John Katsilometes gets a preview tour of Pearl Theater at the Palms, which offers 18 luxury boxes

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

George Maloof and I were each handed hard hats Wednesday morning for a tour of his Pearl Theater at the Palms. But he didn't bother wearing the ugly white headgear, proving once again it is good to be the owner.

As he looked over the theater, which is cluttered with equipment and busy with construction crews working 20-hour shifts, Maloof assured me the concert hall will be ready for its opening performance by Tool on March 15-16.

Maloof has homed in on rates for the 18 luxury boxes that ring the 2,300-capacity music venue, which seats 2,500 when the floor is opened up as a general-admission space. The middle group of boxes (which will feature private bars, lounges and restrooms) will go for $3,000-$4,000. Those at the very bottom of the theater cost $2,500 and the ones near the top of the venue cost $1,000 (these are all tentative figures, but close to what the boxes will cost). The boxes seat between 10 and 20 fans. The cost is in addition to the ticket purchase price.

Maloof also said the reported deal bringing the somewhat reunited Van Halen to Pearl is still in the works and not yet signed (the band is bringing back David Lee Roth, but has parted with bassist Michael Anthony in favor of 15-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen, an up-and-comer who happens to be Eddie Van Halen's son). Maloof said he fell in love with the band upon the release of "Van Halen I" when he was in eighth grade, and when Wolfgang Van Halen had yet to exist.

NoteMart

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Tyson chicken? Reader turns in the vanity plate on green Dodge pickup: TYSCHKN.