Louis & Keely, Live at the Sahara
This is my favorite show of 2008, hands down! Heck, I'll even throw 2007 in there! Perfect through and through!
L & K Productions presents an exhilarating musical, which begins with the sound of a heart monitor. Imprisoned by a coma, lying in a hospital death bed in the late '70s, Louie Prima begins to snap his fingers to the beeping beat. His band joins in, initiating Prima to stand on his feet and begin to narrate the story of his life and times at the famous Las Vegas casino where he and Keely Smith become a sensation.
Jake Broder and Vanessa Clair Smith wrote and perform "Louis and Keely, Live at the Saraha," directed by Jeremy Aldridge. This triunity has created one of the most pleasurable evenings of musical theatre currently west of the Mississippi--and, hopefully, soon on both sides.
Let's not assume everyone knows who the titled duo are, especially anyone younger than 50 years old. However, this is a fantastic way of reintroducing to the world an almost forgotten phenomenon. Outrageously entertaining performers, James Broder and Vanessa Claire Smith, limn this story so perfectly, inviting us to forget the current year and join them on their journey through time.
V.C.S. regales us with a voice envied by the lights above and a character tuned finer than the seven-piece, live, big-band instruments accompanying her songs. This is the role that will make Smith a star alongside co-genius Jake Broder.
Broder's energy is unimaginable, co-mingled with an astounding voice, unquestionably inspiring each and every audience member of the constantly Sold-Out performances, currently in its sixth month.
The band doubles as performers, and talented there too, they are: Colin Kupka, Brian Wallis, Jeff Markgraf, Richard Levinson, Dennis Kaye, Michael L. Solomon, and "Hollywood" Paul Litteral.
Extravagantly gorgeous lighting design by J. Kent Inasy and impeccable music direction by Dennis Kaye.
Stage managed by Suze Campagna.