MGM Grand, now known as the Grand Sierra Resort, was home to “Hello Hollywood Hello,” one of the most dazzling shows that hit Reno, and has left lasting imprints in the local art community.

The show ran from 1978–1989, allowing enough time for performers to set up lives in the Biggest Little City. After the show closed, many of the artists that chose to stay in Reno put down roots in the community, and ultimately helped build a major portion of the art culture Reno knows today.

Hello, Hollywood, Hello! conceived, produced, and directed by Don Arden, has been described as the largest live production show ever produced on-stage!

This is the production that gave Reno world-wide exposure for having the largest physical stage and show cast in the world at the time.



The show featured a landing 737 jet (Yes, it was a real plane), a massive earthquake, three-story waterfall, levitating space dome complete with aliens and an eerily beautiful Space Queen, not to mention a cast of 150 singers and dancers on massive 1 acre sized stage!

There was an entire orchestra of skilled musicians performing every single night, twice a night. They were downstairs in a room, and the music was piped up into the speakers.

It was seen by more than six million people. Over seven million dollars was spent on the scenery and the 1,273 costumes.

During its run, more than 600 different entertainers appeared in the show and featured such celebrity headliners as Carol Channing, Susanne Summers, Carol Lawrence and many more.

In those days, it was against federal law to advertise gambling.

Harold’s Club famous “Harold’s Club or Bust” signs that popped up around the world, for example, never mentioned gambling because it was illegal to do so.

So, they either advertised entertainment, room or food deals. Entertainment was thought to bring in the most people.

Leaving behind two dance studios and dancing career in South Africa, 24 year old Diane Guest-Hoff came to Reno. In April 1983, she was invited to dance as principal dancer for a six-month contract, which turned into six years. Guest-Hoff has since stayed in Reno running Nevada Dance Academy.

“I fell in love with the easy life,” says Guest-Hoff. “The life here and the opportunities afforded here are way different than in South Africa… and I’m still here.”

MGM hired the best of the best bringing in talent from around the world in countries like South Africa, Australia, Britain and Germany.

Whether you actually saw the show or have just read or heard about it, the MGM Grand Hotel and the stage show it premiered are generally accepted as a historical milepost that changed Reno forever.



“Hello Hollywood Hello” brought the talent to Reno. The talented performers that chose to stay and build a life in Reno tapped into the artistic creativity that was already flowing through the community and fostered its growth.

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1985 TV Ad

MGM Reno