Lightman accuses Osmond of greed
When Chip Lightman was best known as manager of the late impressionist Danny Gans, the two parted company for more than three years but eventually reconciled.
But those two never battled in court. It doesn’t seem likely Donny Osmond will be inclined to patch it up with Lightman, given the language in Lightman’s lawsuit after he was ousted from producing the Donny & Marie show at the Flamingo.
Lightman claims Osmond was "underhanded, devious, fraudulent and greedy," pointing out that such allegations are "contrary to the wholesome, all-American, good-natured image that he presents to the public."
Lightman further claims his former client has been out to "line his own pockets with ill-gotten gains to fund his lavish lifestyle of exotic cars, luxury hotel suites and private jets."
The lawsuit alleges a cash-strapped Donny conspired to cut Lightman and the William Morris Agency out of a Flamingo contract extension through 2012, and claims Donny threatened not to perform beyond next week if "the Flamingo did not terminate any and all agreements" with Lightman.
The suit alleges that "(d)ue to the declining economy, poor investments and his extravagant lifestyle," Donny "lived paycheck to paycheck scraping by to cover his own expenses." That, Lightman alleges, motivated him to try to cut costs and commissions.
The Osmonds’ attorney, Howard King, said Wednesday he had not seen the complaint to comment on specifics. But he wrote in an e-mail, "Of course, we are surprised and disappointed that Mr. Lightman took such precipitous action, especially in light of the substantial sums he has been paid, despite the facts that he neither created, financed or owns the show, nor does he engage the 48 talented and dedicated people who produce and perform the show each night."
Lightman and Gans teamed up as producers in a venture called Ganslight to bring the Osmonds to Las Vegas, and Donny spoke at Gans’ memorial service in May 2009. Lightman and Gans were synonymous during most of the impressionist’s career on the Strip, though they parted ways from 2004 to early 2008.
A few more points of interest in Lightman’s District Court filing:
■ People always ask what entertainers make, and the usually guarded information is revealed in the lawsuit as well. The Osmonds each had a base salary of $1.6 million, plus 40 percent of gross box office receipts over $250,000.
■ As part of their discussed contract extension, the Flamingo obtained life insurance policies for both Donny and Marie in the amount of $5 million each.
■ The lawsuit claims the show opened "to rave reviews." Your honor, may I submit the muted enthusiasm of my original review, which asked, "Can a show disappoint because it isn’t cheesy enough?" …
"Echoes of the 60s" is scheduled to open today at the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. It’s the longtime dream project of Bill DeLoach, who toured with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and was a longtime keyboardist for Danny Gans. The show promises true stories from people who played in famed bands of the 1960s. …
Magician Steve Dacri wrapped his "In Your Face" close-up magic at the Las Vegas Hilton on Monday. He says he completed a 52-week contract in less than a year, because a second night was added to the weekly schedule during his run.
Dacri is giving up the Shimmer Showroom. While he is on the road this month for shows in Florida, he and the Hilton will figure out whether they can find space for him elsewhere on the property, somewhere that would give him more than one night a week. …
When producer Norbert Aleman closed "An Evening at La Cage" in early 2009, some wondered if the "Crazy Girls" would be next. The longest-running topless cabaret show opened in 1987.
But now the Riviera seems to recognize the nutty babes are all it has, or at least an underutilized asset. The casino announces the debut of the "Crazy Girls Passion Pit" on Oct. 15.
The gaming area will feature live dancers three nights a week. You see that all over the Strip now, and, guess what? The nearby Sahara also plans a casino area themed to its just-opened "Striptease the Show."
The Riviera promises a "Crazy Girls" merchandise store soon, if you’ve been crossing your fingers for a replica of the outdoor bronze "No ifs, ands or …" statue.
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.