Jason CoZmo as Dolly, Phil Craig as Liza, and Stephen Andrade as CHER
Frank Moore as Prince
by Tony Schillaci & Don Church, Critics On The Aisle™
It’s one thing to contribute to a worthy cause, but it’s quite another to be immediately rewarded
with a big dazzling Las Vegas/Atlantic City-style stage show.
The benefit for the Alliance for Living, southeastern Connecticut’s HIV/AIDS organization, brought back, by popular demand, the hit Resorts Casino and Hotel show, “Divas in a Man’s World,” from Atlantic City.
The troupe generously took the grueling drive from New Jersey on their night off to the Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theater and gave a dazzling performance for the Alliance for Living, September 20. That’s how unselfish show folks are for a good cause! The show was created and is produced by Steven Andrade, who also impersonates Cher. He has
been involved with the stunning and authentic costume designs, makeup, wigs, shoes, directing, choreography and all the other essentials that go into staging a spectacular show. The result is a breath-taking effect that has us believing we’re actually watching all the great divas, including Steve’s Cher in what was a dazzling performance.
Steve also picked the four back-up dancers – two males, two females, and choreographer Frank Moore who also stars as the show’s one divo, Prince. The charismatic dancers are all incredibly fluid performers who are always in the moment of whatever song is being performed by the Divas.
This glamorous evening opened with a surprise guest, Nancy Sinatra (Phil Craig), in a well-staged and performed “These Boots Were Made for Walking.” It quickly established the exuberant mood and perfect pacing for the evening.
Joan Rivers was the mistress of ceremonies for the entire evening and still we couldn’t get enough of Gary Dees’ spot-on impression of the bawdy funny lady, especially her slice-and-dice heckling of the audience. For instance, she accused a man with looking up her skirt and said, “What you will find there is Pee Wee’s big adventure.” She also claimed that “There are Monica Lewinsky slots on the casino floor. They say insert Bill here.” And what sparkling red-carpet costumes, jewelry, shoes and well-coiffed, bullet-proof blonde wigs she wore.
Phil Craig’s Liza Minnelli “owned” the stage when she did “Cabaret” and “New York, New York” – we’ve seen Liza in person, and the Divas Liza was as close to the real star as anyone could get. Every nuanced hand movement mimicked Miss Minnelli to perfection.
Prince (Frank Moore) showed his sultry, seductive and sexy appeal and his eyes, physique and movements matched “the artist formerly known as” better than a true identical twin could have done.
Cher (Steven Andrade) is remarkable in as much as he truly “channels” Cher. His range of costumes, from
the black see-through sex goddess outfit, to the Native American feathered chief, to the gorgeous white and gold coat made all of us “Believe.”
Jason CoZmo as Dolly Parton could have just walked out off stage at Dollywood! Not only was the hair, body type and movement astonishingly like Dolly’s, but also that face! Even meeting Jason still in character after the show up close, we had to suspend disbelief and talk to “Dolly” and not her impersonator.
After the performance, the divas and divo went into the audience for a meet and greet, including a photo opportunity. Even after working with precision for two hours of five-star professionalism, Stephen, Frank, Jason, Phil and Gary all exuded sweetness, charm, poise and friendliness in greeting their new-found “fans”. These Divas undoubtedly have worked for years to perfect their impressions, and onstage at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret all of their hard work paid off beautifully for them and for the audience.
Don’t’ miss all the special year-round events at the Alliance for Living: allianceforliving.org, and a world at play: www.mohegansun.com
Mohegan Sun opened October 12, 1996 as a spectacularly themed gaming and entertainment complex in southeastern Connecticut, the heart of the state’s tourism offering. Although actual construction took less than a year to complete, the development project took nearly four years to conceive from start to finish. The original property is the current Casino of the Earth and featured the Wolf Den, four gourmet dining options and Seasons Buffet.
The Shops at Mohegan Sun & Casino of the Sky Open
Among the highlights of the four million square-foot expansion that opened on September 25, 2001 were Casino of the Sky featuring 115,000 square feet of gaming space; The Shops at Mohegan Sun with a retail and restaurant promenade, 12 new dining options and over 30 new shops; the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena; and The Cabaret Theatre, an intimate 350-seat venue. The expansion made Mohegan Sun the second largest casino in the world. The waterfall is It’s 55-feet high and officially named Taughannick Falls.
Hotel, Spa and Convention Center Open
On Tuesday, April 23, 2002, Mohegan Sun completed its $1.1 billion expansion, Project Sunburst, with the official opening of a 1,200-room luxury hotel, which includes the 22,000 square-foot world-class Elemis Spa, the 38,000 square-foot Uncas Ballroom and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and function space.
Mohegan Sun Becomes Owner of the WNBA Connecticut Sun
On January 28, 2003, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and Mohegan Sun became the first non-NBA owner of a WNBA team with the purchase of the Orlando Miracle women’s basketball team. The new team, the Connecticut Sun, is owned and operated by Mohegan Sun. The Connecticut Sun is the first independently owned and operated WNBA team and the first WNBA team to make its home in a non-NBA market.
Mohegan Sun’s Winning Authors Series Launches; A First in the Industry
On July 23, 2003, Mohegan Sun became the first in the industry to launch a literary series with its Winning Authors program. New York Times best-selling author Catherine Coulter introduced her new novel Blind Side at Mohegan Sun on July 26-27, 2003. Now in its 7th year, Mohegan Sun’s Winning Authors program provides guests the free opportunity to meet and listen to some of the nation’s top authors including Mary Higgins Clark, John Saul, Norah Roberts, Robert Parker, Susan Grafton and more.
World’s Largest Wedding Cake Makes Guinness Book of World Records
Who says, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too?” On February 8, 2004, Mohegan Sun unveiled the world’s largest wedding cake. The cake was created by Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel and topped out at 17-feet with a weight of 15,032 pounds.
Billions in Slot Revenue Received by the State of CT
The Mohegan Tribe’s payment to the State of Connecticut on or about February 15, 2004 representing the slot contribution for the month of January 2004 brought the total amount of funds forwarded to the state by the Tribe to over the $1 billion mark. About four and a half years later, the Tribe’s payment on or about August 15, 2008 representing the slot contribution for the month of July 2008 brought the total amount paid by the Tribe to the state to over $2 billion.
Walk of Fame Honors Music Legends
On December 3, 2004, Tim McGraw became the first inductee into Mohegan Sun’s Walk of Fame in a special induction ceremony held outside the entrance to Mohegan Sun Arena. Subsequent inductees include: Rod Stewart, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, KISS and more. At present, 21 performers or groups are honored on the Walk of Fame.
10th Anniversary Celebration Draws A-List Celebrities
From Thursday, October 19 through Sunday, October 22, 2006, Mohegan Sun celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a star-studded celebration. The festivities included performances by some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names, including Kevin Costner, Jerry Seinfeld, Craig Ferguson, Lily Tomlin, Barenaked Ladies, and a rare reunion of the original cast of Laugh-In. Additional weekend highlights included the Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks preseason basketball game.
Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug Opens
On May 17, 2007, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority purchased Pautipaug Golf course and renamed it Mohegan Sun at Pautipaug. The private 18-hole championship golf course celebrated its grand opening on June 7th with players from the LPGA. Celebrity golfers include Ahmad Rashad and Michael Jordan golfing in the 2007 Ahmad Rashad Celebrity Classic.
Sunrise Square Opens
On August 16, 2007, Mohegan Sun opens Sunrise Square, a new Asian experience featuring a variety of authentic Asian games, a 1,000 sqaure-foot retail area, a 4,000 square-foot food court specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, and a new bus lobby. Sunrise Square is the first Asian-themed gaming area in the industry.
Billy Joel Plays 10 Sold-Out Shows
Governor Jodi Rell declared Thursday, June 26, 2008 Billy Joel Day in the State of CT after the performer sold out 10 consecutive shows in Mohegan Sun Arena. Billy Joel entertained 100,000 fans and grossed 9.25 million dollars in ticket sales during the run of shows. Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman, Mohegan Tribe, presented Billy Joel with the proclamation in the Cabaret Theater.
Casino of the Wind Opens
Casino of the Wind, home to New England’s only Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, a 42-table Poker Room, over 700 slot machines and more than 25 table games opens to an eager morning crowd on August 29, 2008. To celebrate, Mohegan Sun hosted a celebrity studded weekend October 11- 13, 2008.
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay Joins Culinary Lineup
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay joined chefs Todd English and Jasper White and restaurateurs Michael Jordan, Jimmy Buffett and Geno Auriemma with the opening of Bobby’s Burger Palace on July 1, 2009. Later that year, he opened a second restaurant, Bar Americain on November 18, 2009 with the help of Mitchell Etess, President and CEO, Mohegan Sun, and Laurence Kretchmer, Bobby’s business partner.
Acting Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribe, Tony Orlando and Maynard Strickland, Tribal Elder
Tony Orland stops for a photo op with Resident reporter, Angela Olsen, after being inducted into the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame on September 11. Tony is the 21st artist to receive this prestigious award.
Loyal fans were camped-out on September 11 in The Shops Concourse at the Mohegan Sun Casino anxiously awaiting and determined to capture a glimpse of the legendary Tony Orlando. There were men and women of all ages, clearly die-hard enthusiasts, toting albums from the 1970’s, posters and photos of the guest of honor. Tony was selected to join the ranks of several elite entertainers with his own star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame in front of the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Acting Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribal Council, and Maynard Strickland, Tribal Elder, reflected upon once seeing Tony in Las Vegas, joking that he forgot to “knock three times” to get his attention! The crowd went wild with excitement! Then, through the sea of devotees, came the legend himself, Tony Orlando. He quickly became the 21st star, upon whom this prestigious honor was bestowed.
Tony was humbled, and beyond gracious as he accepted his award, and even bent down to the ground to kiss his star on the walk! Don’t tell the people of Las Vegas, but he ranks The Mohegan Sun, its employees and management as the best! “Mohegan Sun has been the most beautiful, finest and wonderful place to work in show business!” A high compliment when one ponders the length of Tony’s career as an entertainer and the number of venues he played over the decades.
Tony Orlando attained ‘superstar status’ after he formed the group Dawn with Thelma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson. Fans to this day still love classics such as, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon [Round the Ole Oak Tree]” and of course the celebrated “Knock Three Times!”
Yet, in light of all of this success, Tony took the time to personally address the majority of devotees, giving hugs, posing for photos, signing their memorabilia and sharing sweet words with a small child who suffers from a number of health problems. It is this loyalty, and respect for one’s dedicated fans, which sustain a celebrity’s star power!
Stone Temple Pilots rocked the crowd in Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, August 31. With Scott Weiland on lead vocals, brothers Robert, on bass guitar and vocals, and Dean DeLeo, guitar, and Eric Kretz on drums, STP blasted out one old school jam after another while peppering in new favorites like “Take a Load Off” and “Between the Lines” from their newest album, self-titled, Stone Temple Pilots.
Focusing mostly on their music from the ‘90s, they treated concert-goers to songs off their acclaimed second album “Purple,” including “Vasoline,” “Interstate Love Song,” and a haunting acoustic version of “Pretty Penny,” written by Scott about his addiction to heroin. “Plush,”and “Sex Type Thing” were fan favorites from their debut album, “Core.” Scott gave the songs the unique hollow quality they are known for by singing into a megaphone. The megaphone was also fitted with a camera which Scott used to put fans on the big screen behind the stage. STP also rewarded their loyal fans with the Led Zeppelin cover “Dancing Days.” For their encore, they played “Dead And Bloated” and “Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart.”
This concert is part of the second tour after the band reunited, following Scott’s five year endeavor as the front-man of Velvet Revolver. After a successful reunion tour in 2008, they began writing and recording their sixth studio album, self-titled “Stone Temple Pilots,” released nearly a decade after their last album “Shangri-La Dee Da.”
TAB the Band, an American indie rock band from Duxbury, MA, and Cage the Elephant, best known for their single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” opened for STP.
They arrived by car, van, truck and any other means available to setup their wares and goods to offer for sale. Dancers dressed in regalia adorned themselves in preparation for the opening ceremony as visitors arrived to participate in the Mohegan Tribe’s 2010 Wigwam Festival. The two-day event, held August 21st and 22nd at Fort Shantok, Uncasville, began at 10 a.m. and ran until 7 p.m. and drew thousands from all over New England, as bus after bus arrived courtesy of Mohegan Sun Casino.
As the crowds browsed the vendors displaying handmade jewelry, clothing and toys, just to name a few, others setup tables to serve a variety of foods and beverages to accommodate anyone’s taste buds.
This year, the Festival is a celebration, not only of Native American culture rich in history in itself, but also in celebration of the Mohegan Tribe’s new Lifetime Chief, Lynn Malerba. Nominated the 17th Chief in the Mohegan Tribe’s long documented line of leaders, Lynn is the first female Chief in nearly 300 years.
Chief Lynn Malerba is not a stranger to leadership when it comes to the Tribe. Lynn is the first woman to serve as Chair of the Tribe and is the great-granddaughter of Chief Matahga /Burrill Fielding, Mohegan Chief 1937-1952. Also, Lynn’s mother, Tribal Elder Loretta Fielding Roberge, is a Tribal Nonner, an experienced woman of respect and admiration. It’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Chief Lynn, known by the Mohegan name “Mutawi Mutahash” which translates as “Many Hearts,” has plans for the future. As leader, Lynn hopes to help maintain the Tribe’s growth and prosperity well into the next century. As the Tribe’s second female Chief, the first being Chief Anne Uncas in 1723, Lynn expects to maintain the connection between the Tribal Council and the Tribal Council of Elders, which together are the governing bodies of the Mohegan Tribe.
Married to Paul and with daughters Elizabeth and Angela at her side, Chief Lynn is proud not only to be Chief, but also as a caring wife and mother. When asked if she hopes her children will follow in her footsteps, Lynn said, “They have already started… the girls would care for the old burying ground when the Tribe was first applying for [Federal] Recognition.”
Chief Lynn hopes to fill the shoes of her predecessors, Chief G’tinemong /Ralph Sturges, who passed on in 2007, and Chief Harold Tantaquidgeon prior to that, by living up to their legacy and continuing to pursue the future of the Tribe through everyday matters.
Aside from her college education, work experience, and other leadership roles, Lynn has others to thank for propelling her forward into the role model she has become. Her mother Loretta, father Albert and six siblings, as well as, a strong family heritage, all contributed to her being the person she is – smart, strong, admirable – all the makings of a 21st century icon.
Saturday began with storytelling. Visitors gathered for a glimpse of flute playing, drums and dance. During the opening ceremony, dance participants followed Chief Lynn, Council members and Tribal Elders under the main tent where the Mohegan Veterans held a brief ceremony in remembrance of the Fallen. Later in the day, over 30 dance competitions were held while Chief Lynn, Councilors and Elders mingled with visitors.
On a scale of one to 10, it was a perfect day – the weather was beautiful. History was made as another annual Wigwam Festival came to a close, this time with Chief Lynn Malerba at the forefront.
