Impressionable

Kirk Baird

Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 | 5:52 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: Sept. 8, 2002

Andre-Philippe Gagnon was all set.

The impressionist had a five-nights-a-week show at the C2K showroom at The Venetian.

And he and his family -- a wife and two children -- were pleasantly settled into Las Vegas.

But management problems at C2K forced the 41-year-old performer to leave his steady gig in June 2001, after a two-year run.

The Quebec-born Gagnon then took his show back on the road, performing all over the world, including Paris, Holland and Canada.

On Monday, though, the singing impressionist -- as he is billed -- returns to Las Vegas, where he will perform regularly at Le Theatre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Sun recently spoke to Gagnon about his upcoming show, why he left C2K and his thoughts on fellow Quebecer Celine Dion coming to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Sun: How did your new show come about?

AG: Since we left The Venetian, I was always interested in finding another place on the Strip. I wanted to take my time to find the right venue. And also the Paris was interested. So I thought, this accent on my name, Andre, could be good for something, as well as this French language that I know. So even though the show will be completely in English, if there ever is some night where there's a French group, then there will be no problem.

Sun: What happened with the C2K show?

AG: C2K was not owned by the hotel (The Venetian), and we thought we could find better conditions elsewhere. And that's what happened with the Paris. It was among my first choices from the beginning.

Sun: It seemed much of your time at C2K, though, was spent wondering whether you would remain at the club.

AG: That was one of the problems. The schedules and (management's) intentions -- they were kind of new in the business, so it seemed a little difficult for them to put on some productions. So, it was better for us to leave.

Sun: What advantage does having already had a show on the Strip offer?

AG: We know that the show pleases audiences. And with the support of the Paris, I think we'll have a nice stay here and we'll be able to display our talents a little better. We've improved the show here and there. I'm looking forward to opening on (Monday). This traveling thing sounds interesting, but I've been doing that since '85, when my first appearance on "The Tonight Show" led me on tour almost permanently. Now with a family it's much better to be at the Paris here in Vegas.

Sun: How is this show different than your C2K production?

AG: Some people who have seen the show will recognize some of the numbers, like "We Are The World," The Temptations and Bill Clinton (playing) the saxophone. But there are newcomers like Neil Diamond, the Traveling Wilburys, Tracy Chapman.

Sun: Who are some of the easier impersonations for you?

AG: It varies a lot. Barry White for me is easy. Phil Collins also and David Bowie. Once it's memorized, it stays there.

Sun: Has there ever been a voice you couldn't impersonate?

AG: Women. When my voice is rested, I can do a couple good impressions of women. But when I do four, five or six shows in a row, I'm not sure my voice can do (the impressions) with the same accuracy. I do some women in the show, in "We Are the World" I do a couple of them, Tracy Chapman and Natalie Cole. But those are the toughest.

Sun: How is it to do an impression of an American in French, say, Jack Nicholson?

AG: In French, I would have to do the guy who does the translation for Jack Nicholson, so I don't do that. That's why I concentrate more on singing impersonations in the show. I'm really comfortable only doing singing impressions because many impressionists will do Jack Nicholson, Rambo, Clint Eastwood, George Burns. So, I don't want to fall into that.

Sun: Is that how you differentiate from other impressionists in Las Vegas, by billing yourself as a singing impersonator?

AG: Yes. And I think I try to pick up material where I'm accurate, where people don't ask who am I. I try to come up with new things and new ways to approach voices. Of course I'm not the first to do the Rat Pack, but the way I do it is a little different.

I've seen the other impressionists doing it, so I don't want to be influenced either. I have my own way of doing things. I think the rhythm of my show is very interesting, that's what sets me apart from the impressionists who will chat and do talking impressions here and there.

Sun: With Celine Dion opening her own theater at Caesars, did she talk with you before she made the decision?

AG: We had our conversations years ago about how it was to (move) your family. Her setup is a little different than mine. I know she wants to be there in the morning and she wants to be there in the evening (for her child) as well. It may be a little difficult because the weather in Vegas is a little dryer than it is on the East Coast, so she'll have to be very careful with her vocal cords. But I think that she's very professional about that and she'll find ways to rest her vocal cords from the dry air.