Is rehab next for Nicolas Cage?

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Friends of Nicolas Cage are deeply concerned about the Oscar winner. His drunken escapade in New Orleans on Friday — coupled with being arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and alleged physical abuse of his wife (which she has denied) has Cage chums whispering, “Rehab!”

† It’s not like this is an isolated incident. “Nic has been under so much pressure lately, due to a variety of issues — including his major financial problems,” said a longtime Cage insider Sunday. “But many of us are worried that his drinking again is a big problem for him and those around him,” indicating he expects Cage to soon check himself into a facility “to get back on track.”

Along with Friday’s incident, Cage recently was observed (though not charged) during an apparently intoxicated verbal brawl with patrons in a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras in March. He similarly got testy with restaurant patrons in December in Romania, while there filming “Ghost Rider 2.”

† Along with the drinking, another friend hinted Saturday that the actor’s marriage to Alice Kim appears to be troubled. “Alice is terrific, but I get the sense she’s coming to the end of her rope, and if Nic doesn’t quickly straighten himself out — she’s going to bail.”

GRAMPA BIG BUCKS: Rock superstar Rod Stewart reportedly is not exactly thrilled about daughter Kimberly being pregnant with Benicio del Toro’s baby — especially since the duo are not even a couple.

“Rod doesn’t care about her not being married, but the casualness of it is too much — even for a freewheeling rock star like Rod,” laughed a longtime professional pal of Stewart, whose wife Penny Lancaster recently gave birth to the 66-year-old’s eighth child.

“More importantly, Rod is tired of supporting Kimberly and her brother Sean. They are old enough to support themselves, but instead are still living high-on-the-hog — from daddy’s trough,” said the Stewart associate.

Veteran Hollywood gossip queen Janet Charlton quotes Stewart as saying, “I wish one of them [Sean and Kimberly] would get a job.”

† One plus for Rod Stewart in this case: Del Toro has made it clear he will shoulder the responsibility of supporting Kimberly’s child — despite having no relationship with her any longer.

STAGE SET: Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel caught “God of Carnage” Saturday night at the Goodman — and stopped backstage to congratulate cast members David Pasquesi, Mary Beth Fisher, Keith Kupferer and Beth Lacke. Oscar nominee Michael Shannon was also in the audience for the show — which closed Sunday, becoming one of the five best-attended shows over the past decade at Goodman’s “new” home on Dearborn Street.

†Also on Saturday, Ben Vereen made time to check out the River North Dance Chicago’s performance at the Auditorium Theatre.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Things were hopping at Mastro’s bar Saturday night as Fox’s Robin Robinson, Sox GM Kenny Williams, Les Coney and NBC5’s Zoraida Sambolin were spied nightcapping, after earlier attending Common’s Common Ground gala — honoring Maya Angelou, Keke Palmer, Dee Robinson Reid and Sherri Shepherd. … Director Gus Van Sant, in town helming “The Boss” with Kelsey Grammer, dined at Bistronomic. … Kirstie Alley and her “Dancing With the Stars” partner Maks Chmerkovskiy checked out chef Tony Mantuano’s top-rated eatery, Spiaggia. … Jennifer Beals was spotted hosting a party of 12 at Mirai’s sushi palace.