Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘Nebulae’ rep strikes back

Kate Maddox

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2000 | 3:50 a.m.

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

The producers of the defunct production show "Nebulae: The LifeForce" are hoping to recoup some losses after their unceremonious departure last week from the Showroom at the Venetian.

The Showroom folks contend that "Nebulae" flat-out up and abandoned its contract, but the Russian showpeople are saying that they had every right to leave. They claim they are still owed money from their landlord, H & H of Nevada -- to the tune of $300,000.

Vitaly Shutman, a heavily accented Russian who serves as the managing director of the production, claims that the performers could no longer work in the hostile Showroom environment.

Among Shutman's laundry list of complaints: H & H withheld funds, fudged on ticket numbers, charged astronomic rental fees ("Nebulae" was shelling out $12,000 a night for the space) and didn't market the show properly.

Of course, the whole thing boils down to a lot of one-guy's-word-vs.-the-next, and ultimately this will be something for the courts to take a look at, but the "Nebulae" folks still say they only left the Showroom stage because they were forced out. They deny their departure was an attempt to abandon ship.

"We didn't want to leave," Shutman said. "We just had to stop the bleeding and pull up the stakes."

The production team had just eked out another $1.5 million from its investors (bringing the total amount of money sucked into the lackluster show to $4 million), and had hired a Hollywood producer to come in and revamp the entire show from top to bottom.

Well, if you listen to critics of the show, the producer would have had to redo till the cows came home and even then it might not have succeeded. Either way, look for a lengthy court battle and more troubles for the already beleaguered team at H & H.

Regular Las Vegas visitor and resident bad boy Dennis Rodman is hoping people still care. Rodman launched his rodmantv.com website this week, promising to show the world (or anyone willing to fork over the monthly $29.95 membership fee) just how crazy he really is.

Wait a minute. Rodman? Uninhibited? Uncensored? Against the norm? You've got to be kidding. That's a side we never get to see from the Worm. Where do I sign up?

Tickets went on sale Saturday for a special locals' appreciation performance of Danny Gans' popular show at the Mirage. On Sept. 17 Gans will charge just $25 for tickets (which normally cost $67.50 and up) and donate the money to three local charities. Just his way of saying thanks to those who have supported his success in Las Vegas over the years.

Tonight's performance by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme marks the last curtain call at Caesars' Circus Maximus showroom. Celebrities and legends who have entertained audiences at the popular room over the years are expected to turn up tonight to bid a final farewell.

Stories keep flying about actor Ben Affleck's generous tipping at the Hard Rock following a $140,000 win at the tables last weekend. But no one was talking about his loss a couple of days later.

Affleck returned to the scene of his triumphant victory and reportedly lost a whopping $400,000. The actor, who this time brought along pals Matt Damon and Vince Vaughn, apparently couldn't work his magic in the high- stakes salon a second time.