On May 30th I produced my show "Superstars Latinos" at the Texas Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It was a hit. The following was an interview that I did with a local Vegas Magazine called "Viva Las Vegas". I thought that the questions were good for a change and liked the way it came out. the following is the article. 

 

What’s the turning point in your career as a performer in the Strip? 

I was brought here on an audition for Legends In Concert. I was studying acting and living in Manhattan (NYC). I performed a weekly tour of New Jersey Shore clubs and was scouted and brought for an audition at the Imperial Palace. The producer at the time hired me on the spot and offered $750.00 per week. I was already making $4,000.00 per week doing rock clubs as Elton John…It was a while before we came up with a compromise. I did get to literally tour the world before settling in Legends as Elton John here in Las Vegas Feb. 1997

Why did you venture into production, considering that the job of a producer has greater demands (as compared to being a performer)?

 

I don’t believe so. As a performer there are individual parts of the show that make up your style and performance technique. Production is very much the same. The way that one takes the voice, movements and expression into consideration for a performance a producer takes casting, costumes, lighting, sound etc to achieve the same sort of goal. “Many pieces make a puzzle” in many forms of entertainment.

I also have no intention on giving up as a performer. As an actor I expect to be playing an 88  year old man when I’m 88!

 

The pressure to sustain the interest of the audience will always be there.  When do you feel it most – when you are on-stage as a performer or when you are behind the scenes as a producer?

 

The pressure is when wearing both hats. The trouble comes when you are the producer and once the show is rolling you are at the mercy of the cast and crew that you have put your confidence and trust in. If the audience seems to be losing interest you must “pray” that the cast recognizes it and adjusts to correct it. As a performer that ability is within your own grasp and translated from your emotions directly to action to change or “make up” something else that will work. Rolaids helps in the producers chair J

 

What is the greatest challenge that you face – as a producer and as a performer?

 

The challenge is simple… to make the audience happy and to move them in some way. It might be with music, with the proper lighting in a heart felt moment or the quick comeback in an improv situation that catches them off guard. To move an audience to laughter, tears or any other extreme emotion is a gift. There is nothing better that to hear laughter that goes on longer than expected and applause afterwards that lets you know the “yes, we really got what you were doing and we liked it.”

 

A man came up to me once after a show in Atlantic City and told me that he was a Groucho Marx fan. In my show at the time, I did an impression of Groucho for a quick laugh. As the photos on the projection screen showed personal serious shots of an aging Marx, I began dressing as he did later on in life. With beret and thick sweater, I placed the 1950 style glasses on my face and continued into the song “I remember you.” I ended with the large photo of Groucho fading and me walking off into the darkness as an aged icon. There was silence for a very long time….then thunderous applaud. The man said to me after the show, “you made me laugh harder than I have in years and then 2 minutes later I cried my eyes out.., but don’t really know why…thank you.” From that moment, I realized how important the production and the performance were to each other. I have been doing that for decades and that man’s statement reminded me why I do it in the first place. There is no check large enough that can take the place of words like that.

 

 

There are just so may shows going on in the Strip.  How do you compete?

At this point Superstars Latinos is the only Latin type show in town not to mention its pop music audience draw.

Its fun, Latin and appeals to more than just the Latin audience. We would like a home here on the strip if the offer is rite but we are planning to bring it everywhere around the world. We are talking to a number of promoters and sponsors and might wind up with a number of shows running simultaneously around the US and the Latin music world.

Stations Casino took a great step in bringing entertainment back to people. Texas Station wanted it done correctly with a large band and a large cast, so we did it big and bold and it worked. Kudos to Texas and all the Station Casinos. It’s not that hard or expensive to bring in a great show and keep people on property…Texas Station proved that it woks where other casinos on the Strip would be less inclined to take a risk with such an elaborate show.

As a performer, would you rather be called as an impersonator/impressionist or a tribute artist?  (Some performers are very particular how they are called).

 

It depends on what I am doing. As a Musical comedian doing my show Voices in My Head, I am an impressionist. I am doing voices and humor, which is my take or impression on certain character.

While in the Elton suit I served the character and the playwright (Elton). I perfected the walk and talk, piano playing and voice of Elton John as well as every possible facial expression and movement. It is an illusion, so I believe that that is an impersonation.

As a songwriter I attempted to write songs of the day that equaled in quality of what was on the radio and being sold in stores. As a comedian I have tried to be as funny and witty as the best that I have shared stages with. On the headstone when I die I hope it reads…”He tried everything and was darn good at it all”!

Although artists often say that they are constantly fine tuning their skills/talents, how long did it take you to perfect your craft, especially for a show like “Voices in My Head”? 

I’ll let you know when I do. If you think that something is perfect you will never grow or improve. I began doing impressions and imitations at 5 years of age, I expect I will be working on it for some time to come. Enjoying it helps. It keeps you fresh and willing to try more and more.

Comedy shows usually try to engage the audience into some sort of an audience participation (no matter how brief).  How do you handle a passive audience?

 

Good Question. I personally am not the kind of performer that “does his act”, and gets on with it.

Each of my shows has its set marks but moves in different directions depending on what the audience gives me back. If there is nothing coming back I usually make that part of the show.

Then the audience realizes that it is a show about an audience that gives nothing back…when they get it, we are all on track and the show moves together with the people on the stage AND in the seats enjoying the ride.

Hecklers, good or bad ones, could be present in your show.  How do you handle an audience who makes sure that his/her presence is felt?

 

As a person who is known to be quick witted (ask Frankie Scinta) they are no match for me and a mic. I studied with second city’s Marty Dematt for 7 hour a day for an entire summer in ’96.

I can move on the fly with any heckler in the audience and at their speed and faster.

The technique is to hit them hard and keep them down with one phrase or shot.

I sometimes will not engage a heckler because it isn’t fair to the audience members around them. They came to be entertained and be a part of something. It has to be fun for all, even the heckler.

 

What does it take to be a good comedian?  A good producer?

Listening, watching and knowing your audience and making everyone feel like they are all one.

That goes for cast members, audiences, crew, etc.

Is it true that comedians are quiet and reserved persons off-stage?  Or is it just a cliché?

I think that it varies. I personally would rather sneak into a show or restaurant and out without anyone knowing. I have worked with some biggies and find that the rule seems to be when we comedians do not have an audience we are reserved. Veteran comedian Pat Cooper and I worked together and did a TV show together. He is bigger than life and leaves no space in the room for anyone else…when he is “on”. After the TV show he took me for eggs at a quiet, local dive. We sat in the very back of the restaurant where he spoke in a quiet voice and was the most unassuming person I had ever seen. It was amazing……he picked up the check.

How does this show differ from other performances or shows you have done in the past?

Latin, Latin, Latin. This show is the best of Latin pop and holds nothing back. Big band, big sound, big lights and big stars. Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan. If you love Latin pop and its stars this is the only show to see!!

As a performer/producer, do you set limitations (things you wouldn’t do, a no-no)?

If a showroom doesn’t have the tools to support a show worthy of an audience, I think I would decline booking it or working the show. I have been asked to do my show “Voices” for small clubs and private events that have no stage, lighting or proper sound. It doesn’t serve the art and is best to move on and not accept the date. 

 

You are noted for impersonating Elton John.  Why Elton John?  Is he your favorite personality to impersonate?

Many years ago I had the opportunity to work for Elton’s company Rocket Records and his manager at the time John Reid. I was a budding singer songwriter and love the Team of Taupin and John. Seeing and talking to one of your idols is a great thing when you are young. My writing style was very affected by Elton’s sound, and in the 1980s I gained a publishing deal with Paramount Pictures “Famous Music” but had lost to record deals because both my voice and music sounded close to the Elton John sound. By 1990, I figured if you can’t beat ’em, join ‘em. I put together an Elton John tribute band and began what became shows around the world as Elton John.

How come Superstars Latinos is just a one-night-event-only show?

Testing the waters ….testing the waters…..

We hope to have it on a regular basis soon.