Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

John Katsilometes on who ‘La Cage’ star Marino might turn to when he needs a cup of sugar

I 'd love to attend this homeowners association meeting: On one end of a west Las Vegas neighborhood is Michael Jackson. On the other is Frank Marino.

"It's the Queen of Las Vegas on one corner and the King of Pop on the other," Marino, the Joan Rivers impersonator and longtime star of "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera, said Monday morning. "I don't know if the property values will go up or down."

The oft-reported Jackson home is a 16,000-square-foot dwelling, which he leases from San Francisco real estate magnate Luke Brugnara. It sits just two houses away from a 1.5-acre plot owned by Marino (which is not hard to find, as a sign reading "Future homesite of Frank Marino" has been placed on the property).

Marino said he was not aware of his famous neighbor until a reporter called a couple of weeks ago to tell him about the man on the corner. But Marino was aware of his other famous neighbor, Gary Payton, whose home sits between Marino's plot and Jackson's haunt.

"He's a basketball player or something," Marino said. "I don't know the players. But if you ask me about fashion, that I know."

NoteMart

Reports of Jackson in the audience at Prince's performance at the Rio Friday night reminds me of a question I had forwarded to Prince several weeks ago (and resubmitted Monday) asking if Jackson ever performs a show in Vegas, would Prince attend? I have not heard back. ...

Stop me if you've heard this one: A first-rate Vegas production plays to a half-full theater. In this case it was "The Producers" on Sunday night at Paris Las Vegas. Hoops fans evidently are not theater-goers, thus "Producers" producers say they are not concerned. ...

A restaurant I predict will become a Vegas hot spot (hot! I tell you) opened Friday at the Rio. That's the Italian restaurant Cafe Martorano, which occupies the space vacated by Rosemary's. No reservations are taken at the popular South Florida Italian restaurant owned by Steve Martorano. Martorano refers to himself as a "cook" rather than "chef" and favors a lively atmosphere (with up-tempo music and a state-of-the-art sound system) at his restaurants. Shaquille O'Neal ate there Saturday, so there's that. ...

Mojo found: In keeping with the hotel's theme, the Orleans has summoned an authentic Mardi Gras music outfit in "Mojo" Poe's Dixieland Band. The crew will be strolling through the casino from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. ...

Steve Schorr, Cox Communications vice president of public and government affairs, will be honored at 6:30 p.m. today when Steven G. Schorr Elementary School is dedicated. Schorr has lived in Las Vegas for 30 years and is also a former broadcast journalist with stints at KVBC Channel 3, KLAS Channel 8 and KTNV Channel 13. He's also an accomplished American Kennel Club judge. The school at 11420 Placid St. opened in August. ...

Things that go bump in the night: "Stomp Out Loud" - the new show from "Stomp" creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas - opens March 24 for previews at the new 1,500-seat, $28 million Aladdin/Planet Hollywood showroom. Preview tickets range from $50 to $110 and go on sale March 1. The show will officially open in April. ...

The outflux (it's a word now) of NBA fans leaving Las Vegas on Monday caused a line leading out of McCarran International Airport's Terminal 1 all the way to Terminal 2. One couple waited in line for 2 1/2 hours just to reach the entrance of Terminal 1. As one friend of mine who has been driving a cab in Las Vegas for years understated, "I would not like to be flying out today." ...

As Rush once said, "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to eight." A slate-colored BMW 745 LI with a California plate QRT2ATE.

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