Purple Reign - The Ultimate Prince Tribute Show

A sign of surety for any gigging tribute band, is when months or even years of bar hopping pay off; the glimmering lights of the 'Strip' beckon, and the debut show is a sell-out. Few impersonating bands ever reach such giddy heights, and yet “Purple Reign – The Ultimate Prince Tribute Show” has done exactly that. Fronted by the charismatic Jason Tanner (who bears more than an uncannily striking resemblance to the pint-sized superstar), the homage act “Purple Reign” has evolved from a talented group of U.N.L.V college club performers, to the polished, cabaret-class crowd-pleaser beloved today.

Buoyed by the success of being the first 'tribute act' ever to grace David Letterman's hallowed “Late Show” stage in 2008; “Purple Reign” is now permanently in residence at the prestigious Hooter's Casino Hotel - recently announcing the renewal of their signing, for yet another year. If this were not testament enough to the audience-draw the show has become; the accolade earned through the “Las Vegas Review Journal Poll” in 2009, speaks volumes.

Continuously praised for his faultless footwork, and flamboyant on-stage energy; Tanner could very well be mistaken for “The Artist” himself – an astounding compliment given his rise to success actually began, when a friend commented upon his likeness to Prince one Halloween. Sleight in stature, yet sporting the trademark coiffed bouffant (that Prince himself often used to add a few inches to his height); Jason Tanner represents one of few impersonators bearing the complete package. He famously tackles “Purple Rain” with the kind of falsetto even world-class female soloists find challenging. His effortless raunch during “Controversy” commands lustful attention from both sexes, and his high-octane gyrations to the up-beat “Get Off”convinces even the most reserved of audience members to take to the floor, hip-popping in time to his sultry voice.

“Purple Reign” occasionally undergoes some set-list re-jigging, however, most will concur that “Let's Go Crazy” sets the precedent for the entire show. “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here...” delivered with all the verve an expectant audience anticipates; coupled with a crescendo of electric guitars, as Tanner launches into a vivacious two hours of “The Artist's” most memorable numbers. The B-side to that 1984 hit (“Erotic City”) has also been slotted into the frenetic show, along with hit favorites, such as: disco-synthesized “Controversy”, “Darling Nikki” and “Purple Rain”(the 1984 hit, and film, which have significantly inspired the ostentatious stage show.) The recent addition of the Morris Day and Jerome characters, performing such hits as “Jungle Love”by The Time, has further broadened the show's spectrum of musical tributes – attracting the biggest audience numbers yet.

Jason Tanner ét cast really rev up the show's credibility with fascinating attention to detail. Every costume, embellishment and prop has been carefully designed, planned and situated to enable delivery of a true-to-life Prince experience. The flamboyant, frilly collared shirts, fishnet body stockings and teasing glimpses of flesh (the show stipulates a minimum guest age of 21) all add to the authenticity, of a show now dubbed the closest to the “real thing” avid fans are likely to get - without paying out to see “The Artist” himself.