Vegas Man Vegas

In a word the above summarizes all the good and bad features of the show. If those words sound like your idea of a great play you will be pleased. If not, then you may react as I did.

I tend to offer lengthy comments only when my reaction is fundamentally different than the crowd's and I suspect people may be misled. This show is almost universally praised on this site and similarly in the press. That is very puzzling to this reviewer. It has its good features of course. It is a really nice recreation of a 50s/60s Vegas style act. There are some nice songs though they are almost all fragments. The back up band is tight. The leads have good voices. It is fairly entertaining.

It is also cliche riddled. The paper thin plot of a show biz couple falling apart is so familiar you should be able to jot it down before you go. You have seen this movie. You have also seen this act and heard these songs. There is nothing about the human spirit you will learn in this 90 minutes. You may even feel manipulated by all the requests for applause. Is it a play or a lounge act?

The writing does not make up for the obvious plot. A bit of humor but not too much. No real wit. No soliloquies. You get song after song belted out in give 'em a show fashion. Hip, cool, slick.

And when it comes to the obvious climax, and Keely sings the song you knew she would for 80 minutes, you might notice that it does not affect you much just as nothing else has. Even this song is Vegas - cold , empty and show biz.

I can't be the only one who thought sleaze ball and did not buy the innocence of love in Louie for the 16 year old he put on stage and took on the road. It did not pass the smell test given his track record.

The rat pack would understand this show. The amoral world of the night, of Dino, Samy and Frank. Frank is even in this show and to show how odd the hype has been, I do not believe any commentator has mentioned that while using this iconic figure, doing his iconic seduction thing, there is absolutely no vocal or manner resemblance between Cagle and old blue eyes...nada. That matters simply because there could have been and otherwise why throw the star into the mix? He was not I read in the original and he does not add anything good to this version.

I found the show entertaining in a performance sort of way. It was not as a play. As a musical it does not compare to several including Divorce and several recent plays that had music. And it was one of the most costly.

It is nothing as a play but as an entertainment...it's Vegas Baby.

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Jake Broder gave one of the most memorable performances I have seen in years as "Louis Prima". We saw the understudy for Keeley the night I went, and she was just great. The show was a revelation from beginning to end. I cannot remember being as captivated by a show like this in some time. Great, small venue, very intimate. It would have been cool if they had had table service where you could have ordered drinks like a Vegas niteclub to increase the immersive atmosphere, (for now, the cocktails in the lobby will have to do) but the show zips along with no intermission, and it is not missed. The story and music by the fantastic 6 piece swing band, will keep your interest, and the direction, by Acadamy Award winning director Taylor Hackford keeps the story focused and moving. I would not be surprised in the least to see this adapted for film in the not so distant future. Here's hoping if that happens, it will (it MUST) include Jake Broder's electrifying performance as Louis Prima. I brought 3 people in their 20's who had no idea who Louis Prima and Keeley Smith were until last night, and they sure do now. they couldn't stop talking about it. I want to go see it again and bring everyone I know. Fantastic!

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A wonderful production. The actor playing Louis Prima was off-the-charts-great. We loved it so much that we stopped being bothered by the gross guy in a blue shirt sitting next to us, who hocked lugies, hogged the arm rests knocking our arms off our portion with violent elbowing, and was that nightmare patron that one always dreads sitting next to you. This was a thoroughly entertaining show in a small setting. All seats are great. I just hope that the guy in the blue shirt does not come back and sit next to you.

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It was fantastic. We jumped out of our seats throughout the show to clap and cheer. THe music is amazing and the acting was great. SHould not be missed adn thought of going again before it is gone.

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