VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Dion’s absence leads to absurdities

Monday, May 24, 2004 | 10:32 a.m.

It's not true. But it is too good not to at least talk about a little bit.

A rumor has been sweeping through the local entertainment community that Celine Dion has been using a lookalike stand-in, with matching hairdo and costumes, to perform some of her more difficult aerial stage activities.

The story goes that Daniella Murray, who played a Vegas showgirl in the movie "3000 Miles to Graceland" and is a dead ringer for Diva Las Vegas, has been playing Dion in several scenes from "A New Day ..." in a most clandestine manner.

"I can at least see how that one may have gotten started, but it is just plain wrong," said Kristine Lingle, a spokeswoman for show producer Concerts West.

She explained that Murray is indeed part of the "A New Day ..." cast, and serves as Dion's stand-in when songs are restaged and during some rehearsals.

"Daniella has the exact same build as Celine, but when the curtain goes up, it is Celine onstage," Lingle said.

Lingle pointed out that the number where Dion is hoisted above the stage and sits on a swing was eliminated a few months ago after she had a hernia operation.

She also said Dion would definitely return to her show as announced on Wednesday, despite some rumblings otherwise. The singer is resting at her Lake Las Vegas home, and wearing a neck brace, as she recovers from a sprained neck suffered during a Mother's Day performance.

She will have missed 10 consecutive shows if she returns as planned.

Readers

Maria Shriver is doing a book signing in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The niece of the late President John F. Kennedy, wife of The Governator and former NBC newswoman who scored the first post-injury interview with Roy Horn will be at the Borders Books and Music store at 2190 Rainbow Blvd. at 7 p.m. to sign copies of her new kiddie book, "What's Happening to Grandpa?"

On June 5 Peter Frampton appears at that Borders to sign copies of his latest CD, "Now."

Still on top

Lots of reminiscing going on in Suite 5 underneath the MGM Grand Garden Arena before the Eagles show Saturday night.

Former Beach Boys keyboard player Billy Hinsche was teasing pals Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit about how the Eagles used to open for the Beach Boys.

"Yes, but look at things now -- exactly who is coming here to see who," needled Hinsche's pal John Stamos, who had come with his friend Hinsche to the private pre-show fete. The two became pals after Stamos produced a 1999 TV biopic about the Beach Boys.

Media notes

A photo of Golden Nugget owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling was on the front page of Sunday's New York Times Arts & Leisure section. The story was about how "The Casino" -- the Mark Burnett reality show that debuts on the Fox network June 14 -- is the linchpin of the network's summer lineup.

And what is up with USA Weekend magazine? Last week we reported on its curious choices for family vacations. Now it has listed Las Vegas as a "Low-carb hot spot," that features "a local culture conducive to exercise and health." Insert your own smart comment here.

Finally, Las Vegas Sun sports scribe Rob Meich, who has been leading the pack on the Expos-to-Vegas story, talks about pro sports and the Las Vegas market on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" with host Bob Ley today for part of a future segment on the topic. The airdate has not been set.

VegasBits

Greeting: Ben Affleck greeted pal Tobey Maguire with a kiss -- on the cheek -- when Affleck arrived at the private ESPN The Magazine party at The Rio on Friday night. Maguire was with gal pal Jen Meyer (daughter of Universal Studios prez Ron Meyer), while Affleck was flying solo. Biggest question in Gossip Nation these days is, "Who Will Ben Hook Up With Next?" ...

Party: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mekhi Phiffer, Laura Prepon, 'N Sync's Chris Kirkpatrick, Juliette Lewis, Danny Masterson, Joy Bryant, "Survivor" lovebirds "Boston" Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich were at Little Buddha (Palms) Saturday night for a charity poker game and party sponsored by an online poker company. Brkich won the $25,000 grand prize ...

Shopper: If CNBC host Dennis Miller looked extra sharp when he was onstage at the Las Vegas Hilton on Friday night, it might have been because he spent the afternoon shopping at Gucci at the Forum Shops at Caesars ...

Strategy: Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, former Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Hornets coach Tim Floyd and ex-UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian sat together at ghostbar (Palms) Friday night ...

Winner: Hedda Muskat scored a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as supervising producer on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" at ceremonies Friday night at Radio City Music Hall. As we reported last week, Muskat is in a similar role at "The Vegas Show." The former "Vegas Live! With Clint Holmes and Sheena Easton" is set for a June 14 relaunch on KVVU Channel 5 ...

Happy: Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, turns 59 today ...

Cook: Celebrity chef and restaurateur Charlie Palmer and his Las Vegas team of Chef Philippe Rispoli and Pastry Chef Megan Romano will prepare the menu for the "Tiger Jam VII" dinner at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. It will be hosted by Ray Romano and guests are set to include Mark Wahlberg, Vivica A. Fox, Molly Sims, George Lopez and Jessica Alba. "I am sure Charlie will prepare an amazing feast," Tiger Woods said in a statement. "He's one of the best chefs in the world, and I appreciate his participation in this event" ...

Memorial: A large swath of the Las Vegas entertainment community attended a Celebration for Patrick Phillip Maes on Sunday night at Andy Olson's Carriage Lane home. Maes was the longtime personal and professional partner of "Bottom's Up" producer and star Breck Wall ...

'Splainin' to do: Lucie Arnaz tells us that we left off the "e" in her first name in a sighting in Friday's column. Sorry.

From Sun wires

Newman opens camp: Paul Newman, joined by buddy Bruce Willis and other celebrities, unveiled the sixth of his Hole in the Wall Gang camps for chronically ill children in Lake Hughes, Calif.

The camp, with its whale-shaped, wheelchair-accessible swimming pool and gardens planted to minimize allergens, is designed for children too ill to attend a traditional summer camp.

Renewing vows: Kirk and Anne Douglas said "I do" for the second time in 50 years at a hilltop mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., renewing the marriage vows the couple first took when they eloped to Las Vegas in 1954.

The couple reaffirmed their commitment Sunday before 300 friends and family members in a traditional Jewish ceremony at the Greystone Mansion.

Guests included former first lady Nancy Reagan, Merv Griffin, Dan Aykroyd, Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, Vidal Sassoon and Anjelica Huston.

Moneymaker out: Defending World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker has been knocked out of the legendary tournament.

Moneymaker lost all his chips three hours after the 35th annual tournament got under way Saturday at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas.