LEGENDS IN CONCERT
Imperial Palace Hotel/Casino
Produced and Directed by On Stage Entertainment
Company Manager: Jillian Hrushowy

PROLOGUE: It was just a matter of time before I got around to reviewing the show that was responsible for launching my career as a celebrity impersonator. Even before I began working for Legends in Concert in 1995, I had this ‘connection’ since many of the performers from the 1980's would occasionally come sit in with my band at various nightclubs and/or casino lounges.

The ‘mother’ show opened at the Imperial Palace in 1983 under the direction of JOHN STUART and since then has grown to be recognized as the father of all TRIBUTE shows. More then 20 years later it is still the most recognized tribute show in the world of celebrity impersonators. I have seen and enjoyed the Vegas show just about every year since its conception. However, during the last 5 years or so, the show and corporation has been plagued with its share of troubles which included budget cuts and more significantly, seeing its long time producer/director/founder being replaced as CEO and eventually having no affiliation at all with the show. In its heyday, Legends in Concert was an award winning show (twice), but these days the general consensus in Vegas seems to be that the show is “not as it was”. One must also take into consideration that Legends in Concert has been overshadowed in recent years by more contemporary multi-million dollar production shows being put on in the mega resorts.

THE SHOW: On this particular night the forever changing lineup included “Donna Summer,” “Tom Jones,” “Prince,” “The Beatles,” “Aretha Franklin,” and of course “Elvis”. MARVA SCOTT opens as “Donna Summer.” Scott has always been a dynamic vocalist and is easy on the eyes, looking quite sexy in her white teddy-styled dress. However, one can only do some much with the “Summer” character and this particular segment becomes more or less a disco exhibition as Scott shares the limelight with the Legends Dancers.

Speaking of which, the Legends Dancers are in top form due to the contemporary choreography of TONI LEE. Legends in Concert has always stood out in the choreography and costuming departments and these talented girls and guys can hold there own against the dancers of even the more elaborate production shows in the mega resorts. The same holds true for its production values including its sets, props, multi-media, and visual effects. Okay, so it may not be “O” but in “Legends” case, they give you just enough of the “bells & whistles” without overdoing it…at least enough to clearly surpass rival “American Superstars” in these departments. However, you can have all the ‘Bells & Whistles’ you can stand…bottom line is the show is only as good as it’s cast.

Veteran Legends in Concert performer STEVE MC COY appears next. To my knowledge McCoy was the first performer ever in Vegas to impersonate Tom Jones - a showroom favorite for years. I have watched STEVE MC COY throughout the years and these days he just seems to be going through the motions - which could very well signify a classic case of performer burn- out. McCoy, who has never really been a close look-alike for Jones, is carrying a little too much weight around the mid section these days. Sure, one could argue that Jones himself has fluctuated in weight over the years (although recently he has looked fit), but Jones is pushing 65 and McCoy is a good 20 years younger. McCoy is also noticeably shorter then Jones (who is around 5’10). Of course when one speaks of Tom Jones, the voice and presentation (movement) take precedence. After making his way through fluff like “What’s New Pussycat,” McCoy is put to the test with a couple of Tom Jones power songs, “I’m Never Gonna Fall In Love” which he handles well, and then falling short on “Delilah,” lacking the power and range Jones is (or was) known for. If McCoy is strong in any one category, it is his mannerisms and movements. However, as his show progresses, one will notice that these begin to take the form of a caricature, to the point where the act has become somewhat of a cartoon by the time he has finished.

One of my former LEGENDS HAWAII cast mates, BONIFICE (artist formerly known as FRANK MOORE), portrays the artist formerly and once again known as PRINCE. This is one of the 2 standout performers in the show. When it comes to the art of dance, Frank could probably upstage the real thing (his vocals aren’t too shabby either). Looking a bit more buff then his alter ego, BONIFICE brings new meaning to the words “High Energy” and does not let up from start to finish. Watching him ‘work’ leaves one exhausted. Once again the Legends Dancers share the thunder, especially during the very steamy sexual “KISS,” which I am sure left most men (and possibly some woman) flushed. Now, if we could only get him to learn to play electric guitar…

Unfortunately, the “Beatles” act that follows, alter the pace of the show. It has been some time since a “Beatles” group appeared in Legends in Concert and maybe the “ON STAGE” office should have waited a little longer - or at least until they’d found themselves a stronger act. I have never heard of this particular “Beatles” tribute act, but I sure have seen better (notably the “FAB FOUR” at the Hilton that I recently reviewed). Their sound (they DO play their own instruments without support from the LEGENDS band) and their “look” were not up to par (someone needs to get them better wigs) and they also came off a bit cartoonish when they attempted to copy the Liverpoolian accents of the most famous pop group in musical history. This “Beatles” group appears to be out of place and is the weakest link in the show.

Whatever momentum that is lost by the “Beatles” is quickly brought back up by DENITA ASBERRY’S performance as ‘Queen of Soul’ - “Aretha Franklin.” DeNita has an amazing resemblance, both physically and vocally to a young (1960’s) Aretha. Her segment (and voice) blows the roof off of the joint - so much so that she has been extended to the end of the year. In retrospect, after viewing DeNita’s show, I felt empathy for the “Beatle” guys, who were sandwiched between her and “Prince.”

Lastly, we have MATT LEWIS as “Elvis.” Matt has his work cut out for him and while he may not be as strong as some of the former “Elvi” that have graced the Imperial Palace stage, he is also one of the more down to earth, unassuming, non-ego driven, problem free guys to ever appear in this show. With that being said and when it comes down to brass tax, to be a top notch ETA (“Elvis Tribute Artist”), you still have to have a strong look, voice, and stage presentation. Lewis is a likeable, good looking guy (although not necessarily a good looking “Elvis”) with limited vocal ability and stage presence. However, he is stronger performing as a younger “Elvis” than as the more seasoned, dynamic, operatic Presley of the early 70’s. To do that “Presley” correctly requires a trained, experienced voice and Lewis (along with 98% of the ETA world) is not ready yet to foot that bill. Matt’s best song is the obscure “C’mon Everybody” from “Viva Las Vegas.” His worst is the vocally challenging “If I Can Dream” (which he needs to drop ASAP). Everything else is left up to the discretion of the audience, who these days, have been left with a distorted image of what exactly Elvis is supposed to sound, look, and act like. FYI, it is Matt’s “Presley” speaking voice that requires the most attention, as it sounds more like Johnny Bravo then Elvis Presley.

A welcome addition to the show is the new (condensed) Legends Orchestra, under the direction of GEORGE SAFIRE, which is a vast improvement over the old, tired orchestra formerly directed by TERRY RYAN. For that matter, the overall sound was actually better then I have heard in quite awhile. In the 80’s & 90’s, being a ‘star’ in Legends in Concert automatically meant that you were at the top of your game….However, that is not necessarily the case anymore, There is no question that, in recent years, On Stage Entertainment has lowered the bar a notch, admitting acts in the show that would not have made the grade 5-10 years ago. That is also not to say that every now and then they discover a new talent that equals (or possibly surpasses) the level that they have had in the past. …AND, in rare cases, they have even been known to show loyalty by sticking with a select few who have probably should have been put out to pasture.

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