After 23-plus years on the Strip, on Monday February 10, 2009, the Riviera's La Cage closed unexpectedly, with the producers citing falling attendance and the poor economy as the reason for its sudden demise. The cast was informed after the curtain fell on that night's show and emcee and Joan Rivers impersonator Frank Marino immediately stated his intention to seek out a new headliner gig elsewhere on the Strip. The show was replaced by Charo, who's now herself out of commission due to a foot injury.
The next we heard of Mr Marino was in May, when he had guest engagment in Tony 'n Tina's Wedding, which had recently relocated to Planet Hollywood. Marino assumed the role of the Wedding Crasher from May 8 through the end of that month.
He also popped up on the red carpet with "Celebrity Apprentice" runner-up Annie Duke, for her "Sucking Out on the Rivers" charity poker tournament at the Hard Rock at the end of May.
Fast forward to Labor Day and it was announced that Frank Marino would bring a new female impersonator show -- Divas Las Vegas -- to the Imperial Palace for a limited run from September 4–7. The show featured a bevvy of male beauties impersonating all the classic divas, including Britney Spears, Cher, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Madonna, Dolly Parton, and, of course, Ms Rivers.
Evidently this toe-in-the-water experiment was a success and in mid-October it was announced that Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas had signed a year-long contract at the IP, commencing Saturday, Oct. 17. Divas performs six nights a week (dark Fridays) at 10 p.m. and tickets start at $69 (plus taxes & fees).
