Sonnenberg is back in performance mode in ‘Fantasy’

By John Katsilometes

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 6:14 p.m.

Not many productions can produce enough kinetic energy to render the return of a badly injured performer almost undetectable. “Fantasy” at Luxor is such a production, where longtime vocalist and production centerpiece Stephanie Dianna has been cut loose in favor of Angelica Bridges as the show looks to a big name and scene changes to become a kind of mini-“Peepshow.”

Amid the changes in approach and lineup (for reasons yet unexplained, highly likable cast member Dar has been cut loose this week), the once-befallen Sonya Sonnenberg has returned to the stage. Her return to work was Sept. 9.

“It’s been almost a month now,” she said during a phone conversation today. “It’s hard to believe, actually.”

You might remember Sonya. She was hurt on the afternoon of June 30 during rehearsals for Golden Rainbow’s “Ribbon of Life” charity variety show at Las Vegas Hilton Theater. An aerialist who had just closed “Sin City Kitties” at Whiskey Pete’s in Primm and been added to “Fantasy,” Sonnenberg slipped free of a “silk” (call it a ribbon of strife, in this case) and fell hard to the stage. She suffered a concussion, broken wrists and a fractured pelvis. The injuries occurred after a twisting, 25-foot drop, during which Sonnenberg slid free while rehearsing with performing partner Kevin Gibbs. Those who witnessed the fall said Sonnenberg was truly fortunate she was not left paralyzed.

As it was, Sonnenberg, who turns 20 on Saturday, spent a couple of days in the trauma care unit at Sunrise Medical Center before embarking on a rehab regimen under the care of Las Vegas chiropractor and yoga instructor King Rollins, who took Sonnenberg on a donate-as-you-can payment plan. It’s a good thing, as Sonnenberg was not covered by any health insurance plan at the time of her accident -- workman’s compensation was not required for her injuries because she was donating her time as a non-hired volunteer. She has rolled up $20,000 in medical bills but remains in fine spirits, considering what could have been.

“I’m working, I’m in a great show with great girls,” she said. “I’m doing really well, back in full swing.”

When I suggested that “full swing” might not be the best term for an injured aerialist to use, she just laughed. “Probably not, but I’m still working. Put it that way.”

Chazz dispenses

Well, this was a Vegas show lacking any discernible choreography, strobes, bungees, booming music, spandex or heavily made-up gymnasts of any sort. And it was terrific. Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale” at Wayne Brady’s temporarily vacated theater at The Venetian is fun, funny, riveting and wholly captivating. How he manages to orate on 18 characters without a halt or misstep (or a sip of water) just about defies belief. I also was impressed by the wide-ranging audience who took in Wednesday’s media/VIP performance. In no particular order, I encountered Marilu Henner, Wynn sports book czar Johnny Avello, former KTNV Channel 13 news and sports anchor Ron Futrell, Tap House and Salvatore Italian Steak House co-owners Bob Harrie and Jimmy Girard and South Point owner Michael Gaughan. Former heavyweight champ (and now a super-heavyweight) Mike Tyson also was on hand, but I did not encounter him. Futrell is still fearless in talking about the happenings at his old station, where Channel 13 anchor Nina Radetich continues to draw a paycheck while Futrell was let go for … a bad mug shot, I guess, after a traffic collision that led to charges against Futrell being dropped. In an unrelated development, Henner has not consumed any dairy products for almost 30 years.

Paradise revisited

Recall the lawsuit filed by one James Hackett of Andover, Mass. against the owners of Club Paradise and American Express after Hackett’s credit card was charged for nearly $30,000 in bar tabage and lap-danceage at the gentlemen’s club? Hackett’s attorney in Las Vegas, Larry C. Johns, issued a notice in Clark County District Court to drop the charges on Aug. 30. Johns declined to comment on the case.

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