Went to the Suncoast Hotel & Casino Sunday evening to see an entertainer I hadn’t seen in years, but one I remembered from the ‘60s, when I first reviewed his show at the old Sahara Hotel & Casino. At the time, he was a hot number among the teenage crowd, and, that particular evening, he was the opening act for the great George Burns. Oh, his name? Why it’s Bobby Rydell.
Like I said, I haven’t watched this senior citizen perform in years—and that’s no body’s fault but this writer. My friend, Michele LaFong, had invited me as her guest, so off we went to the Suncoast. And, gang, am I honestly glad that I had the opportunity—it was a most amazing night!
First things first. LaFong, who has a weekly radio show on KLAV radio, is a comedian, impressionist, and a ventriloquist. She was Rydell’s opening act for the three evenings at the Suncoast. I had heard of her comedic skills, but had never seen her actually perform. So, I was going to see two acts of whom I had little first-hand
knowledge. I must say, Michele, is a damn good ventriloquist. After all, she should be—having been a protégé of the late, great Senor Wences, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 103.
Wences was one of many stars who became world famous by appearing on the Ed Sullivan “Toast of the Town” television show. The ventriloquist appeared on Sullivan’s show 43 times during its 23 year run on television. When LaFong appeared on stage, we noticed some props which looked vaguely familiar—they should, they were the same props given to her by Senor Wences before he died. She immediately began throwing her voice all over the showroom, which in itself is an amazing act. After a few minutes, she began to prepare her hand for the emergence of the most famous hand puppet in the world, Johnny. Michele was perfect, in my opinion (I watched the Sullivan Show every Sunday evening like millions of other viewers did). She also had the famous suitcase where a weird, little puppet named Pedro lived. It is a mystery to me why this lady, Michele LaFong, is not working full-time on a Las Vegas stage. I think Terry Fator is great, but I believe LaFong is unique, wonderful, and her act belongs to the millions who adored Senor Wences.
Her 25-minutes over, the 10-piece band struck up a familiar tune, as a screen came down, and a film began showing a few highlights of the teenage rock and roll idol’s career during the ‘60s. The film over, out walked an older, gray-haired, dapper Rydell. Bobby had aged nicely I thought to myself, as he began his “remember me” show. Wow, I was really surprised just how strong his voice was, and my mind began a trip back in time, when I was a lot younger, and was dancing in nightclubs, and in a few movies in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s in Hollywood.
Rydell, who was born in Philadelphia 70 years ago, and grew up in a section of Philly that created a number of teenage sensations—Frankie Avalon, Freddie Bell, James Darren, Fabian, Mario Lanza, Chubby Checker, Eddie Fisher and Al Martino. During his 60 minutes on stage, between such songs as “We Got Love,” and “Sway,” Bobby tells little stories about his famous friends. One of my personal favorite show segments was Rydell’s tribute to a fellow teenage sensation, who died far too soon at age 37, Bobby Darin. Included in the tribute medley was “Splish-Splash,” “Beyond the Sea,” and, of course, “Mack the Knife.”
Rydell closed the show to a SRO crowd with perhaps his best known hit, “Volare,” and he was off the stage. We visited briefly with him and Michele backstage. Having had very serious surgery in July—a double transplant of a kidney and liver, Bobby was somewhat exhausted. I reminded him of a review I wrote when he opened for George Burns at the old Sahara. “Yeah, wow, those were wonderful days in Vegas, weren’t they?” And, of course, I told him I thought he was better today than he was as a teenage idol. I meant it too. His voice is clear, strong and his pronunciation is perfect. And, gang, he may have gray hair, but he looks like a man just approaching 60. So, do yourself a favor the next time you see, or hear that Rydell, will be appearing in a showroom near you—go get your tickets right away, because you do not want to miss seeing a great entertainer do what he does best–sing beautiful songs!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
The Suncoast Hotel & Casino has announced the launch of a new Thursday afternoon entertainment program inside the 500-seat Suncoast Showroom, “Suncoast Variety Show,” produced by Ed Mathews’ Desert Productions. The show will feature a constantly changing line-up of musicians, singers, dancers, impressionists, magicians and comedians, all tailoring their acts around each week’s unique show theme. Video clips, also relevant to the theme of the week, have been added to the previous show format, and will tie the performances together. Upcoming show themes include “Broadway,” “Songs from Disney Films,” “Salute to the Greatest Duets,” “Songs from the Silver Screen” and a “Tribute to Dick Clark.” Desert Productions, represents many successful musical artists and acts in Las Vegas, including Vocal Soup (Clint Holmes, Susan Anton, Domenick Allen and Martin Nievera), Shades of Sinatra, The Las Vegas Tenors and Lena Prima.
“My true love lies with recreating the vintage Vegas lounge experience. In this format, we are able to bring in a diverse and exciting group of performers. And with the new format, audiences will be treated to a unique new show every week,” Mathews said. Doors open at 1 p.m. and show time is 2 p.m. every Thursday.
Producer Dick Feeney’s show, “The Rat Pack is Back,” featuring re-creations of Frank, Joey, Sammy & Dean, has brought in the New Year of 2013 with a three-city national tour. The international hit is the only Las Vegas show to receive an award from the United
States Congress, and is in its 15th year of entertaining audiences in Las Vegas and around the globe. The show returned to the Crown Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Monday. The “Rat Pack is Back!” has performed in 40 states, and done over 6,000, shows during its reign as the best of the tribute shows. The show pays homage to the singin’, swingin’, drinkin’ old Vegas Sands hotel era of Frank Sinatra, (Brian Duprey); Sammy Davis Jr., (Kenny Jones); Joey Bishop (Mickey Joseph) and Dean Martin (Drew Anthony). It’s the No. 1 show of its kind in the world, and features a bombshell appearance by Marilyn Monroe played by Stacey Nicole. The show recreates a long lost format of classic hit songs and improv-type comedy.
A Touch of Mystery, the Las Vegas’s premier interactive Murder Mystery company, will present a one-night only performance of the hit musical murder mystery, “Music Can be Murder,” set in the ‘40s, you will be back in time to 1945, where two rival bands were hired to headline at the Swingin’ ‘40s Big Band Extravaganza, without the other knowing. There is no love lost between the two bands, and someone is about to go flat. The show stars Las Vegas’ locally acclaimed singing trio, Dangerous Curves, and will be performed at, “Don’t Tell Mama,” 715 Fremont Street, downtown, on Sunday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $16 per person, or $18 at the door. For more information go to www.atouchofmystery.com or call 702-497-7936.
An entertainer, and a close friend of this writer for more than 40 years, who moved to Florida a few years ago, sent me the following note about a recent visit with another entertainer, who was performing in Florida. “We had a magical night tonight in Palm Beach at The Colony hotel. One of my favorite singers was performing there. We drove all the way across Florida to spend the night with Clint Holmes. He was wonderful. The audience was with him from start to finish. He played them like a harp. He knew what strings to pluck and when. Being in show biz my whole life, it’s great to watch a real pro at work. And Clint is a pro. What a great weekend.” Signed, Carme.
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week. I’m outa here!
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