In a world of tragedy, there are uplifting moments that certain individuals enhance by creating positive messages. Among actors, entertainers, poets, and writers is Marcel Marceau, universally acclaimed as the world’s greatest mime. Marceau’s performance on September 9-12 received standing ovations at Le Theatre De Arts located in the new Paris Resort Hotel and Casino.
Celebrating 50 years as a mime, creator and actor Marceau continues to enforce life and hope by stating, "Art is eternal. Music and silence carries the weight of the soul. I love entertainment; The Folies Bergere, Mystere created by Cirque du Soleil. They are wonderful shows and wonderful people."
Although the public is not accustomed to theatrical drama with mime in Las Vegas, there was a healthy turnout. Marceau’s success at Paris marks a turning point for theater in our valley. The Bird Keeper, one of Marceau’s most dramatic pieces, requires tremendous precision mixed with frustration in trying to catch his first bird. The final triumph of catching the bird, caressing it, then setting it free is unmistakably brilliant.
Marceau, age 76, born in Strasburg, France, was inspired by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harry Langdon, Harold Loyd and Laurel and Hardy.
During our visit with Mr. Marceau, he explained the character "Bip," as an alter ego created in 1947. "Bip" he says, "comes from Pip, a great expectation. When I was 20 years old, I had great expectations. The story of Pip, I changed to Bip, which is my main character. He has a white face to remember the French tradition (Pierrot) which came from the comedy of Dilardi."
Marcel Marceau holds honorary doctorates from Princeton and Ohio State Universities, Lenfeld College, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor; the American way of recognizing and honoring Marceau’s new art form derived from an old tradition.
During 1997-1998, "Bip" celebrated his 50th anniversary. It was also during that time that he created a new mimodrama, The Bowler Hat. Presented in Paris at the Espace Pierre Cardin for two months, then London, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York City, and now performing in Las Vegas.
Having received two Emmy Awards for his television shows (The Maurice Chevaliar Show in 1955 and Laugh In); it’s easy for Americans to know Marcel Marceau. In 1973, his appearance as 17 different characters in ‘A Christmas Carol’ on the BBC reaffirmed his brilliance to the world. Marceau also appeared in 13 films produced by Encyclopedia Britannica, illustrating Bip’s style. Appearing in Barbarella with Jane Fonda, and Shanks, Marceau combines silent art by playing a deaf mute puppeteer, with a mad speaking scientist, elevating himself a world above the mere introduction of mime.
His delightful publications, The Alphabet Book, and Marcel Marceau’s Counting Book, have helped children throughout the world. Other publications available on Marceau’s paintings, poetry, and illustrations include La Ballade de Paris et du Monde, Les Reveries du Bip, The Story of Bip (Harper and Row), Pimporello (Belfond Paris), and The Third Eye (Paris Lithoprint).
Marcel Marceau has also experienced the tragedies of the 20th century. A member of the French Underground during WWII, he wishes the world to live in harmony. "The world lives in violence, and I think man has to be enlightened. This is my prayer for 2000, that there will be no more war for the younger generations."
Marceau stated before departing for San Francisco, where he will perform at the Theatre on the Square, "Music is the beating of the heart. Silence brings a way to the soul in tragedy and comedy. It’s an art form."
People In The News...
ROBERT GOULET, known for his robust voice and many performances on Broadway, of which Camelot was a favorite, was inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame at the Tropicana, along with Jackie Gaughan, Kenny Kerr and the Mary Kaye Trio.
Goulet, with more than 47 albums, holds the record for the longest running performance at the former Dunes Hotel. Goulet spoke of his friend, Burt Reynolds and the new film Reynolds has directed entitled, "The Last Producer."Photo Courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau
"At one point, in this little bar area by the pool, while I was having some orange juice, there was a camera on me and one on him. After all the dialogue we did, he said with a pause, ‘Good seeing you again.’ He looked me in the eye. We had not seen each other for three years. I paused and looked at him and said, ‘It’s good to see you again’, and he walked away. I said, ‘keep in touch.’"
HEATHER BRYANT of Utah is the new 1999 Miss March American Dream Calendar Girl. CEO Phil Ruffin, who also owns the Crystal Palace in the Bahamas, site of the Miss America Dream Calendar Girls finals competition, attended the pageant held at Gilley’s in The New Frontier. Bryant, who appeared on "Touched By An Angel," states, "Don’t get discouraged or frustrated, because if you want something bad enough, you’ll eventually get it."
MELISSA ARINGTON, an Arizona contestant in the pageant, said it was "a life-long dream" just to compete. Arington, who didn’t have the guidance of a real family, grew up in over 20 foster care homes. "Parents should be there for their children and not neglect them. Appreciate your family, because you only have one real family," she stated.
Remember the movie, "Casino" with Robert De Niro? Well, executive casino host, RICHARD STRAFELLA, played his executive assistant in that movie. Strafella’s involvement with the film was a memorable one, especially with his friend, Mayor Oscar Goodman, playing himself. "Oscar Goodman wore the same tie in Casino as he did when he defended Frank Rosenthal years ago. That’s the kind of fortitude Oscar has," states Strafella. A classic individual formerly of Caesars Palace, Strafella is now executive casino host for The Resort at Summerlin.
PAUL STEELMAN, referred to as "the globe trotting architect", and builder of casinos worldwide, has undertaken his first restaurant venture. Called Spiedini and under the direction of Executive Chef Gustav Mauler, one of only 54 Master Chefs in the United States, one thing is for sure, the combination of Steelman’s interior design and architecture, along with the cuisine, is receiving rave reviews.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER holds true to his promise of fighting the best fighters. Once again, he proved his superior boxing skills, as he bombarded Carlos Genero throughout seven rounds of a 12-round championship fight to retain the World Boxing Council Super Featherweight belt, when referee Richard Steil stopped the fight at the end of the seventh round. It was evident from the first round, when Mayweather knocked Genero down, that he couldn’t handle Mayweather’s speed and power.
During the press conference at Mandalay Bay after the fight, Mayweather said he would be willing to go down from his original weight of 130 to perhaps 128 to fight Prince Hamed Naseen. His next fight is on October 22 with Cesar Soto on HBO.
FREDDIE NORWOOD, the World Boxing Association Featherweight Champion, managed to retain his title after fighting Juan Manuel Marquez. There were some hard feelings from the fans on this fight. According to CompuBox, the digital, computerized boxing score, it listed Norwood with 290 punches thrown, while Marquez had thrown 445, landing 89 punches to Norwood’s 73. Marquez jabs showed 219 to Norwood’s 151, with Marquez connecting 19 and Norwood 9. Marquez had thrown 26 power punches to Norwood’s 39, connecting 70 to Norwood’s 64. In addition, Norwood had been knocked down.
In the Super Welterweight category, Nicholas Arvera TKO’d Francisco Mendez in the seventh round of a 10-round fight. Maurice Harris won a 10-rounder in the Heavyweight fight against Israel Cole by unanimous decision. Pamela Barker won a 4-rounder against Elisa Olwas.
