Reviews

Grant Griffin in Concert by Norm Johnson March 11, 2005

Went to the Grant Griffin Concert earlier this week (March 8) to see and hear exactly what is going on with the talented baritone and, the three dynamic ladies he was featuring. I quickly found out when a 21 piece orchestra - including a sizable string section - appeared on The Orleans Showroom stage. It's been a long time since I personally saw that big of a presence of musicians on a stage.

Anyhow, to the concert. Right off the bat Grant opens with a wonderful "Mariah" followed by "Full Moon & Empty Arms." Next on stage was one of the nicest persons on the universe (personal opinion) and a terrific singer, Jeneane Marie who performs at the Sahara on a regular basis. This gal can belt out any song there is but picked "Stand Strong" and "At Last" for her solos, then paired up with Griffin for a dynamite "Wind Beneath My Wings."

The concert was moving right along with Grant performing two solos next, then bringing out the beautiful and talented Michaelina Bellamy, who also performs at the Sahara. Michaelina performed two fantastic numbers "Angelito Negro" in perfect Spanish and finished up with "Hero." What really made this so special was a film she had made showing her heros - Mom & Dad who were also entertainers and dancers along with other family moments.

"Funny Valentine" came next by the host, who introduced the next singer Patricia Welch. Patricia, who has performed all over the world including Broadway just killed with a fabulous opera number, "Sempre Libra," which got a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd. This was followed by a beautiful "Summertime" and then the host teamed up with her on "If I Loved You."

Grant stayed on stage and did a great "Danny Boy" and "Who Can I Turn To" before introducing another singer from the audience, his wife Poupee Boccaccio. She is a well known artist, actress and singer who came on stage and sang "Besame Mucho" to a surprised audience. Terrific touch!

The concert was produced by Joe Corosh and Griffin and coordinating producer / director Larry Hart. The sound, lighting and staging was excellent. There were 21 various musical selections ranging from Pop to the Classics with all the stops between. It was a wonderful 90 plus minutes and truly most enjoyable.

What makes it tough, however, is when you have to four-wall (where the producers pay for everything) such a production. This not a cheap show by any stretch of the imagination. The orchestra alone is very costly. But Grant and his fellow producers gave their best, and the audience appreciated every moment! It's about time entertainment buyers forget the word Four-Wall

It's The Norm

February 25, 2005

"It's The Norm" - Las Vegas Entertainment Events

by Norm Johnson
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If you're looking for an inexpensive night out and, want to listen to some beautiful music then there's only one place to be on Tuesday, March 8th and that's The Orleans Showroom where the Annual Grant Griffin in Concert show will be staged.

What's so darn good about this show is it's not just a man and his music. It's a man and three dynamite ladies performing about 26 songs ranging from the Classics, Latin and Broadway to pop with many stops between.

The three ladies, all stars in their own right, will each be paired with Griffin in a special duet pertaining to their specialty. Patricia Welch, who recently completed a concert tour with Robert Goulet, will perform two beautiful classical numbers. Michaelina Bellamy, who stars on a regular basis at the Sahara Hotel, will sing two fabulous Latin arias. Jeneane Marie, who has become a legendary icon of our little village (having worked just about every hotel in town), will do two popular songs.

Another great thing about this particular show is when was the last time you heard or saw a 26 piece concert orchestra? Very rare these days my friends. Lon Bronson will conduct the orchestra with Bob Rozario featured on the piano. The show is staged and directed by Larry Hart and is produced by GPG and Joe Corosh.

And, who is Grant Griffin you may ask? He is considered by many as one of the finest lyric baritones in the world, with a career that has spanned over 40 years. His ability to sing music from Opera to Broadway to Pop has brought a new dimension to the concert stage. Grant is a "singer's singer" there's no question about that. He has done Presidential Command performances and for the Royalty of England and other European heads of state. Grant and Las Vegas are old friends - having first appeared at the Sahara Hotel in 1956. He eventually went on to star in "Casino De Paris" at the Dunes Hotel.

"In order for this particular show to work, each song must be carefully thought out. Each singer, including myself, must perform and interpret the music in their own style," Griffin explained. "This show spans eons of time and is like an art gallery filled with beautiful paintings. The three ladies are my crown jewels in the paintings."

Showtime for Grant Griffin in Concert, featuring Patricia Welch, Michaelina Bellamy and Jeneane Marie is 8 pm. at The Orleans Showroom Tuesday March 8th. Tickets, priced at $39.95 are available by calling (702) 365-7075 and can be purchased the night of the performance.

Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Mike Weatherford

The second edition of theatrical singer Grant Griffin's "Magical Night of Music" doubles as a benefit Wednesday, while the Edwards Twins bring costumed impersonations from Laughlin for two consecutive Fridays at Sunset Station.

Lyric baritone Griffin thinks Las Vegas could use his four-octave range for a classy middle ground between showroom crooning and touring Broadway musicals. "It's an element you don't see on the Strip," he says of a vehicle that will be packed with Broadway favorites.

At a recent benefit, Griffin's rendition of "Portrait of Love" inspired impressionist Bob Anderson to say, "You could give your ticket to the valet guy and (Griffin) could still be holding that note when they got back with your car."

The 8 p.m. show at The Orleans benefits the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society; tickets are $49 and $59. It features a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Vincent Falcone and guest singers Geneane Marie, Michaelina Bellamy and Patricia Welch.

"It's kind of like a Boston Pops show without the stuffiness," Griffin says. Last year's concert drew a standing room-only crowd, but no serious offers from hotel people to stage the show once a month, as Griffin would like to.

Grant Griffin looking for sustained presence

By MIKE WEATHERFORD
REVIEW-JOURNAL

So what else is out there?

It's only fair to ask. So what if there are more than 60 shows on the Strip already, not counting comedy clubs, weekend headliners, concerts and Celine Dion about to put 4,000 new tickets on the market?

This is Vegas, and we always wonder what's next. Or what could be next. And if you as a consumer are bored with magicians and hypnotists, think about all the entertainers out there who think they're better than the ones hogging up all the rooms.

Singer Grant Griffin's "A Magical Night of Music" demonstrated there's a potential missing niche for a show that falls somewhere between PBS and Lawrence Welk, albeit with the meter slightly skewed toward the bubbles.

Shower singing is the last thing you heard at "A Magical Night of Music." Griffin surrounded his formal baritone with three female operatic or theatrical vocalists -- Patricia Welch, Jeneane Marie and Michaelina Bellamy -- and a 26-piece orchestra on The Orleans stage.

Most of the performances -- Welch's "Sunset Boulevard" anthem "With One Look" or her "Time to Say Goodbye" duet with Griffin, for instance -- were heavily of the "Look at me, I'm singing!" school. But then, you probably knew just from the song titles that subtlety was not the order of the day.

Griffin also has a knack for pumping up the melodrama by dropping in a single line of English translation into lyrics written in other languages, or speaking one line per song instead of singing it.

But you just don't hear too many "My Cup Runneth Over"/"I Believe" medleys these days. That's not to be facetious, but to say there's an often overlooked audience being served here. Forget about this show if you will feel proud of yourself for guessing within two seconds of hearing the word "Irish" -- as in, "I'm Welsh, but there's a little bit of Irish in all of us" -- that Griffin is going to sing "Danny Boy."

The important thing -- the good thing -- is that it was actually a warm, classy version, set to Vince Falcone's solo piano and putting the old chestnut into context.

Griffin would like to do this show once a month. If he can afford to pay the orchestra -- which sounded a little stretched in the string department already -- there should be nothing to stand in his way. At least no commercial offering in a casino.

Meatball Awards

By Norman Johnson

    It seems that there are awards shows for about any type of celebrity. But what about those performers that worked the Las Vegas "Lounge Circuit?" It's time that these entertainers earn their applause and accolades fro their hard work and dedication.
    Despite its comedic name, the Meatball's Award recognizes those performers and entertainers that serve as the backbone to the entertainment industry. Las Vegas Senior Life is proud to sponsor this award show and those entertainers who, day in and day out, perform their hearts out.
    The Annual Meatball Awards will take place this year at The Orleans Hotel & Casino on Tuesday evening, May 18th beginning at 7pm. There will be a no host cocktail reception in Sazio's Restaurant, followed by the Awards Show in the Orleans Showroom at 8 pm.
    Following the award ceremony, a fabulous presentation of specialty meatballs, prepared by some of the great chefs and restaurants of Las Vegas, will be available for those attending the show at Sazio's.
    The Meatball Awards were originally conceived and produced by Dan Manarina (who recently passed away) and Grant Griffin of Griffin Productions Group. Griffin has been joined this year by Las Vegas Senior Life Entertainment Editor Marvin Lashever, as co-producer.
    As Griffin explained, "Meatballs are a fundamental food staple throughout the world. Everyone loves meatballs. It's the same way for lounge acts. These performers are the backbone and staple of the entertainment industry in Las Vegas. Without them leading the way, there is no Las Vegas."
    The first awards show presented 16 engraved and beautifully crafted crystal awards to those deemed to be some of the forefathers of the Las Vegas entertainment industry. Such personalities as Sonny King, Blackie Hunt, Sam Butera, the Checkmates and Bob Anderson were among those honored.
    Following the first show, more than 4,000 meatballs were consumed by those attending the party. "Everyone had a great time together," Griffin recalled.
    This year the award will honor 22 personalities representing not only the entertainment industry and media but three new categories: Male and Female Comic of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
    The late comic Bernie Allen will be honored with a Special Award presented to his son by Steve Rossi.
    Among this year's honorees are Jerry Tiffe, Las Vegas Senior Life's Tony Sacca, Babe Pier, Freddie Bell, Lena Prima, Maynard Sloat and Corey Saxe.

Presenters include Dennis Bono (another Las Vegas Senior Life columnist) Sonny King, Lt Governor Lorraine Hunt, producer Michael Gill, Marlene Ricci, Clint Holmes, Steve Cutler and Lance Burton.
    The early years of Las Vegas saw a collection of singers, comedians and musicians who painted a historical canvas for what we now call "Vintage Las Vegas." Many of those entertainers set the standard for the generations who have followed. Their style and names became synonymous with the "Entertainment Capital of the World." It was those men and women who molded Las Vegas into the unique city it is today.
    "It's an honor to have picked up the gauntlet left behind by my friend Dan Manarina," Executive Producer Grant Griffin said during an interview. "He had the vision to honor those who helped pioneer the entertainment industry in Las Vegas."
    "There are so many entertainers working in rooms around the world today, who got their first recognition in a Las Vegas lounge. We will continue that tradition by honoring those vintage entertainers, who were and are the backbone of our city, as well as today's entertainers and members of the media."
    Entertainment will be provided by many of the recipients and presenters during the two hour show hosted by Las Vegas comedian, Cork Proctor. The Lon Bronson Orchestra will provide the evening's music.
    Larry Matzkin is the coordinating producer with stage direction under the capable hands of Larry Hart of Sierra Group Entertainment.
    "We're very proud to be the sponsor and a part of this great evening of entertainment," Las Vegas Senior Life Entertainment editor Marvin Lashever said. "And honoring those who made Las Vegas what it is today is even more rewarding for us at Senior Life."
    Tickets, priced at $34.95 (including tax) may be purchased at The Orleans Showroom Box Office. For further information regarding awards, call 365-7070.

Send mail to atozinc@earthlink.net with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2002 Griffin Productions Group, Inc.

Send mail to atozinc@earthlink.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 Griffin Productions Group, Inc.