LEGENDS IN CONCERT
APRIL 2005 - by ROB GARRETT
Imperial Palace Hotel/Casino
Produced and Directed by On Stage Entertainment
Company Manager: Jillian Hrushowy
Choreography: Toni Lee

PROLOGUE:

Last year I reviewed two “LEGENDS IN CONCERT” shows – the Muckleshoot show in Washington State and then the mother show here in Vegas. My critiques seemed to cause some controversy - predominantly in the circle of “LEGENDS” performers, friends, and supporters. The truth is, it was to be expected. No performer likes to have their weaknesses pointed out – especially in print. While the general (unbiased) consensus overwhelmingly agreed with my critiques and praises, the supporters of the show and/or performers did exactly what they were supposed to do – defend their friends.
Every ‘critic’ has their own technique of reviewing shows, movies, etc. “American Idol’s” Simon Cowell has become a millionaire by destroying the dreams of aspiring performers by tearing them apart (usually he is correct, if undiplomatic). Millions tune in each week just to see in what fashion, he will trash a performer.
Even local RJ columnist Mike Weatherford has a history of putting down performers – most notably celebrity impersonators. Weatherford has shown a history of disdain for celebrity impersonators and impersonator shows. He has never had anything positive to say about “LEGENDS IN CONCERT” and in one of his last reviews of the show, he suggested that “LEGENDS” was an entertaining “variety show” to see… if in fact, you needed “a good laugh”. His critiques have been unfair to say the least. He writes his reviews, based, not on whether the tribute artist covers his character well, but based on personal preference. If he doesn’t like the real life celebrity, he doesn’t like the pretender. Also, if he likes the tribute artist personally, he will cut them slack whether or not they look and sound like the artist they are emulating. Such was the case with Fitzgerald’s resident Elvis impersonator, Steve Connelly. Because of his obvious fondness of Connelly, Weatherford purposely avoided the issue of Connelly’s vocal and physical (or lack of) resemblance to Elvis and focused on him being the “entertaining” guy he is.
My personal feeling is that, being an “A+” list tribute artist should be based on how realistically the tribute artist can REPLICATE the real artist and still entertain and/or hold the audience without straying from the personality of his character. If a tribute artist strays from character or does something in his/her show that is not typical of the artist they are portraying, it is a sure bet that he/she is doing so to compensate for his/her weakness in a certain department, whether it be a flaw in their physical look, vocal ability, or onstage presentation (dancing, talking, mannerisms, etc). Not that this is a bad thing to do – because it is not. It is actually an intelligent strategy.
This all being said, my critiques of the tribute artist are based differently from anyone else that I know of. I base my critiques by putting myself in the position of the real artist sitting in the audience watching his/her emulator on stage.
Is it flattering or would the real artist feel slighted (“Do I really sing/look/dance like that?”)? For that matter, I tend to be a bit more critical watching the tribute artists of “LEGENDS IN CONCERT”, because of the reputation it has (or had) of being the cream of the crop of celebrity impersonator shows. In a lesser show, I would not expect as much.

THE SHOW

In my review of “LEGENDS” last year I wrote that, despite the wonderful choreography, multi media effects, lighting, etc., what it ultimately comes down to is that “the show is only as good as its cast”. Last June’s review of the Vegas show had me rating 3 acts as being good and 3… not so much.
This show faired much better.

BOBBY BROOKS HAMILTON (“Stevie Wonder”) opens the show. Although Brooks himself would be the first to confess at not being an exact sound-alike for Stevie, his vocals are good and his physical look and onstage presentation is certainly above average. Brooks performs Stevie’s songs well and is persuasive in having the audience clap along. He is also amusing on occasion with tongue in cheek puns that point to the obvious fact that he is portraying a blind guy. I noticed that it was very difficult hearing him speak anytime music was playing. The sound department might want to pay more attention to this.

JOHN ANTHONY (“Rod Stewart”) is in top notch form as always. Anthony has a great look and sound and has cemented his position as one of the top “Rod” impersonators in the country. His “Hot Legs” is an exciting, sensual rock number featuring the talented “Legends” dancers.
Anthony also gives the audience some more ‘bang for their buck’ as he features himself on Mandolin during the classic “Maggie May”.

KARIN LAWSON (“Janet Jackson”) hosts a dance marathon set of flashy, titillating costumes, and high energy R&B/techno/dance numbers – assisted again by the LEGENDS dancers. The Jackson set (like the character herself) relies specifically on the dynamic choreography, which is right up Lawson’s ally as she successfully has made the transformation from LEGENDS dancer/ singer to principle. However, take note that the Jackson character is the one act in this particular show that actually depends on the dancers in order for it to work – which it absolutely does.

GENE SIRONEN and DOUG MASTERS (“Righteous Brothers”) are veteran LEGENDS performers who always do a commendable job as the blue-eyed soul duo. Masters (the late “Bobby Hatfield”) is spotlighted performing a very convincing “Unchained Melody”. Sironen, although overemphasizing the gravel speaking voice of Bill Medley (I kept wanting to clear my throat), also gets featured on the classic “You Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” – which he handles with kid gloves. I am still trying to understand why the guys choose to close their set with “Old Time Rock & Roll” since that is not a song identified with the duo.
A noticeable strategic error in the line-up was placing the easy listening “Righteous Brothers” act after the “Janet Jackson” set. I felt it brought the energy level down a notch. It would have been more fitting to put the ‘Brothers” in the “Rod Stewart” slot or to even open the show with them.

MICHELLE ROHL JUSTICE (“Gloria Estefan”) captures the basic essence of the latino pop diva and former lead vocalist for the Miami Sound Machine. Although Justice is not a ‘dead ringer’ look-alike/sound-alike (Estefan does not really have that distinct of a voice), she successfully compensates with her years of experience as a talented Las Vegas lounge and showroom performer.
Note: I was a little surprised that Justice actually had to resort to asking the audience to “stand up” during her act.

MATT LEWIS (“ELVIS”) has not fared any better since when I last reviewed him. As a matter of a fact (and unfortunately), his show was pretty much EXACTLY the same – word for word.
LEWIS still needs to choose his song selection more carefully as his vocal ability is nowhere close to musical history’s most renowned pop/rock act. As a matter of a fact, he sounds more like a parody - similar to what we would see on shows like “Saturday Night Live”. As previously mentioned in my last review, he does fare better with the early Elvis selections but that’s not really saying much as he is completely out of his league when it comes to singing the more demanding, late 60’s and 70’s material.
Although he does possess a certain amount of charm that can warm up certain audience members to him, Lewis physical resemblance to the “King’ is superficial. We’ve seen it all too many times - a good looking tall(er) guy in a wig and jumpsuit. Even the most recent (and quite effective) “LEGENDS” ads are intelligent enough to show Lewis from the waist up - silhouetted from the back.
Considering the strong “Elvis” acts that have graced the Imperial Palace showroom stage in the past, “LEGENDS” has definitely lowered its standards and it’s fairly safe to say that, 10 years ago, former producer/director (and founder) John Stuart, would have not have placed Lewis in this particular show.
One also may question the current decision makers when the most popular, anticipated character ends up being the weakest link.

The fact is, the average Joe/Jane who go to see impersonation shows such as “LEGENDS” and “AMERICAN SUPERSTARS” has only a general knowledge of Elvis, keeping in mind that 99.9% never got to see him perform, and most only know him through media clips & radio and/or recordings.
The most frustrating thing for someone like myself who was fortunate enough to see the real thing – not once, but 23 times ‘live’ in concert, is knowing that many of the people that go to see these “Elvis” acts, actually leave with a somewhat distorted view of what he sounded, looked, and moved like.
Would the “King” be flattered by listening to mediocre vocalists such as Matt Lewis? I think the answer to that is as simple as knowing that Elvis always took great pride in his vocal ability (he had a phenomenal, versatile strong, voice ‘live’ in concert).
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though as word has it that Steve Sogura will come in soon to replace Lewis for 3 months.

The “LEGENDS” band does a fine job of backing the performers and the sound for the most part was good – but still a bit erratic.

The FAB FOUR 11/03

TRENT CARLINI (The Dream King) 12/03

LEGENDS - MUCKLESHOOT 1/04

The REEL AWARDS 3/04

TJ TYLER'S KARAOKE PARTY 5/04

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 7/04

STARS IN CONCERT 8/04

DANNY GANS 9/04

PERFORMING AS 10/04

Legends In Concert 4/05