‘Baz’ makes a great catch with Young
TKats! Bureau at this writing is the courtyard outside Jean Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio, which abuts the Giardini Garden Store and its Christmas display. The store began setting up its holiday exhibit the first week of September.
More from this scene:
Oh, to be Young
Column fave and ex-“vegas! The Show” star Eric Jordan Young is the new resident director of “Baz — A Musical Mash Up” at the Palazzo Theater. (The title is also new, reflecting the mishmash of Baz Luhrmann musicals sampled.)
Young essentially oversees quality control and day-today minutiae for the musical, working with Actors Equity Producer and General Manager Blair Farrington. EJY, as he’s known to friends, assumed the post about four weeks ago.
“My job is maintaining the performances and structure of the show, making sure it stays as great as it is, if not better,” Young says. “It’s a hot show. It deserves to have eyes on it all the time to help keep it growing.”
Young’s career on the Strip dates back nearly 25 years, to the time when he appeared in the touring version of “Dreamgirls” at the Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts. He then opened Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express” at the Las Vegas Hilton. “Express” was the city’s predominant (and only) rollerskating musical, as well as the show that forged a design change in the showroom where Elvis headlined. The booths were pulled out in favor of proper theater seating.
Young later appeared in “Chicago” at Mandalay Bay, in the theater where “Michael Jackson One” is now staged. He is also the host of “The Cocktail Cabaret” show coming to a Caesars Entertainment club this year (and I hope someone barges in with an announcement of a venue soon).
“I’m excited to be able to choreograph and direct while still performing,” Young says. Asked if he’ll have time to fulfill all of his commitments, he laughs, “Oh, we’ll find out.”
Jai on Vegas
Jai Rodriquez has deemed Las Vegas to be a “lonely, isolating town” and says he can’t wait until Jan. 3.
Rodriguez made his comments Saturday on a Facebook post. Monday, he explained that he has had difficulty connecting in Las Vegas. He works a wearying schedule, no question. He’s ping-ponged between performances as Dan Anderson opposite Kendra Wilkinson’s Robyn Brown in “Sex Tips For Straight Women From a Gay Man” (which closes Jan. 3) at Paris Las Vegas and his role as David Silva in the CBS series “Wisdom of the Crowd.”
“I think I’m going through what many performers go through when you’re working a full schedule in Las Vegas and missing friends and family,” Rodriguez says. “It’s nothing against Vegas. It’s just the nature of being onstage in a city that is very fast-paced to begin with. I was used to this pace when I lived in New York, but after I moved to L.A. and have become a little older, I’ve gotten more relaxed, maybe even lazy, in my private life.”
Rodriguez has said he’s made some friends in town and plans to hit some scenes filled with fellow artists who have made Vegas their home. He’s planning to catch “Alice” at Red Rock Resort, the Composers Showcase of Las Vegas at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, anything at The Space and Kenny Davidson’s Friday night hang at Tuscany Suites.
These are spots to meet interesting folks from all over the place, even Idaho. Rodriguez has just a couple months to plug in, and I hope to catch him out sometime. I’ll even open a fizzy-water tab at the bar.
‘Marilyn’ turning heads
Conceived and produced by Tegan Summer, the musical “Marilyn” has drawn significant interest from Caesars Entertainment. Paris Las Vegas has been batted around as a possible venue for the show, which showcased at The Space in August and again in a private show Sunday night. The production charts Monroe’s dual personalities as Norma Jean Baker and as the international actress and pinup model.
Who was where
O.J. Simpson at John Cutter Grill & Tavern on Sunday night … Comic Jo Koy and his wife, Amy Bray, at the 10 p.m. Friday performance of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Monday:
1. Couple with Henderson ties die in crash after surviving Las Vegas shooting
They couldn’t live without each other. When Dennis Carver realized the loud cracks weren’t fireworks but instead rapid gunfire, he jumped on top of his wife, Lorraine Carver, to shield her from the bullets.
2. Las Vegas Lights FC releases logo, hopes it carries local appeal
It was through fans that the Las Vegas Lights crest found its shape — the outline of the famed “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign turned 90 degrees.
3. Biker arrested, at least 10 motorcycles towed at Red Rock
At least one Las Vegas motorcycle group member was arrested Sunday morning while the group was riding through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Las Vegas police said.
4. Officer accidentally fired weapon in Las Vegas gunman’s Mandalay Bay suite
A Metropolitan Police Department officer accidentally discharged his weapon inside the Mandalay Bay gunman’s suite the night of the Oct. 1 mass shooting, the Clark County sheriff confirmed Monday.
5. Weapons, poison, even bodies can turn up in Las Vegas hotel rooms
The Las Vegas Strip gunman isn’t the only person to exploit the privacy that comes with a hotel room in the Las Vegas Valley. As of 9 p.m. Monday:
1. Las Vegas shooting victim: Laura Shipp, Las Vegas
Laura Shipp, 50, of Las Vegas, got separated from her son, who is described as the “light of her life,” when the shooting began at Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
2. Real Estate Millions: Frank Marino
Entertainer Frank Marino, the star of “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas,” has always had flair to spare and plenty of devoted fans.
3. The Oasis at Death Valley goes back to its roots
Take a tour of The Oasis at Death Valley as it goes through a restoration to its original charm.