The Randy Report: Frank Marino

Showing posts with label Frank Marino. Show all posts

Monday, August 5, 2019

Las Vegas: Strip's Longest-Running Headliner Frank Marino Joins Legends In Concert

Frank Marino (via Facebook)

This fall, the longest-running headliner in Las Vegas history, Frank Marino, will join the longest-running production on the Las Vegas Strip, Legends in Concert.

"I'm truly honored to be joining the cast of Legends in Concert for a limited engagement," said the former star of Divas Las Vegas. "I'm simply ecstatic to be going from Diva status to a Legend inside the world-famous iconic Tropicana Las Vegas."

Marino also shares that this will be his swan song appearance as the legendary first lady of comedy, Joan Rivers.

Marino joins the cast of Legends beginning September 11 and will be joined by a new cast of tribute artists singing some of the biggest hits of recorded music.

Fans will be taken into a “Bohemian Rhapsody” with Fernando Castro’s mesmerizing tribute to the one and only Freddie Mercury and the iconic catalog of Queen; moved far from the “Shallow” with Tierney Allen’s breathtaking homage to Lady Gaga; and transported to the 80s with Jill Burke’s stunning recreation of Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield.”

Elvis also returns to the Legends in Concert Theater with hunk of “Burnin’ Love” Matt Lewis and his beloved portrayal of The King, Elvis Presley.

The acclaimed production featuring stunning tribute artists also dazzles fans with historic showgirl costumes curated directly from iconic Vegas productions of the past, creating a special tribute to the showgirl glamour that is synonymous with the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Legends in Concert performs at Tropicana Las Vegas Monday through Saturday (dark Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Tropicana Box Office, or online at ticketmaster.com and ticketbat.com.

For more information about Legends in Concert, visit LEGENDSINCONCERT.COM.

Friday, February 8, 2019

1980s Pop Queen Slays At Sin City Drag Brunch

It was a case of “Is she or isn’t she?” at a recent performance of “A Diva-Licious Brunch” in Las Vegas when diners paused for a moment not sure if they were watching iconic 80s songster Debbie Gibson popping a bop or a really good drag queen.

Debbie Gibson drops by "Diva-Licious Drag Brunch" in Las Vegas
(all photos: Dayna Roselli)

It was a case of “Is she or isn’t she?” at a recent performance of “A Diva-Licious Brunch” in Las Vegas when diners paused for a moment not sure if they were enjoying iconic 80s songster Debbie Gibson popping a bop or a really good drag queen.

Frank Marino, who has been drag royalty for over three decades headlining on the Las Vegas Strip, hosted the event at the popular-with-the-gays DW Bistro at The Gramercy.

Marino brought along several of his drag cohorts to entertain the patrons with tributes to Diana Ross, Katy Perry, Cher, Lady Gaga, and Whitney Houston.

The Gibson look-alike was introduced to the strains of 1987’s “Shake Your Love,” and within moments the audience realized the voice was real and so was the singer.

View this post on Instagram

When the audience thinks you’re introducing a Debbie Gibson impersonator and it’s the REAL Debbie Gibson! This could only happen at Frank Marino’s Diva-Licious Brunch at @dwbistro #LasVegas thank you @debbiegibson for the incredible surprise and supporting our fabulous new show! Top entertainers, top food and top location! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #debbiegibson #dragqueen #popstar #debbiegibson #diva #queen #brunch #food #eat #lgbt #lgbtq #vegas #whathappenshere #divaslasvegas #frankmarino
A post shared by Frank Marino (@thequeenofvegas) on Feb 3, 2019 at 6:07pm PST

Gibson, who owns a home in Las Vegas, was attending the event and an associate from Marino’s team asked the 48-year-old if she’d like to say ‘hey’ to the crowd or perhaps sing a bit.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal’s John Katsilometes, Gibson was down to play.

“I was like, ‘Oh, you want me to do 30 or 45 seconds?’ ” said Gibson. “I said, ‘We’ve come this far. I’m wearing sequins. Give me a full song and a live mic.’ ”

Stepping out onstage in bedazzled high heels (girl comes prepared), the platinum-selling popster worked the room as she belted out her song, at times stepping up to dance on tabletops.

As she neared the dance break, she returned to the stage calling the queens to come out and shake their ‘love.’

As the former teen pop star took a bow to a standing ovation, Marino bragged, “Now you know, DW’s has the budget to get the real Debbie Gibson!”

View this post on Instagram

When the audience thinks you’re introducing a Debbie Gibson impersonator and it’s the REAL Debbie Gibson! This could only happen at Frank Marino’s Diva-Licious Brunch at @dwbistro #LasVegas thank you @debbiegibson for the incredible surprise and supporting our fabulous new show! Top entertainers, top food and top location! #debbiegibson #dragqueen #popstar #debbiegibson #diva #queen #brunch #food #eat #lgbt #lgbtq #vegas #whathappenshere #divaslasvegas #frankmarino
A post shared by Frank Marino (@thequeenofvegas) on Feb 3, 2019 at 6:17pm PST

Gibson is scheduled to tour soon with fellow 80s hitmakers New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany and more on the upcoming 53-city “Mix Tape Tour.”

Here in Las Vegas, though, Marino is teasing there are talks of a new incarnation Divas Las Vegas, his legendary line-up of drag impersonators, on the near horizon.

Plus, word is “A Diva-Licious Drag Brunch” could very well become a regular event at DW Bistro.

To paraphrase the old saying, “What happens in Vegas, SLAYS in Vegas.”

Sunday, September 8, 2013

2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival recap and photos

Michael, me, Don Turner and award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley

Kudos to SNAPI (Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.) for a great 2013 LGBT Pride Festival yesterday. Special shout-out to SNAPI President Ernie Yuen for making the entire day fun, fab and a big success.

Great thing about Pride in Vegas is we get to see tons of friends in one day, plus take in all the booths from LGBT and LGBT ally groups & businesses. Huge corporations, small business owners, churches that welcome LGBT community members in their faith, social groups - many, many take part in sharing what they have to offer to the Las Vegas community.

One example I will list is LGBT owned and operated N2N Bodywear, based in Los Angeles but comes to Las Vegas every year to take part. Out and proud owner/designer Andrew Makay is a business success story that makes me proud to know him. And his energy at Pride events across the country is infectious to all who stop by to check out the sexy clothes (and models) on hand.

And the entertainment was terrific. I have to say my favorite act, who had the entire festival on it's feet had to be God Des And She. A pop/rap act, they did original and cover songs that completely rocked the place. Pride organizers take note - book these two talented women and your crowd will thank you.There were also many other terrific performances, too long a list to name, of LGBT favorites from Las Vegas and around the world. Just know that Entertainment Director Brandon Johnson did a terrific job bringing something for everyone, and the crowd had a great time all day long.

The headliner for this year's festival was Bleona, known as the "Madonna of Albania." Very talented and brought four terrific back-up dancers who knocked the choreography out. I hope to see Bleona do more as she's breaking into the US market. And she'll definitely have a big audience with the LGBT folks. There were some production delays with her crew setting up that caused Bleona to take to the stage 15 minutes late. With an already factored in 20 minute break from the previous act, there was a 35 minute lull in the entertainment for the crowd. I watched dozens of attendees leave after a while, and I also felt some of the momentum in the crowd diminish due to the delay. My unsolicited but constructive advice to Bleona - I appreciate you want to put on a big show for the crowd, but I'd scale back a bit so you can hit the stage on time and keep the energy of the crowd on your side. A talented performer, I look forward to seeing what's next for Bleona in the US.

I have to mention the amazing Chris Saldana, one of Las Vegas' favorite news anchors/reporters. Chris never fails to show up, support and do whatever needs to be done for the LGBT community. Whether it's hosting the Pride Parade telecast, hosting throughout the day on the Festival stage or jumping in to help Bleona's crew get set-up, this Emmy Award-winning journalist does the gays proud. Las Vegas is lucky to have someone who gives so much throughout the year.

Here are a few pics from throughout the day at the 2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival:

Chippendales' Ryan Stuart (L) & Chris Saldana (R) hosted the Pride Parade Awards ceremony. Pictured here with the winners of this year's Parade Director's Award for Best Float - MGM Resorts.