is no longer with us, Rikki Lake, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and Ruth Brown. The storyline takes place in 1962 Baltimore when an overweight teenager auditions and wins a spot on a local dance show (based on American Bandstand). But there is an underlying theme of a difficult time in American history of integration and race relationships. Hard to believe now, but at that time, segregation was the rule. The movie looks at issues of weight, race, acceptance and the coming together of people.
Harvey Fierstein portrays Edna Turnblad, the rule originated by Divine. But unlike Divine, Harvey is known as a versatile male performer who is currently starring on Broadway as Tevye in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof. He told us during the press conference, “I don’t think of it as being in drag. I just act.”
What a set of pipes Katrina Rose Dideriksen (playing the role of Tracy) has to share with the audience! Can this girl sing! She is not as heavy as Rikki Lake was in the movie, but let’s see what costuming they can come up with during the final production.
Dick Latessa is Wilbur Turnblad, reprising his role from his Broadway run in Hairspray. There is quite the partnership between Dick and Harvey as he admitted during the press conference, “I won’t go to bed with anyone but Harvey.” He obviously meant on stage and he does have quite the presence.
We can’t forget to mention the still beautiful Susan Anton in the role created by Debbie Harry in the film. We saw this woman up close and personal (who is very gracious and is a big movie fan, as Flick Chick Judy will tell you) and we want to know her beauty secrets. Corney, based on Dick Clark, is played by Kevin Spirtas, best known as Dr. Craig Wesley on “Days of Our Lives.” He can sing, dance and be sleazy at the same time. It is that soap opera training?
Hairspray at the Luxor promises to rival Broadway and we can’t WAIT to see it. We will tell you all about opening night.

Photo by Debbie Hall - Hairspray cast rehearsal

Media Diva Judy was Flick Chick Judy on Monday, January 23, so Media Diva Debbie was forced to go to Wynn’s Corsa all by her lonesome self. She was forced to eat great food like Wood Burned Grilled Pizza, Artisinai Goat’s Milk Ricotta Ravioli, Short Rib of Beef, and topped it off with desserts such as Tuscan Whipped Cream Cake, and Stairway to Chocolate. Without Media Diva Judy, Media Diva Debbie dejectedly walked about the restaurant with its warm wood décor, plush leather seats and two “open” walls. Everyone tried to cheer Debbie up with wonderful service and hospitality, and in the end, Debbie did smile. All together everyone, awwwwwwwwww.
On Thursday, January 26, Media Diva Debbie celebrated the move of Kimberley French, local artist, to Hawaii. Debbie spent the evening at the Emerald Island Casino in downtown Henderson. The casino is friendly, small and reminiscent of Las Vegas in the past. Meanwhile, Media Diva Judy, along with other members of the press celebrated the inauguration of Studio 54’s new VIP Lounge at the MGM Grand that wraps around the second level of the nightclub and overlooks the main floor and dance area. Sitting on the leather seated booths alongside Judy was Imperial Palace PR director, Jackie Brett, VegasResource.com publisher, Billhere, his lady Carla, and What’s On’s advertising main man, Barry Berlin and his lovely wife Louise. Friendly hostesses walked around offering cocktails, champagne and trays filled with samplings of delectable hors devours and scrumptious high caloric, sinfully delicious desserts (my weakness). Not for the average Joe and his date mate, the entry tab into this VIP area of the nightclub comes at a hefty $400 (the cost of a bottle of pricey wine or liquor and table). If you’ve got it, why not!

Media Diva Judy hobnobbed with real divas (the singing kind) at the Opera Las Vegas Nuts and Bolts event on the evening of Sunday, January 23. And what an impressive evening it was. Among the attendees and opera aficionados was supporter and former English opera singer, Audrey Holmes (Clint’s mom). Staged at the location of its new rehearsal studio inside a warehouse off of Post Road near Patrick, the venue was transformed into a dinner like theatre setting complete with overhead crystal chandelier, and round tables covered in black linen where each place setting was accompanied by a single red rose. David and Annie Alenik of the Pasta Shop provided the buffet style Italian dinner where guests helped themselves to delicious servings of cheese ravioli, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and a choice of soft drinks and coffee. The food certainly satisfied everyone’s palate, but the real treat was the satisfaction of listening to some of the most beautiful voices in Las Vegas. The musical program presented by director Gloria Allen was a showcase for Opera Las Vegas’s Young Artists, featuring the wonderful vocal talents of Rachel Von Hoffman, Danielle White, Matthew Edwardsen, Randy Carels, Doug Carpenter, Stephanie Thompson, Patricia Vital, Alissa Van Camp, Kimberly Fowler, James Holland, Daniel Quintana, and Lorena Provencio performing excerpts from“Die Fledermas” by Johann Strauss and “Madame Butterfly” and Boheme” by Giacomo Puccini. Judging by this enjoyable presentation each one of these gifted young artists has a bright future on the horizon.

Photo by Stephen Thorburn - Opera Las Vegas's young artists

The Nevada Film Commission threw a press conference and awards luncheon at the Aladdin Resort and Casino on Friday, January 27. The event was held to announce Nevada’s revenue figures for 2005, officially launch the 2006 edition of the Nevada Production Directory (the “bible” of essential production information for all media projects that shoot in Nevada) and to present awards to the winners of NFO’s 2005 Screenwriters Competition. For Judy, this paper’s resident “Flick Chick” movie reviewer, it was an event not to be missed. NFO Director George Geocaris and Jeanne Corcoran, NFO’s Manager of Production and PR were on hand along with Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt, who also chairs the Commission on Economic Development. Hunt graciously accepted the prestigious Silver Nitrate award from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society for the work she’s done for Nevada’s film industry. “In creativity and spirit Nevada is ahead of the pack. We will burn down bridges to work with you. Come to Nevada”, she said, in reference to attracting filmmakers to our state. Hunt was thrilled to announce that the state’s filmmaking revenues for 2005 reached $102.5 million, which represents nearly 60% of total revenues. Filming has more than doubled in five years and revenues have exceeded more than $1 billion since the film office was established. The top three winners out of a competition that drew over 140 entrees from all over the country were present to receive the awards plus scholarships, which were sponsored by the Nevada branch of Women in Film and the Brendan Movie Theatres (located at the Palms Resort). For the first time in the competition’s 18-year history, the first and second place went to the person who happened to be the author of both winning screenplays. Jennifer Lewey, from Buffalo Grove, Il, won first prize and a $2000 scholarship for her romantic comedy titled “Before Midnight”, and she also won 2nd place for her comedy script, “Uninvited T.R.O.U.B.L.E.” Excited about winning, the twentysomething young woman said that this wasn’t the first time she’s been to Vegas and it “left a lasting impression.” She then added with a laugh, “The first time I visited was when my mother was six months pregnant with me”. Third place and a $500 scholarship went to brothers Clinton and Jim Braly for their drama “Zero Handicap”. Clinton accepted the award and thanked the Nevada Film Office for both himself and his brother, who could not be present as he runs a drug rehab clinic back home. Clinton said, “You have to go through barbed wire to get to Hollywood. For a first time writer like myself, the only way to do it is to win a contest.” He added, “My dream is to have Morgan Freeman as the star and Clint Eastwood direct so that movie audiences will be drawn to this story”. Best of luck to the talented, winning screenwriters. And, a big hurrah for Nevada in reaching the goal of becoming another movie making Mecca.

Photo by Judy Thorburn - Lt Gov. Lorraine Hunt center, with winners of screenplay competition

Until later, remember - we make the news divalicious!