‘Shew’ a really good re-creation of a television favorite

Joe Delaney

Friday, Dec. 22, 2000 | 9:54 a.m.

"A Really Big Shew" is a remembrance of the Ed Sullivan variety show that made Sunday nights at 8 p.m. must viewing from its debut as the "Talk of the Town" in 1948, and reigned until Sullivan retired in 1971.

"Shew" is being performed nightly at 8 p.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton Nightclub through Dec. 30.

Impressionist Jerry Hoban is a Sullivan look-alike and act-alike although his physical movements at the show caught were overdone, too exaggerated. Hoban's dialogue should be stronger. There were signs to indicate that the show was "On the air" and another that signaled the audience to applaud, which the goodly group did throughout.

Scott Bruce, as Elvis Presley circa 1956, when he appeared on the Sullivan show viewed from the waist up, was a winner with live accompaniment, singing "Blue Suede Shoes," "All Shook Up," "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" and "Jailhouse Rock." Bruce was followed by the Bizzaros, a male-female duo doing a balancing act using posts, bottles and chairs.

Illusionist Dan Birch was in the third slot working mostly with birds, balloons and scarves. His finale, with one bird becoming two birds and both turning into a white dog, was an exceptionally strong finish. As Sullivan did on the actual show, Hoban introduced each act and took them off as well.

Sandra Wood captured Cher's persona nicely, and after two songs she brought up a man from the audience to be Sonny for "I've Got You, Babe." Ventriloquist Jim Barber and Seville (the dummy) were the hit of the evening -- funny material, an unusual opening and special dummies, really worth the modest price of admission alone.

The Bizzaros returned at this point, introduced simply as Body Designs, and performed classic lifts and poses with the woman as the support until the closing poses.

The Fab Four, as the Beatles, involved the audience in Beatles standards, closing with "Twist and Shout," a number that had the entire audience standing and many twisting. Hoban then brought the entire cast out for introductions, bows and to meet the audience.

"A Really Big Shew" is mostly a really good show, but it also seems to be a really long show at 90 minutes-plus.