‘Vocal Soup’ to be an organic blend of styles and performers

By Jerry Fink

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | 2 a.m.

“Vocal Soup” seemed like a natural title for an upcoming concert at the Suncoast featuring four diverse talents — Susan Anton, Clint Holmes, Domenick Allen and Martin Nievera.

Either that or “Beauty and the Beasts.”

“Our musical backgrounds are so different,” Anton says. “Our preferences, we lean in different directions.”

Anton, a Broadway veteran, may be best known locally for hosting the “Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular” at the Flamingo for almost six years. Her singing tastes range from pop and rock to country and blues.

Holmes made a transition from a dynamic lounge entertainer to a headliner who could do jazz, pop and standards with ease. After starring in his own show at Harrah’s for five years, he began creating a musical about his colorful life.

Allen, who performed with Liberace from 1980 to ’84, is a former vocalist with the rock group Foreigner. He plays many musical instruments.

Nievera is one of the most popular performers in the Philippines. The charismatic entertainer is equally at home with pop and standards, singing the songs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others.

Each will have about 10 minutes in the spotlight for solo numbers while the other three provide backup vocals. But most of the 90-minute showcase will feature the artists interacting, singing rock ’n’ roll, Broadway tunes, standards and more.

Special guest Vincent Falcone, pianist and conductor for Frank Sinatra for 10 years, will perform and conduct in a segment of the show dedicated to Sinatra’s music.

“What we have is a big melting pot,” Anton says. “We’re a potpourri of everything.”

“Musically, we blend terrifically,” Allen says.

Three of the four were at Allen’s home recently, rehearsing. Only Nievera, who was performing in Manila, was missing.

“This is a true community effort,” Holmes says.

Each has input on song selections and the other elements of the show. There is no director, although Bill Fayne, Holmes’ longtime music director, will work with the group near the end of the rehearsal period. And there is no choreographer.

“Our choreography is ‘don’t bump into each other,’ ” Holmes says.

This won’t be a polished show, but it will be full of life and energy. The performers expect flaws and errors. That’s part of its charm. They say fans may be growing tired of the shows where they never see mistakes.

“We like the idea like when Tim Conway would crack up Harvey Korman on ‘The Carol Burnett’ show and they left that in,” Holmes says.

“It’s not like this will be a well-oiled machine,” Anton says. “This show will have vitality.”

“There is nothing like this in town,” says Jeff Neiman, who directs the five-piece band. “I think it will regenerate interest in this type of entertainment. There’s an art to going out, standing center stage and not having a track, having nothing but your talent to rely on.”

The cast would like to see the show find a local showroom — one where they could play from time to time. They also may take it to performing arts centers across the country.

The most difficult part of the show may be learning to follow when the performers are so accustomed to leading.

“We’re all used to singing lead,” Anton says. “None of us really know how to do harmony.”