One more time, for us

November 2, 2009 by Eric Loy 

Wayne Newton returns to the Las Vegas Strip, reaches 50 years

It just seems that all is right in the world when Wayne Newton is lighting up a Las Vegas marquee.

“Once Before I Go” is Newton’s latest, and assumedly his last, gig in the town he made and the town that made him, opened last weekend.

Running at the Tropicana, the show marks Newton’s 50th year entertaining Vegas crowds.

The premise for the show is those 50 years. Mostly biographical, “Once Before I Go” begins with a little boy hopping off the bus in Las Vegas, wide-eyed and uncertain. A few moments later, the set rearranges and Newton himself, and a smokin’ hot 20+ member big band, comes out blazing.

For the remaining 90 minutes, Newton reminisces vocally and musically, highlighting his years with the Rat Pack, his ubiquitous presence on the USO circuit for service men and women overseas and, of course, his intimate relationship with Las Vegas.

As anyone will observe, Newton’s voice is only a remnant of the velvety tenor of his youth. He scratches his way through songs he once made famous and occasionally seems to save his voice for a big sustain later in the number, but incredibly, only a performer like Newton can negate that from importance in a show.

The man simply exudes stage presence.

He pops around stage with the spry of someone 20 years his junior with the comedic candor and confident smile of a man who was born to spend his life on the stage.

If the negative of seeing Newton now is his lost voice, the benefit is seeing 50 years of performing experience in the body of one singer. He’s simply mesmerizing.

From Broadway to the Strip, I’ve never seen anyone command an audience the way Newton can – and doubt I ever will again. He’s a thoroughbred performer, maybe the last one left.

The massive musical library of 165 recorded albums at Newton’s disposable certainly doesn’t hurt. For the Wayniacs, all the hits are here. Highlights of the show include “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” “Danke Schoen” and “Summer Wind,” a song that Newton playfully reminds the crowd that despite all the popular versions, he was the first to record it as a hit. Yes, even before Sinatra. Newton also shows off his instrumental ability, playing no less than a half-dozen instruments throughout the show, a good number of them in a single song.

The show seems to base itself on the appeal that Newton belongs to Vegas, America and the world. Indeed, it doesn’t have to try very hard as few performers can tell stories of playing in Vietnam on a site that was destroyed by mortar fire 48 hours later or of calling up Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. to hold a fundraiser concert for UNLV.

While it’s often difficult to find authenticity in a city that builds itself on forgeries, Newton stands firm as the real deal. This show is not only important as the last hurrah of a legendary entertainer, but as a reminder of what American entertainment can and probably should be.

It’s funny, it’s heartwarming and it’s blessedly honest.

There’s a reason Newton’s own biographical press release is nearly 3,000 words. The accolades, accomplishments and performances, along with the title of Mr. Las Vegas, are enough to make any head spin and any modern pop icon look insignificant.

But the real beauty of Newton’s act is that despite the incredible 50 years behind him, he still performs like it’s his first time out. He didn’t receive nearly a dozen standing ovations on opening night because he deserved them. He received them because he earned them that night.

For any local, any fan, any American, any human with a pulse, “Once Before I Go” is a must-see.

ON THE WEB:
Tickets: troplv.com