John Katsilometes on the warm reception for cast of Beatles-themed production

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 | 7:48 a.m.

Members of the cast of "Love" at the Mirage performed their first full dress rehearsal on Saturday.

And they did so with a little assistance from their acquaintances. With some support from their colleagues. With a bit of a boost from their cohorts.

Dang, if there were only a Beatle lyric to better convey this thought ...

Anyhow, the casts of Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil productions "O" and "Mystere," along with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison (widow of George Harrison), attended the crisp afternoon performance. We can't say for sure if Dhani Harrison, George's son, was in the crowd, but he was in town over the weekend (and he looks so much like his father it's spooky).

The rehearsal audience was a relatively intimate 600 (the former Siegfried & Roy Theater at the Mirage has been reconfigured to seat more than 2,000), and reports are that the first full production of the show went "really well," or, in Beatlespeak, "splendidly."

Preview performances begin June 2. For rehearsal highlights, go to www.cirquedusoleil.com.

NoteMart

Photo finish: Two works by Ansel Adams have been sold at auction by Sotheby's. "The Grand Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming" (1942) sold for $251,000 and "Surf Sequence, San Mateo County Coast, California" (1940) sold for $352,000 in auction on April 21. Both pieces are on display in "Ansel Adams: America" at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

The Times for Wynn: The New York Times profiled Elaine Wynn on Sunday. Quoted was longtime Wynn friend Phyllis McGuire, who recalled when the Wynns (Steve and Elaine) moved to Vegas in 1967: "She was like a willow, beautiful and blowing graciously toward her husband. She was totally 100 percent behind her husband. That's not as true anymore. She's more her own person. Many things she will openly disagree with him about. I think he's very dependent on Elaine, but she's not going to be dominated anymore."

Social scene: Pure Management Group has announced the opening of Social House, its first full-scale restaurant project, atop Tangerine at Treasure Island. Social House's theme is "sushi, sake, socialize." As Pure managing partner Robert Frey says in a statement: "Social House will be jaw-dropping gorgeous and offer dining in a high-octane, energetic atmosphere." It opens in mid-August

Funny, it went over OK here: The opening of a Pink Taco Mexican Restaurant in Scottsdale, Ariz., is drawing complaints because of its name. Pink Taco's first restaurant opened seven years ago inside the Hard Rock Hotel; the Scottsdale restaurant, set to open in June, will be its second.

But some Scottsdale residents (Scottsdalians?) are not happy. According to an Associated Press story, one e-mail stated, "The city of Scottsdale has a very fine reputation around the world. Let's keep those standards high. Let's let what plays in Vegas stay in Vegas."

Come to think of it, Liberace seemed pretty low-stress: Beginning Wednesday, Southern Nevada Music is offering a piano class it claims has been scientifically proven to reduce stress. The course was developed by physicians, musicians, music therapists and educators. The class consists of 60-minute sessions over eight weeks at the Southern Nevada Music store at 1881 S. Rainbow Blvd. The cost is $125; call 938-4646

Saddle up: Vegas bon vivant Monti Rock III has announced "The Monti Rock III 2006 Country Western Birthday Party" May 25 at Hogs & Heifers Saloon in downtown Las Vegas. Never one to resort to hyperbole, I will say that this will be the greatest party in the 101-year history of Las Vegas

Stage coach: Former "Brady Bunch" cast member Barry Williams pulled a half-dozen unsuspecting audience members (called the "Honorary Bradys") to the stage at the Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre on Thursday night for an impromptu production number. It was a highly stressful, somewhat embarrassing, infinitely challenging exorcise in nostalgia but I came out of it OK

A solid 'Vette: Cherry-red Corvette heading east on Interstate 215: KINGOFRD.

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