Legends in Concert has been a fail-safe tribute show, meeting all audience expectations when not exceeding them for almost 40 years. What was once the near-exclusive realm of Elvis impersonators has become an institution in Las Vegas. The acts are first class, the pacing swift, and the production itself evolves along with popular culture. It’s a perfect foundation for a fantasy concert, say, with Cher, Celine Dion, Adele and Lady Gaga … on the same stage … singing “Lady Marmalade.”
That’s exactly what has taken place six night weekly since February when Legends in Concert Presents Legendary Divas took over the Legends in Concert Theater, with guest host Frank Marino mastering the ceremonies via his acerbically funny Joan Rivers persona.
When Celine Dion started her groundbreaking headlining residency at Caesars and was the hottest ticket in town, fans faced with sold-out Celine concerts could console themselves at Legends with a performer who inhabits a Dion stage persona and causes eyes to moisten with a rendition of “My Heart Will Go On.” Now Dion devotees holding tickets for her postponed Resorts World residency can gain free admission.
Likewise, fans of Adele holding tickets for her postponed residency can currently gain free admission as well to catch doppelganger Janae Longo belting out “Rolling in the Deep.” Dion is currently played by Elisa Furr, who shook the rafters in November on competition series Clash of the Cover Bands. Furr has performed live with Chaka Khan and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, and worked with bands Winger and Starship.
Photo by: Courtesy
Lady Gaga, one of Las Vegas’ latest resident headliners, is played by Tierney Allen, who began to develop her “Poker Face” persona in 2009 while working at a boutique in Santa Monica and being told she resembled Gaga after finalizing a transaction for Kate Beckinsale. Allen went all out creating costumes and choreography, and gets mistaken for Gaga often in public.
She also benefits from set design renovations that Cher tribute artist Lisa McClowry makes great use of on songs such as “If I Could Turn Back Time.” The live band shines backing up McClowry, a singer-songwriter and recording artist who refined her impersonation with her own tribute show, The Beat Goes On.
It would have been a crime not to bring all four performers onstage, and they bring the house down with a cover of a disco classic by another formidable vocal quartet in Labelle. With the entire audience singing along to “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” the show becomes legend in every sense.
Legends in Concert Presents Legendary Divas runs at the Tropicana through Halloween, and free admission for Adele and Dion residency ticket holders continues through Sept. 5. These divas have the voices and the moves to do their chosen Legends justice. The show is electrifying, engaging and creates unparalleled audience enthusiasm. With Marino keeping the show rolling between acts, Legends in Concert is going where no tribute show has gone before as it makes Vegas history. Or herstory.
Tropicana Las Vegas, ticketmaster.com
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
