Las Vegas Shows Reviews

By DW Grant

Donny and Marie, HOT? Oh, yes, and hand me a tissue to wipe my brow.

Donny and Marie Osmond are sizzling at the 750 seat Flamingo Showroom on the Las Vegas strip. They are still incredibly energetic and entertaining at ages 49 and 51, even after more than 5 decades of stage performances all over the world, on TV, in movies, and on Broadway. Despite premium ticket pricing and killer economic times they are playing to full houses, and really giving their all for their screaming teen-like forty to fiftyish baby-boomer fans.

The show is amazing and wonderfully exhausting. Nutra-Marie walks out on stage appearing more svelte that a mother of eight ever should look, and all over the room men gulp the word “wow,” under their breaths. Ageless Donny walks out and women become 12 or 13 again, jumping from their seats to stretch out their hands and scream for his touch. Somehow after all these years they’ve gone from a cute brother and sister act to sexy and sazzy sex symbols. Both Donnie and Marie stir up the madness further by singing in the audience and walking on tables to touch and torture their D&Maniacs.

We can’t help remember who they were before this show because forever behind them play video reminders of their journey. We see pictures of 4 year old Marie sitting on Uncle Andy’s lap, performing with almost every star of the last 5 decades, and her wilting performance on “Dancing With The Stars.” We also see 5 year old Donny dueting with Uncle Andy, rocking with his brothers to hit record after hit record, his Dreamcoat years on Broadway, wearing long hair and Elvis-like costumes, winking at screaming teens, and promoting his fifty-first and latest album.

Not that younger people wouldn’t enjoy the show, it’s a great clean family experience. But maybe being able to understand the lyrics and watching older folks swoon like ‘tweens would put them off just a bit. Let’s rate it “E-13″ for “Everyone, but minors should have a driver’s license so they can transport their intoxicated parents home.”

After opening with Donny, Marie solos first singing her greatest hit “Paper Roses,” of course. Next she goes step for step with backup dancers who are young enough to be her grandchildren, and they have to keep up with her. She dances, sings, jokes and teases the audience and works her way through Boogie-Woogie, show tunes, and edgy pop rock numbers. Her most surprising offering, however, is the introduction of the newest love of her life, Opera. Marie is amazing again and beautiful in voice and style.

Donny’s solo set is pure charisma and a joyous outpouring of zesty showmanship. Donny is well trained and properly voiced in every song. He never “croons,” but still delivers every familiar tune with deep affection and feeling. His adoring audience responds in kind. After “Puppy Love,” “Soldier of Love,” and “Any Dream Will Do” Donny gets to break out and whack the audience with a little Acid Osmond-Rock. “Crazy Horses” slams and spins out over the edge of conservative sanity and really delivers the fun, if not the absurdity of harder rock songs.

When Donny and Marie come back together they joke and tease and poke at each other like brothers and sisters, and compete against each other in a “Westside Story” like dance competition that even takes their breath away. Here the question is answered that everyone is dying to ask. Yes, Donny is thinking about competing on “Dancing With The Stars,” and the crowd goes wild.

The show literally ends with a bang as party string is shot out over the showroom and the audience screams for more. Of course they get their encore, and the sizzle continues in the hearts of the D&Maniacs as they pour out the showroom door.

“What Las Vegas has been missing is a true variety show that conveys the real essence of America and the country’s love of homegrown talent,” said the late Danny Gans, winner of numerous “Entertainer of the Year” accolades, and producer of this show. “When you couple that element with the current Las Vegas entertainment landscape, we feel Donny and Marie provide the perfect combination and something no one else is making available.”

Donnie and Marie perform at 7:30pm Tuesday through Saturday at the Flamingo Hotel.

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By: Nicole Acevedo

When you say “Art”, many will think of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel”, or even The Golden Gate Bridge, but almost no one will ever think of ventriloquism. Except for maybe one man, 8 puppets, an auditorium full of people 5 nights a week on the Las Vegas Strip, and millions of American viewers who voted Terry Fator the winner of the 2007 America’s Got Talent show on NBC. Art is not only talent it is imaginative and fun, soulful and straight from the heart. It is exactly what Fator delivers night after night to an audience echoing shouts of laughter and cheer.

Fator immediately impresses the audience with an impersonation of the great Etta James singing “At Last”, by his puppet Emma. Following Emma came one of his most popular puppets, Winston The Impersonating Turtle. Winston undoubtedly wins audiences over with his humorous charm along with impersonations of Maroon 5 singing “This Love” and the Bee Gees singing “Stayin’ Alive”.

This is not an ordinary hand puppet show for the kids. Fator’s show is unique in his ability to accurately impersonate and sing with a wide vocal range of popular artists and hit songs using ventriloquism. His art is so polished that it is easy to forget that he is doing all the voices. There were long periods where I would find myself being so carried away by the chemistry between Fator and the puppets that I forgot the puppets were not real, like a child watching Sesame Street believing that the puppets are really talking and interacting with other people.

Soon after each puppet is introduced in the segment there is a sense that each one undoubtedly has its own unique personality, completely separate from Fator. Even though Fator is demonstrably handling the puppets himself and singing and talking for them, his transitions between voices are so smooth and his interaction with them so natural, that the whole performance seems effortless and “real”. One such puppet is Maynard Tompkins the Elvis Impersonator.

Others have personalities all their own. Maynard is shy in front of audiences and has a speech impediment so he tends to stutter. Another example is the heavy metal puppet, Dougie, with long hair, torn jeans and a black AC/DC shirt. Also known as “the annoying neighbor”, Dougie rocks audiences by singing Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, but when Terry Fator tries to rock audiences with Z.Z. Top, Dougie falls asleep on Terry’s shoulder. Dougie gets the crowd going again with the whole audience singing along to “Sweet Home Alabama”.

Accompanied by an amazing live band playing many more hits than I was able to mention, Terry Fator has so many unique characters, each one charming and entertaining audience members with their humor and uncanny impersonations of classic hit songs. Even Fator himself does a hysterical impersonation of Michael Jackson followed by a side-splittingly funny dialogue and duet with Walter The Country Man. Don’t let the mere idea of a ventriloquism show fool you. This is more than ventriloquism, but an artful performance of humor, creativity, and fun. Fator is a one-man show of a multitude of voices and talents as he fills the night with non-stop laughter!

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For Trent Carlini Tickets call 702-777-9974

by Nicole “Niko” Acevedo
 
Hip-shakin’, heel-tappin’, finger-snappin’, and smooth-talkin’. Trent Carlini is back on his hog and ridin’ into town with an all new “Elvolution” show for Elvis fans of every generation. On my left sat a sweet couple delighting in Carlini’s vibrant tribute of the Elvis they once knew, reminiscing of the good ol’ times after the show. Elvis once shined under Las Vegas lights, performing at the International Hotel (currently the Las Vegas Hilton). Now with his slicked back jet black pompadour and waaaay cool sideburns, Trent Carlini keeps the ladies screaming with excitement and stealing kisses from him all night long.
 
Elvolution highlights Elvis’ successful musical career starting with the classic rock n’ roll tunes of “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll”. Carlini’s voice is strong and wide-ranging, his movements engaging. With every sway of the hip the audience can’t help but dance in their seats and clap to the beat.

Like the couple beside me, those of you who experienced the days of The King himself will discover that fond memories emerge from the recesses of your psyche as Carlini evokes the energy of what made Elvis the King of Rock & Roll. From a very young age, Trent Carlini has been drawn to rock ‘n’ roll and was greatly influenced by The King and his impact on the music and culture of that time. Since Elvis’ death, Carlini has dedicated his musical career to pay tribute to The King and keep his unique style and music alive.
 
Lovebirds and Elvis movie fans will especially enjoy Carlini’s performances of the title love songs from the movies Blue Hawaii and Love Me Tender. The women could hardly contain themselves as The Dream King handed out Hawaiian leis accompanied by flirtatious kisses. 

Arrive early, grab some drinks, and lounge inside Triq Nightclub on the first level of the Wyrick Theatre and connect with fellow Elvis lovers and others from in and out of town. Located at the Steve Wyrick Theatre inside the Miracle Mile Shops of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, treat yourself to an evening unlike any other on the Strip and see The Dream King perform a total of 20 classic hits. Remember classic isn’t old… it’s timeless!

For Trent Carlini Tickets call 702-777-9974

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• Barry Manilow: Music and Passion Las Vegas Tickets

by Erika Bayer-Polak

Who hasn’t sung Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” at some point or another? Well, if you generally only sing the song in the shower or car because you’re too uncomfortable letting the general public, or certain loved ones, know your true fondness for the tune, imagine being able to sing it unabashedly with about 1,600 other people. Yes, it can be quite a feeling.

Manilow’s show, “Manilow: Music and Passion,” is more than a concert, it is a true Las Vegas show with dancing and sets and boas and all of those Las Vegas-themed props that come to mind. Considering many of Manilow’s hits have been somewhat mellow tunes, the show is surprisingly up-beat and energetic. While he still sings his universally known crooner melodies, such as, “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs” and “Can’t Smile Without You,” among others, he manages to keep the pace of the show lively.

It is also quite a sight to see the sexagenarian swivel and thrust his hips like he is conjuring Elvis’ spirit — yes, Elvis played the showroom numerous times — and as he does so, the audience who cross every point on the age spectrum react and respond enthusiastically.

An unusual aspect of the show is that throughout the concert Manilow receives standing ovations by a decent portion of the audience after each song, granted this may or may not occur during every show, but that is beside the point. The amount of gratitude and respect his audiences have for him is beyond the norm, but not out of line for a man who has had such a distinguished and lengthy musical career, and it probably helps that his voice is as strong as ever.

During the show Manilow, not surprisingly, covers most, if not all, of his major hits, but he also takes time to let his backup singers shine, which not all performers do, and this seems to say quite a bit for his character and ego. His backup singers are deserving of their time in the spotlight, they can dance and sing with the best; their performance during a medley of songs from the 1960s is terrific.

If you plan on seeing this show, of course it would help if you enjoy at least one of Manilow’s songs, it will give you something to look forward to, but even if you do not know of one of his song’s that you are fond of, chances are, you will still have a blast. It is hard to not get into his show, it is more than a concert and probably more fun than most people expect, even his die-hard fans, and that is a tough sell, but he manages.

• Barry Manilow: Music and Passion Las Vegas Tickets

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• Bette Midler Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas Tickets

by Mara M. Mannella

“I am, after all, the People’s Diva!” Yes she is, and it shows in The Showgirl Must Go On taking place at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. Bette Midler takes the audience on a wild ride through her career, all beginning with her rocky arrival via tornado to the showroom. For 90 minutes the Divine Miss M captivates the audience with a stage presence that is the perfect mix of Vegas glitz and genuine emotion.

Set in a plush and spacious venue, there is plenty to admire before the show even begins. The stage is set for Bette with a large video image of a billboard featuring the star erected in what looks like a rural Las Vegas desert scene. Comfortable rows of seats consistently fill the theater with fans, which is also home to Elton John and Cher. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the memory of your evening on film, provided by feather boa toting photographers that circle the theater pre-show. The lobby lights flash and people move to their seats. The diva is in the building and the show is about to begin.

After a windy entrance on to the stage, Bette Midler welcomes her fans from all walks of life in her signature saucy manner. The show is non-stop entertainment not just from the diva herself but the gorgeous ladies who accompany her on stage. The Caesar Salad Girls, which drive home the fact you are bearing witness to a true Vegas production, are a talented group of dancers. Showcasing their skills from a full-blown kickline to graceful ballerinas, these ladies are also mean with a motorized wheelchair as you’ll see!

Gone are the days of strictly glitter and feather headdresses, these showgirls offer all that and more. The stage is also shared by The Staggering Harlots, Divine Miss M’s trio of bad girls, which she informs the audience she found all in the same lineup! Entertaining the audience with their antics throughout the show they add a spice to the already spicy program Bette Midler provides. A talented orchestra seated on stage guides the show flawlessly as it transitions from big band to symphonic and back again. The production gains depth with the inspiring and heartfelt vocal performance the timeless star delivers. As the blockbuster hits are performed the songs seem to gain new perspective and meaning to the audience whether it’s your first time seeing Bette Midler or your 100th.

The Las Vegas strip seems to have struck gold by adding a performer like Bette Midler to their catalog. The show, while not appropriate for a young audience due to some colorful language, has a nicely balanced array of humor and raw talent. The high energy show can be seen 5 nights a week at The Colosseum with dates scheduled until 2010. According to the singer Caesars Palace gave her “an adjustable mortgage”. Bette Midler is an icon and her show in Las Vegas is a perfect fit.

• Bette Midler Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas Tickets

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• Elton John Red Piano Las Vegas Tickets

by Lincoln Hudson

Stepping out onto the stage at Ceasar’s Palace one can only gasp at the enormous enigma that Sir Elton John has become. Clearly older and wiser this superb and universal entertainer has lost none of the talent and passion that makes him easily one of the worlds greatest performers.

Red Piano is a magnificient show that beautifully uses the technology of both multi-media and film to tell the story and sub text of his songs. Elton John is not just a talented rock star but he is also quite clearly an Artist whose talent also includes writing hit musicals and adapting opera’s. Most amazing of all I find is the forever deepening sub text of his songs that go back almost thirty years.

One example of this is would be the song Daniel which depicts the death of a young soldier in the vietnam war as well as Rocket man which obviously depicts a younger Elton John at the peak of his career in the seventies desending into a vicious circle of drug, work and alcoholism.

Clearly the videography in Elton John’s show makes an excellent addition to the music and as more and more rock concerts are becoming actual theatre or stage spectaculars in this day and age it is good to see certain artists such as Elton John pushing the boundaries and giving the audience more “bizarres” for their bucks.

Do I think that Elton John’s Red Piano is worth the money that the people pay for it? Yes I do, John is an Artist, Rock Star and crowd pleaser of the highest caliber and will still be going strong for many years to come.

• Elton John Red Piano Las Vegas Tickets

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