Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘Storm’ recovery is permitted

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, March 27, 2001 | 8:31 a.m.

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

Those county permit issues appear to be settled over at Mandalay Bay. "Storm," the delayed production still busy being tweaked, is reportedly all set with the paperwork now that a new million-dollar stage renovation has been constructed.

Apparently, building inspectors weren't pleased when they learned the nature-inspired musical featured fire onstage. Turns out, the stage was made of wood. So in an effort to please, and obtain the legal go-ahead, parts of the old set were ripped up and replaced with steel.

The new-and-improved, metal-based stage was completed quickly, but the construction did cause a few minor difficulties. One "Storm" performer said the steel upgrade delayed rehearsals for two full days.

Now that things are back on track, permit-wise, "Storm" producers are going full-steam ahead with the show -- which insiders are referring to as being in the "disaster recovery" phase.

One minor setback this week was the departure of a couple of key cast members. Seems Madonna is auditioning dancers in Los Angeles for her upcoming world tour. Even though they'd be dealing with the Queen of Drama -- remember "Truth or Dare"? -- the pay might be better than what it would be here. Tour dancers make about $1,800 per week, and all travel expenses, food and lodging are taken care of. Nice deal.

O.J. Simpson took enough time off from his hunt for the "real" killers to boogie at Olio! (or maybe he thought he could find them on the dance floor ...) on Saturday night.

Either way, Simpson was spotted grinding on the backsides of numerous bodacious babes at HBO's post-fight soiree. The Juice was on the loose for more than an hour. Terrorized dancers did their best to avoid his '80s moves, but he ended up with more than a dozen partners by the time he funky-chickened himself out the door.

"Surprise Wedding II" has finally found a home on the Strip. After being denied by the Aladdin and the Venetian, Part II of the Fox special is scheduled for taping at the Paris Las Vegas on April 19.

Let's keep this between us, though, since the male counterparts of the featured brides still have no idea they're just weeks away from being bamboozled into a trip to the altar. (The women lure their men with a phony I-won-a-makeover-trip-to-Vegas scheme, then appear in gowns and beg to be wed.)

"Cast" and crew are scheduled to arrive at the hotel a few days prior to the taping. The women will be filmed while shopping, lounging by the pool and receiving makeovers. The men will be filmed, without their knowledge, enjoying their last days of bachelorhood.

E! Entertainment Network still has Las Vegas on the brain. A number of shows have detailed our fine city, but E! wants to get to the bottom of one particular Vegas breed: the showgirl.

Producers are planning a 12-part series on the life and times of those high-heeled Strip icons for the channel's "True Hollywood Story" series. Showgirls from "Jubilee" at Bally's, as well as from "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana, among others, are in the running. Who will be chosen is to be determined this week.

No fluff piece here. The executive producer of the special says the glitzy episodes will be part MTV "Real World" and part "Las Vegas life." Viewers can expect lots of spicy action both on and off the stage. The series is scheduled to air in time for fall sweeps on E!.