Thursday, March 30, 2006 | 6:35 a.m.
Katrina Rose Dideriksen, who plays the role of the lovable, energetic teenager Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray," has been given a six-month contract extension.
"I was excited to get the opportunity to keep going," the 22-year-old performer said. "I don't think I'm ready to hang my hat up on this yet.
"I'm happy the producers trust me with the show for another six months."
Dideriksen originally was signed to a three-month deal, similar to those of co-stars Harvey Fierstein and Dick Latessa. Her new contract will end Oct. 29.
Fierstein and Latessa pioneered the roles of Edna and Harvey Turnblad (respectively) in the original Tony-award winning production.
They were recruited to help launch the Las Vegas version of the Broadway musical at the Luxor in early February. Their contracts will be up at the end of April, and they will leave the cast to pursue other projects.
Replacing them on May 1 will be Paul Vogt (as Edna) and Eddie Mekka (Harvey).
Vogt, known for his performances on "Mad TV," and Mekka (formerly of "Laverne & Shirley") have signed six-month contracts.
Dideriksen will miss Fierstein and Latessa.
"Changes are hard," she said. "Harvey and Dick have been fantastic. They will be hard to replace, but we are excited about Paul and Eddie coming in. We're anxious to see the energy they will bring to the show.
"The group is so supportive, so behind everybody."
In addition to "Mad TV," Vogt has appeared on NBC's "The Rerun Show," onstage in "Happy Days The Musical" and in such films as "Princess Diaries II" and "Raising Helen."
Mekka debuted on Broadway in 1974, starring in "Jumpers." He has appeared on such TV series as "The Guiding Light" and "Happy Days." He was Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa on "Laverne & Shirley."
Gordie Brown
After two years impressionist Gordie Brown will no longer be downtown. Brown's final performance at the Golden Nugget will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The man who gave up a career as a political cartoonist to become an entertainer is moving to the Venetian.
Sarah Todora
Singer Sarah Todora has been signed to more dates at the Sahara.
The 18-year-old blues singer from Louisiana, who came to Las Vegas last year after Hurrican Katrina devastated parts of the state, has been performing at the Sahara's Casbar showroom lounge since February.
Her next engagements will be at 11 p.m., midnight and 1 a.m. March 28-April 2 and 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. April 18-23.
Todora's father, who is also her manager, said a CD of his daughter's music, taped at the Casbar, should be available for release at the April 18 performance.
Improv's Birthday
The Improv at Harrah's celebrates its 25th anniversary in Las Vegas with "A Month of Mondays" through April.
Actor/comedian Dom Irrera kicks off the celebration with performances at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Monday, and April 10 and 17.
Celine Dion
As a celebration of Celine Dion's 500th performance at Caesars Palace on May 7, proceeds from the show will be given to 10 local charities.
The organizations that will benefit:
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