John Katsilometes on how the man who once portrayed Shirley Feeney’s boyfriend has landed as a star on the Strip - as part of some musical cast changes at the Luxor

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | 8:17 a.m.

As a main character in "Laverne & Shirley," Carmine Ragusa would often break out (in song) with, "You know I'll go from raaaags to riiiiches!" Now a bit longer in tooth (at age 53) but still able to carry a tune, Eddie Mekka is slated to be the next Wilbur Turnblad when Dick Latessa departs the cast of "Hairspray" at the Luxor.

At least, that's what Mekka's official Web site says. No official confirmation yet on any of the show's cast changes, but Mekka is expected (and apparently expecting) to begin his run after Latessa leaves on April 30.

Also set to join the cast at that time are former "MADtv" cast member Paul Vogt, taking over for Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad; and Marissa Jaret Winokur, taking over for Katrina Rose Dideriksen as Tracy Turnblad.

Jaret Winokur was a member of "Hairspray's" original Broadway cast; chatter around the production is that a big name - John Goodman - is also being pursued to rotate with Vogt and bring additional star power to the show.

(Addendum: Fun facts about Mekka is that he is 5-foot-3, and his given name is Edward Mekjian.)

NoteMart

Single club: The closing of Plush at JW Marriott, which was announced late Sunday, leaves the resort casino ultraclub field in Summerlin wide open for Cherry's at Red Rock Resort. The Rande Gerber-operated night spot opens with the hotel on April 18 and, in the absence of Plush, will operate without any competition in the area.

Plush shut down for good Friday, and Sunday announced it had filed suit against Hotspur Resorts Nevada Inc., which leased the hotel space to the nightclub. The complaint alleges that Hotspur Resorts failed to follow through on promises to fill retail space (and thus create foot traffic) in the Palms Promenade, failed to promote the club throughout the hotel and casino and did not construct a "Plush Lounge" sign outside the hotel to attract visitors.

Representing the club is Las Vegas attorney Mark Tratos, who wrote the Nevada "right of publicity" statute that protects tribute shows throughout the state. Seven years ago Tratos advised David Cassidy in his dust-up with the estates of members of the Rat Pack when Cassidy and Don Reo produced "The Rat Pack Is Back" at the Desert Inn and, later, the Sahara ...

Staff released: Editorial employees of the Magazine of Summerlin, 215 South and Southwest magazines - all monthlies - were told Monday they would no longer have jobs. The magazine's parent company, Gannett Co., sent word down that the area would be covered by freelancers, with all significant editorial content coming out of that burgeoning Las Vegas suburb of Phoenix ...

I read the news today, oh boy ...: Our favorite Beatles tribute band, The Fab is holding what is said to be its final performance with its current lineup Friday at the Club at the Cannery. Fronted by dazzling guitarist/vocalist Pat Woodward, the band has kicked around Las Vegas clubs - including the now-shuttered Mad Dog's and Englishmen - since 1995. No word on why the band is changing direction (Yoko have an alibi?) ...

Beatles reprised: The name of the bar that is to be part of the Cirque du Soleil/Beatles production at the Mirage will be based on the song "Revolution," according to Cirque officials (in his AOL column Luxe Life: Vegas, the ubiquitous Robin Leach has reported the bar will indeed be called Revolution); expect more details about the show later this month or in early April ...

He writes the songs - and re-releases those songs: Billboard reports that three of Las Vegas Hilton headliner Barry Manilow's early albums will be reissued on May 9: 1974's "Manilow II," 1975's "Tryin' to Get the Feeling" and 1978's "Even Now" will each feature two previously unreleased bonus tracks. Manilow appears on tonight's special two-hour episode of "American Idol" and in May on NBC's "Today" summer concert series ...

Augie's Quest lands in Vegas: Augie's Quest, a campaign to cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is holding a fundraiser Wednesday at the Las Vegas Hilton to (hopefully) raise $2.5 million. Lance Armstrong will be on hand, Bob Saget will emcee and the Doobie Brothers are scheduled to perform. The organization was launched by fitness pioneer Augie Nieto, founder of the Life Fitness exercise equipment company, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2005. Tickets are $350 at the door; go to www.augiesquest.org for information ...

Porsche comes to shove: Reader (and, let's face it, friend for life) Jane Klein has one of these 30-minute commutes. So she sees a lot of plates - and a lot of Porsches. She passes a pair of Porsche plates - GOTMINE and SLFMADE.