Kats: Las Vegas Strip institution “Legends” goes all-female for the first time

Every night will be Ladies Night for “Legends in Concert” at Tropicana’s Legends In Concert Theater in 2022.

The oldest running production show in Las Vegas is composing a spin-off production, “Legendary Divas” featuring Franck Marin like Joan Rivers. This will be the production company’s first all-female lineup.

The show opens on February 2 with tributes to Cher, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Adele. The production schedule is unlimited and takes place daily at 7:30 p.m. (Dark Tuesdays). Tickets will cost $ 54.99 to $ 104.99 (excluding fees), with an on-sale date to be announced.

“We are delighted to return for the fourth season to our namesake theater, at the Tropicana Las Vegas”, Brian Brign, the show’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. “This brand new show looks like the ultimate celebration of women.”

The Dion show, Elisa Furr, prevailed over E! competition show “Clash of the Cover Bands” in November, head of artist Aretha Franklin Elaine gibbs by nailing “My heart will continue.” »Cher will be performed by Lisa McClowry. Tierney Allen, a cancer survivor during COVID, is back as Lady Gaga. Janae Longo takes on the series’ newest female tribute, Adele.

Expect a rotation of female superstars throughout the race, which has no announced end date.

The host of “Legendary Divas” is himself a legendary diva. The late “Divas Las Vegas” Marino returns to the cast of “Legends” after saying goodbye (temporarily) in December. With Marino-as-Rivers at the helm, “Legendary Divas” will be the only “Legends” show in Las Vegas.

Marino was on “The Joan Rivers Show” on Fox. The idea of ​​ending up in “Legends” came to him during a conversation with the legendary comedian.

“Joan said to me, ‘You make a living pretending to be me. God forbid I ever pass, ”says Marino. “And I said, ‘If you ever had to come by, I should join’ Legends In Concert ‘.

In its main theater, Tropicana became Tribute Central, with “Legends” between “MJ Live” (which opens February 7, from The Strat) and Jason Tenner’s tribute to Prince, Purple Reign. The hotel is also still home to the lively Laugh Factory comedy club, where the Impressionist legend Rich Small anchors a range which also includes Jon lovitz as recurring headliner, comic and magician Murray Sawchuck.

The new “Legends” show will follow the familiar “Legends” format with live vocals, live band, showgirls and backing vocals. This diverts from the “Divas Las Vegas” format, where the characters all proudly synchronized their numbers.

The production is the latest partnership of two Vegas entertainment brands. ‘Legends’ opened at the Imperial Palace in 1983. Marino opened in ‘Soiree à La Cage’ in September 1986 and has since presented ‘Divas Las Vegas’ at the Linq Hotel and finally ‘Legends’, from August 2019 to last December.

Marino is still planning to tour “Divas” this month and host his “Diva-Licious Drag Brunch” shows at DW Bistro.

“I love, love, love the ‘Legends’ show and the hotel, I had a great time with them,” Marino said on Tuesday. “It’s a perfect fit. It’s a marriage that I hope will never end.

John Katsilometes’ column is published daily in section A. His “PodKats! Podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. To follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.