"That’s really the goal of this show, to please people. For me, it’s hard to miss with all the incredible stuff that goes on with the effects." Rick Springfield

Sue Packard:

"Packy" has landed a job in which she has oodles of experience: she is now the new dresser for Tina Walsh, star of Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay! Talk about a job she is supremely qualified for, and having known Tina through EFX will make their working relationship a breeze. For the meantime, Packy is finishing up her duties as as a Production Assistant for a few more weeks for the Exec. Technical Director, overseeing the dismantling of the EFX Theatre. She says: "The move out has been very difficult. Seeing it all come together 8 years ago & now seeing it all taken apart."

Sal Salangsang

Sal is writing, producing, and directing several new shows for Gatorland, a theme park in Orlando, FL. He's working with the President and CEO of Gatorland, Mark McHugh. The shows are scheduled to be in full swing within a few months. (of course, that could be Rick time, afterall they did work together, they might own the same watch LOL!) Sal will continue seeking out "gigs" to perform live in front of audiences.

Tina Walsh

Tina Walsh is performing the lead in the new Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay. Her photo and a small blurb about the show were featured in Newsweek magazine on January 19. The show started in March to good reviews. She has also made several appearances outside of her new role, most notably singing the Star Spangled Banner at the Nascar Winston Cup.

Maggie Brandon

Maggie is still working at the Lion Habitat at the MGM. However, it won't be for long. She auditioned for "Jubilee" at Bally's and got the job! Her new album,  features a duet with her and Rick.  She will be starting there in March.

Jac Holland

Jac has just landed the role of understudy for the Donna/Tanya roles in Mamma Mia. Her part begins 2/2/2004. She will also be working at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville starting on December 11, 2003 as the mermaid that falls into the volcano and slides down into a blender each night every hour starting at around 6pm. She hopes to see friendly faces, so stop on by!

Rob Montoya

He is currently doing dinner theater at the "Egg & I" restaurant here in Las Vegas.

John Bentley

John continues to work at Studio 54 doing aerial acts and working in the "Dollhouse" on Thursdays. He will continue working there as well as working at TI. He is in rehearsals for the new TI (Treasure Island) show called "Sirens of TI". It will open on Sunday, October 26th, TI’s 10th Anniversary. John told me there is a program for the show, with pictures and bio’s on the cast.

The TV pilot John starred in "Tales from the Strip" is STILL in post-production. John a voice-over in a local low-budget horror flick that will premiere at the Palms Hotel & Casino at the end of October. His voice replaces that of the main male character.

Rick Rocks EFX

by Jason Sheehan, What's On Magazine

The power of adaptation has proven to be the most valuable asset for "EFX" during its six-year stay at the MGM Grand. The $75 million production show stretches but never breaks as changes are made to accommodate the strengths of each new leading man.

Now in its fourth adaptation, "EFX" has a sharper edge, an attitude, an infusion of rock ‘n’ roll. Rick Springfield arrived Jan. 30 at the EFX Theatre with a guitar in one hand and a dozen roses in the other to breathe new life into a show now entitled "EFX Alive!"

Michael Crawford opened the show, which was passed down to former teen idol David Cassidy and then later to Broadway star Tommy Tune. Both thrived under the "EFX" umbrella. Now Springfield, widely known for the hit song "Jessie’s Girl" and his role as Dr. Noah Drake on the TV soap opera, "General Hospital" in the Eighties, has found his niche as the EFX Master.

The elements that made the show popular remain intact as a myriad of different characters, special effects, fire-breathing dragons, beautiful sets and talented dancers energize each performance. These ingredients added to Springfield’s versatility create an electrifying atmosphere that showcases the Australian’s talents through music and acting.

"They wanted me to bring the energy of my live performance to it," Springfield said. "In this show, that’s actually quite a feat, because it’s such a huge show. At times, I feel like Luke Skywalker in a ‘Star Wars’ movie. You’re surrounded by all this amazing stuff. It’s pretty easy to get lost.

"Jerry Mitchell, the director, is also an incredible choreographer. I wrote some songs that pump up the volume a bit. We both had the same idea. He definitely pumped up the energy with the dance routines. The effects, of course, are astounding. But to match that with the energy onstage with every single performer is incredible."

One of the songs Springfield wrote specifically for "EFX Alive!" is "Rhythm of the Beat," the opening number. Springfield performs the song aboard a floating disk hovering above the stage.

"I think the opening song kicks off the show by showing everybody where the direction is gonna be," he added. "Before, it was much more of a dreamy [sequence.] Now it kicks off with a good backbeat."

Springfield also wrote a ballad with Musical Director Bill Wray entitled "Forever" for a revamped Houdini segment that now focuses on the relationship of Harry and Bess Houdini (Tina Walsh).

"We’ve made that a love story," Springfield said. "I loved the whole thing originally, but I was never dramatically moved by any of the music or any of the tableaus. We took a few moments to put the human beings onstage, because I think we needed the human element all the way through it. I’m hoping these are things that people will be moved by in the few minutes that the character is onstage."

Benefiting most from the recent changes is Sal Salangsang, who plays a comedic stage technician striving for attention. Salangsang, known simply as Sal on stage, has done the pre-show act since the Cassidy production. Besides doing the pre-show, Sal now has a part in the show. At the most awkward moments, he appears onstage mocking Springfield with a few lines from "Jessie’s Girl" or with remarks such as "Paging Dr. Noah Drake."

"Sal is truly amazing," Springfield said. "He’s truly one of the best I’ve seen at coming in after someone tells him, ‘You’re going out there. Fill.’

"I remember seeing Sal in the David Cassidy [production]. I thought, ‘This guy’s great. What great energy.’ Then I saw him in Tommy Tune’s [show], where he had a bigger spot. When Jerry, Bill Wray, Richard Sturm [executive producer] and I talked, we all said, ‘This guy’s great. We’d all be silly not to use him more.’ He’s really naturally funny. He is that guy you see onstage. He has unbelievable energy. He’s a really good dancer, too. You can hear the applause when he comes on. Everybody likes him. He’s great."

Another major addition to "EFX Alive!" is "The Sphere." Replacing high-flying trapeze artists, The Flying Kaganovitch, "The Sphere" aerialists do an amazing routine twirling on spinning hoops above the audience during the P.T. Barnum segment.

"We wanted something more spacey, something that fit with the show," Springfield said. "The Kaganovitch were amazing. But we all thought it was time to do something a little bit weirder, more into keeping with the space element. This sphere act really seems to be it, because the audience has really liked it."

Springfield seems to be most comfortable when he walks through the audience. Amid various memorabilia from his early days, he pokes fun at himself before finding that special someone to take onstage. He then acoustically performs a few of his old hits, including a minute-long rendition of "Jessie’s Girl."

"They wanted to bring that type of thing here because that’s uniquely me, obviously, because that’s my past," Springfield expresses. "I think I have a pretty good sense of humor about it with what it was and what it meant. It’s not like, ‘Look how great he was.’ It’s more like, ‘What a goof.’"

He also has a special place in his heart for "Jessie’s Girl." "It’s like having a favorite child that everybody admires," he said. "You never get tired of taking the kid to parties. It’s more than a song now to me. I can’t really analyze it as a song anymore because it’s too much a part of my life."

Joining "Jessie’s Girl" as a major part of his life is "EFX Alive!" Throughout the show, Springfield, a science fiction buff, transforms into the EFX Master, Merlin, P.T. Barnum, Houdini and H.G. Wells while making pit stops along the way just to be himself. For future performances, Springfield simply hopes his audiences will continue showing their love and wonderment for the magical world of "EFX."

"I hope I have more energy for it and that it’s better and that the audiences are loving it," he says. "That’s really the goal of this show, to please people. For me, it’s hard to miss with all the incredible stuff that goes on with the effects. I’ve seen kids and young women and little old ladies clapping along to ‘Rhythm of the Beat.’ That’s great."

(Photo credit: Steve Marcus)

Rick Springfield seemed right at home in the fourth version of "EFX," renamed "EFX Alive," which opened Tuesday at the MGM Grand.

This neatly trimmed, just under 90-minute edition is sans the talking head of James Earl Jones. Springfield is the EFX Master, as well as portraying Merlin, P.T. Barnum, Houdini and H.G. Wells in the four main segments. The wonderful effects are all there intact, and even more effective.

Springfield, no stranger to musical theater, having starred successfully on Broadway in "Smokey Joe's Cafe," in addition to numerous television credits, carries the night and most of the continuity with ease, and scored with his singing on several new songs, as well as some of his hits of the past that are nicely worked in. He has the charisma, is believable, talented and athletic enough in the action scenes.

Sal Salangsang, a strong comic personality and eccentric dancer, did the pre-show nonsense as he had in the past. In this edition, he also appeared to good advantage in the show -- a comedic plus.

Tina Walsh was also a standout as Morgana, the Evil Witch in the King Arthur scene and even stronger as Bess, Houdini's widow, especially in the new duet with Springfield, "Forever," with music and lyrics by Springfield and Bill Wray. The Houdini portion has now been restored to its original strength.

The prologue had a lot less bodies than in the past, but the various mythical figures were not missed. It also had a Springfield original song, "Rhythm of the Beat," which he sung, also with original music by him and Wray.

The King Arthur scene, with Springfield as Merlin and Kristofer Saly as the young King Arthur, seemed pretty much intact, ending with the duel between good and evil, represented by battling dragon figures.

The P.T. Barnum segment seemed lacking that one more sensational circus act. Springfield's foray into the audience did not make up for this omission.

Houdini and H.G. Wells were an effective one-two punch, followed by a rousing closer with Springfield and the entire company. Audience response was constant and heavy throughout.

With a few more shows under his belt, Springfield may have to be ranked right there with Michael Crawford as the best star in the very versatile entertainment vehicle. Prognosis: excellent.

Springfield Heading to Las Vegas
ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Photo credit Steve Marcus)
January 26, 2001

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Rick Springfield has been a rock star and a TV doctor. Now, he's trying his luck in Las Vegas.

Springfield takes the stage Tuesday as the lead in the newly titled show "EFX Alive" at the MGM Grand hotel-casino.

"The weirdest thing for me was to do a show in Vegas," he told The Associated Press during rehearsal Thursday. "I always thought Vegas is where musicians come to die."

He replaces Broadway star Tommy Tune in the $75 million production, which previously featured David Cassidy and Michael Crawford and was simply called "EFX."

The 51-year-old performer makes his "EFX Alive" debut the same day his first live album, "Greatest Hits Alive," is set to be released by Universal. An "EFX" soundtrack album also is being produced.

A heartthrob in the 1980s, Springfield is best known for hits including "Jessie's Girl" and for his portrayal of Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera "General Hospital."

EFX Alive, starring Rick Springfield
By Chuck Rounds, www.igoshows.com

EFX Alive, starring Rick Springfield, playing inside the EFX theatre at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, is probably the best version of the show yet. Springfield does a very good job as the EFX master, and the show moves along at a strong and lively pace. This is a huge, and often times awesome show. The sets, lights, effects, music and dancers are all wonderful.

The show has always been about seeing really big sets and special effect, with dancing and singing. The problem with past versions of this production has been the attempt to force a weak and thin story onto the show in order to tie the segments together. This attempt at making this production into a deep and meaningful experience never worked. This attempt caused the producers to lose sight of what this show was really about--the effects. The story never worked, always required extensive narration to explain, and only served to destroy the pace and energy of the show. Even with all of the narration, the story was still convoluted. Thankfully, the story and narration have been eliminated. The show is tied together by the effects themselves, and now, at least, there is the opportunity for the production to have a little more fun.

Rick Springfield does a good job as the EFX master. He has rid himself of a lot of the pretension that has come with this role in the past. As the master, he simply states that we will visit the amazing worlds of four great men, and we are off on our journey. Springfield surprised me. He carries the production and the singing a lot better than I thought he would. He has a nice charisma and a good stage presence. He relates to the crowd very well, and is not above poking fun at himself.

The dancers are great--they always have been, but now, they have shed many of the bulky costumes that shrouded them in the mystical aspects of the production. We get to see the dancers dance a lot more than we used to. They enliven us as we watch them.

It is, in fact, amazing to watch all of these large set pieces be created, changed, and moved before our eyes. Video, and other multi-media effects, help make the transitions smooth and interesting. Everything about this show is big--big sets, big sound, big theatre, and tons of lights. The size and scope of this production can be over-whelming.

For as large as the EFX theatre is, they tend to cram audience members into the space and seat them in close quarters at small tables. There are bad seats in this theatre--those at the extreme sides, and those at the back of the auditorium. The views from these seats are not necessarily blocked, but they do not offer a good perspective of the show.

There are many things that are wonderful about this production--the lights, the sound, the sets, the effects, the dancers, and the star. It is not a deep, meaningful experience; but the show is a lot of fun to watch, and it is often awe inspiring.

Copyright © 2001 Charleston Communications All Rights Reserved

Springfield adds to 'EFX'
March 4, 2001

BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO STAFF REPORTER , CHICAGO SUN TIMES

Perhaps no other city in the world has mastered the art of reinventing itself quite like Las Vegas has. The same can be said of the MGM Grand's mega-special effects extravaganza ''EFX,'' which has seen its share of retooling in the past six years as a variety of headliners stepped into the show's leading role.

The multimillion-dollar production debuted in 1995 as a magical journey through time and space starring Broadway's ''Phantom,'' Michael Crawford. Several injuries later, in 1996, Crawford exited the demanding role.

Enter former teen idol and ''Partridge'' David Cassidy, who left two years later to pursue his own musical revue across town at the Rio Hotel/Casino. Next came Broadway legend Tommy Tune, who bowed out at the end of 2000.

Welcome to 2001, and the ''EFX'' space odyssey is now helmed by rock 'n' roll bad boy Rick Springfield. The whole shebang has definitely taken on a bit of a pop-rock edge.

Rick Springfield?

''The show originally came to me when [Michael] Crawford was leaving, but I was at the time doing [the TV series] 'High Tide,' and even though I was very interested in the Vegas show, the timing just wasn't right,'' Springfield says, phoning from Las Vegas. And when Cassidy called it quits in 1998, Springfield was embarking on a two-year tour behind a new album, ''Karma.''

Five years later, the karma was finally right for the sexy 51-year-old singer to take on this $45 million dollar monster of a show with its cast of 75 singer-dancers, 6,000 lights, 85,000 watts of stereo sound and NASA computer technology to make it all sizzle five nights a week.

''I had just finished 2 1/2 years on the road with 'Karma,' and the thought of just working in one place for a while was pretty appealing,'' Springfield says with a chuckle. ''And once I spoke to [new director-choreographer] Jerry Mitchell, and the fact that I could write music for the show, it was set. We both wanted to pump up the volume on the whole production. And in a sense, to simplify it. Like, let's have these incredibly talented dancers really dance, rather than just parade around in costumes.''

So ''EFX'' is now ''EFX Alive,'' a more highly charged spectacular, Springfield says, that takes advantage of his musicianship, as well as his acting skills and ability to just ''go out there and have fun.''

Springfield stars as the EFX Master, a time traveler/wizard who is transformed into various figures including Merlin, P. T. Barnum, Harry Houdini and H. G. Wells. The characters inhabit spectacular worlds filled with giant winged creatures, fire-breathing dragons, laser holograms and stunning production numbers.

There's also a segment where Springfield stars as, well, Rick Springfield, which affords him the opportunity to include a rockin' mini-concert of his hit songs. Springfield also wrote the show's new opening number, ''Rhythm of the Beat,'' as well as the romantic ballad ''Forever,'' for the ''Houdini'' segment of the show, which he says has now become a love story.

''I wanted to get some kind of emotion going, and the song really goes a long way toward that.''

Springfield is no stranger to arousing the emotions of an audience. His concerts have become love fests, with thousands of screaming females hurling bouquets of roses, lingerie, room keys and even themselves at him. He's sold 18 million records in a career fueled by pop-rock hits that include ''Jesse's Girl,'' ''Human Touch'' and ''Don't Talk to Strangers.''

So, are his wildest days behind him?

''I don't think so,'' Springfield says laughing. ''I stopped drinking two years ago because my sons asked me to, and I'm really glad I did that. And I don't gamble. I've heard horror stories of stars who come to this town and literally gamble away their salaries every week. I'm not into that.''

Springfield is also working on a new album. His contract allows for a six-week hiatus from the show, and he's planning to fill that time with a brief tour, including, he hopes, a return to Chicago.

''It's great to be working,'' he says. ''There were times where I wondered if I'd ever work again. Now there are packed houses out there, 10 shows a week. It's a little bit louder, it's appealing to a younger crowd. But it's a great show for all ages. It's a good time. [laughs] And it's two hours, nonstop, which keeps me in great shape.''

'EFX Alive,'' starring Rick Springfield, MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Showtimes: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m, Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets, $40-$75. Call (702) 891-7777.

Springfield brings `human touch' to MGM show
Pop-rocker's version of the special effects production might surpass those of his predecessors

MIKE WEATHERFORD, PHOTO BY JEFF SCHEID

Friday, February 09, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rick Springfield adds a rock-star vibe to the lead role "EFX Alive!" at the MGM Grand. The question is, how well do the black leather pants match the Merlin robe?

That's essentially the challenge of fitting pop-rocker Rick Springfield into the MGM Grand's "EFX," a show that's always been a little confounded by rival agendas.

A star name above the title gives a focal point to the scattershot and over-the-top gaggle of giant scenery and technology. And remaking the show every couple of years helps renew interest.

But the challenge is to appease both fans of Springfield -- like those of Michael Crawford, David Cassidy and Tommy Tune before him -- while not alienating those who couldn't care less about "Jessie's Girl," but came for the 3-D movie and animatronic dragons.

It's tougher than it must have seemed on paper six years ago, which may explain why it has taken this long to get "EFX" this close to being right.

The Springfield version -- now known as "EFX Alive!" -- is on its way to being the best of the four editions. And it could be so very soon, assuming Springfield keeps growing into the task and that he and director Jerry Mitchell can overcome any further embarrassment about the material.

In one of his first shows, Springfield wore black leather pants throughout, but changed the top half of his costume as required -- which was visually consistent with a level of commitment that had him with one foot into the realm of fire-breathing dragons and time machines, and one foot a little reluctant to join in.

The new opening gets rid of four singing narrators, and lets Springfield rock to an original song he wrote for the show ("Rhythm of the Beat") as he hovers above the stage on a "flying saucer" (a crane with lights) while flailing at his guitar. Wild-haired dancers step in midway with sexy, Bob Fosse-like moves that announce this version of "EFX" will shed some of the costume overkill that smothered the show in the past.

(In this particular show, the impact was diminished by Springfield both lip-syncing and "guitar-syncing," but producers say he will soon be doing both live, perhaps by this weekend.)

The opening number ends in a burst of Kiss-concert pyrotechnics. But Springfield quickly reins in the bombast by soft-selling the new theme -- "When I listen to my heart I can be a kid again" -- as he interacts with animated cartoon visuals.

On one level, Springfield embraces "EFX" more than his last two predecessors. He reinstated the Harry Houdini segment that Tune dropped, and is even game to tackle "The Magic That Surrounds You" -- the lone Broadway-style tune remaining from the Crawford version -- even though his raspy rock 'n' roll voice strains painfully to cover a song Crawford sailed through.

But Springfield seems to have trouble being a kid again in the Merlin segment. Instead of jumping wholesale into the miniplay about the young King Arthur (Kristofer Saly), he and Mitchell opt for a David Letterman-era approach where he's only about half in character and keeps an ironic distance from the action.

It might work better if switched with the second segment, which presents Springfield as a futuristic P.T. Barnum. It's the least "theatrical" of the four, letting him fire up his old hit "The Human Touch" and jump into the house to draft a fan, then serenade her with acoustic snippets from his pop career.

(The fan -- "Keri like the lotion" -- seemed to be a plant at this show, but perhaps real ones could be drafted when visibly on hand.)

The Barnum segment also adds an aerial act called "The Sphere," where cast members twirl beneath spinning, entwined hoops. It's majestic, if not heart-stopping, especially when set to gorgeous lighting by Natasha Katz and a pulsating new instrumental track from music director Bill Wray.

The show does get serious for the Houdini segment -- originally the strongest of the four -- perhaps because Springfield and Wray wrote "Forever," the adult-contemporary ballad Houdini and his wife (Tina Walsh) sing to one another.

But the winking tone returns for "The Time Machine." This has always been the most outrageous part of "EFX," and still amazing for first-timers who've never seen the staggering sight of the Morlocks' cavern assembling itself onstage.

The new H.G. Wells scene not only follows Cassidy's breaking of "the fourth wall" by pulling Keri into the action, but goes one step further by enlisting comic stagehand Sal (Salangsang, whose pre-show warm-up has been expanded) to help kung fu the Morlocks.

The show hits the right tone for its finale, invested with a Peter Gabriel-style, world-beat spirituality. And someone -- finally -- had the sense to get rid of the giant hand, a goofy prop that looked like a bad parade float and sabotaged the ending with unintentional laughs.

To Mitchell's credit, all the laughs are now deliberate -- even if the Broadway choreographer has robbed the show of much of its theatricality with this "laugh with it before you can laugh at it" posture.

But at least "EFX Alive!" has shed some clunky baggage and is now free to have fun. And if it can shed a little more of its rock star self-consciousness it can be free to imagine -- and be a kid again.

MGM GRAND’S “EFX” READY TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL INTO 2001 WITH SUPERSTAR HEADLINER RICK SPRINGFIELD IN STARRING ROLE

Multi-Talented Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Actor Rick Springfield to Revive Rock ‘N’ Roll in “EFX” Stage Spectacular.

LAS VEGAS – Rick Springfield will bring his Grammy and American Music Award-winning career to a new level as he takes the stage in 2001 as the headliner of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino’s acclaimed stage production “EFX” in January. The singer/songwriter/musician/actor will make his debut in “EFX” on January 30, 2001 in the resort’s “EFX” Theatre. Coincidentally, January 30 will be the same day Rick’s latest CD, Rick Springfield Alive – Greatest Hits Live, will be released by Universal.

Springfield’s new role in “EFX” will be created to showcase the diverse talents of this multi-platinum recording artist. As the star of “EFX,” Rick and the creators of the show will infuse added elements of rock ‘n’ roll to the 2001 edition to capitalize on the success of Rick’s 30-year career in the music and concert industry. Known for energizing audiences and an avid fan base, Springfield will most certainly revitalize “EFX” with a greater level of audience interaction.

Along with the release of Rick Springfield Alive – Greatest Hits Live, Springfield has just completed a 150-date concert tour, new acting projects such as a role in “Suddenly Susan,” and a Broadway run in “Smokey Joe’s Café.” He has sold more than 18 million records in a 13-album career and will add to that with the debut of Rick Springfield Alive – Greatest Hits Live.

Springfield has enjoyed 17 singles breaking into the Top Twenty including hits such as “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Affair of the Heart.”

On the acting side, he has starred in numerous television series prior to taking on the role of heartthrob Dr. Noah Drake on the soap, General Hospital, for a year and a half. Rick followed that with a starring role in the movie, “Hard to Hold.”

“Starring in a major Las Vegas production such as “EFX” at the MGM Grand will allow me to do what I love most – mix theatre and music,” said Springfield. “We plan to make this version of ‘EFX’ truly different with the creation of show-oriented rock music. The vibe in the city is so much different now, and I’m really looking forward to performing live in Las Vegas. The challenge will be to take this award-winning and very popular show to the next level. I’m very excited about working with this exceptional creative team and can’t wait to open the show in January,” added Springfield.

“We are thrilled to have Rick join the MGM MIRAGE family,” said Richard Sturm, President & COO of MGM MIRAGE Entertainment and Sports. “The combination of “EFX” and Rick Springfield will be a winning one and will allow us to maximize the original success of the show with Rick’s many talents and his amazing charisma on stage. This newest evolution of ‘EFX’ will certainly add a rock ‘n’ roll level of energy to the ‘EFX’ Theatre.”

“EFX” has previously been named the city’s best production show in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s annual Best of Las Vegas poll. The show appears twice nightly Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets, priced at $75 and $55 or $40 for children ages 5-12, can be purchased through MGM Grand Reservations by calling (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777.

The critically acclaimed “EFX” opened in March 1995. The show’s name is inspired by the term in stage and film, which applies to the special effects that give a production its magical punch. MGM Grand spent $45 million on the production and another $30 million on its permanent home, the “EFX” Theatre, which features 6,000 lights, 85,000 watts of stereo sound, NASA computer technology and enough electricity to power 1,440 homes.

MGM Grand, "The City of Entertainment," is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™. The resort features 5,034 newly renovated, art deco-themed guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art gaming complex, world-class entertainment venues, and the $100 million Conference Center for meetings/conventions all centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip. For room availability and information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com

(Press release courtesy of MGM Grand Entertainment)