Old Vegas gets a new look: Society of Seven's latest effort at Bally's on the Strip digs up some buried irony from the city's past
By MIKE WEATHERFORD
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Filipina pop singer Lani Misalucha (above) has joined Society of Seven (below) for the Hawaiian show band's afternoon slot at Bally's.
In a way it's a bit strange that Society of Seven, which stands as one of the last authentic-feeling examples of an Old Vegas nightclub act, spends so much of its time imitating other people.
But that's Old Vegas too. The veteran Hawaiian show band's latest effort to carve out a niche on the Strip digs up some buried irony.
Consider that Sammy Davis Jr. -- easily the most-imitated Las Vegas performer of all -- was quite the impressionist himself. You can hear these forgotten routines on some of his live recordings, and a recent reissue of a whole album ("All-Star Spectacular") of him imitating other people.
Society of Seven keeps the strange circle going. Singer Gary Bautista does an imitation of Mirage headliner Danny Gans doing his "Twelve Days of Christmas" routine, in which one of the people he imitates is Engelbert Humperdinck, who also used to do impressions back in the day.
Got all that?
The thing about Society of Seven is that the business of clowning with other people's identities -- all the shuffling of wigs and costumes as one player takes the spotlight while the other rotates to drums or keyboards -- is the real fun of the show.
The few moments when they're just being themselves are the ordinary ones. The beginning, for instance, with the standard-issue take on Neil Diamond's "America" or their later digging up of a better-left-buried Gatlin Brothers hit, "All the Gold in California."
Be honest. You wouldn't go to a whole show of that. But you sure might go to one in which a heartfelt crack at Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" is followed immediately by the words "Disco time!" and the thump-thump beat of "Stayin' Alive."
Or when the group's founder and show narrator, Tony Ruivivar, continues to wear his "Phantom of the Opera" cape while the show segues into its patriotic "God Bless the U.S.A." finale.
The group has been a fixture at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel for 35 years. When that challenge wore off, the original cast "cloned" itself by teaching the act to younger performers in 2001, freeing the veterans to conquer the Strip.
They're still trying, this time with an afternoon time slot at Bally's. And the seven guys were wise to realize that after three previous attempts, it's time for a little fresh blood.
Enter Lani Misalucha, a Filipina pop singer and TV personality who -- like most of her country's entertainers -- has met an indifferent response in the United States beyond the stateside Filipino community.
As you might guess, she's a big-voiced singer modeled after famous North American exports such as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. Know what else she does? You don't suppose it would involve imitations of Barbra Streisand, Shania Twain and Britney Spears, do you?
Misalucha's own operatic leanings blend with the group's knack for balancing its lowbrow shtick with a sincere affection for higher-minded singing. Her signature rendition of "Nessun Dorma" fits hand in glove with Bautista's crack at the famous "Vesti la Giubba" sequence from "I Pagliacci." Both sound credible to non-opera aficionados, and neither singer embarrasses the other with lopsided skills.
Misalucha has an often-glorious voice, but is still blending her comedy into the group. Audiences weren't sure whether to laugh or take at face value a Celine Dion impression that's dead-on with the goofy tuxedo pants and suspenders she wears in her Las Vegas show.
But in a less tangible aspect, the addition of Misalucha fits well beyond any business plan on paper. Whether she's making the guys hop to it as Beyonce's robotic video dancers, or putting them through the paces of the Bee-Gees' "You Should Be Dancing," there's a palpable energy onstage that wasn't always there before.
A week after its opening, the show was still in need of trimming some flat spots that could tighten it to 80 minutes or so instead of 95. But old habits take time to change, and these habits should only be changed with care. You don't find Old Vegas just anywhere these days, especially when it's pretending to be something else.
just wanted to share the article..i know i might get negative responses again..oh well..hehe..i know that will never change but i'm just happy that she got her break already even tho she's starting in Vegas..i watched the show on tape already..i'm watching it live on September 5th and 6th..can't wait..hehe
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[> Subject: Re: Another Article about Lani in Vegas
Date Posted:22:17:30 08/22/04 Sun Author Host/IP: NoHost/202.138.183.155
>Society of Seven, Lani Misalucha concert in Las Vegas:
>The show to watch
Jun M.:
You know..I think I have heard the name of that group-
"The Society of Seven" somewhere before. Somewhere in
the country, I mean.. (our country) But for some reason
I think it was called "The SECRET Society of Seven." (?)
But I can't be too sure at the monument. hehe.. But the
name of the group would be great if member was from a
different country. Uh.. no, I'm wrong.. Then it should be
named "The Seven Different Societies."
I like one of the official posters. hehe.. Good one.
-------------------They are An Hawaiian Group(?)-------
Jun M. says:
Well, I'm thinking that was one of the groups that played
at the Holiday Inn on Roxas Blvd before. But I could be
wrong. But if I'm right then they are good. And they are
a Filipino group. What's with the tidbit of saying they
are an 'Hawaiian Group/band'(?) Lani isn't saying she's
an Hawaiian singer. di ba?!
Ok. its possible they were just saying the band is based
in Hawaii. That its their home base as a group. But maybe
they should have kept everyone on a pinoy group theme..
Not just because of what I know alot of you is thinking
about something I don't like to mention or talk about
too much about Hawaiians who are actually pinoy.
Tia Carrera comes to mind..
Its because if I was an american/foreigner reading the
show's poster and trying to decide to watch or not..
it may depend on people thinking what kind of music
is going to be played. And all I can think I'm about
to hear knowing they are from Hawaii is "Don Ho and
other Hawaiian music."
Not really the top 40/classy show it is going to be.
You missed that 'naughty' concert promoter/producer..
But you probably cornered the retirees from Florida
playing for that weekend. lolz..
Re: Another Article about Lani in Vegas