Columnist Kate Maddox: Is Springfield’s break permanent?

Kate Maddox

Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 9:21 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Rick Springfield's accident onstage at the MGM Grand this week has many on the Strip wondering if the former soap opera stud will return to "EFX Alive" following what is expected to be a lengthy recuperation.

On the phone from Los Angeles, Springfield's manager, Ron Weisner, said the fall left the singer with "a broken left forearm and wrist and bruises all over." He added that Springfield was forced to postpone some concert dates scheduled for next week, when "EFX Alive" will be dark. Weisner also said that right now the problem "is just broken bones" and that "hopefully he's not going to need surgery." Weisner was mum on when exactly Springfield would return to his starring role in the special-effects spectacular.

However, recent rumors about Springfield's pending January departure, coupled with an eager-to-"EFX" Donny Osmond, have led to speculation that Springfield will bow out following months of bad luck at MGM. Prior to opening, the entire production was overhauled to accommodate the more rock 'n' roll- Springfield style. In the spring the singer had trouble performing and even missed a couple of shows because of a bad case of laryngitis. In May he was reportedly harassed by a female stalker.

Springfield attempted to finish the Tuesday performance after his fall, but was unable and was treated at UMC's Trauma Center.

In addition, one source says Springfield has had "a tough time in general" dealing with the show's rigid schedule and that "he really misses being out on the road with the fans." Springfield frequently spends vacation time touring the country performing one-night concert gigs to re-connect with his devoted fan base.

Seems Springfield has always been a little wary of the Strip headlining thing. In a January interview he told an Associated Press reporter that he thought performing in Las Vegas was "the weirdest thing" and that he "always thought Vegas is where musicians come to die."

Or get injured.

Dennis Rodman is scheduled to return to Las Vegas next week -- but this time it won't be to party. Instead, the former NBA star will spend quality time in front of a judge.

In June 1999 tourist Rebecca Mardis filed a lawsuit against Rodman, claiming he went ballistic and attacked her after she tried to take a picture of him at the MGM Grand. The lawsuit alleges the 6-foot-8-inch Rodman slammed her camera to the ground and then lifted her off the floor -- causing Mardis embarrassment and emotional distress.

Rodman is slated to be present at the trial, which is on the books for Aug. 10.

Congratulations to KXNT AM-840 talkmeister Jeff Katz. On Sunday Katz and his wife, Heidi, welcomed their first child, 7-pound, 15-ounce Harrison Tabor Jaillet Katz into the world.

So, with a name like that, what're you going to call him?

"I don't know," said a happy Daddy Katz, newborn wailing in the background. "Right now I pretty much just call him the Boy."

Following a week of "intense diaper changing" and hours of "watching Harry nurse," Katz says he will return to the airwaves on Monday.

Now that "De la Guarda" is closing for good on Aug. 12, what will happen to the tent-like theater specifically designed and built for the Rio production?

Although the hotel has yet to officially decide, odds are the company that built the structure will dismantle it and haul it away. The 800-seat space is not soundproof and would not cut it as a nightclub.