Columnist Joe Delaney: Cassidy offers sampling of several personas in Rio show

Joe Delaney

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 9:03 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. You can reach him at joe @vegas.com or 259-4066.

David Cassidy's "At the Copa," co-starring Sheena Easton, had its "soft opening" -- not a preview performance -- Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Rio's Copacabana showroom. ... Sparked by the big swinging Lon Bronson Orchestra with four trumpets, four trombones, five reeds and five-piece rhythm section, a major factor in the now-litigated "The Rat Pack is Back," the Rio production is an amalgam of good ingredients.

Ingredients that are good but all highly derivative. ... There are six exceptional dancers, two males and four females, choreographed by Rick and Tammy Pessagno; both are Bob Fosse disciples. ... Rick, a former member of the Mandalay Bay's "Chicago" cast, also doubles as director and principal.

The six dancers are attractive, talented and well-choreographed performers. ... If your preference for the feminine form is callipygian, you won't find four more attractive examples onstage in Las Vegas.

Anent Cassidy and Easton

Cassidy portrays Johnny Flamingo, who hits it big in a New York-type night club, owned by Pessagno, as Lefty. Easton is Ruby Bombay, a singer in the club with eyes for Johnny but pursued by Lefty, a sleaze bag. ... Lefty sets Johnny up with one of the other girls; Ruby walks in with Lefty, who throws Johnny out and Johnny hits the skids, big time.

Derivative? ... Yes, and there's more. ... Cassidy's songs included a Sammy Davis Jr. chart on "That Old Black Magic," Bobby Darin's "Lazy River" and "Mack The Knife," Otis Redding's arrangement on the 1933 hit song "Try A Little Tenderness" and a Sinatra-like "My Kind Of Town" as a duet with Easton.

Easton is Easton doing "Steam Heat" and a sultry "Fever" with the dancers plus a bravura reading on "Can't Help Loving That Man" from "Showboat." ... Later, the co-stars each reprise two hits of their own before returning to the plot for a surprise twist at the end.

Closing comments

Doug Voet, associate producer, explained that a "soft opening" meant that "hard prices" can be charged (in this case, $58, which included tax, gratuity and one drink) while kinks are being worked out. ... Think of pre-Broadway openings in New Haven or Boston or Philadelphia. ... A "preview performance" on Broadway would mean that tickets would be at half-price. ... What we experienced Tuesday would warrant use of the term "soft opening."

Flaws in Tuesday's performance were minimal and mostly minor technical glitches, curable well before the Feb. 3 press opening. ... The show should be as good as it's going to get by then. ... Programs were not available Tuesday; we will catch up missed credits Feb. 3.

Having seen Cassidy here in "EFX," as producer and performer in the "The Rat Pack is Back," and now co-starring in his own tailor-made vehicle, we are not sure we've ever seen the real David Cassidy. Is his on-stage persona just a collection of well-chosen derivatives?

Weekend breakdown

Felled by the flu bug after the Clint Holmes show last Friday, most of Saturday and Sunday were spent in bed. ... Spoke with Jack Eglash, down from the state of Washington to assemble and oversee the fine 30-piece orchestra backing Jerry Lewis' triumphant debut at the Orleans, but was still too "flu-ey" to make it to Sunday's near-sellout performance.

Took it easy Monday and was able to start my new spring semester schedule at UNLV on Tuesday. ... Wednesday night, we were booked for the preview performance of "Notre Dame de Paris" at Paris Las Vegas. ... There was a second preview performance Thursday and there will be a benefit performance tonight before an official opening Saturday.

While at Paris Las Vegas on Wednesday, our intent is to arrive at 6 p.m. for the first hour of Joe Lano, Chris Gordon and Tommy Check in that hotel's Napoleon Room. ... The next big opening: Wayne Newton, Monday (Stardust).

Friday addenda

One more important credit in the David Cassidy-Sheena Easton Rio show: Stewart Daylida's performance as the emcee, Beaumont, and a near-show stopping version of "If They Could See Me Now." ... Cassidy is also credited as producer and author. ... We look forward to a second look on Feb. 3.

Reminder: Buddy Greco, Leslie Anders, their big band and special guests are a wonderful way to spend a fine Friday evening (Flamingo Hilton). ... Recommended. ... See you next Thursday.