A&E

Tricks and treats: The Halloween plans of Vegas celebs

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Freed’s “Phantom of the Pumpkin” cake on display at the bakery.
Photo: Sarah Feldberg

In a city where over-the-top costumes are standard attire, Halloween might seem like any other night, but prominent Las Vegas locals are proving that’s not the case.

From Halloween parties to special performances to even more over-the-top costumes, the Las Vegas Sun found out how Las Vegas notables are spending their holiday. Who said Halloween is only for kids?

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman

Goodman will be at home greeting trick-or-treaters and handing out “Good Luck Mayor” chips and “Mayor Oscar Goodman” pencils. Goodman also plans to keep his TV set on in the background so he can monitor Sunday night football.

Gov. Jim Gibbons

Gibbons is still recovering from pelvic surgery, so Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki and his family will be handing out candy at the front steps of the governor's mansion in Carson City. Children can get their picture taken with Krolicki and enjoy the Halloween decorations. Gibbons might make an appearance during the festivities.

Penn Jillette of comedy-magic duo Penn & Teller

Jillette — the larger, louder half of Penn & Teller — said he doesn’t need a scary costume to frighten young children on Halloween.

“I always go to my kid's school and participate in their little Halloween party,” Jillette said. “I don't have to dress up. I just wear my hair down and all the kids are scared already."

Penn Jillette and Teller at the 10th anniversary celebration of Penn & Teller and their new three-year contract at The Rio on Oct. 26, 2010.

Penn Jillette and Teller at the 10th anniversary celebration of Penn & Teller and their new three-year contract at The Rio on Oct. 26, 2010.

Frank Marino, pictured here at Imperial Palace on Sept. 30, 2010, is The Strip's longest-running headliner.

Frank Marino, pictured here at Imperial Palace on Sept. 30, 2010, is The Strip's longest-running headliner.

As for Halloween plans, Jillette is planning on spending time with family.

"We started taking the kids to Town Square's 'Town Scary' event a few years ago. It's way fun and always packed and feels like you are trick-or-treating on a movie set," Jillette said. "It's great.”

Andrew Tierney of Human Nature at Imperial Palace

Tierney and the other Australian-born members of Human Nature will be celebrating only their second Halloween.

“Ever since our first Halloween last year, we have been busting to do it all again bigger and better. We have a costume party for the group of us during the day where everyone has to dress up and bring a carved jack-o'-lantern for entry. We've even blacked out the house!” Tierney said.

Later that night, the boys plan to head to the Imperial Palace in costume to do their show.

Frank Marino, celebrity impersonator and star of Divas Las Vegas

Marino is best known for impersonating famous female celebrities, but this Halloween he’s going for something different.

“For the past 25 years in Las Vegas, I’ve been dressing up as comedian Joan Rivers for Halloween. This year the neighbors came to me and asked if I wouldn’t mind doing something a little less scary, like the Bride of Frankenstein. This way I won’t be frightening away all the neighborhood children,” Marino said.

Strip House Executive Chef John Schenk

Schenk won’t be handing out your typical Halloween candy at his home.

“I take shelled roasted chestnuts from the local Korean food store, dip them in chocolate and hand them out in small baggies. It’s different, but maybe I can introduce a world of food exploration to my guests,” Schenk said.

Schenk said he’ll be dressing up as Pac Man and dressing his four dogs as Pac Man ghosts.

Comedian Frank Caliendo

Caliendo said he’s excited about spending Halloween with his two kids.

“I have the show Saturday night, then it’s home on Sunday where I will be running around trying to keep up with Tinkerbell and Harry Potter. Candy makes my Tinkerbell think happy thoughts, so she will be flying all over collecting candy. I hope Harry gets some good treats so there won’t be any 'Densaugeo' trickery going on,” Caliendo said.

Holly Madison at Studio 54 in MGM Grand on Oct. 30, 2010.

Holly Madison at Studio 54 in MGM Grand on Oct. 30, 2010.

The Caped Avenger (or, in this case, comic Louie Anderson).

The Caped Avenger (or, in this case, comic Louie Anderson).

Peepshow star Holly Madison

Madison hosted her second “Hollyween” party at Studio 54 at MGM Grand on Saturday night. To go along with her Disney princess obsession, Madison planned to dress as Sleeping Beauty.

Phi Nguyen of the Jabbawockeez

Instead of celebrating on Halloween, Nguyen will be working on the group's show at the Monte Carlo, MUS.I.C.

"I'm not going to get a chance to hand out candy this year," Nguyen said. "If I did I would hand out Now & Laters or Sour Skittles."

Nguyen would be dressed as a Jabbawockee for Halloween because no one would realize that a "real" Jabbawockee was behind the mask.

Also, "it's a pretty cheap costume for me!" he said.

Comedian Louie Anderson

Funnyman Anderson said he is still up in the air on his costume.

“I'm either going as Roseanne Barr or the fat Drew Carey,” he said.

The men of Thunder Down Under

The shirtless, Australian cast members of Thunder Down Under said Halloween is celebrated in Las Vegas much more than it’s celebrated in their home country. The men are wearing costumes, including a Spartan warrior, pirate and some surprise outfits.

Celebrity journalist Robin Leach

Leach is planning to celebrate Halloween for four consecutive days.

“Supposedly a four-day Halloween weekend (Thursday night through Sunday night) that only comes once every 840 years!” Leach joked.

Dressed as an old-time gangster, he started his weekend with some partying at Tao on Friday night with True Blood star Ryan Kwanten.

Robin Leach with his charcoal portrait at Hussong's Cantina in Mandalay Place.

Robin Leach with his charcoal portrait at Hussong's Cantina in Mandalay Place.

He’ll be handing out candy to kids who visit his Spanish Trails home and attending Holly Madison’s “Hollyween” party at Studio 54. Leach also planned a Halloween brunch at either Simon or Nove Italiano on Sunday.

Rory Reid, county commission chairman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Reid has a full schedule of campaign events planned for the holiday weekend, starting with a Nevada Day parade in Carson City on Saturday. He then comes home to Clark County, where he will attend the Haunted Harvest at Springs Preserve and the Fun Fall Fest at the College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston campus on Sunday. At home, his family plans to pass out Snickers.

Gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval

Sandoval will be in Reno taking his youngest daughter, dressed as Disney’s Hannah Montana, trick or treating. The family plans to dole out a combination of Reese’s, Kit Kats and Lemonheads for Halloween.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Reid is spending the weekend campaigning in Northern Nevada, with stops in Carson City and Reno. (Attempts to find out weekend plans for Reid opponent Republican Sharron Angle weren't successful).

Rep. Shelley Berkley

Berkley plans to stay in her Las Vegas neighborhood to pass out candy -- full-sized Hershey’s bars. Berkley isn’t going to be wearing a costume, but she will wear a standard Halloween outfit: a black and white checkered shirt with pumpkins on it.

Rep. Dina Titus

Titus will be attending Halloween events around her district Sunday and passing out candy. (Attempts to find out weekend plans for Titus opponent Republican Joe Heck weren't successful).

Nove Italiano Executive Chef Geno Bernardo

Bernardo will start his Halloween off by cooking for all the ghosts, goblins and creatures that come into the restaurant at the Palms. Afterward, he plans on attending a costume contest at Rain nightclub.

“I know that my chef costume is the best costume ever,” Bernardo said.

Lorena Peril of Fantasy

Anthony Crivello as The Phantom.

Anthony Crivello as The Phantom.

Lorena Peril, star of Fantasy at Luxor

Peril said she’s planning on dressing like one of her fellow Luxor performers.

“I’m going to dress up like my friend Carrot Top and go to the MGM Beaux Arts Ball with some friends,” Peril said. “When I told Carrot Top he laughed and said, ‘If you are going as me, I’m going to be you for Halloween!’”

Anthony Crivello, the Phantom in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular

Crivello said he’ll be spending Halloween with his wife and two kids.

“We are trick or treating in our area and then handing out candy. The kids will be dressed as Spiderman and Cat Woman with the dogs as Bat Dog and Robin and my wife Dori as ‘Super Mommy!’" Crivello said.

Kristen Hertzenberg, Christine in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular

Hertzenberg said she’ll be celebrating the holiday with her 2-year-old daughter, who is beginning to appreciate Halloween.

“My little girl will be a ballerina and I'll be a 'Cheerio' (Glee fans will know what I'm talking about),” Hertzenberg wrote in an e-mail.

Rick Faugno, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys

Faugno said he won’t be handing out candy at his house because he’ll be working, but he will be attending a Halloween party afterward dressed as The Hulk.

Deven May, Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys

May has an unusual Halloween tradition, but a very Vegas one: “Every Halloween, I put $100 on black!”

Originally posted at LasVegasSun.com
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