Roy Horn’s 70th celebrated at 1923 and with ‘Michael Jackson One’

By John Katsilometes

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 | 5:45 p.m.

Siegfried Fischbacher has said it before, and repeatedly, for a very long time.

“Always, I am waiting for Roy,” he says. “It is the story of my life.”

Siegfried tempered his frustration with a grin. Yes, Roy was behind schedule, it was his 70th birthday, and he’d already had a full night before arriving after midnight at a party set to begin two hours earlier. The invitation-only crowd at 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque by Holly Madison finally swarmed the legendary entertainers as they were led into the club.

Balloons loomed throughout the nightspot as Siegfried & Roy were joined by an entourage that included Kenny Ortega (director of Michael Jackson’s thwarted “This is It” stage show and the “High School Musical” series); Bryan Singer (director of “X-Men”); Princess Irene (founder of the Magic Castle illusion enclave in Los Angeles); fellow magician Daren Romeo; and the ever-present Lynette Chappel (the Evil Queen in the duo’s stage show and a loyal confidant, aide and caregiver).

Also in the crowd were a few Las Vegas entertainers: Riviera magician Jan Rouven (soon to be moving out for the big room at Tropicana), singers Ben Stone and Jasmine Trias and “Absinthe” singer Melody Sweets.

Joined by Ortega, Singer, Chappel and Princess Irene, the S&R crew saw “Michael Jackson One” for the first time, and everyone came out of the show blown away. “What they do is just incredible,” Siegfried said, as Ortega added, “I wouldn’t change a thing. Jamie King (the show’s director) has done a fantastic job, and the cast is amazing.”

Roy alternately stood and sat in his motorized scooter during the party, which he attended for about an hour. A stand of 70 cupcakes was set up in the club’s side room, typically called the Smoking Room, and the group of VIPs sang “Happy Birthday” in English, German and what seemed a variation of French.

Afterward, Roy said, “I feel younger than ever. I feel great.” And then he turned to pose for more photos.

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