La Cage

What happens when you combine the alter egos of six comedy enthusiasts; two gallons of hair spray and a penchant for Louboutins? Loosely translated, these are the vital ingredients thrown into the melting pot of outrageousness that is “An Evening At La Cage”. The fourth longest runner on the Strip, “La Cage” brings to life the oft pondered “what if I were a woman for a day” fantasy of men, and not just any men...

Brainchild of veteran producer Norbert Alemen, La Cage boasts an all-star cast of familiar Vegas faces, as well as an “America's Got Talent” runner-up. Hosted by the Riviera's former Joan Rivers impersonator Frank Marino, the rotational cast is a dynamic of largely middle-aged men, of whom include former Desert Inn entertainer Frankie Kein (the baby-face behind both Marilyn Monroe and Gypsy Rose Lee); Unboylievable Follies star Jimmy Emerson (aka Tammy Spraynette) and longtime Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry. Enthralling audiences since the late 1990's, Marino and his troupe of female impersonators played to a whopping 5 million people over the course of their run at the uptown Riviera Hotel and Casino. Following the announcement of its bankruptcy in 2010, the La Cage ladies relocated to the aptly named 4 Queens Hotel, less than a stone's throw from the Fremont Street Experience.

The absence of Frank Marino will no doubt disappoint some longtime La Cage guests. Embracing the playful spirit of Joan Rivers nightly for almost 25 years, he is credited with maintaining the show's nostalgic appeal; which could explain why it retains the intimacy of that now famous 80's New York bar gig.

La Cage powers up with Jimmy Emerson in the driving seat, his hilariously over-sized wig taking on a life of its own as he cavorts around the stage. His improvisational switching from Tammy Spraynette to jolly big guy keeps the audience in rapture for most of the first set, later helping break the monotony of lip-syncing bits into palatable, bite-size sections. Arguably owner of the best legs in the business, Streisand doppelganger Brent Allen awards die-hard fans with a brilliantly timed rendition of “Woman in Love”, his mannerisms so on par, you'd think he'd studied the “Tell Him” singer since high school! America's Got Talent contestant Derrick Barry receives a wilder reception than many of his cohorts. Kitted to the hilt in rhinestone spangled black PVC, he jump starts the latter half of the first round with a series of chart-topping hits, including “Toxic”, “Baby One More Time” and more recently the sexed up “Criminal”.

Power-pop continues well into the second half with high octane sets from both Lane Lassiter (Michael Jackson) and the rambunctious Carlos Rodriquez playing both Jennifer Lopez and Madonna. By the time Frankie Kein graces the stage in his red spangled Liza Minnelli ensemble, the audience appear to have got over the need for big beats and body popping, instead rising in respectful unison as Rodriquez launches into “Theme From New York, New York.” Flame-haired Ryan Zink (Reba McEntire) brings up the rear with a slew of admirable covers, prompting the entire cast to return the stage for an “only in Vegas” collaboration of epic proportions. Critics may sneer at the obvious absence of younger divas and 'queens' among this cast, yet the subtle make-over to La Cage is proving more than enough for the future of Las Vegas' most formidable impersonator show.