Columnist Kate Maddox: Juggling shows fun in Vegas

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, March 6, 2001 | 8:34 a.m.

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

This month will mark the opening of two new shows on the Strip, both billed as "never-before-seen" concepts.

"The Second City at the Flamingo Las Vegas" opens tonight in the intimate Bugsy's Celebrity Theatre. The comedy show should be something fresh, combining improv and sketch comedy, with a little bit of audience participation thrown in.

But don't be surprised if "Second City" receives a lukewarm welcome from locals still upset over the loss of beloved '50s show "Forever Plaid," which left to make room for the Flamingo's Chicago arrival. Inexplicably, "Forever Plaid" still hasn't found a new home.

March 22 marks the grand opening of "Storm" at the 1,800-seat Mandalay Bay Theatre. Like "De La Guarda" at the Rio, "Storm" will be a stageless production. The surround-theater trend is becoming all the rage. Look for aerialists and falling water.

Happily, though, I hear "Storm" isn't the mess-fest that "De La Guarda" is. Instead of being pummeled by water and grabbed by flying performers, audiences at "Storm" will be lightly dusted by snow flurries in a kinder-gentler effects production. (In other words, feel free to wear the good heels. Nothing's gonna get ruined.)

The buzz on the new show is still good. Even those who were hoping for a bomb have been talking it up. "Storm" will feature four "acts": Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

When she's not selling her new baby photos to British tab magazines, Celine Dion is putting the finishing touches on her Vegas headlining deal. An announcement from Caesars is expected shortly; sources say it could come as early as next week.

Diva Dion apparently got everything she wished for in her big return to the stage: a state-of-the-art theater, a light performance schedule and a sweet signing bonus. It might be a long time before she actually makes her debut, but Park Place is so sure this is going to work it is willing to struggle on the entertainment front (forgoing the whole thing altogether) until Dion is up and running.

As for the baby pics, Dion and her hubby, Rene Angelil, reportedly donated the dough they received for the 20-page spread in "Hello" magazine to charity.

For a septuagenarian, Hugh Hefner can still boogie on the dance floor. Surrounded by his seven girlfriends, Hef got jiggy with it at Studio 54 on Friday night. (He's no Ricky Martin, but he shakes it with more finesse than my grandpa.)

Hef told me he enjoys Las Vegas, but said his "real birthday at the Mansion" will be the "party to end all parties." He officially celebrates his 75th on April 9. Hef also said he'll be back to town if his girlfriends have anything to say about it.

"I like it here, it's nice to visit. But if it were up to them" he said, motioning to the seven platinum heads tickling each other next to him on the couch, "we'd be here every weekend. They can't get enough."

Of Vegas, people. Can't get enough of Vegas.

Attempts to bring the life story of famed Vegas recluse Howard Hughes to the big screen have hit a snag. After accepting the role of director of the biopic, actor Kevin Spacey got the boot from young whippersnapper, Leonardo DiCaprio, who is set to play Hughes. The "Titanic" star let Spacey go and replaced him with Michael Mann. Plans to start the flick are now in free-fall and headed for the Hollywood courthouse. Could be a while before the project makes it to theaters.