Frank Marino

Still Keeping Up

With The “Joan-Ses”

Was it only a few months ago when we were waxing lyrical about Frank Marino saying “goodbye” to his Joan Rivers impersonation? The Strip’s longest-running headliner launched a brand-new campaign last November to “prepare fans” that come January 2012, he would be phasing out the comedienne that he’s impersonated for the past quarter of a century – that’s Joan Rivers, to those of who you who haven’t been to Vegas in the past 25 years. The plan was for Marino to come out and do his monologue as his “femme fatale alter ego,” but we’re guessing that three weeks wasn’t enough time, as the “lady” is back – and Marino is back to (as he always used to say) “keeping up with the joan-ses.”

Marino adds, “I didn’t realize the audience liked the portrayal of Joan Rivers so much that we got so many letters to bring her back. Even the hotel executives asked for her ‘return.’” So, yes, she’s back – and Marino shares that he will open the show as “Joan Rivers,” but close the show as “myself,” (or his femme fatale alter ego, is more like it.)

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the show is going to be the same as what you’ve seen. Marino is long-known for refreshing it every couple of months – bringing in new characters – the most recent was the introduction of a “Rihanna” and “Janet Jackson” impersonators late last year. This year – watch out for a “Katy Perry” and a new Madonna number. Marino shares that the request to have Perry was the result of a six-month audience survey on who they would like to see on the show. Other requests were of Cristina Aguilera and Miley Cyrus.

All these new elements, paired with the show’s high-energy, “MTV-style” format, along with fabulous sets, the chance to see 17 characters throughout the production, and of course, Marino’s many costume changes – is a sure-fire recipe for a fantastic evening, Vegas-style. You’ll be dancing in your seats in no time and wishing the show was longer.

Never one to shy away from the national (and international) spotlight, Marino was recently seen on the hit Bravo TV reality show, “Millionaire Matchmaker.” Fans of the show already know of Patti Stanger, but fans of Marino will delight in the fact that he impersonates her on the show. “Patti was very appreciative of me impersonating her,” says Marino, adding, “When I impersonate somebody, I only like to do strong women. I would never be able to do an impersonation of a “Marilyn Monroe-type” because she’s too dainty. I would be a much better ‘Madonna’ than a ‘Marilyn Monroe.’” The “reality-TV train” doesn’t end there – watch out for him sometime in April as he serves as a guest-judge on “Toddlers and Tiaras.”

Divas Las Vegas, Showroom, Imperial Palace

Show times are 10 p.m., Saturday through Thursday. Tickets are $39, $69, and $79. Call 702-794-3261 to purchase tickets. See page 3 for $25 off VIP and General Admission tickets.

RAY ROMANO & KEVIN JAMES

Return to The Mirage, February 17-18, show time is 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $99.99, $110.99, $120.99; call 702-792-7777 to purchase.

Annual Masquerade Ball, February 18, 8 p.m., Gold Diggers, Golden Nugget Hotel. Cover charge is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Cover charge includes admission, complimentary beads, doubloons and mask. Event is for 21 years and older only.

For TREY SONGZ – as he brings you his “Anticipation Tour.” “Passion, Pain & Pleasure,” is his hugely anticipated follow-up to 2009’s RIAA gold-certified smash, “Ready.” Recent hits include “Bottoms Up (featuring Nicki Minaj)” and “Blind.” Songz won “Best Male R&B Artist” at the 2010 BET Awards, while “Ready” received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album.

Big Sean’s debut album, “Finally Famous” was released in June of last year and features collaborations with such artists as Kanye West and Pharrell. His single “My Last,” with Chris Brown, reached #1 on the Billboard Hip Hop charts.    

Trey Songz with special guest, Big Sean, February 18, 8 p.m., The Pearl, Palms Casino. Tickets are $59, $69, $79, $89 and $99; to purchase, call Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000.

The Fresh Beat Band, February 18, 4 p.m., Theatre for the Performing Arts, Planet Hollywood. Tickets are $35.70 and $46.20; call Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000 to purchase.

BoyzIIMen, February 18, 8 p.m., Star of the Desert Arena, Buffalo Bill’s, Primm. Tickets are $54.95 and $65.95; call Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000 to purchase.

Claude Monet: Impressions of Light; February 18, 2012 – January 6, 2013, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA). Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m., daily. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older; $10 for students, teachers and military with ID. Last admissions are sold 30 minutes prior to closing. Call 702-693-7871.

Claude Monet, Grainstack (Sunset), 1891,
Oil on canvas, 28 ⁷/8 x 36 ¹/2 inches, Collection Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Juliana Cheney Edwards Collection. Photograph © 2012 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.