Denise Truscello
Thursday, July 23, 2009 | midnight
Since opening in November 2001, the Palms has never featured a regular headliner. In September 2009, that changes, with the arrival of English singer Matt Goss. The reasons? Less about strategy than timing and opportunity.
You assume that resort entertainment decisions involve a great deal of calculation and research. But Michael Greco, vice president of entertainment for the Palms, says he had no grand scheme or focus-group results to work from when he decided to take on the Palms’ first headliner. “I was looking for something new and exciting to do here. And I called Robin [Antin], who I worked with on the Pussycat Dolls in my old days at Pure Management Group, and asked if she had anything interesting we could do at the Palms. She brought Matt to me, and it was love at first sight. I think that Palms has always tried to be ahead of the curve and cutting edge. This is an adult contemporary artist in his prime.”
Being ahead of the curve in this case meaning that Goss, who has sold millions in Europe, will be a virtual unknown in the United States when he opens in Vegas on Labor Day weekend. But Antin, the Palms show’s choreographer and producer, does not see the artist’s obscurity as an obstacle. “Vegas is the right place for him,” Antin insists. “His music is being released worldwide on iTunes on August 4. Vegas allows you to take over the world. It is a one-stop concert kind of deal. You can do Vegas and not tour the world because everyone sees you in Vegas. Matt and I are so inspired by the Rat Pack. Matt is the Sinatra of today, and Vegas is the natural place for him.” She compares him to Elvis, Celine Dion and David Beckham.
More
- From the Archives
- British singer-songwriter Matt Goss is new resident headliner at the Palms (6/19/09)
- Photo Gallery: Dancers and singers audition for the Dirty Virgins (7/16/09)
- Photo Gallery: PCD creator to audition dancers for new troupe (6/30/09)
- Pussycat Dolls founder is back in Vegas with a new bag of tricks (6/30/09)
- Beyond the Weekly
- Matt Goss
- Pussycat Dolls Lounge
But unlike, say, the Sinatra performances of old, which did not use background dancers, Goss’ show recently held auditions to hire four. Antin was so overwhelmed when more than 70 hopefuls turned out—many whose resumes were filled with other Vegas productions—she also hired two background singers. It is a buyer’s market on talent. Antin was expecting the opposite. “[Having created] the Pussycat Dolls, I want everything I am involved with to be at a certain level,” she says. “I was not going to hang everything on one Las Vegas audition. But so many amazing people were here that I don’t know what happened. I am not going to have to hold another audition in LA like I thought. I found everyone I need. It was amazing.”
Not surprised at all by the turnout were the job hopefuls, who included cast members of recently closed shows such as Folies Bergere and La Cage. Aspirant Lindsay Hartman, 24, who came to Vegas with a degree in dance last year, says the large turnout has been standard for months and stems from the terrible economy. “There are not many auditions right now and everyone needs a job,” Hartman says.
Back in the day, not all the auditions here were even for Vegas shows. Hartman was once hired for a few-month run in a celebrity impersonator show that toured Asia. “There used to be three auditions a week in Vegas,” she says. “Now, you are lucky if there is one legitimate audition a month.”
Palms Casino Resort has come a long way since its "Real World" debut in 2002. The boutique property features three distinct towers and a diverse mix of bars and restaurants across a 95,000-square-foot casino.
Palms, which features more than 1,200 rooms and fantasy suites, is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation that will encompass an Ivory Tower room and suite redesign, new culinary additions, re-imagined gaming spaces and new, distinctive nightlife experiences.
In addition to newly designed rooms, during the first phase of the renovation, Palms will welcome Heraea, a high-energy American restaurant and lounge, and XISHI, a pan-Asian restaurant and lounge.
Fantasy Suites include the Hardwood Suite, the only hotel room in the world with its own basketball court.
Other amenities include the all-new Cantor Gaming® race and sports book, one of the few sports books in Las Vegas to include a poker room; SOCIAL; Scarlet; Chocolat Bistro; tonic bar; ghostbar; Pearl Concert Theater; Moon Nightclub; N9NE Steakhouse; Nove Italiano; Simon Restaurant & Lounge; Palms Pool & Bungalows; Kim Vō Salon; Drift Spa & Hammam; Brenden Theatres, a 14-theatre cineplex and more than 60,000 square-feet of meeting space.
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