Miami, FL

As I told your earlier, several members of the acclaimed HBO series, The Sopranos, were in town at the Seminole’s Hard Rock Casino for a series finale party.

The Herald reports:

Early in the day, the grounds surrounding the casino looked like an Italian street festival, where everything from sausage-and-pepper heroes to Sopranos gourmet soda was sold. The private party was designed to resemble an Italian wedding.

Inside, 800 guests — cast members, local athletes, contest winners and Hard Rock Player’s Club members who regularly feed hundreds of dollars to the casino’s electronic gaming machines — were invited for cocktails. Guests were invited onstage, where they could have photos taken with cast members.

’This was a show about people that people could relate to,’ said John Ventimiglia, who played restaurant owner Artie Bucco.

Having paid Gandolfini a reported $250,000.00 for his appearance at this and several other casinos, the press coverage coupled with the increase in “slot dwellers” will have turned out to be a sure bet for the Seminole Tribe.

While the show may be gone, here’s a clip of the intro to the show.

[tags]Miami, Hard Rock Casino, Gambling, Casino, Sopranos, James
Gandolfini, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Michael
Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Vince Curatola, John Ventimigli[/tags]

tonight but, only if you just happen to be a “high roller” at the Seminole’s Hard Rock Casino.

The invitation only party is in celebration of the HBO series wrapping up its sixth and final season. The “high rollers” will have dinner and a viewing with stars James Gandolfini, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Vince Curatola and John Ventimiglia. How did the Seminoles nab these tv mobsters to celebrate their Sopranos farewell? In a word, money.

As reported:

Gandolfini - who earns $1 million an episode - is being paid in the neighborhood of $250,000 for the once-in-a-lifetime party appearance, according to informed estimates. His cast-mates are also expected to rake in big bucks for the party, although they will make substantially less, possibly between $50,000 and $75,000, depending on where they sit on the “Sopranos” pecking order.

Bada Bing!

Miami, Hard Rock Casino, Gambling, Casino, Sopranos, James Gandolfini, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Vince Curatola, John Ventimigli