WHO'S THE BOSS?

It’s a tough sell out there and nobody knows that better than the cast of “The Soprano’s Last Supper,” a show that has moved locations three or four times since it debuted in Las Vegas three years ago. Although hat’s off to the production for lasting this long, in these times. Today, home is the “Soprano’s Supper Club Showroom” at the Greek Isles Hotel, where it seems, they’re back to their original concept of a “dinner show.” A bit of a backgrounder – when the show was playing at the Riviera, dinner was a separate affair and held in one of the hotel’s restaurants.

All in character, the cast from left: Rob Marrocco, Tom Lynch, Dean Mauro (“Tony Baritone” is now played by Tom Cassell), Lou Bellomo, Jon Paul Raniola and Howard Locke.

Producer Maggie Cupp says that this move has increased ticket sales somewhat, saying, “Even with the two ticket prices we’re charging, 80 to 90 percent are being purchased with dinner.” This is not your typical “dinner theatre show” where the price of the meal is included in the ticket; on offer is a general admission ticket, which comes with a complimentary drink, though Maggie adds, “It’s definitely better with dinner, it completes the experience.”

While the main cast (from the Riviera days) have remained mostly the same, there have been a couple of changes. The “usual suspects” and “gang” are still there – “Silvio,” “Dr. Malfri,” “Uncle Junior,” “Christopher,” “Tony Baritone,” “Adriana,” “DeeDee Diamond,” “Paulie,” and “Bobby Bacala.” What has changed is who’s playing whom. Tony Cassell has replaced Dean Mauro in
the main role of “Tony,” the character of “Dr. Malfri,” previously played by Kellie Karl, is now played by Tenya Espinoza; Rob Marrocco takes on the role of “Christopher;” “Bobby Bacala” is played by Jim Hitzke; and you won’t be finding “Meadow” hanging out at the Bada Bang! Club anytime soon.

The cast rotation is but one of the many changes that the show has undergone, though the producer is quick to point out, “While we’ve updated it and made some changes, it’s not that anybody who hasn’t seen it will recognize it. There’re always new plans; we’re always reworking the show, we’re going through another change in the next four weeks.” This is probably in time with their anniversary on April 6, though no amount of questions from us divulged what these changes are going to be. For now, they’re keeping mum, adding, “We’re adding more surprises, let’s put it that way.”

What hasn’t changed much is the show’s “dinner theater” concept. Say what you will, but there is a market for the type of audience member who is big on participation and interaction. “The whole idea that they could sit there and be part of the entertainment is what people really love,” said Maggie Cupp.

The show’s producers have been doing this for so long – 15 years, to be exact – that they seem to have the “formula” down pat. Part of its stable of productions are other interactive shows such as “Joey and Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding” and “Nick and Zita’s Funny Fat Greek Wedding,” with six others – all variations on a theme; though “Soprano’s” is the only one playing on the Strip, with the rest being available for booking for private parties.

At the heart of it all, it’s still all about “the family” and while this production is not affiliated with the HBO TV show, there’s enough similarities and links to keep the momentum going, as well as allowing it to move forward with its own plot. So while your “beloved characters” may seem at times, out of sorts, you can still dine, drink and dance with “the mob” and maybe, just maybe, become the “Boss,” if only for a night.

-Rachel M. Sugay