Note parade: Is Lady Gaga turning lifeless for 2011 MGM show? Picturesque proposal for Wranglers’ Billy Johnson

By John Katsilometes

Thursday, June 24, 2010 | 12:58 a.m.

Lady Gaga — tomb raider?

A story in Wednesday's edition of the British tabloid The Sun reported that Lady Gaga actually is consulting with a highly advanced ... cadaverist? ... to enliven her stage production during the 2011 version of "The Monster Ball" tour.

The newspaper says that Gaga has conferred with one Gunther von Hagens, who is in fact an anatomist — and a controversial one — to quicken her creative pulse. Von Hagens' work, termed "plastination," is used in the traveling exhibition "Body Worlds."

It is said the two will speak soon, in real life, in New York to discuss using cadavers in Lady Gaga's tour in time for her March show at MGM Grand Garden Arena (but not in her Aug. 13 concert at the MGM Grand).

"They've spoken over e-mail and it's gone well," an unidentified friend of Gaga's tells The Sun. "She is keen to have some Body Worlds element in one of her shows, with Vegas being the obvious fit."

Obvious? How, exactly? How is a concert stage strewn with lifeless bodies best suited for Las Vegas? Why not Atlantic City? I mean, New Jersey is already home to the Nets, the biggest stiffs in pro sports.

Whatever. If this does happen, it'll be Las Vegas' greatest dead show since Jerry Garcia and the boys played Sam Boyd Stadium in 1995.

No 'White Shoes,' but the tux will be black

Las Vegas Wranglers President Billy Johnson is engaged. Keeping in character, the onetime Billy Bird mascot for the Louisville Redbirds added flair to the popping of the question.

On Wednesday during a trip to Barcelona, Johnson proposed to his girlfriend, singer/songwriter/model and multifaceted stage performer Erica Vanlee. Formerly a member of the "Believe" production at Luxor and Amazing Johnathan's show at Harmon Theatre, Vanlee was the subject of a modeling shoot in Barcelona's picturesque Gothic Quarter. Prior to this session, Johnson told the photographer to fire a series of photos just as he (Johnson) made his overture.

Fortuitously, Vanlee said, "Yes," or maybe, "Si!"

No date has been set. In a text message, Johnson termed the photography of the event "a diversionary tactic," and we can't wait to see those photos.

Trumpeting Bronson and additional all-stars

If you have no plans tonight, or even if you do, there is additional entertainment value at the Lon Bronson All-Star Band's regular Thursday gig at Green Valley Ranch's Ovation Showroom. Joining Bronson are members of the "Sgt. Pepper Live" orchestra horn section and the vocalists from the Paris Theater production — Jack and Zackery Snyder; David J. McClellan, Rick Duarte, Paul Campanella Jr. and Michael Johnson. The free show starts at 9 p.m.; stage-rushing to commence at about 9:45 ...

Touching down at LAX

A throwback party for entertainers and those employed in the entertainment industry was held Monday night at LAX at Luxor. What a time. The event was organized by "The Mentalist" Gerry McCambridge; hypnotist, former "One Life to Live" cast member (as the emotionally embattled Lindsay Rappaport) and David Hasselhoff's ex, Catherine Hickland; set designer Andy Walmsley (who won an Emmy for his work on "American Idol"); and hypnotist Marc Savard.

More than anything, the party was a world-class schmooze experience — or was I hypnotized into thinking this? A quick, and maybe exhaustive, wrap:

• Coming off a guest-ringmaster appearance with Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Fitzgerald's comic Kevin Burke showed off a scar on his hand from a failed stunt he performed years ago at Giggles Comedy Club in the Milwaukee suburb of Germantown.

During the routine, which he still performs in "Fitz of Laughter," Burke hides his eyes and asks an audience member to place a knife under one of three paper cups set upside down on a table. Burke then smashes the two empty cups, leaving the cup covering the knife untouched — ideally. But Burke botched the trick that night at Giggles, coming down hard on the cup concealing the knife, slicing a tendon in his right hand and creating a "pond of blood" onstage.

The nasty L-shaped scar marking his palm is a reminder for Burke to pay attention to his own act.

• Clint Holmes' longtime friend and music director Bill Fayne was on hand, looking and sounding well after his recent recovery from surgery to treat cancer of the esophagus. He says he's got some "big plans" in the near future. ... Not coincidentally, Holmes and his wife, Kelly Clinton Holmes, popped in. Coming off a two-night showcase of "Vocal Soup" at Orleans Showroom earlier this month, Holmes is performing July 10-11 at Suncoast. Kelly Clinton Holmes still hosts her fun open-mic nights Mondays at Bootlegger Bistro.

• Murray Sawchuck was on hand, near the dance floor (he's pretty easy to locate, with his tall, pineapple-ish shock of blond hair). He gave no indication Wednesday night that he was a contestant on "America's Got Talent. Sawchuck's making-the-assistant-disappear-in-a-small-red-box illusion vaulted him to the show's next round in fabulous Las Vegas.

• "Bite" at the Stratosphere vocalist and former Las Vegas Tenor Mark Giovi is fronting the hard-rock band FarCry these days. The band is opening for Bret Michaels on Michaels' upcoming tour, and has released its debut album, "High Gear," on Kivel Records. Michaels' tour is set to begin today in Detroit, but there are no scheduled dates for Las Vegas.

• Tony Sacca, who persistently and pointlessly asks me, "Do you know that I have a show called, 'Vegas the Show?'" finally has bowed to the inevitable summer heat in Vegas and installed his own air conditioning at his Vegas Rocks! restaurant/nightclub/showroom.

This is what happens when you lease space at Neonopolis — you get to provide your own air conditioning! Or, close business! Good for Sacca, who, if nothing else, is fighting the good fight in that luckless entertainment/retail complex. ... BTW, has "Star Trek Experience" opened at Neonopolis yet? No? Just checking. Michael Cornthwaite's bet that he would surrender Downtown Cocktail Room if "Star Trek" ever opened at Neonopolis seems forever safe.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.