Relighting Lido sign; Silver Slipper next
TODD VONBASTIAANS is married to his sign campaign, engaged to his partner and excited about slippers.
The Vegas lighting professional, philanthropist and historian has brought the
Lido de Paris sign back to life. His sponsorship of the piece led to Thursday night’s ceremonial relighting at the Neon Boneyard, where the sign is now displayed.
Vonbastiaans threw more shine on the evening even before the Lido sign was lit anew. During an invitation-only party at the Boneyard ahead of the formal relighting, he proposed to his partner, Bryan Mccarthy ,in front of the Silver Slipper sign.
Vonbastiaans led Mccarthy to the long-decommissioned Strip hotel-casino visage, which stands about 20 feet from the Lido sign.
Vonbastiaans is essentially giving the Silver Slipper piece to Mccarthy, and the community at large.
“It’s for Bryan, for us and for everybody,” Vonbastiaans said during the evening’s celebration as the sun set at the Neon Museum.
Vonbastiaans says he has long intended to bring the slippers back to life, but earlier than the Lido effort. The initial idea was to restore a smaller piece of the sign, showing the now-worn slippers. Then he would move to larger projects.
“The slippers were the original plan, to go with something small,” Vonbastiaans said. “But you know what happens in Vegas. We went with the Lido, which is amazing, and now the Silver Slipper.”
Vonbastiaans and Mccarthy were huge supporters of the original ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” being turned over to the Smithsonian. The couple share a fascination with that iconic wardrobe item, and the Silver
Slipper sign from one of Howard Hughes’ hotel-casinos on the Strip.
“The educational background for that sign would be all of the original performers at the Silver Slipper and the LGBTQ community, plus all of that culture in Las Vegas,” Vonbastiaans said. “I’m excited because that’s something that’s also ‘us,’ you know? Like, an ‘I get you’ kind of message.”
The 56-foot-long Lido sign was displayed along a billboard in front of the Stardust.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman; Neon Museum Executive Director Aaron Berger; Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear; Samantha Sage, one of the first female crew members on the “Lido” show; Lynette Chappell, the Evil Queen in Siegfried &
Roy’s production; and restorer Jesse Hartlauer of Hartlauer Signs were all on hand.
“Lido” ran from 1958 to ’91, performing more than 22,000 shows for more than 19 million guests. Chappell, wearing a pink fur, took a look around at the celebrators and said, “So many memories. This is a perfect night.”
Order of Carbonaro
The unofficial third member of the Penn & Teller production is taking over the duo’s theater this spring and summer.
Michael Carbonaro returns to the Rio from May 25 to
July 2. Penn & Teller will be on a three-week tour of the U.K. during those dates.
Tickets start at $59 and are on sale beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
Carbonaro filled in alongside Jillette for several shows in December as Teller recovered from open-heart surgery. The host of the prank show “The Carbonaro Effect” also took over the Penn & Teller Theater from May through
July 2022 when P&T were on a tour of Australia.
At the time, Carbonaro joked about how he was picked to fill in for Penn & Teller. “Well, I threatened them. It was a blackmail situation. I’ve got some real dirt on these guys.”
In fact, Carbonaro has been friends with the magic duo for many years. Penn and Emily Jillette’s kids, Zolten and Moxie Crimefighter, were also Carbonaro fans.
“I think when his kids started watching my show is when Penn started looking at me a little differently,” Carbonaro said. “And he said, ‘My kids love your show. You’re on all the time.’ I think that had a lot to do with it.”
Tease this …
Troy Heard’s Majestic Repertory Theatre in the Arts District is about to announce an extension of the fantastic “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
Line!
Clint Holmes was a surprise substitute for Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie at “The Dennis Bono Show’s” 23rd anniversary simulcast Thursday at the South Point Showroom. Frankie Scinta, Vinny Adinolfi of Bronx Wanderers and Holmes riffed on “My Way” in honor of Bono’s anniversary show.
When Bono asked about Phillips’ absence, Scinta said Holmes was a suitable sub because “he really sings!” These are the jokes!
Cool Hang Alert
Hot Junk, a cover band for the decades, performs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Bourbon Street Lounge at The Orleans. This has been a Cool Hang for a long spell: a raised stage, dance floor, good tunes and no cover. Get there.