The real Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, center right, is shown with a wax figure in his likeness as the figure is unveiled at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at the Venetian on March 26. Showgirls Jennifer Gagliano, left, and Jennifer Speelman join the fun.
Friday, April 3, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas wax museum has introduced a Viva Vegas exhibit that focuses on colorful characters from throughout the city’s history.
The exhibit features 27 wax figures and includes several that had previously been displayed individually as well as a notable addition.
A wax figure of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was unveiled at the March 26 exhibit launch at the museum at the Venetian.
“It’s awesome to be a part of Las Vegas history and to be enshrined with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Bette Midler and all of the great entertainers here,” Goodman said. “I hope they think of me as more than just an entertainer here. I’m just a character of Las Vegas.”
Before becoming mayor, Goodman was a lawyer who represented some of the most notorious figures in the city’s history. He joked about how his life has changed since he came to town more than 40 years ago.
“With my old clients, there was always the fear of being whacked, and now I am being waxed,” Goodman said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, which museum officials say presented a perfect opportunity to celebrate the city’s history.
“We wanted to pay tribute to the city of Las Vegas,” said Rosita Chapman, attraction manager. “We’ve always felt that we’ve had the support of not only the tourists, but the locals as well.”
To show appreciation for that support, Madame Tussauds is offering a $10 special for locals this year. With the decline in tourism, Chapman said it is more important than ever to market to residents.
“Being located on the Strip, the majority of our visitation is tourists,” Chapman said. “We wanted to be able to present an appealing offer for locals to come and see us and see a lot of the updates we’ve made over the years. We do constantly add attractions, so even if they have been here before, they will more than likely find something new when they come again.”
Other legendary Las Vegas figures represented in the exhibit include Louis Armstrong, Lance Burton, Judy Garland, Elton John and Siegfried & Roy.
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