‘Godfather Wedding’ offers wine, women and song

Helen Holzer

Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.

What: "The Godfather Wedding."

When: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturdays. Through Oct. 5.

Where: WB Stage 16 Restaurant at The Venetian.

Tickets: $79.95.

Information: 414-1699.

Think music from the "The Godfather": Gianni Russo is making you an offer he hopes you can't refuse.

Russo, who 30 years ago played the wife-beating son-in-law of Marlon Brando in the classic film "The Godfather," is starring in a new production at The Venetian.

"The Godfather Wedding" opened Thursday at WB Stage 16 Restaurant.

As you enter Stage 16's upstairs dining room, you encounter live music and a beautifully staged wedding reception with floral arrangements and wine bottles gracing the room's eight tables. Each table seats eight in this intimate setting.

The evening is billed as a "dinner theater featuring authentic five-course family style Italian meal."

If you're expecting another "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding," which plays at The Rio, you'll be disappointed. "Dinner theater" is a misnomer in the case of "The Godfather Wedding." There is dinner -- but very little theater.

What Russo is offering, is a pleasant evening of cabaret, with only a nod dedicated to "The Godfather Wedding." (Although after the preview, Russo said he was considering adding to the wedding portion of the evening.)

The show starts with some pretty lame comedy by Joey Villa, who later plays the godfather. When the audio system acts up, Villa quips, "A Polish guy's doing the sound."

In such intimate environs, the high-powered sound system was unnecessary. The four-piece band, led by Jimmy Mulidore, would have sounded better without amplification. In fact, at times the music was so loud, it precluded most table talk during dinner.

Bandleader Mulidore set an amiable mood, offering a selection of Italian music, plus the theme song from "The Godfather."

Unfortunately, preview night was plagued by glitches, from the aforementioned sound system, to a video showing highlights from some of Russo's 42 movies. The video lost its audio and kept stopping, showing instructions such as "pause." Presumably the production crew has worked these problems out.

Enter Gianni Russo, all dressed up for a renewal of vows ceremony with his movie wife from "The Godfather." The same wife, played by Talia Shire, who was just shown in a film clip being beaten by Russo while she was heavily pregnant.

As for the blushing bride -- she didn't show up. This is where audience participation comes in. (I suppose if I was married to a wife beater, I wouldn't show up for another wedding ceremony either.) So a bride is chosen from the audience.

Comedian Villa plays the godfather, and bandleader Mulidore plays the priest.

When priest Mulidore asks if anyone objects to the marriage -- during an extremely brief ceremony -- he turns to the audience and says, "You shutta your face."

Just like a man, as soon as the wedding's over, Russo unloosens his tie and starts ... singing.

And that's the real entertainment of the evening, Russo's lounge act.

With just the right lighting, Russo could have been Dean Martin crooning "Everybody Loves Somebody." He also sang a medley of Frank Sinatra tunes. But he was at his best singing old favorites up close and personal to the ladies in the audience. He didn't do quite as well with his repertoire of Beatles and Elvis songs.

He ended with what he calls his theme song, "Maybe This Time."

Russo uses his considerable charm to schmooze with the audience both during and after the show, and he wants everyone in Las Vegas to know "I'm back after 12 years."

It will take considerable talent and luck for any act to succeed at The Venetian. Some of the best entertainers have failed there. And with "Godfather's" price of $79.95 for dinner and show -- in a town where there are bargains to be had for much less -- plans for a six-week run may be wishful thinking.

As for the food, service was good and four of the five courses were fine. But the main course was lukewarm, and so was my feeling toward the evening.