He’s got the look — and the legs
When it comes to replacing David Hasselhoff, Broadway veteran Lee Roy Reams knows who has a leg (or two) up in that competition.
“My legs are prettier and hairier,” said Reams, who on Monday took over the show-stealing role as uber-gay director Roger DeBris in “The Producers.”
Reams warmed up for the job by taking in one of Saturday’s shows, the night before Hasselhoff’s farewell performances amid a storm of controversy over his infamous drunken video.
Reams will play DeBris the same way he’s been playing him for several years.
“I think of Roger as a very spoiled man who is very rich and thinks of himself as a femme fatale,” he said.
It’s not his first time in a dress. He’s had gender-bending roles in “La Cage aux Folles” and “Victor Victoria.”
“Let me put it this way: The dress doesn’t wear me; I wear the dress,” he said.
Reams certainly knows a thing or two about famous legs. He began his career in the 1960s as one of Juliet Prowse‘s four male dancers in her Las Vegas nightclub show.
“She introduced me to all the choreographers, Mitzi Gaynor, Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller,” said Reams, who added singing and acting to his repertoire.
CASTING COMPLETE
Casting is done and rehearsals are under way for Clint Holmes‘ original musical, “Just Another Man,” which makes its world premiere in June at the Judy Bayley Theater at UNLV.
Former Las Vegas headliner Earl Turner will play the father of Holmes’ character, I hear.
Holmes’ sister, Gayle Steele, who was in his headliner show at Harrah’s, is on board, as is Holmes’ longtime musical director, Bill Fayne.
Also joining the 11-member cast: Reva Rice, a veteran of Broadway and Las Vegas and currently the understudy for the “Lady in the Lake” in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” (Wynn), and Tina Walsh and Karole Foreman, two of the three original Dynamos in “Mamma Mia!” when it opened at Mandalay Bay.
And there’s a surprise: former television reporter Kyla Grogan.
Rounding out the cast: Tezz Yancey, Celeste Lero and Reggie Brown.
The loosely autobiographical musical is directed by celebrated director/acting coach Larry Moss, who counts Leonardo DiCaprio and Hilary Swank among his students.
Tickets are on sale at UNLV or by calling 895-ARTS (2787).
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Donald Trump is arriving May 25 for the topping-off ceremony of his Trump International Hotel and Tower Las Vegas project.
SIGHTINGS
“Spamalot” lead John O’Hurley, catching lunch with friends at Terra Rossa Italian Restaurant (Red Rock Resort) on Tuesday. … Star chefs Bobby Flay and Marcus Samuelsson, catching up at the Food & Wine Magazine cocktail party Tuesday at Stack restaurant (Mirage). … Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers, checking out the book selection Tuesday at The Reading Room (Mandalay Place). … Kelly Osbourne, daughter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, hanging out with Jeff Beacher at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday. … Skateboard icon Tony Hawk, celebrating his 39th birthday Monday at Jet nightclub (Mirage) with a massive birthday cake.
THE PUNCH LINE
“This Paris Hilton thing is tearing this country apart. On the one hand, people are calling for leniency. On the other hand, people are calling for lethal injection.” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
NORM CLARKEMORE COLUMNS
