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lQ'PartlV-Tues,,Apr.<30,1974 log Stageta ??nit*' LAS VEGA? REVIEW' Extravaganza at the Grand BY JOHN L. SCOTT Times Staff Writer LAS VEGAS ?╟÷ Two years of planning, 20 weeks ot rehearsal, several postponements because of intricate stage mechanics and lots of nail-biting by producer Donn Arden and associates reached, the moment of truth Friday at the MGM Grand Hotel when the multimillion dollar "Hallelujah Hollywood" opened- in the new Ziegfeld Room. The result: A massive, eye-filling extravaganza that is too much to absorb in one session. Producer Arden, apparently determined to outdo spectacular effects in each succeeding number, starting with a rousing curtain-raiser, "Stara- ma?╟÷Hollywood Turns On," and ending with 100 people on stage in a glittering "Rhapsody in Blue.". ?╟≤ Showgirls (63) including nudes, 700 colorful costumes that utilize 25,000 yards of material, torts of feathers and rKinestones, and a stage that incorpos* ates 11 "different lifts, might be .considered features of "Hallelujah Holly-' wood," On the other hand some might be partial to the dancing girls and boys, the 15 principals, the music of Tony Costa's well-drilled but unseen orchestra (it's stationed in a room below "the showroom) or, perhaps, the animals (lion, tiger, performing elephant, etc.) or the extraordinary J" settings. Whatever the observer's taste, he'll find it in this tribute to the days of big Broadway and Hollywood musicals. The two-hour show experienced its troubles prior to the premiere, since everything that happens mechanically on stage is operated on a split-second basis by a computer. After the formal open- ing, producer Arden final- j ly escaped congratulatory j handshakes and backslaps j to tell me: "I've put on dozens of these spectaculars, but this is the-biggest and, naturally, produced the most problems. Most of the bugs are out now, but so much depends on the computer. One small booboo and we'll just have to lower the cur- fain - (on any -particular production -nu mber}." Arden said if he had it to do over, he'd rather have men pushing the buttons. And sure enough, at the second show Friday there was a hitch in the pirate ship number. -But, Arden said, "I'm happy with results so far." "Hallelujah Hollywood" literally explodes in color, saluting ' the biggies of MGM and Ziegfeld history. It uses the St. Louis Exposition as .background for "Meet Me in St. Louis;" a full-grown pirate ship which eventually sinks in "The Pirate"; an intriguing "Dolphin Grotto," in which a dolphin and nude girl swim together in a large tank; the tribute to Ziegfeld greats, and a procession of exotic animals in "The Camel and Llama Safari." A living curtain, flying balloon, giant Ferris wheel and grand staircase are other scenic features pf the show. Between ensemble numbers are outstanding specialty acts: The Vol antes in a self-explanatory "Fun on "Wheels," a canine act, "Davis Rosaire and His Perky Pekes," and two illusionists, Siegfried and Roy. 4 , ?╟≤' Marlene Vihcenti, 21, of Los Angeles, is principal dancer. There are five principal female and six principal male singers. The outstanding voice belongs to Gary Marshal. Principal nude dancer is Tricia Lee, from Australia' via Paris. Eye-popping costumes were created by designers Bob Mackie and Ray Ag- hayan.. Choreography is by Norman Maen, production design by John Decuir, and lighting by Jules Fisher; Larry Maldonado is production coordinator for producer-director Arden; Bill De Angelis is credited as production supervisor for MGM. "Hallelujah Hollywood" is geared for a run of at least three years. 2 ?╟÷ Las Vegas Review-Journal -* Sunday, April 28,1974 /ffiiifMs, ^^%ostlIpa, spectacle in 'Hallelujah' By Forrest Duke R-J Columnist Las Vegas has many landmarks: it has a uniquely shaped hotel; it has a spectacular Strip thoroughfare with rows of internationally famous spas; it has a downtown light show rivaling Times Square; it has an ultra modern city hall; and it has a mountain shaped like a sleeping Indian. All among hundreds of other unforgettable eye catchers. And now it has a brand new landmark which is certain to join the fame of the others ?╟÷ an overwhelmingly beautiful show which couldn't be topped anywhere else in the world. Master showman Donn Arden's "Hallelujah Hollywood" opened Friday night at the MGM Grand Hotel and lived up to all its advance rave rumors. The sexy circus is saturated with Class, and is destined to become the "must see" attraction for visitors ?╟÷ not to mention the locals who'll want to see it again and again. Hundreds of people are involved in the success of Arden's Show review monumental salute to another legendary showman, Flo Ziegfeld, and appropriately enough, most of them are gorgeous girls like the ones Ziegfeld immortalized in his Broadway spectaculars. Complicated, sophisticated mechanism complete with the latest computer systems make it possible for "Hallelujah Hollywood" to emerge in its incredible explosion of glory. The omnibus pleasant party is indeed a revue of revues. It warmly embraces the famed motion picture history of the studio of studios, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer. It nostalgically reminds you, either on vintage film or via live impersonation of such famed film folk as Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Marie Dressier, Mae West, Tar- zan, Groucho Marx, Carmen Miranda, Shirley Temple, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, and Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion. You'll see a 15-year-young Elizabeth Taylor with Lassie and you'll see Judy Garland, 16, singing "You Made Me Love You" to a photo of Clark Gable. You'll see Ruth Etting, Helen Morgan, Fanny Brice, Lena Home, Marilyn Miller, Will Rogers, Eddie Cantor, W. C. Fields, Ed Wynn, Jeannette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, plus giant photos of every star in the MGM stable including Frank Sinatra. But the nostalgia is only a part of "Hallelujah Hollywood." You'll see a ship sinking onstage ?╟÷ and where else could you see a live dolphin disrobe a live lady in an exciting underwater ballet? Excellent novelty acts punctuate the lavish production numbers backed by the invisible Tony Costa 25-piece orchestra. Animals? You'll see Tanya the elephant, a camel, a panther, a baboon, lions, tigers, llamas, and dogs as you've never seen them before. And the show's finale is a "spectacular's spectacular" coming at you from all sides!