Columnist Kate Maddox: Aladdin casts an Electra vote

Kate Maddox

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000 | 10:29 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Ugly matrimonial memories aside, Carmen Electra is taking a chance on the Strip.

Electra, the actress/dancer/pin-up/former Prince plaything, is just days away from announcing a deal with the Aladdin. Specifics are still sketchy, but one source says Electra's Vegas stay looks to be a lengthy one. The post-"Baywatch" era hasn't been all that profitable for the actress, but the speculation is that the Vegas deal could bring her some big money -- maybe even enough to throw a bone to her loving ex, Dennis Rodman, who has resorted to pro wrestling to pay the bills.

Electra and the producers of the new show are scheduled to be on hand at a press conference at the hotel on Friday.

Last week's screening of director Sydney Pollack's "The Electric Horseman" at CineVegas was especially sentimental for one Paris Las Vegas employee. Rachel Gant, a 24-year-old concierge at the hotel, had a small role in the Robert Redford flick when she was just 3 years old.

"Basically, I don't remember all that much of the filming," Gant said at a CineVegas cocktail shindig. "I just know that they picked me because I cried well."

Even if she did so reluctantly.

Gant got the part after producers threw about 25 toddlers into a room and waited to see who was the last to cry. Gant was the champ, although she was too young to appreciate riding a horse on Redford's lap during one scene. (See, that's the part you needed to remember, Rachel.)

Well, Pollack remembered Gant, at least. When actress and director were reunited at the party, Pollack fondly reminisced that it took about "a million takes to get this kid to cry."

There are some strange rumors buzzing on the Strip regarding Celine Dion's comeback status. The singer, who is taking a two-year break from performing and is expecting her first child in February, reportedly wants to return in grand style in Las Vegas.

Producers of a scheduled Celine comeback spectacular are apparently shopping the show (a guaranteed ratings-getter) to properties including the Aladdin, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Venetian and Caesars Palace. In addition to the concert special, insiders are also trying to sell a two-year production show starring the singer.

Apparently, Dion wants to have a permanent presence in town, but if this gossip rings true, she's got a lot of stipulations for whichever hotel plays host. Dion allegedly wants her own 4,000-seat, $40-50 million theater built. Production costs, not including her salary, are estimated at $70 million for two years and tickets would hover around $125. But in exchange, the mistress of cheesy love songs would play six nights a week for 42 weeks a year, and would no doubt be a sellout.

Gossip maven Cindy Adams took a nasty swipe at Las Vegas culture in her syndicated column this week. Adams "breaks" the news that the Guggenheim is planning a Las Vegas museum at the Venetian. (Really Cindy? I hadn't heard.) But then she goes on to undermine the importance of such an ingenuous plan. Adams arrogantly asserts "the only art (Vegas) really understand(s) is cherries lined up in a row when you hit the jackpot." Ouch.

Andre-Philippe Gagnon is jockeying for the Mr. Popularity prize these days. After a very well-received performance at a society party a last month, Gagnon's phone started ringing off the hook. The impressionist, who just celebrated his one-year anniversary at the Showroom at the Venetian, is being considered by Park Place Entertainment, Harrah's (per special request from hotel exec Jan Jones, no less) and MGM MIRAGE.

The timing couldn't be better. Gagnon reportedly renegotiates his Showroom contract next week and insiders say he's looking to move.