Sunday, June 18, 2006 | 7:42 a.m.
The cast of "Love" at the Mirage had big plans for Paul McCartney on Thursday night. Instead of singing "Happy Birthday to You," they rehearsed an ensemble rendition of "When I'm 64."
But in the end the cast opted for "Happy Birthday." Good idea. "When I'm 64" might seem appropriate, given that today McCartney flips the calendar to No. 64. But McCartney has said in recent interviews that his daughter Stella told him he should "get off the planet" - as far away from the media as possible - to avoid questions about the birthday and the song.
She said so in jest (we presume), and before her father separated from Heather Mills McCartney, which makes the line "Will you still need me/Will you still feed me" both poignant and ironic. More avid Beatles fans know he wrote the song at age 16, and that it was the second tune he penned after "Love Me Do." It was also a song the band turned to in their early club days when their amps short-circuited.
McCartney, reportedly in London today to celebrate his 64th, was seated with George Martin and Martin's son, Giles, at Thursday's show.
For most of the night I'd been scanning the theater, trying to spot McCartney, and finally located him and the Martins just as the cast finished off the climactic "Hey Jude." The cast tipped off the crowd (much of it, anyway) when they waved peace signs to a particular person in the audience wearing a dark blazer and white shirt, who responded with a smile and a salute.
Those seated (or, standing) in McCartney's section went wild.
As for the show, full-scale reviews will appear after the preview period ends on June 30, but the Cirque performances and show's soundscape are breathtaking. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite," "Come Together," "Get Back," and "Strawberry Fields Forever," among dozens of other full songs and snippets, have been given new life. And so have the Beatles.
NoteMart
An Officer and a Zuko? Acclaimed director Taylor Hackford (whose outstanding directorial career includes "Ray," "Officer and a Gentleman" and "Devil's Advocate") was honored with the CineVegas Film Festival's Vanguard Award on Friday. During a conversation prior to a screening of "The Idolmaker," at the Palms' Brenden Theatres, he spoke of John Travolta's oft-discussed decision to turn down the role of Zack Mayo. Of course, Richard Gere assumed the role and vaulted into superstardom.
As Hackford explained, "The movie had been written by the same guy (Douglas Day Stewart) who wrote 'The Boy in the Plastic Bubble' (the uniquely inspiring 1976 TV movie that became fodder for "Seinfeld") and was friends with John, and John was supposed to play that role. But the way I understand it, John was really into flying jets - he loves flying - and he had this opportunity to fly jets with the military at the time. So he went off to do that at the time we were filming the movie.
"Years later I talked to John and asked him about it and he said, 'I wish I'd taken the role.' "
Award winners: Announced Saturday were the award-winning films from this year's festival. The Grand Jury Award went to "G.I. Jesus," which chronicles the psychological trauma suffered by a Mexican-American Marine who has just returned from deployment in Iraq. Honorable mention honors were presented to "The Favor," and "The 4th Dimension."
The Audience Award went to "Park," which examines the lives of a group of Los Angelenos, and is set in a seemingly serene park. The film was directed and written by Kurt Volker and stars Billy Baldwin, Ricki Lake and Cheri Oteri (Local color alert: Lake's father, Barry, has lived in Vegas for 13 years).
The Special Award for Cinematography went to "5 Up 2 Down," which was directed by Steven Kessler and provides a view of the clubs, galleries and lofts of New York through the perspective of two friends. This year's jury was presided over by director Mark Pellington and film critics Jean Oppenheimer and FX Feeney.
The Shorts Jury named "K-7" the top prize-winner and also recognized "Holidays With Heather," "Voicemail," "Transaction," "One Rat Short," "Bugcrush," and "The Pretty Boy Project." Jury members included Jason Feinberg of Fox 5, UNLV Assistant Professor of Film David Schmoeller, and Teller
CineVegas moment: During the Hackford discussion I slid into a seat close to the stage next to a gentleman wearing an Old Course St. Andrews golf cap. I thought, "Golfer." Then I noticed him wearing black soft-spike golf shoes in a movie theater and thought, "Avid golfer." After about 15 minutes Hackford said, "Dennis would agree with me on that " and gestured over toward us. My row mate was Dennis Hopper, who still had enough pep to shoot a round at Southern Highlands a day after staying up till the wee hours celebrating his 70th birthday (which was actually May 17) on Wednesday at Tao
And more from Tao!: Stopping by to say "Hello!" (followed by, "Do I know you?") was Clint Holmes and two of his biggest supporters - girlfriend Kelly Clinton and director Larry Moss, who is working on Holmes' Broadway project, "Jam."
Trivia time: With which cinematic media type does McCartney share a birthday (answer later in this item)? Answer: Film critic Roger Ebert, who also turns 64 today
This is odd: I received an invitation this week from my buddy Nathan Burton, for a media preview of his afternoon comedy magic show at V Theatre at the Desert Passage mall in the Aladdin. The invitation, constructed for comedic effect for sure, is almost identical to the "Love" logo. Be careful, Nathan
Positively mental: Gerry McCambridge, who goes by the handle "The Mentalist," has found a home at the Stardust. After arriving in town in July, McCambridge initially performed at the Suncoast Showroom, where his show was said to be fairly fascinating. He's charging $27.95 at the recently renamed Hypnotic Lounge
Sundae afternoon is never ending: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today Sammy's Woodfired Pizza at 4300 E. Sunset Road is hosting a Sundae School. The restaurant is conducting a how-to course for making its giant Messy Sundae. The event is open to the public and admission is free if you assemble a sundae on line at www.sammyspizza.com (go there for instructions)
Evans speaks: Well, sort of. In a news release crooner Brian Evans made it official that he has indeed left Red Rock Resort. "Resigned" is the term used by the sometimes Vegas lounge figure. Evans is off to pursue other projects, which include singing "The Star Spangled Banner" at Fenway Park in a few weeks
One fur Father's Day: A colleague reports a rare "two-fer" on the Las Vegas roadways: a vanity plate on a dark gray Chevy Trailblazer reading FURFACE, and one lane over and one lane back, a Hyundai Accent with FURFAC3.
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