LaFong show offers ‘a tour de force’ at Bourbon Street

Joe Delaney

Friday, Sept. 14, 2001 | 8:40 a.m.

Michele LaFong's "I Love LaFong" is a 70-minute one-woman comedic melange, combining impressions, stand-up comedy and ventriloquism, in the box-like mini-theatre at Bourbon Street. Ventro-comedy with a series of dummy sidekicks is her long suit, correctly placed as the 30-minute show closer.

Comedian Jackie Mason is a big booster, and LaFong wisely preceded the show with Mason on film, who gave her a long, funny, affectionate introduction. LaFong opened with her impression of Mason, followed by a takeoff of Georgette, the dumb blonde character (played by Georgia Engel) on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and Julie Kavner as Brenda on "Rhoda."

LaFong shifted into high gear with a raucous Joan Rivers and a flamboyant Bette Midler impressions, which included a clever dialogue using the names of various cocktails and brand-name liquors. Next she switched to Andrea "Dice" Clay, a female version of the professional foul-mouth, and closed this portion with Dr. Ruth, the sex therapist, using a woman from the audience.

A succession of wigs and costume additions made the impressions section even more effective. It was time for the stand-up comedy segment, which started with a take-off on Ethel Merman, included a bit of family talk which could use some development and more time, plus a discussion of the various talk-show hosts.

Russell was her first puppet, and his story proved the validity of Mason's suggestion that she incorporate more of this intro her performance. The great Senor Wences was a mentor. After his death at age 103, he left LaFong the body of Johnny, his famous dummy whose head was Wence's fist with a dab of lipstick and a tiny wig. This was a nostalgic high spot.

Russell was brought back to do the famous Abbott & Costello "Who's On First" baseball routine, which was the night's top laugh getter. Paco is her main dummy, modeled after an ex-boyfriend, and the act became as series of musical bits that showed off LaFong's extraordinary ventriloquism talents, leading to a closer where she did four voices -- a tour de force.

As an encore, a man was chosen from the audience and outfitted to be LaFong's human "dummy," enabling her to get offstage a big winner. Can ventriloquism become the next big Las Vegas draw? Could be.