Red Carpet Report: Mafia musical on the Strip, Las Vegas Marathon, Great Santa Run, Headliners Bash
The fascination with Old Vegas and the days of when the alleged Mafia ran da joint is the subject of a new Mob musical destined for the Strip. The initial planning that began this summer has now wrapped with a completed script.
I’m reliably told that entertainment kingpin Jeff Kutash helms the project, which is ready to be shown to hotel execs for a proposed early spring debut. Jeff produced the long-running spectacular “Splash” at the Riviera.
What makes this exclusive tasty tidbit even more interesting is that an alleged former Mob boss who spent four years in federal prison will be one of its leading stars. The unidentified actor was reportedly a member in the Colombo crime family known for keeping state and federal taxes on millions of gallons of gasoline supplied by the Russian Mafia.
Indicted on 14 counts of racketeering, counterfeiting and extortion from the gasoline bootleg racket, he pleaded guilty to two counts, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $14 million in restitution.
Released on parole, he later found religion and in recent years has been a keynote speaker at Christian conferences and church services educating, empowering and equipping troubled youth to face life’s challenges, especially those addicted to gambling.
MARATHON SINCE 1967
Geico Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon officials kick off race weekend today with the opening of the Health & Fitness Expo at Las Vegas Convention Center featuring running technology, nutrition, fitness apparel and interactive displays. One of the oldest marathons in the United States, our marathon began in 1967.
More than 45,000 runners from 50 states and 83 countries are here to hit the pavement starting Saturday night. The two-day running party starts with the Brooks Rock ’n’ Roll 5K at Las Vegas Festival Grounds opposite SLS Las Vegas. Sunday’s start line is at Las Vegas Village opposite the Luxor.
The race route highlights the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to the Bellagio Fountains. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Snoop Dogg entertains runners who set off at 4:30 p.m. The run-through weddings at The Park at Monte Carlo and New York-New York start at 5:30 p.m., and the first runners should cross the Strip finish line at The Mirage volcano at 6:30 p.m.
2016 U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi will appear at the expo and take part in running. Be sure to read the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Sunday Life for our story of courageous runner Michael Kutcher, twin brother of Ashton Kutcher. Strip closures begin as early as 10 a.m. Sunday, with the finish line area not reopening until 2 a.m. Monday.
The only Strip transportation available during the marathon is the monorail. The closest stop for the 4:30 p.m. marathon and half-marathon starting line will be MGM Grand Station and the closest stop for finish line spectator viewing is Harrah’s/The Linq station. The best monorail stop for the 10K start line is SLS. It’s set to be the second busiest ridership day in monorail history.
GREAT SANTA RUN
Our next Opportunity Village Great Santa Run is set for Dec. 3 in the streets of Downtown with The Venetian headliners Human Nature as our 5K parade grand marshals. Chippendales at The Rio will serve as marshals for the 1-mile walk, and I’ll be there as host. It’s only 22 days now to go. Here’s a YouTube video of last year’s event when we attracted more than 9,000 runners.
Naturally this year we want more than 10,000 Santas in costume to break the record. The other big fundraiser of the year for Opportunity Village is the Magical Forest, which opens its 25th silver anniversary holiday season Saturday, Nov. 19.
HEADLINERS BASH
Although he’ll be on crutches from knee surgery, and not the marathon or World’s Toughest Mudder, Flamingo headliner comedy juggler Jeff Civillico hosts his annual Headliners Bash on Friday, Nov. 18, for Win Win Entertainment, local performers who raise money for charities.
The Lon Bronson Band will back up Clint Holmes, Band of Magicians, Larry Edwards and Jason Hewlett in Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio. The casts of “Baz: Star Crossed Love” and “Menopause the Musical” also are entertaining.
SECOND MOBILE HEALTH CARE CLINIC
Medical students from Touro University Nevada under the supervision of faculty physicians and nurse practitioners staff its second mobile health care clinic unveiled today at our beloved Opportunity Village. O.V. clients will now receive basic health care from mobile clinics onsite at all five O.V. campuses.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
It’s a real workout weekend because in addition to the marathon, the World’s Toughest Mudder presents its grueling 24-hour extreme endurance race at Lake Las Vegas. Some 1,300 competitors in teams of four brave 20 obstacles over a 5-mile-loop course to complete 100 miles together to determine the toughest man and woman on the planet.
