50
years for Harrah's: Stage manager looks back
Susan
Wood, swood@tahoedailytribune.com
June 17, 2005
Not everyone can admit to having Sammy Davis
Jr. over for a barbecue. But that's been the life of Harrah's Lake
Tahoe Stage Manager Gary Zaskoda over the last 38 years.
As the Stateline casino - part of the world's largest gambling company
now with the Las Vegas firm's recent acquisition of Caesars Entertainment
- celebrates its first 50 years, Zaskoda has taken the time to reflect
on his experience involving some of the biggest names in show business.
Entertainment has been a big part of its success.
Zaskoda, 60, said Thursday he's enjoyed Davis the most because of
his talent as a cabaret entertainer and his down-to-earth nature,
playing cards with the stage hands behind the scenes.
"He'd walk out there, and if the crowd was down, he'd work that
much harder," Zaskoda said, leaning back in a chair in his non-descript
office. Outside the door, postcards of the acts Harrah's has hosted
have been posted on boards. They include Tennessee Ernie Ford, Bobbie
Gentry, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Tony Bennett, Lawrence Welk and
Petula Clark.
"Sammy," as he refers to him, pulled up to Zaskoda's house for a
party in a limousine, prompting questions from neighbors.
"I took the chance and asked him. But Tahoe's
a lot different than most places because we get this kind of entertainment
and see these people," he said.
He said Jim Nabors was hurt when he wasn't invited to Zaskoda's
wedding almost 40 years ago. The sheepish Zaskoda married Yvonne,
a former Harrah's chorus dancer he fixed the binoculars on in 1968.
Zaskoda started out as a stage hand, leaving in a Chevelle filled
with belongings from Texas where he grew up with a degree in theater
design and experience from the Houston Music Theater.
When asked to come to work here, he admitted to not knowing where
Lake Tahoe is. His first shows included Debbie Reynolds.
He's certainly come to know his way around the place in the last
three-plus decades.
He recalled the evolving world of the gaming and entertainment industry.
For example, Sonny and Cher played the Sahara - now the Horizon
- to only 18 people. After a few months into the couple's renowned
television show, a performance at Harrah's sold out.
Zaskoda chuckled when he noted how Bill Harrah, who started the
company, was unimpressed by Barbra Streisand. Then, there's the
time the Dixie Chicks' manager practically begged to get stage time
at Harrah's.
Provided to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Bill Harrah, center, poses with Frank Sinatra and John Denver
in this undated photo.
|
Live
entertainment has taken its turns over the years. For one, Zaskoda
has witnessed how the birth of the big arenas has ushered in a wave
of technology affecting the shows - from the lighting to the stage
design. It's also brought in a higher level of security.
Of course, it's been an unwritten rule for those working the shows
that they don't get pesky with the stars.
"We're privy to a lot of stuff that's personal information," he said.
Bob Dylan took him by surprise, approaching Zaskoda to compliment
his postings of the entertainers who have played there. This is despite
having heard the singer-songwriter make it clear he's off limits.
Many entertainers have expressed their wishes to Zaskoda and company.
Some have requested things as detailed as six 1-liter bottles of non-carbonated
water at room temperature, a tray of mixed vegetables with avocado
and hummus, a full-length mirror and red M&M candies. A sign of
the times, the most requested item is high-speed Internet.
Aside from the demands, Zaskoda wouldn't have
his working life any other way.
"I say: 'When it stops being fun, I'm out of here,'" he said.
Anniversary events
-- Free concert of John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band - Friday
in the South Shore Room
-- Tony Orlando show - Saturday in South Shore Room
Harrah's Lake Tahoe milestones
1955 - Harrah's, which formed in Reno, buys several clubs at Lake
Tahoe to launch today's Harrah's Lake Tahoe.
1959 - Harrah's begins expansion of Lake Tahoe casino including the
South Shore Room.
1973 - Harrah's becomes first casino listed on the New York Stock
Exchange; and opens a 250-room hotel tower at Lake Tahoe.
1987 - Bill's Casino, owned by Harrah's, opens in Lake Tahoe.
1997 - Harrah's launches a co-branded Visa card tied to its Total
Gold customer rewards and recognition program.
2000 - Harrah's completes a $26 million renovation
project that included the Forest Buffet and Friday's Station Steak
& Seafood Grill restaurants.
2001 - Harrah's buys Harveys Resort Casino.
2003 - Harveys opens the Pacifica Seafood Buffet in an $8.5 million
renovation project.
2004 - Harveys opens the Cabo Wabo Cantina.
2005 - Harrah's, including the Lake Tahoe location, hosts the World
Series of Poker.
|
