Columnist Kate Maddox: Webber no phantom of the Strip

Kate Maddox

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 9:29 a.m.

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

Andrew Lloyd Webber is up to something in Las Vegas. In May Webber was on the Strip shopping "Phantom of the Opera" to casinos, including Paris Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay despite claims from the latter that it had no intention of replacing "Storm."

Now, however, it looks more and more as if Webber has his heart set on "Storm's" state-of-the-art theater. This week the musical maestro toured the facility a number of times, reportedly both with and without Mandalay Bay entertainment brass.

But "Phantom" isn't the only venture on the Strip that Webber is interested in pursuing. After a lengthy dinner at Spago with Siegfried & Roy and their protege, Darren Romeo, Webber apparently requested a private singalong with the young singer/magician.

Romeo, the 24-year-old former Flamingo Las Vegas headliner, has been patiently awaiting a return to the Strip, this time powered by producer Kenneth Feld and manager Bernie Yuman -- the team behind Siegfried & Roy. Seems Webber might have an idea or two for the charismatic would-be star.

Friends say Webber, one of Romeo's longtime idols, met the singer at The Mirage post-dinner and played a handful of new, original songs for Romeo on a piano in a private lounge area. Siegfried & Roy were also reportedly involved in the impromptu pitch session.

Despite long-standing disputes with some of Vegas' larger gaming companies, Mayor Oscar Goodman is still pushing for a Strip exhibition boxing match. The mayor would apparently appreciate it if one of the major casinos offered a venue for the benefit bout. However, after butting heads on issues such as homelessness and support of a local professional sports team, Goodman isn't holding his breath awaiting corporate cooperation.

Either way, Goodman followed up on his word this week and met with controversial fight promoter Don King on Monday to discuss the possibility of a big-name exhibition fight. The match, which the mayor originally wanted to be held downtown (of course), would raise money for displaced local employees.

When Macy Gray takes the stage at Rain, the new club/showroom at Palms, she's going to have to be on her toes. The somewhat "out there" singer (Macy, I'd like you to meet my friend, Reality. Reality, Macy. Macy, Reality.) will be on a stage surrounded by haze machines, fog machines, 16-foot fire plumes and giant fireballs. And if she tries to walk away and stumbles, the 6-foot-plus Gray might land in the moat that surrounds the dance area -- which is equipped with fountains that dance to the music (a la Bellagio). Gray will be the first artist to perform at Rain on Nov. 16. The $100 tickets go on sale Saturday.

Is she or isn't she? Unconfirmed reports have Pamela Anderson expecting boyfriend Kid Rock's kid, but neither star is commenting -- yet. Maybe someone will be able to corner the busty blonde for an answer when she parties with fellow motorcycle lovers at a private Ducati event Saturday night at Venetian. Jay Leno is also expected to attend.

He's a jaw-dropper, all right. Though he says he's back with his family, our local politician remains a hot topic. For the past couple of weeks tongues have been wagging about a story involving the politico, the wife of a powerful casino honcho (and influential political donor) and a chance meeting between the three. A very, very messy love triangle ... if you believe the talk.