Greek Isles’ ‘Le Dinner’ whets appetites

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 22, 2002 | 9:08 a.m.

"Le Dinner Cabaret," the 7 p.m. attraction in the Greek Isles Dinner Theatre, is a very entertaining, innovative, well-paced, audience-involving way of combining a three-course dinner as part of a 21-scene production. Fernando Quevedo, once of the Los Huincas Gauchos, excels as producer, director and man in overall charge.

Quevedo was quick to credit co-choreographers and performers Gary Thomas and Brigitte Parker as well as Stas Greiner and Oxana Catliarova, who created a delightful ballet-like segment using three dancers on suspended large rings.

Stephen Sorrentino as Nicos was excellent as the greeter, ringmaster, comedian and quick-take impressionist. Sorrentino opened the show and set the mood and tempo, which was nonstop. This was followed by a "Stomp"-like rhythm segment using pots, pans and garbage pails. Salad was served at the 10-minute mark during a "Kung Fu Theater" film that was mercifully short and will be replaced.

Nicos' impressions also utilized the huge screen effectively, a strong segment. The next number was Latin-flavored and the start of a Ricky Martin gag that could be a funny running joke. Romano Frediani is a world-class juggler from a circus family that goes back eight generations. His father, Nino Frediani, was a fixture for years in Flamingo Las Vegas productions.

Waldo (Mike Baker) was featured in a comedy sequence, singing "Let's Get It On" to a lady in the audience. A Carmen Miranda dance sequence followed; then the main entree, a choice of roast beef or chicken, was served. Portions were ample and tasty. Elvis, the King, played piano during the meal, a nice touch. Next, Huang Jhen performed the traditional chair-balancing act.

Los Huincas Gauchos, a featured act in many major production shows, were a standout, as always. This led into another remarkable dance number followed by a "Zorba the Greek" dance with the audience up and dancing. Dessert, Nicos' Sammy Davis Jr. impression, and an extended finale completed nearly 110 minutes, during which the audience was well-fed and very well-entertained.

With dinner included, the $44.95 plus tax tab is reasonable. Nevadans with a valid picture I.D. can take advantage of a two-for-one deal, making the tab a real bargain at approximately $25 apiece. Word-of-mouth should be strong.