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twitterREVIEW:
Wayne Newton: The story, but not the sound
The only thing fans will enjoy about this show is the memories it evokes
Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Leila Navidi
Wayne Newton performs as a photo of him as a young man flashes on the screen during the opening night performance Wednesday of “Once Before I Go” at the Tropicana. The show traces Netwon’s career and has him singing duets with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, who appear on video screens.
If You Go
- What: Wayne Newton: “Once Before I Go”
- When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
- Where: Tropicana
- Admission: $79.99, $99.99 and $149; 739-2417, troplv.com
- Running time: 90 minutes
- Audience advisory: Newton memorabilia on display in gift shop, which offers combination ruler/letter-opener for $2
Sun Coverage
I had been warned that Wayne Newton can’t sing anymore. Apparently it’s been common knowledge for years that his voice is shot.
But nothing could have prepared me for the ghastly noises that came out of the Las Vegas icon Wednesday night. Newton can barely speak, let alone sing.
It sounded like the Vegas Chainsaw Massacre.
“Once Before I Go,” Newton’s uneven new show at the Tropicana, purports to be a stroll with Newton through 50 years of memories as an entertainer on the Strip.
But that somewhat maudlin, foreshadowing title indicates what Newton is really up to here: He has planned and staged his own memorial service — and dang it, he’s going to enjoy it while he’s still with us.
But why would anyone want to be remembered like this?
The show begins promisingly enough: A bus pulls up on stage, and out pops a baby-faced 15-year-old with a guitar and a suitcase. A manager type tells the newbie he’s going to play six shows a day, six days a week for five years. The kid walks through a showroom stage door — which then opens to reveal Wayne Newton, circa 2009, nearly obscured by clouds of stage fog.
After demolishing “Viva Las Vegas,” Newton speaks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Bono,” he says, a cute allusion to the U2 singer introducing himself as “Wayne Newton” at last weekend’s Sam Boyd Stadium concert.
Then it’s time for some Viagra jokes. (Really. Complete with rimshots from the drummer.)
Newton tells us he’s going to recollect memories of his half-century in showbiz. And he does, but in the most confoundingly random way.
Assuming (erroneously) that everyone is up to date on the Newtonian mythos, he meanders through his past, answering questions fans have posted on his “SpaceFace,” reminding us of how many benefits and USO performances he’s done, and showing photos of his chipmunk-cheeked younger self in Vegas get-ups of yore.
A jumbo video screen is wheeled onstage, and Newton sings a duet with the late Sammy Davis Jr.; later, he pulls up a chair and chuckles through a vintage video of a duet with Dean Martin, who hilariously takes drags off his cigarette between lines.
This is all entertaining enough, but then Newton grabs the wheel and gives it a hard yank to the far right — suddenly we’re in Branson, Mo. Flags are rippling on the screens. Newton tells us what a great guy Ronald Reagan was, then urges all the veterans in the audience to stand for a round of applause. He swaps his tuxedo jacket for a camouflage outfit, straps on a guitar and, atop a flatbed truck, gives a taste of one of those USO shows.
There’s a sort of desperate, delusional “Sunset Boulevard” quality to this vanity project. At times it feels like we’ve all been cornered by ol’ Uncle Wayne and forced to watch home movies and the History Channel in his rec room at Casa de Shenandoah.
The very strangest thing about this show is that Newton refuses to even acknowledge that his voice, once sweet and bell-clear, isn’t what it was. Some singers, as they age, use their time-ravaged voices to express hard-won wisdom.
But Newton doesn’t do subtle — his range runs from perky to pathos. He goes for it in every song: “Danke Schoen” is basted in napalm and rolled in broken glass, “Summer Wind” sounds like a Santa Ana blowing through a brushfire.
Newton could very easily salvage “Once Before I Go.” Someone clearly spent a few dollars on the staging, which involves several video panels and a multi-tier movable bandstand for the 20 musicians and three backup vocalists.
And at 67, the star looks good (from a distance), crammed into a tuxedo, his hair shoe-polish black. Expert at creating instant rapport, he retains his eager-to-please charm and charisma — it’s really a pleasure just to be in the company of this genial old pro.
It’ll never happen, but Newton might have a solid show if he de-emphasized the singing in favor of the “Storytime With Mr. Las Vegas” elements, and talked intimately about the really interesting stuff — including his multiple bankruptcies and, well, what the hell happened to his voice.
Discussion: 18 comments so far…
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Wayne don't gotta bow down to no one! he's the king, and probably made more money (and spent ) on the dusty highway than anyone else in the history of show-biz Vegas! He's da man and show some respect!
These guys made more money than can be imagined, and they are STILL BROKE!
Comment removed by staff. Personal attack.
I do not know who this Joe Brown is, but obviously he doesn't understand entertainment. If he was reviewing a Michael Buble, or a Placido Domingo then the focus is directed on vocal strength since that is what these 'singers' do. Wayne was never a 'singer', but damn he IS the best entertainer on the planet. He has entertained over 40 million paying customers in a career that spans 50 years. Robert Merril the opera singer, one time said he never saw a better entertainer, and the vocally perfected Robert Goulet said he wished he could entertain an audience like Wayne Newton.
What the crowds are coming to see is the ONLY performer/entertainer in Las Vegas history to work the stages of Las Vegas for 50 YEARS. Let's respect the man, his accomplishments, and his philanthropy, and the 'entertainer' that takes us on a historic ride through his life and our history as a town. Boo hoo hoo, if Mr. Newton's voice isn't what it use to be. So what? Mr. Brown when you reach 50 years in your craft, if you reach 50 years in your craft, and if time and experience weathered your computer skills, I would hope your readers and fans would respect you and your accomplishments with the same respect you should have afforded this incredible entertainer. For me, and thousands like me who remember Sinatra, Martin, and Elvis at the end of their career, I just want to be in the same room with these iconic legendary figures. Congratulations Wayne on a great career and THANK YOU for what you have done for Las Vegas and the millions of tourists who come here.
I agree with Joe's review. I saw Wayne's show at the Hilton and his voice was gone. It was painful for me a big fan of Wayne to hear him sing so poorly.
What he did do well was play music. He still has the chops down. He also has a great band behind him.
My advice to him would be to change the show as he is narrator of his life. Befriend the audience and be the MC. Let other singers, sing the songs and he can play the instruments. Either that or supplement his voice with prerecorded voice tracks and let him lip sync. Or last but not least make the show a variety show with other local talents (as to save money) and let Wayne be the host.
One last comment, get a new hair colorist and make his hair look natural, rather than he put on shoe polish.
To Joe Brown
Shame on you
I also do not know who Joe Brown is but he is not person who has been around long. I have been visiting your town for the past forty plus years. I have seen plenty of entertainer in many of your hotels. None have truly entertained me or touch my soul the way Mr. Newton has. When you attend a show of his, you are truly entertained. He gives so much of himself with every performance he does. It is a shame that the writers in Vegas forget what this man has accomplished and has given the town Of Vegas. SHAME ON YOU!
I have happened to see the show "Once Before I GO" and I can honestly say that I walked away after spending an evening of being totally entertained.
Vegas has had to turn to changing their showrooms to productions shows. Well if you have seen one you've seen them all. They will never find another entertainer like Mr. Newton because most entertainers don't have what it takes. It will be a great lost to Vegas when Mr. Newton doesn't perform.
He doesn't have to change a thing in his show. It is fabulous!!!!!!!!!
There's nothing worse than an entertainer on stage way past his prime. It's uncomfortable & unfair to the audience. Tony Bennett is an antique-but his voice is still great. Don Rickles is old-but he's still very funny. If Wayne's voice is gone-there's no reason to be on stage. If he wants nostalgia-he can write another book.
I must say I am sadly disappointed in the review that Joe Brown wrote about Wayne. I have been coming to Las Vegas for over 32 years now and have planned every trip around Wayne's shows. I have seen more shows than I can count, and yes, while Wayne has burned up his vocal chords entertaining millions of fans while headlining so many, many showrooms in Las Vegas, not to mention his touring and all of the USO tours he has done for our wonderful Troops, I can't believe that ANYONE, (especially a Las Vegas resident),could say one bad thing about this wonderful man.
Wayne, by far is the best entertainer of all time and knows how to have an audience eating out of his hand before he is through.
He has charm, charisma and most of all he is the most genuine man you will ever meet.
He has made Las Vegas what it was, at one time. (a wonderful place to go see great entertainment, with a real orchestra!!!)
People have come from all over the world, just to see "Mr. Las Vegas." No wonder Las Vegas is going down so badly. It no longer has good entertainers like Wayne, and further more there will never be another Wayne Newton!!
I saw him on Oct. 17th in Tulsa, OK. and his voice was better than I have heard it in years.
Mr. Brown, I think you need to learn how to show a little bit of respect for a person that has made your city what it was in the entertainment industry for so many years.
I personally, will not quit going to his shows until he retires for good, which (I HOPE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON.)
I do plan on getting out there for this show as well.
When Wayne is done with Vegas, so am I.........
Just "Once Before I Go," I want you to know, that you owe Wayne an apology for such a terrible review about such a wonderful man!!!!!
Love to you and yours Wayne...
Judy Tulsa, OK.
What's happening to LV? My family and I have been going there since the 1950's. I went with my parents and now bring my family there. We are going in Nov. and I don't know what to expect. It used to be a fun place (even when you lost you money). As I read the articles and blogs it's nothing but doom and gloom. Has Vegas gone the way of our federal gov't where people don't really count anymore and it's all about money? If so, this may be my last trip. It's people that enjoy Vegas that are willing to spend money for a good time.
How about the National Rodeo finals. These have been going strong for eons. Kelly Lenz, WIBW-Am Farm News broadcaster and employee of Morris Communications from Georgia, has a full bus of fans who travel with him every year and Kelly has been working with WIBW for 25-30 years as a farm broadcaster. Morris Communications is a very large media company with lots of newspapers, radio stations and othre assests. I am sure that some of his entourage will be enjoying Wayne especially when we discuss same on the call in show featured at 6:00 a.m. CST.
from perky to pathos--what a comparison of two opposite thoughts and style.
I'm sorry but "Danke Schoen" is basted in napalm and rolled in broken glass, "Summer Wind" sounds like a Santa Ana blowing through a brushfire." Literally had me laughing out loud in my office.
All the old timers on this post need to have a shot of Metamucil and not get their knickers in a twist. Sorry, but I WAS under the impression that Wayne Newton WAS A SINGER, and an entertainer. That being said, someone like Joe Brown has more than enough right to critique his voice if it sounds nothing like it used to. No one is denoucing Newton's past philanthropy, USO gigs and Vegas headliner performances.....I think what was being said was "it's not like it used to be".
Thanks, commenters, for reading and for sharing your thoughts.
When writing a review, I try to focus on what is, rather than what was.
Quote to consider:
"There's nothing tragic about being 50," says Joe Gillis in the 1950 film "Sunset Boulevard," speaking of the faded movie star Norma Desmond, who dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. "Not unless you're trying to be 25."
The paragraph above is from the book "Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle," by Chris Hedges. Fascinating reading, especially if you are involved in any way with Las Vegas entertainment, from Strip shows to UFC bouts.
Joe
"lil" Wayne Newton is a fantastic singer. I saw him Wed night too.
Crooners are all the rage here in finkle, MN
No question, book him for 6 months, charge $125 per person, NO SCALPERS.
Gross per night should be around $450 buck :) LOL
I'm a 27-year old man, & I went to Wayne Newton's show last Friday night, & I thought he was amazing. A first class entertainer all the way. I truly enjoyed the show. I thought Mr. Newton was funny, & his singing voice gave me chillbumps. I almost had tears in my eyes as he sang "Glory! Glory! Hallelujah".
Wayne Newton is an icon & a legend, & it was an honor to see him.
Wayne Newton IS Las Vegas Mr. Brown! That was the most cruel review I have ever read about any entertainer. When I was learning to be a vocalist-entertainer Wayne Newton was my hero. Later in life I was able to see him play his last week at the Stardust where he gave 110% to every moment on stage. The joy he has brought to millions of fans and the inspiration he has taken to our brave armed forces members over the past 4 decades would have earned him Knighthood were he to have been English! Apologize and show some respect please Sir.