The Soprano’s Last Supper Turns
Two, and Acts Like It
Warning: Do not attend if you’re easily offended, a devotee of
temperance or a prude about bodily functions.
The outrageous parody/party/”made man” marathon featuring cursing,
gossiping, wise guy antics, bimbo betrayals, singing, dancing, and
crude, lewd and rude humor entered its terrible two’s with a Birthday
Bash performance for media on Tuesday, May 6 at the Riviera Hotel &
Casino.
Billed as the “most interactive mob comedy hit on the Las Vegas Strip,”
the show took up residence inside the Riviera Comedy Club, transformed
into the Bada Bang! Strip Club for the scene of this evening’s crimes. A
live band rocked the house for an opening number while video screens
showed Tony Soprano (AKA Baritone) on the move in his vehicle. The live
action on stage took place at the Baritone house, a therapist’s office,
and a pork store, but swiftly moved to the Club for the remainder of the
festivities.
Tony (Lou Diamond with a Bogie-like lisp) and fellow characters, Silvio,
Uncle Jun, (Junior) therapist Dr. Melfri, Adrianna, Christopher, and a
cast of another dozen or so wiseguys and gals populated the stage and
dance floor at various intervals for 90 minutes of frenetic
entertainment complete with live singers, audience sing-a-longs,
communal dancing, fighting, posturing and other mob-related mayhem.
The Soprano's Last Supper
Tony Baritone, indicted for “bangin’ a broad in the back of his
Escalade” tries to find the rat among his pack of “goombahs.” The
verbally colorful characters defend themselves, accuse others, and drop
F-bombs like water balloons off of a five story building.
Many of the characters speak, yell, or shout simultaneously. Add a
shrieking bimbo whose credit card just got cancelled and the decibel
level rises even further. Throughout, there are vignettes of
stereotypical Italian mob behavior, punctuated by singing and dancing,
incorporating the audience onto the floor. Willingness has nothing to do
with it. Sexism and gay bashing are invited to dance around as well.
The interactive characters ensure that no two shows are exactly alike.
Loud music, strobe lights, 100 dollar Soprano bills and audience surname
sections such as Fusilli, Rigatoni, and Provolone pitted us against each
other to see who could make even more noise. This is not a show you
attend to enjoy a quiet drink with your sweetie.
Actors infiltrate the audience with rumors and stories, cajoling them to
dance, stand, and clap. Lowbrow humor runs amok (simulated handjobs,
fellatio, and crotch grabbing are rampant). “Ay, ‘ow you doon? I got
your Last Suppa right here!” A phone conversation with a refrain of “You
got my f_ckin’ money?” ends with “love ya, Ma!” The foul-mouthed
pandemonium continues until it’s interrupted with a sing-a-long to
That’s Amore.
Another famous Tony, (Las Vegas’ own Tony Sacca) introduced as Cousin
Tony from Atlantic City, graciously obliged the audience with his
rendition of Fly Me to the Moon, when nearly yanked from his seat by
eager henchmen.
The live band performed classics such as Mack the Knife, The Wanderer, A
Little Less Conversation (A Little More Action), It’s Not Unusual,
Runaround Sue. No one was allowed to sit through these numbers – unless
they were seated in an inaccessible corner where a wiseguy could not
follow. Every other innocent bystander was virtually pressured into
having a good time…or else. Video screens featured footage of Elvis, Tom
Jones, Bobby Darin, and John Travolta as Tony Manero from Saturday Night
Fever, and the Soul Train line.
Singer Dee Dee Diamond lead a Tarantella circle for a polka-like chicken
dance while another cast member wore a rubber chicken hat in the middle
of it all. Are we having fun yet? Many in the crowd were, believe it or
not. If it’s pure escapism, silliness, adolescent humor, and irreverence
you want, look no further than this branch of “la famiglia.”
Three audience members were pulled up on stage to see who would be
“made” (become a member of the Family). A female tourist from Australia
won – after enduring putana (prostitute) jokes – as well as speculation
about her @$$! Call it crude, rude, lewd, or screwed; the Last Supper’s
loose plot had even looser morals – a real audience pleaser. Vanity,
profanity, insanity, who could ask for anything more?
The show ends with an FBI sting which flushes out the “rat” that
betrayed Tony. Heartwarming and nostalgic for sure, like remembering a
time when you didn’t have a criminal record. But I digress.
The Soprano’s Last Supper indeed! First of all, the apostrophe is in the
wrong place; second, there’s nothing “last” about it. They’ll be feeding
it to you for many nights to come, and if you’re like the audience I
witnessed, you’ll lick your plate clean and ask for more.
For further information:
http://www.sopranosvegas.com
