October 15, 2004

Only in Las Vegas: Beatles songs, as portrayed by the acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil, will replace animal training duo Siegfried and Roy at one of the city’s biggest tourist theaters, according to a deal announced on Thursday.

Characters from Beatles songs like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Nowhere Man” and “I am the Walrus” will be featured in the $30 million show about the Beatles’ life in the 1960s, said Gilles Ste-Croix, the Cirque du Soleil vice president of creation in charge of the project.

The show marks a musical first: the Beatles have never before allowed a major theatrical performance of their music, but surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr as well as Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison have approved the deal.

The show will take the place of the magic and animal taming duo Siegfried & Roy, in a new, roughly $100 million, theater at the Mirage casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Montreal-based Cirque said.

Siegfried & Roy closed a year ago after a tiger mauled animal trainer Roy Horn.

The Cirque show will be a financial partnership between Cirque, the Beatles’ Apple Corp, and casino owner MGM Mirage, which will also pay for the theater.

Before his death, former Beatle George Harrison struck up a friendship with Cirque founder Guy Laliberte, leading to the idea for the production.

Source CNN.com.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday announced Chris Rock will host the next Academy Awards telecast.

Rock, who’s been in the films “Head of State” and “Dogma,” is best known for his standup comedy specials “Bigger & Blacker,” “Bring the Pain” and “Never Scared.”

Rock, 39, has previously hosted the MTV’s Movie Awards.

“I am a huge fan of Chris Rock,” said Gil Cates, the producer of the Oscars telecast. “He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific.”

The one-time “Saturday Night Live” regular has won three Emmys for his TV programs and two Grammys for his comedy albums.

Rock currently is shooting a remake of “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler and recently provided the voice of the zebra in the animated feature “Madagascar,” both to be released in May 2005.

His other film credits include “Head of State,” “Bad Company,” “Down to Earth” and “Nurse Betty.”

The 77th Academy Awards telecast is set for February 27.

Source CNN.com.

Loveland Ski Area in Colorado was the first U.S. resort to open for the new 2004-2005 ski season this morning. Loveland, which is located at the base of the Continental Divide and at an elevation of 10,600 feet, is the first resort to open with continuous operation for the season.