August 29, 2009 Michael Jackson says “this is it” with his London concerts.
Erich Bergen plays the role of Four Seasons songwriter Bob Gaudio in “Jersey Boys” at the Palazzo. Even vaunted director Kenny Ortega could not have choreographed a more compelling spectacle. Set for 3 p.m. Saturday at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms is a tribute to Michael Jackson, a benefit show marking what would have been the King of Pop’s 51st birthday had he not died on June 25 of what the Los Angeles County coroner announced today was acute intoxication from the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives. In the face of that grave disclosure, and as a series of Vegas-connected developments in the Jackson investigation has surfaced since his death was announced, a variety show has been organized to benefit arts and music programs for Vegas Valley kids through the Clark County Public Education Foundation. Titled “Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson,†the event is being produced by “Jersey Boys†cast member (and Liberace Museum Composers Showcase regular) Erich Bergen and Las Vegas freelance journalist Steve Friess. Stars lined up to take part in what is to be a series of numbers set to Jackson’s lively classics include Holly Madison, Terry Fator, Clint Holmes, members of “Sirens of T.I.,†Motown revue Human Nature from Imperial Palace, a cappella group Mosaic, Monte Carlo headliners Zowie Bowie, L.V. Hilton Shimmer Cabaret headliners Earl Turner and Lani Misalucha, and a couple of local youth ensembles: the Green Valley String Quartet and the Las Vegas Mass Choir. Production shows represented will be “Jersey Boys,†“Peepshow,†“The Lion King,†“Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular†and “Zumanity.†The star event is to be a lengthy dedication ceremony emceed by none other than Robin Leach (URL has been covering Jackson’s case extensively on ) and includes appearances by Brenden Theatres President Johnny Brenden and Palms owner George Maloof. Bergen was originally listed on the Brenden Theatres official Web site as one of those presenting the star, but he does have a show tomorrow night and can’t miss that. Friess, too, was listed as a person making an introduction, but he’s merely attending that event. He will, however, host a post-film audience Q&A with “Moonwalker†co-star Kelly Parker in the theater.
“There’s no doubt it’s weird for me,†Friess said today. “When this was conceived, it was just a couple of days after his death. Nobody believed it would be a homicide at that point, that it would be anything this controversial connected to Las Vegas. … Journalists don’t have to divorce themselves from their communities.†(Friess plans to write of his shifting between journalist and benefit producer in next week’s L.V. Weekly.)