Legends is Worth It
January 16, 2010 by The Vegas Tourist
I’m going to amaze some of you when I say this; I really enjoyed myself at Legends in Concert, last night. Yes, I know it’s shocking news. Me, enjoying a tribute show.
My view of most celebrity tribute shows (celebrity impersonation) is very low. The show is usually filled with hacks who were once told that they sound/look like so-and-so. So they head to the land of impersonations, Las Vegas. To make a career out of it. They are usually backed by equally unimpressive guys with instruments trying to be real musicians playing around ex-strippers trying to be real dancers.
Ok, so now you know my thoughts as I entered Harrah’s to see Legends in Concert. Let me say two things up front; they need to shoot the sound engineer and there is a reason this show has been around twenty-five years. Wow… The Talent. You need to see this show!
First up was Jerry lee Lewis (Lance Lipinsky). “The Killer” and he nailed the energy, the vibe and the feel of the man himself. Watching him, you understood the reason Jerry Lee had that name attached to him.
As he played, the two giant screens on either side of the stage showed clips of the real Jerry Lee playing the song currently being performed on stage with cutbacks to the show we were watching. And the dude can play the piano like the man himself. If he was the only act to perform, you would be happy to stay and watch…
At one point, he stopped to talk to the audience while still in character. Joking with the audience and informing the younger people in the audience not to be afraid of what was on stage. Those things the men were holding are called instruments and that’s how music used to be made!
He had me hooked. If this was the opening act, the rest of the show is going to blow me away and I would have to rethink my views on tribute shows. Unfortunately the next act almost killed the momentum.
Tina Turner. This is when I realized that the sound engineer needs to be taken out back and shot. Not that he could do anything to improve this hack of a performer, but that he needs to know where the bass knob is on the sound board and turn it down. I think the thumping sound was heavy enough to set off my car alarm in the parking lot.
Tina was the weak spot of the entire cast. Not convincing in sound, looks or mannerisms. Her voice.. eeeuuu. Worse than anything I ever heard come from the real Tina Turner. Thankfully the band and the talented dancers helped make it bearable.
From there the show went to Bette Midler. Pretty darn close in mannerisms and voice. Of all the Bette imitators I have seen, this one ranks at the top. It was also fun to see the clips of the real Bette through the years on the big screens as we watched the tribute unfold.
Now we come to the shocker of the evening. Michael Jackson (Damian Brantley). Not shocking that he was in the show, but shocking that the impersonator was the first I had ever seen that did justice to the Talent of Michael Jackson. Everyone, including me, forgets that he did have some amazing musical talent.
Every other MK impersonation you see plays off his weird looks and his habits, leaving the signing talent to someone else. Not this guy. He shows off the voice and the overall talent that Michael really had. I think even the most critical fans of MK would see this performance and walk away with a different view of “the King of Pop.”
Closing out the show was “the King” Elvis Presley. He was good as Elvis impersonators go. I just never heard Elvis with a slight lisp. He’s not Big Elvis, but he did a very respectable job as Elvis in his early years.
With a final twist, he recreated Elvis’ opening up in Vegas, complete with the larger than life lighted “Elvis” marquee in the background and a quick change in the infamous white sequined jumpsuit. What did you expect from an Elvis impersonator in Vegas??
I will give him bonus points for changing the words to Love Me Tender, to be something of a cheesy pick-up line he used with a female member of the audience. Calling her his Priscilla and asking for her room number! That was pretty original.
That led up to the grand finale with all coming on stage to do a medley of rock hits one at a time. Complete with the dancers and band members taking their turn in the spotlight.
Did I mention the supporting cast? Yes, the normally cheesy, sexy dancers, seeking a pole to dance with? Not here. Nope. Just as impressive as the headlining talent, the dancers were in a league by themselves. Always sexy in a very classy manner and always right on cue.
Like I said, this show will change how you think of tribute shows. The talent filled the stage in all areas (except Tina) including the band. The band didn’t look like a bunch of guys that would hang out together after the gig, but they were talented enough to know they were performing as a group and perform they did.
With the talent on the stage and the screens on either sides giving you glimpses of the stage as well as the performing being impersonated, you would be best to sit further back and center in the theater. Get the full impact of the show.
As one who has survived way too many “tribute” shows, let me say this one will change your thinking. It did mine.
Tickets and info to Legends in Concert
Stuffed Buffet
August 16, 2009 by The Vegas Tourist
Do you need a reason as to why foreign corporations should never be allowed to own casinos? The Plaza would be the poster child for the argument against ownership.
The recent remodel of the buffet is a perfect example of wasted opportunities. The previous 777 Buffet was pathetic. Its replacement is called “Stuffed” and is a middle of the road… a not too bad but, not too good buffet. The high marks are ripped apart by the low marks.
First off, the prices were raised about five dollars, in exchange for a better atmosphere and more selection of food.
However, you first have to pay for the meal before entering. This appeared to be a challenge for the staff… dinner starts at 4pm, so the line starts at about 3:45pm. At 4:05pm they decide to bring out the cash drawer, and then they have to sign in. They take the money from one customer, and then they have to stop to take the cash drawer out because they are changing cashiers. The new cashier signs in and serves two customers before they decide to stop, take the drawer out and put it into the other cash register so they have two open. Are you following this logic??
Thankfully we were next in line. Paying by credit card gave the clerk a scare, and the printer wasn’t really working. She had the nerve to ask if we wanted to add a tip to the bill. Hey, give us some service first before you start panhandling, okay??
We are hustled to a table and left alone. This is pretty much self service buffet. More than usual, including getting your own drinks and anything else you may need.
Okay, they did raise the prices and in exchange you get a better atmosphere than before. Everything is now in the same room, the walls actually look like real walls with real lights, and the tables actually match without warbling as much as before.
The staff; well half were thankful to be employed and happy to have a job. They smiled and were friendly. The other half were grumpy and growly. Probably wishing all these people would stop coming in so they can be unemployed like 15% of their friends. There was no in between.
The Plaza caters heavily to the Midwestern gamblers junket. On this part they got it right. The food was pretty much Midwestern food. Corn, fried chicken, etc… It had plenty of variety and all was warm and tasty, something for just about everybody.
Tonight’s special was steak and peel and eat shrimp. Being Midwest fare and being Sunday, they must have gotten in a fresh batch of steaks from the Red Wing shoe factory.
Mine was a size ten and the PA got two that were a size three. They were actually pretty tasty for what it was suppose to be. Didn’t know my favorite hiking boots had such flavor to them when cooked.
So the food was satisfying and that helped save us from the horrible beginning. But, the final insult was the desert area… Please see the photo. Yeah, that’s it. A Pepsi cooler with three shelves… two had the same thing on them and the third was mix of finger foods. And you guys all know the Dessert Queen… She was not impressed… Insulted would be a better word…..
We left…. That’s all I can say about that…. Not a pretty sight….
