Donny & Marie might not be the first show you think of when you hear the expression “turning it up to 11,” but as Donny and Marie Osmond head toward the 11th anniversary of their enormously successful residency at the Flamingo, they’re rocking even harder than ever.
They kick off their high-energy show with a mashup of everything from Black Eyed Peas to The B-52s and even a dash of Beastie Boys. That’s right: Your favorite pop star siblings show Las Vegas how to fight for their right to party.
After a few fun covers, the Osmond siblings get down to business, cranking out hit after hit from their five-decade careers, including genres from country to rock ’n’ roll, with a dash of Broadway. Donny and Marie blend their talents for a few duets then take turns singing their way through the songs you grew up on like “Paper Roses” and “Puppy Love,” with a few newer tracks in the mix. Marie’s 2016 release “Music Is Medicine” encapsulates the vibe of the entire show. A night with Donny and Marie really is medicine for the spirit. This is one of those shows that will put a smile on your face from beginning to end.
The singing siblings are stars of both the screen and stage, so look forward to a sampling from their musical theater years. Marie glides between some of her most famous roles, like Anna in The King and I and Maria in The Sound of Music, while Donny throws it back to his days as the title character in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, minus the signature loincloth, unfortunately. And Donny’s charismatic pop performances like “Crazy Horses” and “Soldier of Love” nearly steal the show, but then Marie goes and shows off her impressive operatic pipes, proving it’s hard to pick a favorite in this talented pair.
Donny and Marie are siblings, after all, so expect some good-natured ribbing as they remind the crowd who’s better and why. They’ll definitely do everything they can to make fans pick a side, trying to one up each other with their extensive resumes full of awards and chart toppers. Let’s just say Donny might have let that Dancing With the Stars mirror ball trophy go to his head a little bit but hey, he’s definitely got the dance moves to back it up!
In addition to the amazingly powerful vocals from Donny and Marie, the tight choreography of the award-winning dancers and the equally talented live band make this one of the Strip’s most entertaining shows that’s great for music lovers of all ages. The nine-piece band features everything from upright bass to horns to banjo, for fans who prefer it “A Little Bit Country.”
What started as a six-week, short-term engagement evolved into more than a decadelong gig, but this chapter of the famous pair’s hit Las Vegas show is coming to a close in November, so be sure to catch them while you can.
Flamingo, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., $109-$260 plus tax and fee. 702.777.2782
