CCPA Pays Tribute to the Hollywood Icons on Fri., March 22, 8:00 PM
CERRITOS, CA – Tribute artists come together to honor the legends that lit up Hollywood. Join the fun at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) on Friday, March 22, 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $45.
TRIBUTE TO THE HOLLYWOOD ICONS honors some of the biggest stars in show business history. The evening features Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx; Andy DiMino as Dean Martin; Raymond Michael as Elvis; Daryl Wagner as Liberace; Bill Johnson as Bob Hope; Vanessa Claire Stewart as Keely Smith; and Art Vargas as Bobby Darin. The show also features members from Les Brown & His Band of Renown.
Called “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material” by The New York Times, actor-director-producer Ferrante was discovered by Marx’s son, playwright Arthur Marx. The recipient of New York’s Theatre World Award for “Outstanding Debut” and a New York Outer Critics Circle nomination, Ferrante also scored a nomination for London’s Laurence Olivier Award for “Comedy Performance of the Year.” The Chicago Tribune picked Ferrante as a “Top Ten” stage performer for his role in Teatro ZinZanni.
As a child, DiMino watched the Dean Martin Variety Hour on television. He was drawn to Martin’s relaxed style of singing and became a collector of all things Dean Martin. Capitalizing on his likeness of the icon, DiMino took his “Dino” act on the road, performing as the Rat Packer in a lounge show at Harrahs; big-band concerts in Arizona, Lake Tahoe, and Boston; and at local corporate events.
The late icon Dick Clark called Michael one of the best Elvis tribute acts in the world. The Atlanta Journal hailed: “Michael is drawing frenzied and capacity audiences. … He has a large range and moves from rock bottom to peak notes without straining.” Michael has performed to great acclaim in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Reno as “The King of Rock and Roll.”
Liberace, known for flair and showmanship, is a hard act to emulate, but Wagner delivers “an excellent impression” of the famous pianist, hailed the Las Vegas Leisure Guide. Wagner auditioned and was hired on the spot to portray Liberace in Legends in Concert in Las Vegas. He has appeared in Kiss Me Kate, Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, and the television sitcom Growing Pains.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Johnson has forged his niche on stage, screen, and television as a dependable character actor. His tribute to the late, great Bob Hope was showcased in New Orleans at Experience the Victory, the grand opening of the National WWII Museum’s expansion project. He also appeared in the WWII Museum’s Thanks for the Memories: Bob Hope & His All Star Pacific Tour. Johnson has traveled and performed around the world as Hope for the United States Organizations.
Stewart began co-writing and starring as the late popular Jazz singer Keely Smith in Louis & Keely: ‘Live’ at the Sahara. which scored Ovation Awards for “Best Actress” and “Best Musical” and an L.A. Weekly Award for “Best Musical”. Stewart’s acclaimed roles includes A Clockwork Orange, for which she won the L.A. Weekly Award for “Best Actress”; Twelfth Night; Gypsy; Little Women; Fiddler on the Roof; and The Glass Menagerie.
Vargas, who portrays Grammy winner Darin, “is a performer with boundless energy whose enthusiasm fills a room,” cheered the Las Vegas Sun. The Detroit News raved: He “swivels, gyrates, twists and finger-pops his way across the stage through sneering renditions of songs from popular periods of American music.” As an entertainer in the Legends in Concert Vegas show, Vargas has been voted one of the best entertainers by The Las Vegas Review.
The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Les Brown Band of Renown as “The Longest-Running Musical Organization in the History of Popular Music” and the ensemble was named “America’s Best Dance Band” for 10 consecutive years by Downbeat magazine. The band has 10 No. One hit songs, including I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm and Sentimental Journey.
For tickets or more information, call (562) 916-8500 or go to cerritoscenter.com.
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