Columnist Kate Maddox: Romeo disappears from Flamingo

Kate Maddox

Friday, June 9, 2000 | 9:25 a.m.

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

Most Strip watchers were surprised to receive an abrupt cancellation notice for singer/magician Darren Romeo from the Flamingo Las Vegas earlier this week. Romeo, whose afternoon show at the hotel was a popular attraction with locals and visitors, was let go with little explanation.

Although buzz on the departure is already going around concerning issues with an overzealous former manager, Romeo will only contend that "legal entanglements" have forced him to both bail out of his show (at least temporarily), and also prevented him from speaking about the matter at this point and time.

Randy Sears, vice president of marketing for the Flamingo, said that Romeo's departure had more to do with "contract renewal" problems than with unhappiness with the talented young magician. Sears also said that the hotel wanted to focus more on their search for a nighttime show, rather than concentrate on Romeo's afternoon gig.

The Radio City Spectacular at the Flamingo closes at the end of July, leaving the hotel's showroom empty.

However, Romeo probably isn't too worried about his future in the entertainment industry. His career is now in the hands of Kenneth Feld, Bernie Yuman and magicians Siegfried and Roy. Feld and Yuman are the producers who elevated S&R to superstardom and helped negotiate their multimillion-dollar deal with Steve Wynn more than a decade ago. The "Magicians of the Century" took a special liking to young Romeo and, according to sources close to the scene, the duo will take an active role in fine-tuning Romeo's show and making sure that he lands securely at a Strip property with an evening performance.

Rumors have Romeo returning to the Flamingo for a nighttime gig after the legal issues dissipate, but he might have some competition for the soon-to-be vacant showroom. Former Radio City headliner Paige O'Hara is looking to bring the murder mystery/musical "Edwin Drood" to the Flamingo. And another hot rumor circulating about the Flamingo's next act concerns a show at another Strip property that's looking to move their unusual production to a smaller venue.

The touring company of Broadway's "Annie Get Your Gun" is scheduled to make a pit stop in Las Vegas either this fall or sometime in early 2000. Barry Weissler, the producer of the show and the man who also brought Vegas "Chicago" last year, wouldn't comment on most of the rumors, but sources here, as well as one Broadway publicist, were quick to confirm that the hit revival will indeed make it to Las Vegas and most likely into the vacant Mandalay Bay Theatre for a brief stay.

Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are both in town this week, getting things going on the Las Vegas portion of their new movie, "The Mexican." After wrapping up scenes in a small Mexican village a couple of weeks ago, Pitt and Roberts are reveling in some of Las Vegas' finer dining hangouts.

The acting duo were spotted at Red Square at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday night, catching a late dinner after having a few drinks at the bar. Patrons were decidedly cool at the already too-hip-for-words watering hole (hello, the bar is one long block of ice and there's a unisex toilette ... not a peanuts-in-a-bowl kind of place, people). Perhaps onlookers were merely deterred by Ms. Roberts' large friend -- you know, the kind of friend who's about 6 feet 4 inches with shoulders like a linebacker with a wire protruding from one ear.

The handsome bodyguard stood watch and prevented Red Square's clientele from hassling the gorgeous twosome.